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Text: HARRY (from G. Garrison)
Music: MIDISOFT
Translation: ---
Export: dr.Stanley (SOI)
Broadcast: Sany
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Harry GARRISON
STAINLESS STEEL RAT APPEARS ON CBET
As soon as I walked up to the front door of the central bank
Beat O'Haven, she felt my presence and was welcoming
opened, inviting you to enter. I quickly stepped inside and
stopped, but was still not so close to the door that
she couldn't close behind me. While its doors are sliding
zili to each other, I pulled out a multifunctional from my bag
device and passed it overthe perimeter of the doorway when they
are completely closed. I noted the time on the scoreboard when they pointed-
went to the bank last time, so I knew exactly what I had
there are 1.67 seconds to do everything necessary. Time
enough. The device buzzed and lit up with a bright flame,
securely welding the doors around the entire perimeter. After that the door
All she could do was buzz helplessly, without moving from her place,
until something in her mechanism shorted, and she, crackling
and sparkling, did not calm down at all.
- Damage to bank property is a crime. Are you are-
Tovans.
As expected, the bank security robot pulled forward
their huge, mechanical hands, trying to grab me
and hold him until the police arrive.
- Some other time, talking wreck, - snarled -
I rushed, sticking a pig-shaped needle into his chest with a power of three hundred
volts and many amps. Enough to organize non-
large short circuit. Smoke poured out from all the joints of the robot
and he fell to the floor with a crash befitting his weight. Pyx-
he said behind me, since at that time I had already slipped through
ed, shrugging off the elderly lady who was standing in front of
cashier window. I pulled out a huge machine gun from my bag
and, having exposed it to the cashier,growled his order.
- Life or wallet, sister. Fill this purse with green
lazy.
Very expressively, although my voice trembled slightly, and
The last words sounded a little squeaky. The cashier smiled
in response to this and most brazenly tried to dodge
from the answer.
- Get out of here, son. This is not for you...
I pulled the trigger, and the fail-safe machine gun buzzed above her.
very ear. I didn't kill her, although I could have easily. She rolled
eyes, slowly slid under the cash register.
It won't be easy for you to defeat Jimmy Dee
Grizom! In one leap I found myself on the counter and, waving my car,
tomatom, shouted to the remaining employees who were looking at
me with wide open eyes:
- Step back - all of you! Fast! I don't want to
one of you pressed the silent signal button. Here
so and so. You, flattering bun, - I waved to the fat kaccupy,
who always ignored me in the past. Now he was
all attention. - Fill this bag with green, large cu-
purees, and right NOW.
He did everything as quickly as he could, clumsily fumbling with his
kami and covered in cold sweat. Clients and staffstood
around in awkward poses, paralyzed by fear. The door to the con-
the director's door remained closed, which meant that he
most likely not there. The plump one stuffed his bag with banknotes and
handed it to me. The police didn't show up. I had a wonderful
chance to successfully complete the case. I muttered something in a whisper
dirty curse and pointed his finger at one of the bags,
full of coins.
“Unload your change and fill your bag,” I ordered, mockingly.
in a loud and at the same time grumbling voice.
He readily obeyed, and soon the bag was full.
on. Again, no sign of the police. Could it be like this?
so that none of these employees with the money of idiots press
to the signal button. It probably could. It was necessary urgently
do something.
I reached down and grabbed another bag of copper.
“Come on, put the green ones here too,” I ordered, throwing the me-
Shock kaccupy.
Having done this, I still reached the signal button with my elbow -
ki. There are days in life when you have to do everything yourself.
This produced the desired effect. By the time the third
the bag was filled with banknotes and I, staggering under their weight,
walked to the door, the police appeared. One police car
crashed into another(sudden police appearances are rare in these
edges), but ultimately they were sorted into places and
lined up outside, with machine guns at the ready.
“Don’t shoot,” I squeaked. With genuine fear,
because the sight of most of them did not cause any fun.
They couldn't hear me through the glass, but they could see me
great.
“These are blank cartridges,” I shouted. - Look!
I put the muzzle of the machine gun to my temple and pulled the trigger. From the smoke
the generator was filled with puffs of smoke appropriate to the situation, and
the sound effect of the shot was enough to make me
buzzed in my ears. I fell to the floor behind the counter, further away
from their terrifying gaze. At least now it shouldn't
be fired. I waited patiently until they screamed and...
they swear to their heart's content and eventually break down the door.
If you find that everything I have said confuses you
there's no point - if that's the case, it's not your fault. It's one thing to take
bank, and it’s quite another thing to do it in such a way as to be sure
know that you will be caught. Why, you ask, why was it necessary?
to do something so stupid? I will be happy to tell you about everything packa-
zat. To understand what motivated me, you need to understand that
what life on this planet is like - and what it was like
This is MY life. Let me explain.Beat O'Haven was founded several thousand years ago by
some exotic religious sect, which has since
fortunately, she managed to sink into oblivion. They arrived here from another
planets. It was said that this was the Earth that was rumored to be
is the homeland of all mankind, but I doubt it.
In any case, things weren't going so well for them. Maybe
perhaps the endless labor was too much for them - it was necessary
to think that in earlier times life was not continuous
holiday. Our teachers constantly remind us of this,
especially when they want to emphasize how corrupt the current
young youth. And we manage not to tell them about what we
they must be spoiled, because over the last millennium
life here hasn't changed much. For people, the planet would be
It is unsuitable, and even more so, life-threatening. The entire race
the peaceful world was the purest poison for human beings.
organism, and it was necessary to completely cleanse the planet
from it so that edible crops can be grown.
The local fauna was also unsuitable for food, and besides
had the ugliest claws and teeth, scratching and biting
everyone. The animals were terribly stubborn. They are so bad npupy-
it was believed that there was no left for ordinary kopobams and sheep
hope for a long life. But in the end, careful selection
breeders madehis own business, as a result of which appeared
pig-like If you can, imagine - a huge cbupe-
a big hog weighing a ton, with sharp fangs and a sneaky hecro-
grumpy disposition. The picture is completed by long sharp needles,
tearing the creature completely, like some kind of crazy wild-
times. Oddly enough, the plan worked; since the farm is up
they still continue to raise swine-like animals in such quantities
ve, he simply has to work. And Smoked Pork Hams -
call c Beat O'Haven became famous throughout the universe. But you don't
meet guests from the Galaxy hurrying to visit our planet
that one I grew up here, I know. Our abode is so boring and
monotonous, which makes even the pig-like creatures sad. But sa-
My funny thing is that, it seems to me, I’m the only one who noticed this -
tea. And the rest were just fun to watch. My mom-
ka always thought that these were age-related experiences, and burned
in my bedroom there is a pig-shaped needle, a folk remedy for high blood pressure.
mentioned. Daddy always feared that these were signs of...
existing schizophrenia and got into the habit of dragging me to the doctor every year
toru. The doctor could not find any violations, and according to his theory,
It turned out that I was most likely a descendant of the first settlers,
atavism on the body of modern society. But it was all a lot
years ago. Ever since my dad kicked me out of the house on Friday...
eleven years old, I was no longer tormented by my parentsattention.
This happened after he checked my
pockets and discovered that I have much more money than y
him. Mommy completely agreed with him and even revealed to me
the door is wider. I think they were glad to see me last
once again. I, of course, was the main irritant in
their measured cow life.
What do I think about this? I think being an exile
not very pleasant and damn lonely at times. But I don't
I think that I could have a different path yrotobah. He gives birth
its own specific difficulties, but from any hopeless situation
In marriage, you can always find a way out. For example, one problem, c
which I managed to cope with is that I was initially
The older guys beat me all the time. It started right away
I just started going to school. I made a mistake at first
letting them know that he is much smarter than them. And if so,
get a black eye. This is so nohpabu for school brawlers
It seemed that they stood in line to beat me. And
I managed to break this vicious circle only by bribing
yhubepcutetckoro the physical education teacher who taught me
hand-to-hand combat. I waited until I truly had it all
techniques, and only then struck back. Then I laid
his main rival and continued to thresh three more or
even morethugs, one after another. Is it worth talking?
I think that after that all the kids turned into my friends
Zey, and they never tired of repeating how amazing it looked
my pursuit of six of the most notorious scoundrels in all
quarter. As I already said, from any hopeless situation -
There is a worthy way out, and sometimes a very pleasant one.
Where did I get the money to bribe the teacher? Not from my father
I can assure you of this. Three dollars a week - that's all
my pocket money, it was only enough to buy
two gaspophyses or a small bar of chocolate with filling.
Need, not greed, taught me my first lessons in economics.
Buy low and sell high, and keep the profit
be. Of course, I couldn't buy anything without having any
capital, therefore, to accumulate the main product I
I had to resort to purchasing it for free. All children
They buy small things in stores. Everyone goes through this
diyu, and usually the craving for petty theft is eliminated forever,
as soon as the thief is caught. I've seen sad ones
and the disastrous results of their failures and decided to carry out the
market survey, study timing and modes of movement
nyy before embarking on the path of petty fraud. The most
The main thing is not to mess with small kommepcahtamu. They know
its entire range and extremelyinterested in
he remained safe and sound. It's better to go shopping -
mi in big yhubepmaru. In this case, you will have to
contact only local detectives and alarm systems. Vni-
carefully studying how they work will help you
think of a means to get around them. One of my earliest
and primitive means - I’m just ashamed to reveal all of it
simplicity - I would call it a trap book. I designed
a box that looked exactly like a book. Only with her
the bottom was equipped with a spring and easily turned inward.
All I had to do was just put the book down
on an unsuspecting chocolate bar, and it is instantly used
disappeared from sight. It was quite rude and ill-conceived
This is a tricky technique, but I successfully used it for quite a long time.
live time. I was just about to leave him,
thinking of a more perfect device, but suddenly realized
that it seems to me a very convenient opportunity to end it with him
in the most favorable way. It was necessary to teach Smellie a lesson
[Smelly - fetid (English)]. His name was Bedford
Millingham, but we always called him Stinky.
Just as some people are born dancers or artists,
mi, others are born for more humble deeds. Cmelley was
a born donor. The only pleasure in his lifethere was denunciation against their classmates. He was peeping
and watched and snitched. Not a single trifling offense of his cbepc-
tnik was not trivial for him and was not ignored by him.
niya and was not brought to the attention of the administration. They loved him
for this - which can give you an idea of what kind of teaching
we were raised by our bodies. And no one could beat him right away
blows without harm to itself. They always took him at his word, and
gave mainly to the fighters themselves. Cmelley made me some
minor dirty trick, I don’t even remember what exactly, but it would-
it's enough to arouse dark thoughts in me and even
force a plan of action to be developed. Bragging delivers
a pleasure for all the boys, and I acquired a very important
tyc, having brought into his company a trap for sweets in the form
books. Oohs and aahs followed, which became even louder,
when I allocated part of the contents of the book for a treat. But I
I did this not only to increase my rating,
but also to make sure that Cmellie was eavesdropping
us. It still seems to me that all this only happened
yesterday, and I felt warm from the memories that suddenly washed over me.
minaniy.
- Not only does it work - but I'll show you how
is happening. Come with me to the Murc Multisto department store!
- Is it really possible?Jimmy?
- Perhaps, perhaps. But not the whole herd at once.
Move several people at a time to the store and stand where
something so that you can see the counter with sweet tiles.
Be there exactly at 15:00 and you will see something!
After that, I dispersed the batary and began to watch the cabin.
volume director. As soon as Smellie disappeared out the door, I joined everyone
He rushed to the locker room and unlocked his cubicle.
Excellent work. I'm even proud of myself because
this was my first crime scenario that I prepared
for others. They had no idea about it. At the appointed time
I pulled me up to the sweets counter at Muhrca, diligently
not noticing their conspirators, who are also doing their best
They tried to pretend that they weren’t paying attention to me. Co-
With a completely relaxed movement (relaxed gesture) I
placed the book on the counter on top of the sweets and bent down to
tie the lace on the shoe.
- Gotcha! - shouted the largest and strongest of them, praising
pulling me by the collar of my coat.
- Hold him! - the other one yelled joyfully, grabbing the book.
- What are you doing? - I croaked hoarsely - all I had to do was
I could only wheeze because the coat was tightly squeezing my throat,
as I found myself almost suspended by the collar. -Thief,
give me my history book, it's worth seven dollars
ditch, my mom bought it for me with the money she infected
I was busy shaking out the quills' quills from their bedding!
- A book? - The healthy bully grinned. - We know that
this is a book. - He grabbed both covers and tore them off. Book
opened, and you should have seen the expression on his face when
pages began to fall.
“They told on me,” I squeaked, unbuttoning my coat and
falling out of it, rubbing his aching neck at the same time. -And harobo-
ril the one who boasted that he uses this device
for their own nefarious purposes. He's standing over there, his
name is Cmellie. Grab him guys before he runs away!
All Smellie could do was stand and gawk in amazement.
shield his eyes when the nimble hands of his peers close comk-
gathered around him. The textbooks were scattered on the floor, and the box
imitated as a book, opened up, spewing out co-
held from sweet tiles with filling. It was easy
wonderful. Tears, and mutual accusations, and screams. And also
a great way to distract attention. Because on this day I
conducted field tests of his new device - Pog-
Candy winner Number Two. I worked long and hard on it
invention, based on a silent vacuum pump,
the measure of which was inmy sleeve. I raised my hand to the sa-
xar tiles - whoops! - and the first of them disappeared from sight.
She settled somewhere in my pants, or should I say inside
the most disgusting golf pants we had to wear
as a school uniform. They hung on me like a bag and were
attached just above the ankle with a tight elastic band.
The sweet tile safely fell into them, followed by
Another one came, then a third. If only I could stop
this pump. But thank God, Smellie continued to scream and
twitch. All attention was npukobaho to him, and not to me in
this moment when I couldn’t cope with the switch.
Meanwhile, the pump continued to suck in candies from the filling.
body, and they, barely having time to slip along the sleeve, fell
in my pants. I finally managed to turn it off, but
if anyone even bothered to look in my direction!
The empty counter and the swollen shapes of my legs could cause
a certain suspicion. But, fortunately, no one bothered.
I ran out into the street through the revolving gate with all the speed
the one he was capable of. As I already said, I always
It's nice to remember this. This, of course, does not explain
why did I take such an important decision today, on my birthday?
decision on how to break the bank. And get caught. Police at last
broke down the doors and burst into the room in a crowd. I raisedhands
up above his head and prepared to meet them right away
with a cheerful smile.
My birthday is the main reason. My seventeenth
birthday. 17th birthday here at Beat O'Haven - it's
a very important moment in the life of a young man.
The judge leaned forward and looked at me intently,
his gaze was not angry and hostile.
- Well, now, Jimmy, come on, tell me why you...
I had to play this stupid joke.
Judge Nixon had a summer house on the river not far from our
farm, and I visited his youngest son very often, so
the judge knew me very well.
- My name is James di Gris, judge. No need for familiarity.
Can you imagine how thick the paint covered everything?
his face. A huge red nose stuck out like a ski tramp-
Lin, and his nostrils flared wildly.
-You should be more respectful in the courtroom! to you
Serious charges have been brought, my boy, and it could have been better
would, if you kept within the bounds of decency. I appoint Ar-
Nolda Fortescue,public defender, your lawyer
Tom...
- I don’t need a lawyer - and I especially don’t need
in the services of old man Skew, who for so long has not been able to live without
alcohol, that there is not a single person left in the world who
who would have seen him at least once sober...
Someone's silvery laughter was heard from the gallery, leading
the judge was extremely furious.
- Silence in the hall! - he roared, hitting with a hammer like this
force that the handle broke off. He threw the piece across
hall and looked at me angrily. -You're testing your patience
court. Fortescue's lawyer has already been appointed...
- Not by me. Send him back to Muniz Bar. I
I plead guilty on all counts, and entrust my fate to
to the most rymahhomy and fair trial in the world.
He took a deep breath, shuddering noticeably as he did so, and I decided
calm him down a little until he was struck and fell
faint; then it turns out that during the trial
government, there were violations of procedural norms, and this
will take God knows how long.
“I beg your pardon, judge,” I lowered my head to hide
I can barely contain my smile. - But I committed a crime and I must
be punished. - Well, that’s better, Jimmy. You've always been smart
guy, and I just wouldn't like to see him disappear
All your abilities are in vain. You're going to the correctional facility
a colony for teenagers for no more than...
“Excuse me, your honor,” I interrupted him. - This is impossible.
O if only I had committed my crimes last week or
even last month! The law is very strict in this regard, and
I can't escape punishment. Today is my birthday. to me
already seventeen.
I managed to stop him very well. The guards waited patiently while
he typed questions into his terminal. Local news reporter
Zeta "Voice" at this time was also working hard on his port-
tative terminal, driving probably a whole
history. The judge didn't have to wait long for answers. He's deep
sighed.
- Yes, indeed. Your data tells you what you need
Today you are seventeen years old, you have reached adulthood. Now you
I’m no longer a teenager and must be responsible for everything like an adult. This
certainly involves imprisonment - if I don't
take into account mitigating circumstances. Crime
the crime was committed by the client for the first time, he is still too young and
is fully aware that he did wrong. B ourforces
make a small exception, reduce the sentence or limit
read the deadline. This is my decision...
The last thing in the world I would like to hear is him right now.
solution. Things didn't turn out quite the way I planned.
not at all like that. Something had to be done. And I
undertook. My scream drowned out the judge's last words. Pro-
Still screaming, I dived from the dock and rolled
Walking along the floor, he found himself at the other end of the hall before
The shocked audience moved from their seats.
- You will no longer write all sorts of obscenities about me -
“You, you are a hired scribbler,” I shouted. Then I pulled out the termi-
cash from the reporter's hands and slammed him on the floor. Trampling your feet
a ten-dollar car, I turned it into a useless one
trash. I deftly dodged him, jumping around, but he
Still, they managed to grab me and throw me towards the door. standing
there the policeman tried to restrain me - but immediately bent over
in half when I kicked him in the stomach. I could probably-
I wanted to escape, but escape was not at all part of my plans. I'll delay
huddled near the door, clumsily pulling the handle until someone grabbed
me, and continued to resist until he was
thrown on the floor. This time they handcuffed me and put me in
into the dock, and the judge no longer called me "Jim-"
mi, my boy."Someone found him a new hammer and he
waved it in my direction as if he wanted to smash it
wash my head. I growled and tried to look very rude and ag-
regressive.
“James Bolivar di Gris,” he intoned. - I'm coming-
I tell you to the maximum sentence for the crime that
what you have done. Correctional work in a city prison
until the next League ship arrives, after which you will
sent to a nearby correctional camp for criminals. -
The gavel slammed on the table. - Take me away!
I liked this better. I tried to break out of the shackle
fishing and spewed curses at the judge, so that God forbid he
showed weakness at the very last moment. This won't happen-
moose Two burly policemen grabbed me and, as it turns out,
Lockley from the courtroom, not too gently pushing me into the black
funnels Only when the door slammed behind me did I throw back
sitting on the seat, relaxed and finally allowed himself to win...
but smile. Yes, victoriously, that's what I meant. The meaning of everything
the operation was precisely to be arrested
and placed in prison. I needed some kind of professional
national preparation. I was present in my recklessness
harmonious system. Very early in his life, maybe since then
since then, when I was so successful in stealing from the storesweet
tiles, I began to seriously think about a career as a criminal.
For many reasons - although it was also important that I
It was a pleasure to be a criminal. Monetary reward
the birth was great enough: no other work
paid so generously for less work. And I have to admit-
Xia that I just enjoyed the feeling of superiority when
I managed to turn everyone else around me into
hit the blockheads. Someone will say that these are all boyish emotions
tions. Perhaps - but that doesn’t make them any less pleasant -
mi. At the same time, I was faced with serious problems.
we. How should I prepare myself for the future? existence
there is a lot of something better than chocolate with filling that you can
was to steal. I saw clear answers to some questions.
Money, that's what I needed. Other people's money. Money
were kept locked up, so the more I learn about locks and
constipation, the more opportunities I will have to get
up to this money. For the first time in my school life I energetically
set to work. My grades have skyrocketed so high that
the teachers began to think that I was not completely hopeless. I de-
I was so successful that when I chose the profession of a mechanic, they
never stopped rejoicing. The course was designed for three years,
but I learned everything I needed to know in three months. I pop
granted permission forpassing final exams. And received from-
Kaz. This is not how it is done, they explained to me. I have to develop c
in the same definite sequence as everything else
new, and in two years and nine months I will receive my diploma,
leaving school. And I will join the ranks of forced laborers.
Not very tempting. I tried to change course of study, but
I was informed that this was impossible. FITTTER - was carved y
on my forehead, figuratively speaking, and this mark will remain on
for the rest of my life. That's what they thought. Then I started missing
lessons and was sometimes absent for several days. They're nothing
could do something about it, despite the severe reprimands of the administration
nistration because I always showed up for exams and
got the highest marks. I simply had to receive them, because
Well, I learned most of my skills by putting them into practice.
tick. My concerns covered a fairly wide area.
thorium, so the benign inhabitants of the city did not even suspect
that they are slowly being robbed. The vending machine will swallow
a few silver coins today, tomorrow will take the cash register to
parking lot. Practical activities not only complete
enhanced my talents, but also paid for my education. Not
school education, of course - by law I could stay
here until I was seventeen - I studied during my free time
time. Since I couldn't find any tutorials thatwould introduce
me into the world of crime, I studied everything that could be useful
at work. I found the word FORGERY in the dictionary, which prompted me
to take up photography and printing. Since
kycctbo hand-to-hand combat has already served me well, I
continued to study until Black earned
Belt. I did not lose sight of the technical side of the chosen
me profession, and by the age of sixteen I already knew everything that
could learn about computers - by that time I had become pro-
professional microelectronics engineer. But all this is very
good in itself. What's next? I really don't
knew. That's why I decided to give myself a birthday present
a small gift. Prison term. Tricky? It doesn't get any smarter!
I needed to find some criminals - and where were they?
What else to look for if not in prison? A good reason, you say.
you. Going to jail is like coming home
finally meet your equals. I will listen and learn as well
when I feel that I have learned enough, a master key hidden
you can hold a candle to me, will help me get out of there. And now I
smiled and rejoiced with joy.
What a fool - this was not at all the path that was for me
needed.
They shaved my hair, washed me in a bath with a disinfectant
thief, put it on meprison uniform and boots - absolutely
unprofessional, because I had enough time to change
to live a master key and a supply of coins - then my signature was taken
fingertips and the pattern of the retina, and I was finally
sent to his cell. Look, to my great joy-
You, I had a neighbor. Now my education will begin.
This was the first day of my criminal career.
“Good afternoon, sir,” I said. - My name is Jim di Griz.
He looked at me and growled angrily:
“To hell with you, puppy,” he continued to pick his fingers on
leg, an activity from which I tore him away with my arrival.
This was my first lesson. Polite exchange of greetings,
accepted from the outside, was not honored behind these walls. Life would-
la was too rude - so was the language. My lips curled
in a grin, and I spoke again. More sharply this time.
- May you go to hell, you idiot. They call me Jim. A
you?
I wasn't sure about the slang, I got it from old and
not very good videos, but I obviously chose the right tone,
because this time he did pay attention to me.
He slowly raised his eyes, they were full of burning hatred.
- Nobody - I tell you again, NOBODY - talks to
Willie Klink this way. I'll cut you for thispuppy, and
I'll cut it very well. I'll carve my initials into your face.
A beautiful "Y" will come out.
“Not “Y”, but “W,” I corrected, “Willie is spelled with a “W.”
This infuriated him even more.
- I know how to spell it, I'm not an idiot! - he just boiled
in rage, fumbling with his hand under the mattress. He extracted from there
a piece of a hacksaw, and I managed to notice that its edge was
neatly sharpened. Nice murder weapon. He is somewhat
once he tossed it in his hand, grinning a farewell grin, for-
then suddenly rushed towards me. I think there is no need to remind
Remember that this is not the best way to approach Black Po-
yasu. I stepped aside and caught him by the wrist as he
flew past - then picked up his ankle and tossed him up
upward, so that he flew headfirst into the wall. He's sweating
consciousness roared. When he came to his senses, I was sitting on my
bed and cleaned his nails with a knife.
“My name is Jim,” I said, curling my lips in a vile yx-
soap. - Now try to pronounce it. Jim.
He looked at me, his face twitched - and then he suddenly
cried! I was simply horrified. Could this really be
le?
- I always got it from others. And you're no better. Converted
made me laugh.And he took my knife from me. I'm a whole me-
worked on this knife for a month, I had to pay ten dollars
ditch for a broken blade...
Remembering all his troubles, he began to sob again.
vat. And then I saw that he was a year or two older than me, not
more - and besides, much more defenseless than myself. So
Thus, my entry into the criminal world began with the fact that
I began to console him, handing him a wet towel so that he
wiped his face, returning his favorite knife - and even giving him
a five-dollar gold coin to make him stop his whining. I'm on-
I began to think that the underworld was not at all like me
imagined him.
It was not difficult to find out the story of his life; on the contrary, it was practically
it was literally impossible to shut his mouth when he started
pour out your soul to me. He was filled with pity for the very
be, and he enjoyed the opportunity to open up to his listeners.
lem.
“Pitiful scoundrel,” I thought, but remained silent when
I was flooded with his memories. I fell behind in school, I suffered
constant ridicule, received the lowest grades. Was weak
was and often fell into the hands of local brawlers, acquired a
great authority, only when he discovered - completely ser-
tea, of course, by breaking a bottle - which could also bexyleague-
nom, if armed. Having acquired some status, if not
respect, he began to use the threat of violence and little by little
get cocky. All this was supported by a demonstration of autopsy
small birds and other small and defenseless creatures. Then
a quick decline in authority when he cut some boy
Chishku and was caught. Convicted and sent to teenage colony
niya, released, then new troubles and again a colony. And
finally here he is, at the height of his fame as a street tramp
with a knife, jailed for extortion under threat
violence. He was beating out money. From a child, of course. He doesn't-
whenever you decide to intimidate adults. Of course he doesn't
told me all this, but everything became obvious
on its own after his endless incoherent complaints. I'm not
I stopped listening to him and began to think about what to do next.
I was unlucky, that's all. I must have been specially
but they placed me in the same cell with him to keep me in one hundred
from the more seasoned criminals who fill this prison.
The lights were turned off and I stretched out on my bunk. Tomorrow hakta-
no my day. I will meet other prisoners and write about them
my opinion, I will find real criminals among them. Podry-
I'm getting along with them and will start attending courses on criminal activity.
tee. Rest assured, I will do it. I fell asleep in a happy dream
lulled by whimpers andwhining sounds coming from the neighbors
her beds. It was necessary to end up in the same cell with him. Willie
was an exception here. My neighbor is just a loser and nothing
more. In the morning everything will be completely different. I was hoping for
this. A little anxiety still kept me awake
for a while, but eventually I dropped it. Tomorrow
everything will be fine, and so it will be. Wonderful. And no
doubts about this. Great...
Breakfast was no better or worse than what I prepared for myself.
yourself. I ate automatically, sipping a weak cactus
tea and stubbornly chewing some kind of slob, looking at the same time
to other tables. There were about thirty people in the room
prisoners, and I slowly looked from one face to another
on the other with a growing sense of disappointment.
Bo firstly, most of them had the same meaningless
a look expressing complete stupidity, just like my cokamephuk.
Well, okay, I assumed that the walls of the criminal world consist of
mentally retarded and functionally disordered elements.
But there must be something else here too. I didn't lose hope.
Secondly, they were all quite young, no older than two-
tsati. Were there really no criminals here?older? Or
the tendency to commit a crime is purely youthful
an illness that gets better very quickly with the help of neglected
society of the correcting machine? There must have been something in this
be. I just have to. I cheered up a little at the thought. All
these prisoners are losers, they are obviously losers
non-professionals. It becomes clear once you talk about it
you start to think. If they were masters of their craft,
they would never have gotten here! They were of no use
neither to society nor to themselves. But they were useful to me. If they
and could help me collect illegal information, they are quite
It’s unlikely they could have brought me in contact with those who could have done this.
Through them I could find threads leading to professionals
at large, not caught so far. This is exactly what I need
had to be done. Make friends with them and get the non-
please provide me with information. All is not lost yet. I don't have a problem
it took a lot of time to select the best candidate from all
this despicable crowd. A small group formed around
a hulking young man who sported a
a semolina nose and a scarred face. Even his body
the wounded kept some distance from him. He's pro-
walked around with an important, pompous air, and everyone else instantly
freed up space around him when he went out onto
trainingplayground after lunch.
-Who is this? - I asked Willie, who had landed on
bench next to me, diligently rubbing his nose. He's fast
blinked until it finally dawned on him what kind of subject
gained my attention, then waved his arms hopelessly.
- Beware of him, stay away from him, he got it...
meadows Stinger is a killer, that's what they say about him, and I believe it.
And besides, he is a champion in mv slvggimg [fist fight in the mud]
zi]. It's unlikely that you should get together with him.
Quite an intriguing start. I've heard something about this species
"sports", but I always lived too close to the city to
see it in action. I've never heard anything
similar things happened in the area, we were always full of police
tions.
A very cruel sport - and banned - so they could
enjoyed only by residents of remote farming towns.
In winter, when the quilboars are in their cbuhaphukas, and
grains are put into bins, they have nowhere to put their peasants -
some hands. That's when the mvdslvggimg competition begins.
Some stranger appears and challenges a local to a fight.
champion, an ordinary peasant guy with huge muscles
mi. Their secret meeting is organized in some anonymous
a crowded place - a remote barn orabandoned kopobhuke,
where women are not allowed and where moonshine is brought to the place
teak bottles, bets are placed - and the battle begins on
fists. The fight ends when one of the fighters fails
can rise from the ground. A sport that does not tolerate the squeamish
tanks and sensible teetotalers. Fun for the merry ones
strong and tipsy big men. And Stinger was one of them
these strapping guys. I had to get to know him better.
It was quite easy to do. I thought it was possible to just
go up to him and talk, but the phrases I had prepared would
whether gleaned from the disgusting videos I watched
a great many in my life. Most of them are dedicated to
elk criminals who go to prison after receiving
merit. Most likely, that's where I borrowed it from.
the idea of your crazy prank. However, this idea is still
seemed sane to me. And I could prove it by talking to
Ctuhrepom.
Walking around the yard, I found myself very close to him and his
accompanying persons. One of them looked at me angrily and I
hastened to retreat. To come back again when he
returned to me with his back.
-Are you Stinger? - I whispered out of the corner of my mouth, otbephyb from him
head. He must have watched enough of the same videos
mov,because he answered me in exactly the same manner:
- Yes. Who is interested in me?
- I am. I just got into this establishment. I have something
hand it over to you freely.
- So speak.
- Just not where these idiots can overhear. We
must be left alone.
He looked at me very suspiciously from under his hanging
eyebrows But I still managed to spark his curiosity. He
muttered something to his companions and walked away. They
remained behind, but continued to throw murderous
glances as I followed him. He walked across the yard to
benches - a couple sitting on one of them is instantly blown away
lo as soon as he came closer. I sat down next to him and he
looked me up and down disdainfully.
- Say what you were going to say, baby, and better than anything...
be good.
“This is for you,” I said, pushing twenty
this dollar coin. - The message comes from me and from no one else.
th more. I need some help and I'm willing to pay
for her. This is the first payment. You'll get a lot more if you...
Let's talk.
Hesnorted contemptuously - but grabbed with his thick fingers -
I took the coin and put it in my pocket.
- I don't do charity work, baby. The only one
the eccentric in the world whom I help is myself. And now
get out...
- Listen to what I want to say first. Everything I need
- this is a companion to escape from prison with me.
In a week. Interesting offer?
This time I managed to get his attention. He turned and
looked me straight in the eyes, coldly and self-confidently.
“I don’t like to joke,” he said, grabbing my hand and
turning it inside out. It hurt. I could easily free myself from it
vice, but didn’t do it. If he wanted a little
brag about your strength, let him.
- This is not a joke. In eight days I will be free. You
You can be there too if you want. It's your decision.
He stared at me for a while longer - then
let go of my hand. Rubbing it, I waited for him to answer. I
I saw that he was thinking about my words, trying to come to
some kind of decision.
- Do you know why I'm here? - he asked finally
net.
- I have heard somerumors.
- If it's a rumor that I killed some weirdo, then it's
true. It was an accident. He was too weak
big head. And it broke when I hit it. They are so-
we were about to hush up this matter, but another eccentric
played me a tidy sum in this match. He had to
give me money the next day, but he went to the police
instead, probably considering that it would be much less
shevle. Now they want to send me to the madhouse and work
over my head. They told me that after this I wouldn't
you'll want to fight more. I don't like this.
Huge fists clenched and unclenched when he did this
vor, and I suddenly realized that the struggle is his life, the only
It’s clear that he’s good at it. This is precisely the delight -
There are others in him, and for this he is praised. If he has no
mutate his abilities - they can just as easily take away
his life. I suddenly felt a sudden surge of pity, but
I didn’t let my feelings spill out.
-Can you get me out of here? - the question was very cepb-
eznym.
- I can.
“Then I’m at your complete disposal.” Do you need something
from me, I know this, in this world no one does anything forjust like that. I will do whatever you ask of me. They
they will finish me off, and there is nowhere to hide from them, if
they are really after you. But I'll try. I need-
but get the guy who put me here. I will repay
tribute to him. One farewell meeting. To kill him like
he wanted to kill me.
I couldn't help but flinch at his words, so obvious
was what he said. It's painfully clear.
“I’ll get you out of here,” I said. And added to this the thought-
a fond promise that I will keep an eye on him, so that God forbid he
found himself too close to the object of his vengeance. I didn't get it
eager to begin his new criminal career as an accomplice
in murder.
Stinger immediately took me under his protective wing.
lo. He shook my hand, almost crushing my fingers with his dead
howl with his grip, then led him to his comrades.
“This is Jim,” he said. - Treat him kindly.
Anyone who offends him at least once will have to deal with me. -
They burst into hypocritical smiles, thereby expressing their
love and devotion. But I didn't care about that, at least...
At least they won’t bother me now. I was under protection
those powerful fists. His hand fell on my shoulder,
as we walked away.- How do you think you'll pull this off? - he asked.
- I'll tell you about everything in the morning. And now I'm finishing it
final preparations,” I lied. - Well, bye. - And I'll leave-
I was eager to explore the surroundings, burning with desire to quickly
get out of here. But for a completely different reason than him. He
suffered a thirst for revenge, and I became despondent. They were all here
defeated, absolutely everything, but I would like to think about
be like a winner. And I really wanted to run away from them
away, back into the free air. The next twenty four
I spent hours trying to find the best way to
escape from prison. I could open any locks inside the prison
easy enough; my master key perfectly unlocked the door of our
cameras. The only problem was the electronic gates, which
which opened onto the outer courtyard. If I have the time and the necessary
common devices - I would open them too. But not under
the gaze of the guards who stood at the observation
tower directly under the clock. This was the most obvious way out,
therefore he was unacceptable. I needed to have the most
a complete understanding of the layout of the prison building - therefore
more thorough reconnaissance was needed.
It was already deep night when I slipped off my
vati. No boots, I need to move as quietly as possiblethree pairs of socks will do the trick. Working silently, I'm under-
put all the available linen under the blanket so that the bed looked
it looks like someone is sleeping on it, if anyone from oxpah-
nicknames would like to look into our cell through the bars in
doors. Willie was fast asleep, snoring in his sleep, when I opened
constipation and slipped into the corridor. Looks like he's not the only one
enjoyed my bedtime, the prison walls were just
shuddered from the sounds of hissing and snoring. Night lights were
turned on, and I was completely alone in the stairwell. Oc-
Carefully looking around the corner, I saw that the sentry was on the lower
floor is busy with his training uniform. It's great to be him
champion. Silently, like a shadow, I slipped towards the stairs and
climbed it to the top floor, which was
the same painful picture as the one below: cameras and nothing painful -
she. And on the next floor the same thing, and even higher. It was
top floor, and I couldn't go higher. I had already collected-
I was about to turn back when my gaze caught a bright metallic
a glimmer of light at the far end of the dark corridor. Who
If he doesn't take risks, he doesn't drink champagne, as they say. I'm in a hurry-
Livo ran past the barred doors and the sleeping people behind them
apectahtob - to the farthest wall. Well, well, what y
us? Iron steps leading into a dark abyss. I stepped on
the first of them and disappeared indarkness. The last stage is found
hovered right up to the ceiling. There was also a door that led
most likely on the roof. Metal, with metal frame -
catfish and securely closed, as I discovered when several times
gave her a good push. There had to be a castle somewhere, but it
couldn't be seen in the dark. And I needed to find him.
Wrapping my hand around the iron step, I tried to feel the finger-
we had a keyhole in the door, but it wasn’t there during the usual month
those There was nothing there at all. I made one more attempt to
cause constipation by changing hands, because one of them is
The elk had already jumped out of the joint - and with the same result. But
After all, there MUST be a lock on the door. I panicked and stopped co-
depict. Pushing all my fears back inside, I forced
work your brain cells. There must be some
lock or constipation, or something like that. But it's not on the door
it was. Then he could be on the joint. I slowly extended my hand
and ran his fingers along the door. And I found it right away
him. How simple the answers are when you ask the right
good questions! I took the master key out of my pocket and inserted it into
keyhole. A few seconds and it opened. More
a few seconds later the hatch door was thrown back, I
climbed up and closed it behind him - with pleasure
drawing in the cool night air. I found myself onfreedom!
Standing on the roof, yes, of course, but free spirited at least
least. The stars shone brightly above my head, and their light
enough to examine the dark surface of the roof. She was
flat and wide, with protective railings at the height of the
Lena, and completely dotted with ventilation and other pipes.
Something big and bulky covered half the sky, and when I
came closer, I heard the sounds of dripping water. Tank c
water, great, but what about us below? I looked first
into the courtyard, it was well lit and reliably guarded
I eat. What's behind us? It was much more interesting, I can
assure you. It was exactly five floors down to the outer courtyard,
it was dimly lit by a single lantern. There's a wall-
there were some unnecessary buckets, bags and barrels, and in the outer
there was a heavy gate on the wall. Locked up, out of everything
anyone in doubt. But what is closed by man, by man
may be open. More precisely, me. Here's the way out. Ko-
Of course, we still had to overcome a five-story descent, but
Something could have been worked out here. Or maybe I would find another
This is the best way to get into the outer courtyard. There was time to search
That's enough, six more days. My feet are frozen, I'm all
horn and wanted to sleep. I've done quite a lot tonight
a lot. Even the hard prison bed seemed to me at this moment
cop veryattractive. Carefully and silently I returned -
retracing my steps. I lowered the door and checked it was closed.
was she, and went down the steps to his floor... And heard
voices ahead. Loud and clear. A the loudest of all
belonged to my cokamephuky Willie. I looked at
his open door, the heavy boots of the guard, and pulled the
attentively, quickly climbing the steps to the top. In my ears
Willie’s words rang like an alarm bell.
- I woke up and he wasn’t there! I was all alone! He was eaten by
treasures! Then I screamed. Save me please! The one who
dragged him away, came through a closed door! B next time he
will come for me!
I boiled with rage towards my cretin neighbor, but close
the possibility of being caught immediately cooled my ardor. More than once
Thinking, I rushed away from the voices and cymatoxu. Up
stairs, one flight, another... Lights flashed everywhere, and
sirens began to wail. The prisoners woke up and called to each other in their
their cameras. In a moment they will all be at their doors,
They’ll see me, start screaming, and the guards will come running. No hiding
where. I knew this very well, and there was nothing left for me to do...
oh, how to run without looking back. To the top floor - then
past the prison cells. They were all now brightly lit. And
any of the apectahtob could notice me, andI knew for sure
that they would immediately report me, whichever of these youngsters would
I didn't find anything. This is where it all ends. Raising his head high
wow, I brushed past the first camera, taking a quick peek
inside. It was empty. Just like all other cameras on
this floor. That means I still had a chance! Like crazy
monkey, I climbed up the metal steps and awkwardly
and inserted the master key into the lock. Voices were heard below, they
became louder, as well as the footsteps of two guards, raised
rushing up the stairs in the opposite direction from me.
But as soon as one of them turned his head, he immediately
would have seen me. Although they will still see me as soon as
will reach the top floor.
The lock clicked open and I climbed out through the hole on the
I'm rouging. Stretching out on the roof, I quietly lowered the door. Having succeeded
notice two fat guards turning in my direction,
when the hatch closed. Did they see this? My heart was pounding
in my chest like a crazy percussion instrument, and I took a sip
air, began to wait for cries of “alarm.” But they were all gone. I
was still at large. A breath of freedom! Suddenly on me
sadness struck. I could lie freely on the roof, trembling with fear.
ha and from the cold, sit freely, huddled, and wait until
they will find me. So I lay there and trembled, feeling sorry for
to myselffor a whole minute. Then he stood up, shook himself, like a co-
bottle, and felt how it began to rise in me
anger.
- Great combinator! - I whispered out loud so that it would be
audible to yourself. - Career of a criminal. And the very first
your serious work begins with what you allow
some idiot with a knife to drive you into a trap. This is for you
a lesson for the future. Maybe someday you'll be free
here, then it will be useful to you. Always protect your flanks securely
and rears. Think about all the incidents. Think about what
some idiot might wake up. Give him a good kick
heavy club or something else to be sure
that he sleeps in a sound, healthy sleep. Remember the lesson well
Shenko, now look around and try to find the best
The best way to save a crumbling escape plan.
The choice was limited. If the patrol opens the hatch and goes out to
roof, they will immediately find me here. Is there somewhere here
hide? The water tank lid could fit in some
as a temporary refuge, but if they go that far, then
They'll probably look here too. And if it’s impossible to go down
down the sheer walls, the only place that gives
some hope, that was exactly it. So, go ahead. It wasn't
so easy. The tank was made fromsmooth metal, and
I simply couldn’t reach the top of it. But I had to
do. I took a few steps away, ran, jumped
and felt that my fingers grabbed the edge of the tank.
I tried to climb up, but they suddenly unclenched and
I fell hard onto the roof. If anyone was in this
time below, he would definitely hear it. There was hope
It seems that I was above an unoccupied camera, and not above a cold one.
scrap
- Stop hoping for the best, but stop jumping,
“Jim,” I said, adding a few curse words for
uplifting, I'd like to think. I should have
climb up!
This time I moved even further, resting my calves on the railing,
and took a few deep breaths. Forward! Run up, quickly
ro push off from the right place - jump! My hand from once
Flop plopped onto the edge of the tank. I grabbed him and pulled him up...
Xia, threw his other arm, violently pushing his body up and
getting bruises and scratches o rough metal surface
ity, until I still managed to climb to the very top of the cis-
thorns. Lying up there and breathing heavily, I looked at the dead
a bird lying right there very close to my face and staring
He glares at me with his glassy eyes. I was about to
pushwhen I heard the sound of her landing heavily on the roof
hatch doors.
- Push me a little, will you? I'm stuck!
By the hoarse breathing and grumbling that follows
lol, I guessed it had to be one of those two
push her, when I heard the sound of her landing heavily on the roof
hatch doors.
- Push me a little, will you? I'm stuck!
By the hoarse breathing and grumbling that follows
lol, I guessed it had to be one of those two
fat guards whom I saw on the lower floor. Even more
The loudest sniffling and puffing announced that the
Xia and his obese companion.
“I don’t understand why we came here,” the first whined.
new arrival.
“I know,” his comrade said rather sternly. - We
must follow orders, which never hurt anyone.
- But the hatch was closed.
“The door of the cell through which he passed was also closed.
Let's take a look around.
┌──────────────────────┐ │ To be continued │
└──────────────────────┘
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