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And I saw, how it has shifted something from the
Hands in which held a stick, in a palm
The captain, at once compressed in a fist.
— It's done, — has told слепой.*
R.L.Stivenson. "Island of treasures"
* Nikolay's transfer Chukovsky.
From the point of view of statistics, chances to receive a label was very little.
One of thousand or even is less. Especially if to conduct an ordered life,
To avoid casual communications, to show vigilant vigilance and not to give in
On dodges, messages about which were regularly published in cheap gazetenkah
Type of "the Hunting Review" or "Lucky beggar", and also were passed on
To TV, let alone deposits of the valuable information on "black" sites.
Nik was extremely cautious. It conducted measured, predicted with
Accuracy about ten minutes a life. The route of its movement on a city was
Almost invariable; a circle of contacts the extremely limited; suspiciousness for a long time
Has got frankly paranoid shade and who frightened off those the few,
Tried to go on rapprochement without any ulterior motive.
The friend — one and only, but in him Nik has been assured on all hundred
Percent. In the childhood they, as they say, wrote to one pot, after together
Examined sex magazines, made small thefts and read each other
Unripe youthful verses. In general, trust absolute.
Fellow workers — repeatedly checked up. The joint experience — not
Less than five years. All understood each other without words and did not climb with the dangerous
Hand shakes or dribbling complaints.
Girl Nik met three years; considered, that is accurate"
It is enamoured without memory loss, and was going to create in the long term strong,
Based on correct calculation and mutual respect a family. Any
Petty intrigues on the party — perish the thought! Sex — once a week, as under the schedule.
Careful protection; "dangerous" days were crossed out in calendar cards,
Which were stored at both. The girl was, that is called, "from the good
Families ", differed extreme decency and in any situation chose
Comfort and calmness.
That else to wish? Only that has this time carried by. Especially
That, apparently, the Hunting season came to an end.
* * *
There was an autumn. The basic events it was usually developed from May till November.
Any special actions. The black label was thrown — and...
In the winter and allowed to have a rest in the early spring of biped game. Zagonshchiki and
Pirates had possibility to prepare for annual Hunting and to train.
Nik liked autumn. Its thirty fifth Birthday came nearer. He waited
This date without any presentiments and vanity. Its zodiac sign were
Scales, and he fairly considered itself(himself) as rather counterbalanced person. Nothing
Could deduce it from itself for a long time. More thoughtless people found it
The dullish pedant, the bore and the hypocrite, but thoughtless people did not live
Long. They came and left. More correctly, them "cleaned" as superfluous details
Interior. It was given by pleasure to observe of their change. Own
Stability inspired confidence that it has found a support point, was hooked
For an axis of without restraint turned world which only seems to children and morons
Cheerful attraction, and people with mind and experience know: the world is a centrifuge,
Filtering those who potentially and so it is already dead...
There can be an impression, that Nik was pessimistic and gloomy. At all
No. Anything similar. He was able to rejoice lives, had sense of humour and appreciated
Every minute pleasures. Here and the Birthday it was going to
To celebrate cheerfully, though and in a narrow circle of the checked up people. To it not
It was required to make the list of visitors; all of them could be counted on
To fingers: the father, mother, the friend, the girl, the big brother with the wife.
Despite an age difference, parents Nika at all did not seem to it
The deterrent also have never spoilt a party the presence.
He did not know, that such the notorious conflict of generations. With relatives at
It was full mutual understanding. It is probable, because they too were
People positive "correct" counterbalanced, in a word.
So unpleasant unexpectedness Niku like would not threaten. It stayed
In this error, there has not come yet its Birthday. Exactly in eighteen
Hours it has started to receive visitors. The first mummy and the daddy, by turns have come
Have kissed a liked sonny, have handed over a gift and have sat down to look eighty
The fourth series of "a soap opera".
Then the friend with was smart prezentom is there was the rare
Compact disc with record of "Trojans" of Berlioz, which Nik, the big fan
Classical music, unsuccessfully searched within several years.
The brother with the wife have approached hardly later; all were in a perfect arrangement
Spirit. Girl Nika for some reason was late, and he has slightly begun to worry. Wanted
Already to leave on street, to meet her, but here a conditional call to a door
Has disseminated its alarm.
It was on the threshold — refined, is quivering-gentle, with inexplicable
Moisture in eyes, such fragile, that has jammed even its clay heart.
They have embraced; it has substituted a cheek for a kiss, but he has preferred it
Lips, let and made up. Has concerned a lovely face and has softly turned to itself.
They have kissed.
At any moment it has felt a firm subject at itself(himself) in a mouth, which
Has got there together with it, in general chaste, a uvula.
Nik has recoiled and has spat out to itself on a palm something similar to the big
Tablet.
Together with a kiss the girl has passed it a black label.
* * *
Birthday has been, of course, hopelessly spoilt. For the first time for thirty
Five years.
Having turned black from last "gift", Nik has expelled visitors, not explaining
The reasons. But they and all have understood. It seems, mother tried to console it, but it
Has firmly shown the door also it. The girl it is guilty clapped eyelashes, slobbered and
Something murmured about a pardon. Nik it was convinced: from love to hatred
Really one step.
Zagonshchiki were still far, and it still had time to familiarise
With short history and a label route. It has inserted it into a reading device,
And on the screen of the house computer images of the people embodied have started gleaming
At the characteristic moments of TRANSFER.
All actions Nik carried out mechanically. The fact of possession a label was
Quite terrible and consequently it was not too amazed with that he has seen.
In any other time similar revelations would send it in a knockout. The person
With talent, possibly, would be delivered of tragedy. More sensitive nature
Would be ill with an incurable misanthropy. And the being with liking heart is inevitable
It would appear on the side: wreck of illusions, thoughts on suicide and all
The such...
Nik, fortunately, did not possess neither talent, nor excessive vulnerability,
A little appreciable complex of sacrifice. Therefore it has simply compressed a teeth
Also looked at, how...
But in the beginning not about it. In the beginning that in its brain was scrolled
In parallel absolutely other "cinema". He recollected events of last of two
Months and distinctly understood, that became a victim of any plot
Accidents. In it there was something more ominous, than in a reasonable will. In
The end of the ends any conscious force can resist. And here elements
Probabilities to resist it is impossible. It neotvratima if its choice has fallen on
You. And it is not important, what form is accepted by threat: train wreck, or
Deadly illness, or... A label.
He felt for the first time insignificant statistical unit,
Pulled out from an infinite series same grey, identical and assured in
To itself of units covered with a board of the plurality. But it is very fast it
Will turn to a zero. In ashes. In game which will be dead and forever it is brought
In the Hunting annals.
Earlier it and itself, happened, looked with curiosity on the corresponding
The site, called from archive of the file and long considered persons "mechenyh". In
Any sense all of them were similar. And can, that he knew their destiny,
Deformed its own perception. Anyway, during lifetime of the person,
It seemed, radiated silly sheep happiness. The destiny axe has already been brought, and
These innocent a victim smiled, dreamt, saved a money, did children,
Worked as elbows, making the way more close to a feeding trough. But unless not always was
So? And unless it not the law of existence of any kind? What has changed?
All without an exception were influenced by the new factor?
Real kickshaw — a black label. Now the death had a postman.
And it sent the notice...
With an addressless rage and regret Nik has recollected, that has avoided several
Doubtful contacts, has stoically overcome a couple of strong temptations and
Has given up to itself in small joys which brighten up this ridiculous, absurd
(Now he thought so!) a life. As a result it has all the same got
Label, and could take pleasure in addition. Moreover what pleasure!
He with the aggravated melancholy has imagined that smart blonde in
The silvery "compartment", unambiguously inviting it to a close acquaintance.
It is invocatory licked chubby lips; its dummies shamelessly stuck out under the thin
Network of hardly designated bodice — and, how much he could judge, pjaljas on it
From sidewalk, it was without shorts.
While it stood, stunned with so frank attack, it has compressed hips
Steering wheel, and has then bent and has made with the switching handle
Speeds what and has not learnt plainly to do its girl.
The blonde almost entirely zaglotila the smooth cylinder fitted by the pink
Skin, also has made some back and forth motions. Thus
Its left eye mowed towards the bewitched shy male; she observed
Behind its reaction.
Blood knocked at it in ears. Thoughts was not. It has hardly turned and
With not smaller work has made some steps, feeling painful inconvenience
At each movement. Trousers were blew up in front, and passers grinned, looking
On it, however jumped aside aside from silvery "compartment", as though
On such wheelbarrows also drove about Bony.
Even now at Nika it is sweet zanylo in chreslah. Yes, what erektsija was gone
In vain! To it it was especially insulting, that, having understood futility of the trap, the blonde
Has given gas and, having rustled by it, has spitefully thrown: "Sranyj the impotent man!" And it
Not the impotent man. Absolutely on the contrary. However, now it any more had no the slightest
Values. It would change all potentiality for an absolute guarantee of that
Never any more will not see a label.
... Or to take at least that pederast in a bar. Any interested person could find
There Nika after job or during week-end. He liked this place, and attachments
Some years did not vary. Its route provided the corresponding
Turn and article of expenses, that at all was not a gleam of revelry or
Such safety valve against which help Nik pitted
Pressure also got rid of the poison of anarchy collecting in too
The disciplined brains. The bar was called "Renaissance". It was
The highly cultured institution visited well brought up and known Niku
People (mainly, colleagues) in strictly certain days and hours. Here
They had a rest after intense labour everyday life, talked about art
And sports, exchanged books, compact discs and news. Sometimes played
In a bridge or chess. In a bar it was always silent, quiet, chistenko,
Exclusively decently. Almost house conditions, at the same time
Spiritualised by pleasant dialogue. The club atmosphere sated
Weakening fluids.
Therefore occurrence of unfamiliar, rather dirty and unshaven type could not
To remain not noticed. That has become hollow in a bar, from a threshold has led round habitues
Rather impudent and any desperately-cheerful sight, and then, apparently,
Has made the choice and has directed directly to Niku, peacefully talking near
Racks with the chief about comparative advantages of a cycle of symphonies of Beethoven
In treatments Klemperera and Vejngartnera. The dirty type has roughly intruded in the cosy
World of two true music fans, instantly having destroyed charm of the crystal
Islet on which those were going to to enjoy conversation on art still
At least to steam of hours.
The tramp without forewords has stuck in Nika, as if a bull terrier. Fastidiously
Having frowned, the chief reasonably retired. At Nika such possibility already
Was not. Tipchik has taken it in hand. He directly offered inconceivable money, and
For it asked to render it "service". Certainly, Nik has refused, not wishing
Even to penetrate into an essence of the offer and in what sort of the help from it expect.
The stranger muttered something about two months of a "paradise" life, then about
The personal plane, the most expensive girls and the unlimited credit in any
Planet corner. And all it — for one and only "service"!.
Only now Niku has come to mind, that the type could and not to be gone mad
The pederast. For certain is not present. Nik was mistaken. It is asked, where there were his eyes? It
Has suddenly realised, that the stranger really looked as fallen
The millionaire, and fallen on a bottom not so long ago. The person, which in one
Instant has lost a skeleton...
Nik has begun to creak teeth. It could lay now somewhere on Azure
To coast — a beach for a two, the naked movie star under the arm, a yacht, a casino,
Champagne, obsequious servants, door-keepers, waiters, headwaiters and is a lot of
Tasty grub...
Really such are its suppressed dreams? Really it is so primitive?
It is necessary to recognise, that so it and is. Than it is worse than others to turn back
njuhaltse from stereotypic desires? Or, maybe, it is less subject
To zombiing? Not at all. Same bolvanchik, as well as the majority
Around. Here only now circumstances will force it to change. About yes...
Anyway, (the pederast? The millionaire? The loony?) the tempter has left with what.
Niku it would be desirable to kick. My God, it the present monk! Especially on
To comparison with some... Where You, the God from the big letter — The one Who
Really Fills with All? Au, the chief?! Where your indulgence to the involuntary
To righteous persons? That You knew, sometimes they suffer more strongly, than sinners in a hell.
It to You so, for the information...
Silly complaints. Nik has been assured, that not in forces to cancel Hunting anybody and
Anything. For the help to wait there is nobody. Rescue will not be, if only... If
Only he will not take care of itself(himself).
He fine knew Hunting rules. All who has reached have been obliged to know them
Age of game. Compulsions it was not required. It was first of all in them
Interests. Nevertheless in his head has flashed unworthy and frivolous
myslishka — in the same way as it flashed in thousand goals while turn not
Has reached it. Frankly speaking, rudimentary myslishka. A vestige of wildness,
When hunters could be DECEIVED vulgarly.
Nik has thought, that in the most simple way to be rescued would be to destroy
Label. To crush, put in an incinerator, to lower in a toilet bowl. To get rid
To any by but NOT to PASS someone to another...
According to rules, it was punished by immediate execution. Therefore the similar
myslishka always meant a self-destructive panic. It was possible to Someone to suppress
It in a germ; someone allowed to it to grow till the huge sizes and fed
Itself to this insatiable monster. In the latter case zagonshchikam remains
Only to come and take a victim lukewarm...
Niku it was possible to cope with an accruing panic quickly enough. Chaos
Has settled; the desire to run carelessly was replaced by sensation which is better
It is characterised by two words: "there is nothing to lose".
It had enough will power and on looking through a severe film to
The end. Three ten the unfamiliar physiognomies flashing in the beginning on
The screen, have not too interested him. The unpleasant events occurring with
STRANGERS, have only prepared Nika for perception of the worst.
He fondly believed, that knows all basic ways of TRANSFER. It has appeared,
Them much more. People made monstrous acts, if only vsuchit a label
Near if only to get rid of this small, almost weightless subject,
Meaning heavy, more often intolerable cargo — the invitation to death...
But here on the screen for the first time there was a person of the big brother, and Nik has reduced
Speed of viewing. It became clear, from whom the brother has picked up "infection". From
Any self-confident red stinker — it seems, secretaries of the boss.
Nik sees it as if spies in a keyhole — and
The chink at any moment can be replaced to consider a situation with
The various parties.
... Red throws a label in a cup with black coffee. It occurs directly in
Office while the brother reports at the important meeting. As the sound is disconnected,
The brother is represented Niku the brainless aquarian fish moving with fins
And opening wide a mouth. Should be, for excitement he forgets to scan a cup
The individual selector. The damned careerist! Nik always considered, that
Excessive office eagerness does not lead up to good...
When during a short break the brother drinks at one draught the coffee and
Finds out a label, already late something to undertake. TRANSFER
It is fixed. Even on the screen it is visible, as the brother strikingly varies in the person,
Becomes more white a chalk. All are removed from it. The chief closes meeting,
Shows to it a hand on a door and at once appoints the new chief of department.
Crushed happened, the brother is hardly dragged home...
Further not so interesting piece of record follows. Nik does jump
Forward. Judging by the counter, passes two days. They are filled by moaning,
Squabbles and family scandals which to a thicket are started by the wife of the brother.
It appears, that has not provided its with all necessary and has not issued so
The named widow insurance. Really, for the married person it
Serious omission. It is impossible to be such egoist! It is necessary to think and of the future
The child!.
Aha, means, it is pregnant. Oh and a knot! And after all all considered it and the brother
Almost in ideal pair. Niku this woman was represented by the sample
Tactfulness and complaisance. Time and again he spoke — half for fun,
Half seriously, — that would like to have precisely such wife. Or any...
Well here, now all has opened. Secret becomes obvious. Masks are dumped.
And it only the first layer new, okrysivshejsja realities. Further — is worse and
Worse...
(By the way, whether IT has issued the insurance? Nik in it it is strong
Doubts...)
The brother invites parents. Anniversary has very opportunely turned up also
Weddings. At Nika fists are involuntarily compressed — it after all too there was! Well and
As without it, without the liked younger brother!.
It has again slowed down viewing. Minutes viscously last. He sees, how the brother
Imperceptibly for the others encloses a label in a handbag of own mother.
Nika covers any gloomy passion. Further, further... Shadowing for
Death moving — as if a drug. To come off difficultly. Tremendous game
Accidents. Unfortunate or happy coincidence of circumstances. Plus
Human nasty thing in all beauty...
Some days mother kept not bad. Anyway, she did not try
To throw out a label or to run away. However, it had a kind of the woman who were ill with a cancer
And knowing about it. Nik badly represents, what was necessary to it. She has found out
Label only when has come back home, and could suspect whom
It is necessary — sons, the daughter-in-law, the husband... The Choice which has risen before it, also
It is improbably difficult. It fluctuates long, too long.
And zagonshchiki it is meanwhile already close. On TV pass the detailed
Reportings on Hunting. The area of searches was narrowed about eighteen quarters. It
Any forty-fifty thousand persons. Niku in its position number
Such order it seems ridiculously small. And mother pulls to the last.
The father too tolstokozh to feel change in its behaviour, and
They have lived too much time together that he attentively peered in
Her face. However, it has a small puncture when she forgets
To check up the selector a mail box. The father is shocked by such negligence and
Indignantly utters to it. She refers to an indisposition. A pier, that
You will do — a climax. It is necessary to be terpimee under the relation to each other.
After that the father personally checks mail twice. In letters and newspapers —
Purely. A noisy sigh. However he does not know, that the label already lays in a box
With its warm tablets.
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