Optron #39 13 сентября 2000

Litstranichka - "Cup".

  From the Editor


  In contemporary fiction is very popular literary device such 
as the transfer of a world of "Alice" Carroll. 

  For example, Roger Zelazny, sends back
his characters in an episode of "The Chronicles
Amber. "Andrzej Sapkowski in his story" The Golden Afternoon 
"boldly soedinaet theme of" Alice "and Zelazny story" Night at 
the dreary October. " 

  Well, we give an example
story, which united the worlds of "Alice" and Andre Norton 
novel "Crown of the woven horns. "




                  Cup


  {} Trynova Victoria, 2000


  I touch made its way along the dark corridor. Hands every now 
and then stumbling on the web and slippery wall.


  What pulled me in there? ..

  I remember sitting on the porch of the castle and
looked at the clouds: this is like
elephant, and this - in the giraffe, the following - the 
spitting image of my Siamese cat Enrico ... It was getting 
dark, it became colder. I tightly wrapped in a shawl. A lovely 
summer evening. 

  And then I heard ... What was it? I
did not understand - either cry, or moan.
I jumped. The sound came from the cellars
castle. And I almost hesitated, ran back.

  Here I am in a large room. How strange: for
all three years that I lived in the castle, where I
not even once. Cold stone walls,
windows withdrawn thick twisted bars.
Reign gloom and silence.

  Middle of the room, directly under a huge multi-tiered 
crystal chandelier, stood a small table, on a smooth shiny 
surface that I saw something strange and came closer (strange 
that here absolutely no dust, it really March, the Standing

clean up here?)

  There was a cup. Large, silver, clearly
old work.

  Oh, what is it? Well pattern: men's head with huge horns, 
Entangling cup.


  Hee-hee, what pretty moose antlers!

  I reached out to the Cup, but immediately withdrew it back. 
The head parted severely pursed lips and said in a low voice:


  - Drink from me!

  In a second I flew to the door.
Am I going crazy?

  A few minutes later, I still decided to come to the table. 
Cup was filled with dark frothy liquid, and yet I could swear 
that there was nothing there when I came the first time.


  Few posomnevavshis, I took the cup and
drank every last drop. The drink was
pleasant, slightly tart, supply-side needles.
My eyes closed by themselves and the Goblet
dropped out of the feeble fingers.

  ......................................


  - Are you asleep? Well, get up just go into the house - 
Martha stir me, and taking the hand, put into the door lock.


  It was quite dark. In the kitchen, we lit
two candles and Martha began to gather at the table.

  I sat at the table and eat a juicy grapes brought from the 
village of Martha. From Enrico darkness dived, and I ulegshis

on his knees, asleep.

  I told Martha about a cup and a wonderful dream, but she just 
laughed and called me a restless inventor. 

  - But it's true - I insisted - This
room really is, and the cup with
I said ... By the way, who is "borogoves?

  - Oh, and where you're only you take such
absurd word - sighed Martha. - Yes
Okay, Enrico sleeves from his knees, will have supper. No more 
stupid pranks! You understood me, Alice?


  - Uh-huh.

  And we got down to dinner, and Enrico had to settle for a 
chair near the fireplace. However, there were warm and 
comfortable, and he soon fell asleep.