┌─────────────┐
│ Continued │
└─────────────┘
“It’s time for lunch,” I said. - Do you prefer...
I fell silent, obeying the gesture of his raised hand.
- Let me, Jim, say a few words first. Bla-
I thank you. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for everything you
did. I owe you my life, no more, no less. Thank you.
I stood there with my eyes downcast - I swear I burst into flames
like a girl! - describing circles on the ground with your thumb but-
gi. Then I finally cleared my throat and was able to speak again.
- I did what had to be done. But maybe we
Let's talk about this later? - He sensed my embarrassment and
nodded, a majestic figure, despite that ridiculous attire -
tion in which he was dressed. I pointed to the box where it is
sat. - There are clothes there. While you're changing, I'll go get it
food. You don't mind the McSweenes scum?- Do you mind? After the disgusting prison gruel, one of
their spit-roasted burgers will be simply heavenly...
cabbage soup With a large portion of sugary sweet potatoes, if you don't
difficult.
- Perfect!
With relief, I slammed the van door and skipped
pressed under the alluring arches of McSweenes. The Elephant's devotion according to
the water of fast food reassured me more than he himself could
assume. Loud slurping and clattering of dishes could be heard from
all the tables as I walked past them to the service counter
nia. I quickly rattled off the order to the robot waiter using a plastic
with his head, filled the machine with bills - and grabbed a bag of food
and drinks as soon as they emerged from the dispenser.
We sat on the boxes in the back of the van and
They devoured the burgers and drinks they brought. I left the back
the door ajar to make it a little brighter. While I'm away
was present, the Elephant got rid of his dress and was dressed in this
an hour in more masculine attire - the largest size, which
I just could find it. He greedily bit off half of the sandwich.
kinda stuffed his mouth with a few more sweet potatoes and smiled at me.
“Your escape plan was simply brilliant, my boy.” I'm for-
noticed changes in the floor covering when I sat on a chair in the hall
meetings, and thought for a long time about what they could know
read I hoped this was what it could have been and
I must admit that I felt something incomparable
pleasure when the earth, so to speak, opened up for me
under your feet. I will never forget how the despised
the judge's face with an idiotic expression.
Smiling widely, he dealt with the remains of the sandwich,
then gently wiped his lips before speaking again.
- Since I don’t want to plunge you into even more cmy-
proud of my praises, maybe it would be better to ask you
regarding the plans you have developed to continue
hide me from the hands of justice? Because knowing you like this,
as I know now, I can be sure that you planned
everything in advance.
The Elephant's praise meant something to me, and from it I
my soul felt warm again, and through my teeth a
free grunting.
- Of course I planned it, thank you. The bread van is ours
the opportunity to remain unrecognized, since he, like his
brothers, roll in huge numbers along all highways and
adjacent roads every day. - For some unknown reason
reason I discovered that I myself was beginning to speak in the manner of Slo-
on. - We'll stay here untildarkness, nevertheless slowly
approaching the destination of our journey.
- And, of course, there will be no random police patrols
disturb us on the way, since the license plates of this trans-
of a tailor have completely different figures than those that
who were on it before it came into our possession -
tion.
- Exactly so. Yroh will be registered and the local police
informed. But the search will not extend too far.
ko, because this van will be found not far from its
garage in Billeville early in the morning. New numbers dissolved in
special substance will be reduced, the odometer will be returned to the same
some position in which he will show only the nearby
walk of thieves. If the same van is seen in
some remote town on the planet, no one would even think
connect him with that van. The court will simply collapse
rock like everyone else.
He digested the information received, along with the latest
sweet potatoes, and thoughtfully licked his fingers.
- Perfect. I couldn't have come up with a better idea myself. Since far-
the slightest movement will be dangerous - the police will soon arrange the
all over the country - I dare say that Billville is
the purpose of our journey?- This is true. I have an institution there, as well as one security
new place for you. When I asked about your culinary skills
addictions, I meant that too. You'll have to settle down
in the automatic compartment of McSweenes, until the fever
the chase won't cool down a bit.
He raised his eyebrows high and I noticed that he was looking at
discarded packaging with some onacehuem, but he was us-
I was just kind enough to not express my doubts out loud.
I hastened to reassure him.
“I was hiding there myself, so don’t worry.” Of course, cy-
There are some inconveniences...
- But none of them compares with the inconveniences in the federation -
real prison! I apologize for the inappropriate thoughts.
No offense.
- I'm not offended. It all happened completely by accident. One day
in the evening the police were on my heels. I unlocked the service door
the door of the local McSweenes restaurant, which you will have to
visit, and my pursuers lost track of me. While I'm up-
I was waiting for a safe moment, I studied all their possessions. Bess
similar! The machines working around me at terrible speed
growth, they solved very simply the only problem that
Paradise stands in front of all the quick service lines. Cost-
the ability of the content itselflow-skilled and poorly paid
respected personnel. Living people are smart, as well as greedy. They
strive to become professionals and then demand a large
that one for your work. The best solution may be to completely
addition from living workers.
- Wonderful exit! If you're done with your donuts,
then maybe I'll nibble on one or two more while I listen to your o-
a compelling documentary story.
I pushed the grease-soaked bag towards him and continued.
- Everything is mechanized. When a visitor makes his order,
the required amount of food is supplied from a deep storage warehouse
frost into a super-powerful oven, where it is immediately blown through
with hot steam to a completely acceptable temperature. These ovens
so powerful that a completely frozen pigface can
be cut into steaming and melted pieces for
some fractions of a second.
- Incomparable!
- Drinks are served with the same lightning speed. Besides
time, as the visitor finishes ordering dishes, they
completely ready for use, already waiting for it. Behind the steel
doors, of course. Until he pays. All equipment
fully automated and works reliably, it is rarely accessed
human hands touch. It is checked once everya week, and
They also replenish the freezer supplies once a week. This is pro-
does not come on the same day so that the vans do not interfere
to each other.
- Absolutely clear! - he shouted loudly. - Settle down
at home, so to speak, in the engine room. When will they
refill the freezer, most likely this will be done while sleeping
roar, and no one will disturb my office. A on the day when
they'll come check the equipment, I'll sit quietly
in the freezer until the technician leaves. I dare
assume that there is a common door between them, which
easy to find. Ah, yes, the freezer - that explains the inconsistency
a well-sized and warm robe, which I found folded together
those with other things. And if any accident happens
Riya?..
- An alarm will sound at the central repair base, and
a mechanic will be sent from there. I arranged for this signal to be
heard in our room in order to be able to
hide. I also made a small supply of provisions in case
unexpected visit by engineering staff. Anxiety
learns that if a key is inserted into the external keyhole,
the locking device operates, the duration of which is exactly
sixty seconds. Questions?
- Where do they come from?take? - he laughed and touched me on the shoulder -
wow. - You thought about everything. Can I ask about the time spent?
driving and, how can I put it more decently, sanitary
amenities?
- Portable videoscope and library along with a bed on
on wheels. And all the necessary amenities have already been installed for
incoming staff.
- I have nothing more to ask.
“But... I have a question,” I lowered my gaze, then sub-
I understood him and forced myself to say: “You once told me,
that you are not involved in charitable activities. And not
looking for a replacement. Dare I ask, are you still so inclined?
think? Or would you like to pass the time by presenting
several lessons on criminal knowledge. Just to
kill time, so to speak.
Now it was his turn to lower his eyes. He sighed, then
said:
- I had a good reason to refuse your request.
Suitable for that moment, as it seemed to me then. Now
I changed my mind. B a token of gratitude for saving me
I will accept you into my school of Alternative Lifestyle for years
ten, maybe more. But I don't think you wanted
simple gratitude. This doesn't fit withyour character
if I'm not mistaken. I don't think you helped me out just for
in order to receive my gratitude. However, I say
I tell you with all sincerity that I can’t wait npeno-
give you some things that I have learned in my life over
for many years. I am also eager to continue our friendship.
I was simply stunned. We rose to our feet at the same time
and shook hands, laughing heartily. He squeezed my hand
with his iron grip, but I didn’t mind at all. I'm the first
turned around and looked at his watch.
- We have been here for quite some time and
should no longer attract attention. I'll go slowly and
next stop will be the last because we will arrive
in place. Please come out quickly, come in right away
the service door and lock it after you. I'll be back as
I'll just put the van in the right place, so the next thing is...
I will be the man who opens this door.
- I listen and obey, Jim. Just give the order and I’ll do it all.
I bark.
It was a very tiring trip, but a necessary one. I,
True, I wasn’t very bored, because I was full of plans and thoughts.
lei about the future. I drove down street after street, stopping
only once to recharge the batteries on the automated
stationsmaintenance. Then he moved forward again, finding
expected to spend his entire life bumping along remote country roads Bit
O'Haven, watching the sun rise over the horizon. Finally
we pulled into the service driveway of the shopping center
Billville, traffic-free until morning. No one in the field
vision. The elephant quickly slipped past me, and the door behind him
slammed shut. The operation was still going well and I was in a hurry
to complete it as quickly as possible, clearly understanding that there is no need to rush now
mu. No one saw me when I brought the boxes into the office and
equipment. I, of course, took a risk, but it had to be done.
bark. The chances of the van being seen by anyone were slim to none.
Before I left, I sprayed the insides of the van with pactbopu-
phone to wash away all the fingerprints that must be
used by all criminals. Even bread thieves
vans. That's it. There was nothing more I could do. I left
car at the end of some outlying street and walked back to
city. The night was warm and I enjoyed the walk. When I
passed by the pond in Billville Park, I heard the call of a
some kind of water bird. I sat down on the bench and began to look
on the quiet surface of the water. And think about the future and your place in it.
Did I really manage to say goodbye to my past?
life? Will I be able to succeed in the criminal life to which
I tried so hard? The elephant promised to helpme - and he was the only one -
the only person on the planet who could do this.
Whistling something, I walked along the street to the toprobomy center,
seeing a bright and exciting future ahead of us. So much
so immersed in his thoughts that he didn’t even pay attention to
a random ground vehicle passing by, barely able to
I'm surprised that she stopped behind me.
- Hey, guy, wait a minute.
Without any second thought, I turned around, being so
I was so distracted that I didn’t notice that I was standing under a street lamp. But
it was already too late. A policeman sat in the car and looked straight
at me. I don't know why he stopped, what he wanted me
I'd say it probably happened spontaneously. I could see
how his eyes began to widen in surprise when he found out
me. In my worries about the Elephant, I completely forgot that I myself was
I'm a fugitive who is wanted by the police, and that's all natpy-
Do they have my photo and description. And I stagger across the faces of the be-
without any disguise and without even trying to play it safe. All
these thoughts flashed through my head, and I instantly realized...
I thought he recognized me. I didn't even have time
come up with something.
- You're Jimmy di Griz!
He seemed as surprised as I was. But not so much
tohis reaction slowed down. While I turned on the late night
blowing, it was already working at full capacity. He must be
The other day I rehearsed at home in front of the mirror, because he was...
the fall was too fast. As soon as I turned to run away,
in the open window the barrel of a recoilless assault rifle appeared
fifth caliber.
- Gotcha! - he said. With disgusting, full mouth, devilish
smile of a law enforcement officer.
- It's not me - someone else - you've found out! - barely breathing
I said, at the same time throwing my hands up. - You don't
Will you shoot a defenseless child just on suspicion?
The barrel didn’t flinch, but I got cold feet, moving slowly
com to the front of the car.
“Stop and come here,” he shouted, but I continued
move forward nervously. I doubted or hoped that he
will not shoot me in cold blood. How much do I help?
Neil, that was illegal. I wanted him to follow
behind me, because to do this he would need to pull out
machine gun from the window. There was no way to aim at me
and open the door at the same time. The machine gun disappeared - and so did I
too! The moment he lowered the muzzle, I turned and
ran, bowing his head and moving his legs with all his might.
He shouted after me - and shot!The machine gun crackled, words -
but an artillery gun, and a bullet, npocbucteb y above me
ear, stuck into a tree nearby. This cop is crazy.
“That’s better,” he said, leaning his muzzle on the open
now digging into the car door and pointing it at me. - I'm afraid
walked past. But only for the first time. B next time I will
shoot to kill. I have a gold medal in shooting
of this weapon. So don't tempt me to show you how
Great, I know how to handle this thing.
“You’re just crazy, you know that,” I said, realizing
Wow, how squeaky that sounds. - You can't shoot
at people on first suspicion.
“I can, I can,” he answered, approaching me with his eyes still focused.
with a machine gun pointed at me. - This is not suspicion, but identification.
You yourself know perfectly well who you are. The criminal whom
wanted by the police. And do you know what I'll tell you? I'll say
that this criminal grabbed my machine gun, it went off, and he
was shot. Well, what's it like? Do you want to touch my machine gun?
He was a psycho, that's for sure, and a policeman at that. It was
it's clear that he really wants me to do something...
some careless movement and gave him the opportunity to freeze
release me. How did he manage to avoid all the tests that
should have weeded out types like him from the guards of order
ka, meit was never possible to find out. But somehow he succeeded. He
received permission to carry weapons and in all ways
I was looking for a reason to use it. I don't give him such a reason
gave. I slowly extended my arms in front of me, my wrists
those
- I'm not resisting, Lieutenant, look. you have committed
mistake, but I obey. Handcuff me and noca-
get in the car.
He was not happy to hear this and furrowed his brows. But I
didn't move anymore, and he finally gave up, pulled out
handbrake from behind the belt and handed them to me.
- Put it on.
I snapped them onto my wrist, very loosely, so that I could
freely pull your hand out of them, then on the second one. I was watching
down and didn't see his movements. Until he took both of me
hands and did not tighten the handcuffs so that they cut into my skin
zhu. He smiled at me, screwing the metal into my muscles sadistically
sky glee.
- Now I'm caught, di Griz. You're under arrest.
I looked at him, he was a head taller than me and weighed
probably twice as much,” and burst out laughing. He should have
hide his machine gun in order to grab me - which is what he did -
lal. A respectable man grabslittle boy. He couldn't
understand why I'm laughing and I didn't give him a chance to do
this. I did the easiest, fastest and best thing that I could do
was possible under the circumstances. And the most disgusting thing. I
co hit him in the groin with all my strength, and he let go of my hands, saying
living in half. I did him a favor, poor fellow, vi-
Dimo, it hurt, and I hit him on the neck with my clasped hands -
kami. He lost consciousness before he even reached the ground. I'm naked
He turned around and began to fumble around for the key to the handcuffs.
- What's going on here? - asked someone's voice, and on tpo-
tyap light spilled from the door that opened in the house opposite.
The sound of the shot must have awakened the entire street. I'll have to
worry about the handcuffs later. And now we need to sweep it up
traces.
- The man got hurt! - I shouted. - I’ll help him, - the last thing
I threw it over my shoulder, trotting along the street and my
turning the corner. A woman appeared in the doorway and called out.
she nagged me, but I didn’t stop to listen to her.
I needed to run, get away from this place, until
They didn’t sound the alarm and didn’t start searching. Our plans seem to be
collapsed. And my wrists hurt terribly. I looked at them
running past a street lamp and saw that they had become co-
completely white. And they began to go numb. The handcuffs were so...gim that disrupted blood circulation in the hands. Weak feeling
the guilt for the not very fair battle immediately disappeared. It was necessary
get rid of these things - and quickly. B office, and
just there. I got there avoiding the main streets and villages.
hate to be away from people. But when I came to the back door
My hands were completely numb and did not move. I don't do anything with them
felt. To fish the keys out of my pocket, I need
it took an unbearably long time. When I succeeded, I
suddenly dropped them from his hands. And I couldn’t lift it. Fingers
didn't shrink. All I could do was plow through my lifeless
with your hands around the keys. There are bad moments in life
you - I think this one was one of the worst that
only I have ever had. I was completely exhausted, I was...
beaten, defeated, defeated. I couldn't get into the building. And
no one could help me.
And you didn't need any medical education to
understand that if I don’t get rid of the handcuffs as soon as possible,
Yeah, I'll have to wear plastic ones for the rest of my life.
hands. That's for sure.
- No, that won't happen! - I heard my voice. - Knock it out
door, do something, open the door with your toes.
No, not with your feet! I felt the ground with stiff fingers,
separated the required key from the keychain.Then he leaned over, npukochyb-
having stuck out his tongue, he felt its location without turning
paying attention to the dust and dirt that got into your mouth with it.
Then I sucked in my lips and caught the key with my teeth. So far so good.
If you ever feel like opening the door
a lock with your teeth while your hands are handcuffed,
the only thing I can advise you in this case is not
try! Look, you will need to turn your head there...
yes, here to get the key into the keyhole. Then
twist it to turn the key and pound the door with your head,
trying to open it... In the end it worked and I fell
face down on the floor of his office. Knowing what I still have to do
same job upstairs. And I did it and tumbled in
man into the office, being obliged more than his persistence,
stubbornness and brute force than intelligence. I was like that
exhausted that he could not use his brain. I could only resist
lie. I closed the door with my elbow and hobbled towards my bepcta-
ku, dumped the toolbox onto the floor, shaking it until
until I found a vibrating saw. Having picked it up with my teeth, I c
with difficulty he placed it in the cracks of an open closet drawer, pressing
elbow box. Together with the lip, from which a fountain immediately gushed
blood that I didn't notice. The wrists were burning - but the hands were...
we didn’t feel it. They were wearingscary to watch. Time
There's nothing left at all. Using my elbow, I turned on the saw. By exposing
hands forward, towards the blade, I spread them as far as possible so that
tension the chain. The blade screeched and cut
chain Now there was more jewelry work to be done - cutting
handcuffs so as not to catch the meat. This is too much. Re-
Having smeared blood all around, I still did it. Handcuffs
there was no more, and I saw that my hands turned pink again when
blood circulation resumed. After all this I just
and all that remained was to slump motionlessly on a chair and stupidly
watch the blood drip. I sat there for about a minute until
The numbness did not go away and the pain did not come. With great effort I
got to his feet and walked to the first aid kit. She got dirty too
blood while I shook out the painkillers and
swallowed two of them. Since I was standing next to her, I pulled out
from it ahtucentuk and bandages and treated the cuts. They were fast
The ribs are torn, not very deep and not very dangerous. I'll re-bandage
hall them, then looked at himself in the mirror and shuddered, he must
there was something to do with the lip.
A police siren sounded on a side street, and I...
I realized that it was time to think properly and something
come up with it.
I found myself in a difficult situation. Billville is small
shoytown, and all exits from it will be immediately blocked.
This is what I would do first if I were looking for
fugitive. And even the dumbest of policemen, I think, guessed
I would dare to do it. Barricades on the roads, helicopters in the sky
with night vision devices for observation in open areas
shadkax, police at the station. All cracks are sealed. Overlaid
like a rat. What else? The streets are patrolled by all-terrain vehicles. And after-
colder, the fewer people on the street, the more dangerous it is to walk on it.
die.
So, we wait until the morning, what then? I knew what would happen next. They usually
searching every closet in every building until they find me. I
I felt sweat appear on my forehead from this
thoughts. Am I trapped?
- Don't give up! - I shouted loudly, jumping to my feet and
running back and forth. - Jimmy di Griz is too shifty
to fall into the clumsy clutches of local jailers. Recall
no, how wonderfully you escaped from this thirsty man
murder of a cop. The elusive Jimmy di Griz, that's who I am! And I
I can escape them again. But how? Really, how?
I opened the beer, drained the bottle in one gulp and sat down again
chair Then he looked at his watch. It was already too late to appear
lie on the street. Restaurants are already empty, cinemas are cleared
killed the last spectators, andcouples leave one after another
went home. Any lone figure would immediately attract
attention of law enforcement agencies. Then see you in the morning. I would oc-
I wanted to go out into the light of day, better during the day, or even better under
rain! I checked the weather forecast instantly - and then
sat down on a chair. 99% clear weather. I would probably be in pain
He preferred an earthquake or a hurricane to joy.
The office was in terrible disorder; everything about her looked like this
as if reflecting the consequences of an explosion at a slaughterhouse. Everything was needed
tidy up.
- No, Jim, you don't need to clean anything up. Because
Sooner or later, Lycia will find your office, and most likely
early. Your fingerprints are everywhere here, and they
your blood type is known. They will have enough time
to figure out what happened to you.
This will at least give them something to think about. Maybe
will turn into trouble for someone too hot
policeman. I turned around in my chair, facing
terminal, and typed a note on the monitor. The printer rustled
and I pulled out a piece of paper from it. Amazing!
FOR THE POLICE. I WAS SHOT BY YOUR KILLER OFFICER,
WHOM YOU FOUND UNCONSCIOUS. HE HIT ME.I WILL BLEED AND I WILL DIE. GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD.
I WILL GO AND THROW MY BODY INTO THE RIVER.
I really doubted that this trick would work, but maybe
she will give this crazy cop a hard time
position. And the rest will be attracted to digging up the river
beds. A drop of blood dripped onto the note, and I smeared it on it.
still from their bandages. Then he carefully placed it on the table.
This little prank cheered me up a little. I sat down on
chair and, having finished his beer, began to draw up a plan. Didn't you leave
What am I doing too much? No, all the documents that were stored here were
I won't need it in the future. I found one known to me alone
key and pressed it, launching the destructive program. B one
instantly the computer memory turned into a meaningless set
characters. Everything else - tools, equipment, equipment
I left it here, hoping to move it to another place,
if required. But I wasn't going to leave any money here.
All this was very tiring, but I could not afford to rest,
until the final preparations are made. I pulled on
bandaged his hands with thin plastic gloves and sat down at work
bot. The money was in the safe because I robbed banks and didn't
I thought about supporting them by opening my own account there. I folded
they're all in an ordinary briefcasebusiness person. He ok-
was only half full, so I reported it
mukpouhctpymehtamu that I might need. And in oc-
I stuffed the available space with as many clothes as
could, then kneeled on it and, pushing a little,
closed it and latched it. Now changing clothes and mas-
Kirovka. Black four-piece suit of a business man, leather fabric
which was decorated with a tiny pattern of white dollar bills
puree The orange neckerchief worn by all young ban-
kiras, as well as characteristic boots made of pig skin with praise
high heels. What will add to my growth is by the way. When I
When I go out, I’ll be wearing a mustache and gold-rimmed glasses. A now
I needed to dye my hair dark and add li-
zu tan. Having finished all the preparations, pumped up with beer,
painkillers and mortal fatigue, I opened my blood
Vat-archive, set the alarm clock and fell into eternity.
Giant mosquitoes swarmed around my head, more and more
more mosquitoes thirsty for my blood...
I opened my eyes and pushed away the remnants of sleep. Alarm clock that I
still not turned off, buzzing with the voices of thousands of insects, they
became louder and louder and finally sounded like a
a horde ready to attack. I pressed the button, licked it
dry lips and, staggering, hobbled for a glass of water. Outside the windowit was already quite light, and the first early
little birds.
Everything was ready. I washed and dressed thoroughly. Shchegolskie
the orange gloves matched my neckerchief very well and
covered with bandaged hands. Having waited until rush hour, when
the streets were filled with people, I picked up my briefcase and,
surprised that there was no one in the hall, he left the office and, not
frowning, he closed the door behind him. This part of my life is
finished. Today is the first day of my new life. I was hoping for
this. I walked to a stairwell very similar to how I
walked with a businesslike gait, past the first visitors, down,
to the street. And I saw a policeman at the turn, carefully
looking at every passerby. I didn't look at him and
I found an attractive girl in front of me with a very cute
with my legs. I watched their mincing movements and tried
I tried to forget about the presence of a lawman. I approached him
passed by, walked away from him. Waiting for him to call
recognizing me. But he didn't call out. Maybe he was staring too
on charming legs. There is one - but how many more do I need?
to be passed?
It was the longest walk I've ever had
have undertaken in my life. Or so at least to me...
it's gone. Not too hastybut not very slow either. I
tried to blend in with the crowd, just one of those forced
workers rushing to work and thinking only about income and
expenses, as well as shares in your company. What would these shares
they didn't represent themselves. One more street - so far everything is in order -
ke.
Here's the turn. Service access road to the toprobomy center.
This is no place for a businessman like you. So move-
hang out and don’t hang around here in vain. Hurry around the corner and you'll spa-
Sep. Saved? I stopped dead in my tracks. There was a servant at the entrance
McSweenes' van, and the clumsy brute mechanic entered
into the room.
I looked at my watch, snapped my fingers, then turned
away from the service path in case I'm being watched
whether. And he quickly walked down the street to the first Speedy Dine [Speedy-
dain - fast food restaurant (cafe). As if in pre-
The end of today, two people were sitting under the first mushroom
police officers. And of course, they stared at me. I passed by
looking straight ahead, and sat down at the farthest hundred from them
face I suddenly got a terrible itch between my shoulder blades, but I didn’t
dared to move. I didn't see them, but I knew perfectly well that they
do. They look at me, say something to each other,
shiv, I’m probably not at all who I say I am. Bettercheck and find out. They get up, walk towards me, bend over -
to my fungus... I saw the edge of my legs in blue trousers
eyes, and my heart suddenly began to beat loudly in my chest, so
that I was sure that his knocking could be heard throughout the restaurant. I
I was waiting for accusatory words. He waited... ran his eyes over the
any pants and higher... I saw that opposite me
There is an airline driver dressed in uniform.
“Coffee,” he said into the microphone, unfolded the newspaper and
struggled to read.
My heartbeat subsided and began to resemble normal, and I
silently scolded himself for being too suspicious and laborious.
coctb. Then he said out loud into his microphone in the lowest voice
voice that my vocal cords were capable of:
- Black coffee and maligatoni [thick spicy soup with spices
(ind.)] with dumplings.
- Drop six dollars if you don't mind.
I dropped the coins. I heard a rumble coming from my side
equipment, and the ordered breakfast slid onto the table. I ate
leisurely, glancing at his watch, then began slowly
strain the coffee. I knew well, while sitting in the freezer once
camera that preventive maintenance will take a mechanic no less than three
twenty minutes. I sat at the table for forty, and only then did you...
walked because of him. I tried not tothink about what I'll find
when I finally get to McSweenies' back room. I xo-
I remembered my farewell words well - I will be the next person
com who will enter this door. Ho - xo. The next person
who turned out to be a mechanic. Did he catch the Elephant? I'm sweating from one
thoughts. I soon found out for myself. I passed by that mushroom where
the police were sitting. They weren't there - they went to search another
part of the street - they are probably looking for me. I headed back to
toprobomy center. And I met someone who was leaving the office
entrance with the glorious McSweenes van.
I kept my keys ready. When I approached the door, the road
was empty - then I heard someone’s steps behind me. Police? Still with the same learned persistence, my heart
was floating again. I slowed down as I approached the door. Stopping-
standing up and leaning forward, I crushed the keys in my palms, as if
choosing the one I need. While looking at the key, I heard someone
passed me by. The young man who didn't pay any attention
the slightest attention to my presence. He continued to pace
along the road and entered the far gate of the market. I looked back through
shoulder - then jumped towards the door before anyone else appeared -
be. I turned the key, pushed the door - and, of course, it didn’t
opened. The locking mechanism I put in there is broken...
worked great. It will unlock in a minute. Sixtyshort seconds. Sixty unbearably long lasting se-
kund. I stood at the door in my fine business suit,
which was as out of place here as the nipples on the belly of a bo-
poba-pig-shaped, as they used to say at our ranch.
He stood and covered himself with perspiration, and waited for the police to appear or
again some passerby. I waited and endured. Until finally
the key didn't turn, the door didn't open - and I burst in
inside. Empty! On the far wall there was an automatic machine knocking and screeching.
ical equipment. The drink dispenser gurgled, filling
the container whistled down and disappeared. But a smoking one appeared
steamy fried burger. And this continued day and night. But
Among all this mechanical movement, no one appeared.
what a human figure. They grabbed him - the police found him
Elephant. And now they'll grab me.
- Ax, my boy, this time it must be you...
An Elephant emerged from the freezer, immense in its isolation.
wearing clothes, holding all his belongings in his hand and pressing under
with the mouse the clamshell. He slammed the door behind him, and then the forces
They left me, and I sat down on the floor, leaning my back against the wall.
-Are you all right? - he asked with concern in his voice.
I waved weakly.
- Fine, fine - just let me take a breath. I
I was afraid that you were taken away.- You shouldn't have worried. When you didn't show up through
certain time, I reasoned that our plan would probably
There have been some additions. Or a slight hiccup. Poe-
That's why I rehearsed my departure in case today
legitimate users will appear. And they really showed up. A
it's really cold there. I can't say with certainty
how long they stayed here, but I was sure that you had an idea
some way to find out when they leave...
- I wanted to tell you!
- This is not necessary. I found a hidden rpomkorobo-
spectator and turned it on and listened to someone muttering their
curses while tinkering with the machines. After a while
the sound of the slamming door and the silence told me everything that
required. Now tell me about yourself. There were some problems
us?
- Problems! - I laughed with relief. Having stopped only
when I heard hysterical notes in my laughter. I
told him everything, omitting some of the most disgusting
moments. He reacted noisily in the right places and was attentive
listened to me until the very end.
- You're too hard on yourself, Jim. One small omission
after such a busy day it cannot be considered tooexpected.
- But unforgivable! I was so stupid that I almost
doomed the two of us to failure. This won't happen again.
“But this is where you’re wrong,” he said, shaking his fat
finger. - It can happen at any time - as long as you don't
you will gain skills at work. You need to train and train
to work for the benefit of business...
- Of course!
- ...until a mistake like this becomes impossible. You
did everything incredibly well for someone with your experience.
Now you just need to improve.
- And you will teach me how to become so successful
a rogue like you!
In response to my words, he knitted his eyebrows and became gloomy. What am I
said such an inappropriate thing? I chewed mine anxiously
sore lip while he silently unfolded the bed on wheels
kah, and then sat down on it, crossing his legs. When will he again
spoke, I grabbed his every word on the fly.
- Here's your first lesson, Jim. I'm not a crook. You're not a crook. We
we don’t want to be criminals, because they are all stupid and
validated. It is very important to understand and take into account
the idea that we stand apart from society and follow our own
strict rules, some ofthem even stricter than those
exist in a society that we reject. This life can
find yourself alone - but you must choose your own path and
walk along it with your eyes open. And since the path has been chosen, you
must be faithful to him. You should be more moral
more important person than them, because you will have to live according to
stricter moral laws. And its norms do not contain
the word "crook". This is a word from their world, and you should not use
kick him.
- But I want to be a criminal...
- Leave this thought - like the name. This and you should
forgive me for such words, just youthful ambitions. This
only your emotional rejection of the world in which you live
thing and which you don’t like. You reject him - but
at the same time you accept his description of who you are -
"crook". But you're not a crook, and I'm not a crook.
- Then who are we? - I asked with extraordinary diligence.
ness. The elephant folded its fingers into a pyramid, chanting
words.
- We are citizens of Objective Reality. We reject simplification
busy, boring, strictly regulated, bureaucratic,
moral and even ancient biblical truths, according to which
they live. In their place we put our own and much morebetter rules. We can physically move
among them - but we are not them. Where they are lazy, we work hard.
bivy. Where they are immoral, we are virtue itself.
Where they lie, we tell the truth. And maybe we will...
We are the main force for good in the society from which we
refused.
I didn't quite understand what he was saying, but I waited patiently.
because he knew that everything would become clear soon. And he explained.
- What kind of galaxy is this in which we live? Look at the wok
pyr yourself. The inhabitants of this planet, like the inhabitants of other planets,
members of an unspecified organization known as
term of the Galactic League, these are residents of a wealthy, wealthy
union of worlds, in which the word “crime” is almost forgotten
then. You were in prison and saw these gloomy unfinished people who...
They consider some of them to be criminals. And it's called progressive
new world! On other planets inhabited by our settlers -
mi, there are almost no dissatisfied people left, let alone socially dangerous
even less. It follows from this that as soon as
there is a person who is causing concern to society, and they are all
are still born, despite strict genetic selection, its
All his deviations from the norm are immediately caught and corrected. I
once flew into space for the only time in my life, travel
knearby worlds. It was terrible! Life there is like...
a colorful and amazing piece of wet cardboard. And I hurried
back to Beat O'Haven, because compared to other plans -
Tami Beat O'Haven, disgusting at times, still a rice-
cue corner.
- Someday I would also like to look at these mi-
ry.
- Look, my dear boy, quite a worthy aspiration -
laziness. But first study this world thoroughly. And say save me
because they still don’t have the full genetic
control - or mental regulation machines that
fight with society. On other planets, children are exactly the same,
just like us. Kpotkue, soft and socially adapted.
Of course, some of them do not express their genetic
There are no disadvantages - or advantages, as we would say - yet
will become adults. These poor things succeeded in small things
offenses - night burglaries, store robberies
new, livestock theft and the like. They can save them from
bad tendencies in a week or two, well, maybe in a month
or two, depending on the degree of mental development of that
or another civilization. And what the police are them in the end
will get you and put you behind bars, just as inevitably as
decay of atoms or autumnleaf fall
I digested this information, then asked the obvious in such
cases question.
- But if the crime consists precisely in this - in pro-
test against the system - where will this take us?
- You shouldn't ask such questions. Those rejected
whom I described to you and whom you met in prison,
make up 99.9% of the criminal world in our well-organized
in a distinguished and dressed-up society. And only the remaining and most
the significant 0.1% we represent is the most
essential in the structure of the same society. It will start without us
death of the population from overheating. Without us, the life of this sheep
the herd will be so empty that mass camoy will begin
murder. Instead of chasing us and calling us
criminals, they should honor us as their benefactors
lei!
As he spoke, his eyes sparkled with excitement. I don't
I wanted to interrupt his excited speech, but I had a
There were some questions.
- Sorry, please, but please explain to me why.
is this so?
- Because we give the police a job, they need someone...
pursue, have some reason toprowl
everywhere in their expensive cars. Well, the public - how are they?
watch the news and listen to reports about our latest movements
gah, how they tell each other about it and savor each
I blow the detail! Well, what is the price of this performance and its
public benefit? Yes, none. Free service,
even if we risk our lives, heads and freedom to
please them. What do we get from them? Neither-
what. Just money - paper and metal symbols. All
it's insured. If we gut the bank, the money will be returned to them
insurance company, which at the end of the year will have a shortfall in its
I eat a microscopic amount of annual income. Every investor
will miss a millionth share of its profits. No losses
absolutely none. Benefactors, my boy, we are simply blessed
godeteli and no one else. But in order for us to be able to completely
it is good for them, we must act contrary to those
barriers and rules that they present to us. We must
to be as secretive and silent as the rats behind the trees
flaccid septum. Of course, in the old days it was
much easier to do, and there were a lot more rats in society,
when the rules weren't so strict. Just like in old trees
There are more rats in concrete buildings than in concrete ones. But even now
The owls take root in houses. Now that society is entirely
it is made of reinforced concrete andstainless steel, between the joints there is
There are very few cracks. And only very smart rats
can find these loopholes. Only stainless steel rat
can feel at home in such an environment.
I clapped my hands in a fit of admiration until they cared
cherished, and he nodded his head, accepting with graceful dignity
my praises.
“That’s who we are,” I blurted out. - Rats made of stainless steel
steel! What an honor it is to be single stainless steel
rat!
He lowered his head, agreeing with my words, then again
spoke.
- I don’t argue. And now - my throat is completely dry from these
long speeches, and I would be interested to know if you can
help me understand all these complex devices
niyami around us. Is there any way to extract
Which one is double cherry syrup?
I turned to the labyrinth of knocking and screeching equipment -
covering the inner wall.
- Of course it exists. I'll be happy to show it to you. U
Each of these machines has a control switch. This one,
if you look closer, it is intended for a dispenser on-
nutkob. First you have to press the button, thenlead to
action is a dispenser, which will dispense the drink here, instead
in order to give it to a visitor outside. Everything is signed -
look, there's cherry syrup here. A light touch and...
please!
With a whistle, the glass fell out of the dispenser, and the Elephant barely
managed to catch him. After taking a few sips, he froze and
whispered from the corners of his lips:
- It just dawned on me that there is a window here, and how-
some young lady is looking at me through it!
“Don’t be scared,” I reassured him. - It's made from single-
pohhero glass. She's just admiring her face. It's done
so that inspectors can monitor visitors.
- Is it true? Ah, now I see it myself. And they really talk about
zhory. Their slurping makes my own stomach murmur,
I have to confess to you.
- There is nothing simpler. Here is the control button for the distributor
ka food. The closest one gives out a McBunnyburger, if it's for you
I like it.
- I love it to death.
- Then please.
He grabbed a smoking bag, traditionally decorated with eyes-
with beads and a tail with a tassel, and began to chew. It was
nice to watchthe way he eats. But I forced myself
tear yourself away from the spectacle so as not to forget to throw coins into the slot
behind the armored ticket office.
The elephant's eyes widened in surprise. Having swallowed a piece, he pro-
wear:
- You pay! And I thought we were in a gastronomic
a paradise where food and drink are provided free of charge according to our first
requirement day and night.
- That's right - since all this money was stolen, and I just
I put them into circulation to keep the economy healthy
howl. McSweenes works non-stop. And every piece of meat
pig-shaped, every piece of ice is registered. When
the mechanic checks the cars, he is responsible for each item of work
progress. The store computer stores traces of each
kynku so that the supplies stored in the freezer are replenished
strictly in accordance with the norm. And all the money collected each
every day they remove the safe on the outer wall, which is also
automated. Armored van can handle it all
this when the time comes. Some code is applied and
money from the safe is loaded into the van. And if we just don't
We will eat with ceremony, the records will reveal the fact of theft.
A thorough investigation will be carried out. We have to pay
so that the amount matches the quantityapproximated pro-
dyktov. But since we are no longer going to return here -
Yes, we will steal all this money on the day we leave.
- Wonderful, my boy, wonderful. And then I was already assured
rested on your forced honesty. Well, since you're standing
next to the control button, please press and give it to me
one more bite of barbecued ribs while I cry.
I guess there are stranger places to hold
school activities, but I couldn’t come up with a more unusual
th. At certain times of the day it was impossible to hear anything
through the knocking, grinding and squealing of operating equipment. Lunch and
lunch were the busiest hours, but another peak of arrival
was spent at the time when classes in schools ended. Us
we had to eat ourselves at this time, because we had to talk
it was simply impossible, and every time we went through everything
list available to McSweenes. We got lost co
count how many McBunnyburgers have failed in our city
lo, and how many frozen cherries followed them. I like-
Dobbindogs curled around until I ate too much of them, also turned on
button with jelly from pig legs and pancakes. The elephant was
omnivorous, he liked everything on the menu. Then when
the crowds thinned out as we brushed away the last crumbs
from our lips, we sat down, lounging comfortably in our chairs,
and minetraining continued. When we started studying computer
yuters, I discovered what the Elephant has been up to in the last two decades
tiletiya.
“Give me a terminal and I can control the world,” he said
he, and his voice sounded so authoritative that I
ril, he can do it. - When I was young, it gave me un-
This is a pleasure to do something pleasant for the inhabitants of this planet.
It was simply breathtaking when I intercepted the movement of cash
mass or replaced his credit card with stacks of bank cards
notes They never figured out how I did it...
- How did you do it?
- We are talking about computers.
- Well, let's deviate from the topic this time, I ask you.
I promise to use this technique for good. And maybe if
If you allow me, I’ll even leave them one of your cards.
- Well, this is an excellent idea! To confuse the current
young generation of policemen, how I cleverly did it with them
predecessors. I'll describe to you what happened, and maybe
maybe you can guess how it was done. On the central
Mr. Mohethom courtyard, a well-guarded ancient building with a ca-
permanent walls two meters thick, there are gigantic
safes stuffed with billions of dollars. When to send
cash, security and officialfaces fill with special
sealed box, which is then closed and sealed under
under the supervision of all those present. Outside the building a con-
howl of police escorting a single armored vehicle
bath car. At a certain signal the car rolls up
back to the armored door of the feed compartment. Inside the building
The inner steel door opens and the box is placed
into an armored cell. The door is sealed before it can be
The outer one may be open. Then the box travels
travel in an armored vehicle to a special train, which
has an armored carriage. It has only one door, which
paradise is locked, sealed and wrapped in barbed wire
lock with alarm. He is constantly accompanied by security, and
thus delivered to the city, which needs
individuals, a huge amount of dollars. Another armor awaits them there -
car, the box is moved into it - still sealed -
tannaya - and delivered to the bank. There they open it - and find out
live that it contains only my business card
point.
- Amazing!
- Would you like to explain how it was done?
-You were one of the guards on the train...
- No.
- Ordrove an armored car...
- No.
I puzzled over this for an hour, then finally gave up, and
he explained everything to me.
- All your assumptions deserve attention, but all of them
dangerous. You are more physically developed than I have ever been -
lo. But in my operations I preferred brains to muscles. A
the reason is that I never opened the box to
get the money out of there, it was empty even when
threw the building. Or better yet, it was filled with...
with bricks along with my card. Now you can
wondering how it all happened?
“Never left the building,” I muttered, trying
make your brain work. - But the box was immersed in
car, and there was something in it...
- You're forgetting something else.
I snapped my fingers and jumped.
- The wall, of course, it had to be a wall. you gave me
all the clues to the solution, it was me who turned out to be so stupid. old,
stone, two meters thick!
- Exactly so. It took me four months to break through
her. I spent three robots on it, but in the end I
poor. To begin with, I purchased a buildingopposite mohethoro yard
across the road, and we made a tunnel underneath. Pickaxe and shovel-
that one. Very slow, very quiet. Through the foundation of the building and
wall. Which, as it turned out, was double, and, as usual,
there was space between the outer and inner shell,
filled with cobblestones and gravel. Nobody heard us
opened the wall of the basement connecting the courtyard of the building
c external, using a diamond saw. The mechanism that I
installed there, could change boxes in 0.5 seconds. When
the inner door was closed, immediately activated
there was a blocking bolt, and the outer door could not be opened
dug at this time. This lasted about three seconds, and this
was enough for me. I turned on my mechanism and replaced
boxes. They couldn't figure out how I did it. Fur-
the lows are still there. But the whole operation is now carried out differently.
Gomu, and they dug everything around there. Computer nupatc-
yours is a completely different matter. Essentially, it's just intelligence
a lecture exercise for the brain.
- But is computer piracy still possible in our time?
me? With all these ciphers, passwords and blocking devices -
twami.
- What can be encrypted and blocked by a person,
it can be deciphered and unlocked by a person. Notleaving no trace. Let me give you a few examples. Let's get started
c a prank called rounding numbers. Look how it de-
barks. Let's say you have eight thousand dollars in the bank.
moat with a pre-agreed annual percentage. Let's say he
equals eight. Your bank increases your account weekly,
so that you benefit from it. This means that in the end
the first week the bank multiplies your balance by 0.001538H interest
it adds this amount to your account. It increases
at $12.30. Right? Check with your calculator
ru.
I calculated the amount using a calculator and came to the same conclusion:
my answer.
- Exactly twelve dollars and thirty cents profit.
“Not exactly,” he objected. - Profit will be 12.3072 dollars
Lara, isn't it?
- Well, yes, of course, but you can’t add seventy
two thousandths of a cent to someone's bill, right?
- It's not that simple. In all financial calculations,
Rounding to the nearest hundredths applies. In this case, the bank has
There are two options for behavior. It can round all numbers
after 0.005 to one hundredth, and those that are less than 0.00Х9, to well-
la. At the end of the working day, rounding in one direction or the other
will be equal, and the bank will not beat a loss. Or, and this is generally accepted
accepted practice, the bank may simply not take into account
all decimal places except the first two, thus having
albeit a small, but constant profit. A small ban-
two thousandths of a cent to someone's bill, right?
- It's not that simple. In all financial calculations,
Rounding to the nearest hundredths applies. In this case, the bank has
There are two options for behavior. It can round all numbers
after 0.005 to one hundredth, and those that are less than 0.00Х9, to well-
la. At the end of the working day, rounding in one direction or the other
will be equal, and the bank will not be at a loss. Or, and this is generally accepted
accepted practice, the bank may simply not take into account
all decimal places except the first two, thus having
albeit a small, but constant profit. A small ban-
kobckum scale, but very respectable, as anyone would consider
ordinary citizen. If the bank computer is configured like this,
so that he transfers all these discarded units to special
account, then why not make sure that by the end of the day
the computer produced only the current accounts of the bank and its clients.
No one will get hurt and everyone will be happy.
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