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Robert A. Heinlein - A Comedy Of Justice
Atec Февраль 27 2008 02:52:13
Книга только для ознакомления
. While we slept last night? But we had not lost our clothes, had not lost our money. I even had my razor, a lump in my breast pocket.
Never mind - any attempt to understand all the details of these changes led only to madness. The shift had indeed taken place; I was here in my native world... and it had left me with no money. With no legal money.
By Hobson's choice, that Canadian quarter looked awfully good. I did not try to tell myself that the Eighth Commandment did not apply to big corporations. Instead I did promise myself that I would pay it back. I picked it up and took the receiver off the hook.
'Number, please.'
'Please place a collect call to Churches United for Decency in Kansas City, Kansas. The number is State Line I224J. I'll speak to anyone who answers.'
'Deposit twenty-five cents, please.' I deposited that Canadian quarter and held my breath - heard it go tingthunk-thunk. Then Central said, 'Thank you. Do not hang up. Please wait.'
I waited. And waited. And waited.
'On your call to Kansas City - Churches United for Decency reports that they do not accept collect calls.'
'Hold it! Please tell them that the Reverend Alexander Hergensheimer is calling.'
'Thank you. Please deposit twenty-five cents.'
'Hey! I didn't get any use out of that first quarter. You hung up too soon.'
'We did not disconnect; the party in Kansas City hungup.'
'Well, call them back, please, and this time tell them not to hang up
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