[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

first thing I noticed as I did turn loose of my companions and snatch the
virtuous reality helmet off my head. Only then, as I blinked against light
that seemed much too bright, did I realize the One Called Night hadn't tried
to chase us as we left his domain this time.
You have to understand all that passed through my mind in a fraction of a
second, and a small fraction to boot Then I stopped caring about it, because
Judy had taken off her helmet, too. She was sitting up in her bed, looking
over her shoulder at me, and smiling bright as all Nine Suns put together.
Page 198
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
I smiled back. So did Tony, Nigel Cholmondeley, Hr. Murad, and the constable
who'd been keeping watch on her she wasn't wearing her own clothes, just a
pure white healing gown of virgin linen, and all it had in back was a couple
of ties that didn't do much to hold it together.
When Judy figured that out, she squeaked and wiggled around so the part of the
gown that actually covered her was frontways to us. Then she said to me,
"David, I think you'd better introduce me to these people. You got to me
through virtuous reality, didn't you?"
That's right," I said, and did as she'd asked After the hellos and thank-yous,
I went on, "You told me you wanted to get involved in the new technology. I
don't suppose you wanted to see it from the inside out, though."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
"No." She shook her head so her hair flew every which way, a Judy gesture I'd
seen since the day I met her. It made any tiny doubts I'd had disappear she
was back on This Side, fully and completely. "It was still interesting," she
added. I'd recognize all of you from the way I saw you in the Nine Beyonds,
but you, David, you looked just the same to me."
Cholmondeley and Madame Ruth gave me an odd look. I didn't understand for a
second, and then I did:
you need to be a person of unusual virtue Brother Vahan, say to keep your
normal appearance in virtuous reality. My ears got hot. "Must be love," I
muttered.
"Very likely," Nigel Cholmondeley said. "After all, were it not for the love
you bear for Mistress Adler, she would still be trapped on the Other Side."
That only made my ears hotter. Back in the Nine Beyonds, I'd idealized Judy
into an image I'd cherish all my life, while she'd seen me just as I am. Which
was the greater compliment? I couldn't begin to tell you.
The constable pulled out a sheet of parchment and a pen. Where the rest of us
were exalted, he stayed businesslike. "Can you describe the motivations of the
alleged perpetrators who caused your spirit to be projected into the realm on
the Other Side termed the Nine Beyonds, Mistress Adler?" he asked formally.
"You mean, why they sent me there?" Judy said sure enough, a copy editor to
the core. She shook her head again. They didn't tell me much, which was
probably sensible from their point of view. I think they just didn't want to
have to worry about my escaping for a while. They had some sort of big plans
afoot, though; I know that much. They kept saying they'd deal with me properly
once this other thing, whatever it was, happened."
That reminded me she didn't know what had gone on at the Devonshire dump or
Chocolate Weasel. It also explained why she hadn't been at the Chocolate
Weasel building, but I didn't want to think about what those people had
intended to do to her once they got the power they'd sought.
As fast as I could, I filled her in on what had been happening on This Side
while she was Elsewhere. She nodded soberly, saying, "That fits in well with
what we were talking about before they kidnapped me. I'm just glad we managed
to foil it."
"Not "we," Mistress Adler," Tony Sudakis said. "Him." He pointed right at me.
"If he hadn't thought to summon the Canada Bird, we'd all have been in the
soup."
"Somebody had to do something," I said. Seeing the admiring look Judy was
giving me, I added, "What
I think I'll do is hire Tony to do my advertising for me. The other thing you
have to remember is that if it hadn't been for his Perkunas and the Nine Suns,
we couldn't have rescued you."
"Yeah, but you were the one who thought of that, too, and made Madame Ruth and
Cholmondeley here go along with it even when they weren't what you'd call
enthusiastic," Tony said. The virtuous reality duo nodded vigorously.
"Well, if you insist on giving me the credit you know what?" I said. "I'm
gonna take it." Everybody laughed and clapped hands.
Page 199
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Judy said, "Do I have any clothes here besides this peep-show of a gown? Now
that I'm living in my body again, all I want to do is check myself out of
here& where exactly am I, anyhow?"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
This is the West Hills Temple of Healing, Mistress Adler," Hr. Murad said. He
opened the closet, pointed to a tunic and trousers. These are the garments in
which you were discovered. They have been laundered subsequent to their
detailed examination by the constabulary."
I dare say they'd needed laundering, too; I wondered how long Judy's body had
worn them and soiled them while her spirit was trapped in the Nine Beyonds.
She must have been thinking the same thing, for she said, They'll do to get me
out. Then I think I'll burn them."
"As you wish, Mistress Adler," Hr. Murad said. "One formality yet remains
before you can be released."
Judy gave him a classic make-it-snappy look. It took effect Hastily, he went
on, "I must certify you as sound before sending you down to the business
office." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]