"Arkady and Boris Strugatsky. Probationers (engl) " - читать интересную книгу автора

- Farewell, oldster, - she said.
- Farewell, - he replied, smiling tenderly. - Forgive me if I spoke
harshly... You really helped me today.
She gave him a baffled look, shrugged her shoulders, smiled and walked
to her car. Daugeh watched as she walked, swaying her hips, remarkably
slender, proud and pitiful. She had a splendid step and she was still
attractive, amazingly attractive. People followed her with their eyes.
Daugeh thought with dreary spite: "Here. Here is all her life. Drape the
flesh with something expensive and pretty and draw attention. And so many of
them, and how tenacious are they."
When he came to the car, Grisha Bykov was sitting, knees against the
stirring wheel, reading a thick book. The car stereo was on at full blast:
Grisha loved loud music.
Daugeh got in, turned off the stereo and sat quietly for some time.
Grisha put the book aside and started the engine. Daugeh said, looking ahead
of him:
- Life gives a person three joys, namesake. Friends, love and work. But
how seldom do they come together!
- One can, naturally, do without love, - said Grisha thoughtfully.
Daugeh gave him a quick look.
- True, one can, - he agreed. - But that means one joy less, and there
are just three.
Grisha said nothing. He believed it would be unfair to start an
argument hopeless for his opponent.
- To the institute, - said Daugeh, - and try to make it by one. We
won't be late?
- Nope, I will be quick.
The car came onto the highway.
- Uncle Grisha, are you cold? - asked Grisha Bykov.
Daugeh moved his nose and said:
- Yes, buddy. Let's close the windows.

MIRZA-CHARLIE. RUSSIAN BOY.

The duty officer at passenger communications was very sympathetic
towards Yura Borodin. She could not help him at all. Regular passenger
commuting with the Saturn system did not exist. There wasn't yet any regular
cargo commuting. Automated cargo vessels were sent there two-three times a
year, and piloted ships even less frequently. The officer twice sent a
request to the electronic dispatch, shuffled through some weighty directory,
rang somebody a few times, but all in vain. Probably because Yura looked
really miserable she said afterwards, with sympathy:
- Cheer up a little, dear. It's such a distant planet. Besides, why do
you need to travel so far?
- I fell behind after others left, - Yura said with distress. - Thank
you greatly. I will go now. Perhaps somewhere else...
He turned and walked to the exit, head down, looking at the worn out
plastic floor under his feet.
- Wait, dear, - the officer called out to him. Yura immediately turned
around and walked back. - You see, dear, - said the duty officer hesitantly,