Well, I still have no idea - "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea", it was one of his favorite childhood books. Given that I was reading it at a time when all the fantastic prophecy Monsieur Verne was already distant past, I imagine how interesting it was to read these books to contemporary teenagers.
- Well, kids, are you ready? - the appearance of Mrs. Jobson interrupted ensued was a literary discussion.
- Yes, ma'am! - I jumped up from the couch. - Always ready!
- It's wonderful - the woman smiled. - I invite all today devote leisure and entertainment. Just to start, we will visit the store ready-made clothes, pick up something more suitable for cold weather. I'm afraid that the clothes you have, especially Donald, a little out of season. And Sherlock will need to purchase anything warmer than this jacket. And your shoes to me, I confess, did not like. So, to begin with, offer to arrange a raid on the shop - suddenly sly wink, Mrs. Jobson rubbed her hands together, as if in anticipation, Mr. Jobson behind her playfully rolled his eyes.
I could not help chuckle, squinting his eyes, and saw, too, that Donnie smiles from ear to ear. The woman, meanwhile, continued:
- Then you will visit with you some great cafes, ice cream and naedites baskets with whipped cream! A potooom ... Then go to where you wanted to get, but could not. There are places? Sherlock?
- Toy Store in Regent Square! - I could not help but take a moment.
- Donald?
- The museum of natural history ... - shyly, almost under his breath said Donnie.
- Really? Museum? Well, I think we will have time to visit and there and there. And in the end of a wonderful, I'm sure the day, I suggest visiting a traveling fair attractions that just a couple of days, arrived in the city. There will be all kinds of carousels, a shooting gallery, presentation, even a small zoo. Not to say that I'm a big fan of such amusements, but it seems to me, from your age boys that should cause concern.
- Well, gentlemen, I am on the way out, the crew awaits! - Mr Jobson first out onto the porch.
Sitting in a cab, I suddenly thought again about the death of the players, and all within me suddenly shrunk from a bout of irrational fear - for some reason I decided that suddenly die right now, this second. Just pogasnu, like a light bulb. But after a moment was able to cope with them and to drive these thoughts are deep, deep, determined to just enjoy the sun today, though days are pretty cool, and well-deserved rest.
I was not surprised, making sure that stores the Eastern and Western Districts of Londinium different as heaven and earth. glass showcase palace full of light, with the staff, for which, judging by the joy with which we were greeted - the visit was a holiday, and for contrast - shop at the shelter, with boorish teenager-seller.
By the way, Mrs. Jobson knew his business. Breaking into the store like a hurricane, it instantly gave a bunch of orders, and a few minutes later, we Donny, in identical, differing only in shade, brown suit, warm plaid jackets and caps, could admire their reflections in the large, bright mirror. I must say that if the earlier it is not evident, but now, when we stood side by side, it was already obvious - a friend I grew. So far, not much, but it was already noticeable. Above this is also worth thinking - as I grew older, I understand, but as the older locals? There is an assumption that approximately the same as I do, only by their mechanism of quests and recruitment experience is hidden. Or not? It will be necessary on occasion gently ask Donny.
Paying and politely thanked the sellers, by the way, this feature I really liked in the couple Jobson - impeccable politeness and respectful treatment to any other party, we got back into the carriage, which is waiting for us outside the shop. The next point of our today's program was a visit to a toy store, which I admit, had high hopes.
- Mr. Jobson, tell me, what rights do I have as a minor?
- What do you mean by right, my young friend?
- Suppose I want to sell their product - the same sound is recorded bird. But to do this more than once, and to make and sell them all the time, the same store. Can I sign the contract personally, or is it for me to do my guardian?
- Well, - the lawyer thought, - on the one hand, according to the law, you can make deals and sign an agreement, and not as an adult. And in fact, not to be deceived, I would advise you to still use the services of one of the best, not afraid of the word, the lawyers of Londinium, the more that these services are absolutely free for you.
- I understand you, sir. Thank you.
- Do not mention it. And by the way, do not forget before you decide to sell his invention to visit the Patent Office.
- But this is not my invention, sir ...
- Sherlock, believe me, noble impulses - that's fine, but it is not always justified. If you do not have a patent for his recording device, then an hour later after the sale, you will lose all the rights to it, since it immediately patent the buyer. Do you understand me?
- So, boys, let's get your business talk - could not stand Mrs. Jobson. - We are on a walk, let's have fun!
Meanwhile, the crew pulled up to the entrance to the most luxurious toy store in town, and we went to "have fun". I must say that it really made a strong impression. Even spouses Jobson froze in astonishment before the showcase with a huge three-story doll house. Donny also simply stood with his mouth open. I must say that I was also struck by the delicacy of the work - to create a feeling that the most that neither is on, a real home just reduced several times, so accurate and reliable was a copy.
- Hmm ... But - Mr. Jobson bent over the price tag.
I also looked at him. Wow! 300 gold, well, wow! I, of course, is difficult to judge, I have a similar amount by itself has never been, but I'm sure - it's a lot for the Western District.
Under the impression already at the door, we finally went inside. Hmm. Well, I was a little prepared a showcase of luxury, and the like Donny would have stood a pillar of salt. Huge store room was lined with a variety of toys, most of which I did not then, he had never seen, even I could not imagine. Dozens of dolls of different ages and sizes, from small PUPS, to replicas of an ordinary child's appearance and growth of the mountain of teddy bears, cats, dogs, tigers, birds, sailing models of locomotives, carriages ... Hundreds of soldiers diversity of species, drums, pipes, flags - that just was not there. A paradise for any child.
However, I am not interested in it. I turned my head in search of mechanical toys, and so far, to no avail. In just a few seconds, a record of regular customers, we jumped to a store employee.
- Good afternoon! How can I help you? - a sickly smile, he obligingly bent question mark. I must say I have this ostentatious obsequiousness, accepted as the norm in affluent areas, has already started a little annoying. But as they say, in a strange monastery with its charter, not walk.
- Prompt, and where you have mechanical toys?
- Oh, these gentlemen connoisseurs? I ask here - he pointed to a passage in the form of an arch, which I just did not pay attention.
Going into the next, very small room, I gasped involuntarily. It was lined with a variety of mechanisms. There were a variety of small birds and little animals in cages, puppies, kittens, babies crawling, walking dolls, music boxes and mechanical theater. The most impressive exhibit was sitting at the harpsichord girl who could play one of the dozens of ringtones to choose from. She looked very much like a living person, but was, in essence, a large music box.
- Will you show us? - Mr Jobson pointed to toys. - In the action, so to speak.
- Of course, sir, I beg you! - the seller briskly began to make arrangements, one by one, starting with the most brilliant and pretentious in decoration, apparently intended to throw dust in the eyes. In spite of the gorgeous appearance - for example, a mechanical peacock had a natural peacock tail feathers of the real - toys not made much of an impression on me. Standard a few movements, repetitive circle. Such a toy I could do easily.
- These are not interested, too primitive. Won the show, please, - I pointed to the figure of a small cat, standin
g a little apart from the rest of the copper-polished splendor, on a separate shelf, next to the same dark with figures of the time.
- And you, I look good at mechanics? - the seller took down the toy and put it on the table.
- Little.
I do not know why this figure caught my attention - the cat was quite scruffy appearance. Not only is the copper coating turned green from time to time, so also many fine scratches and dents are not added to his beauty. But as soon as the seller cranked back key figures, a miracle happened - some truly magical transformation.
Côte indignantly murknuv began pulling paws, alternately stretching and releasing claws absolutely natural feline movement. When finished, he sat down, looked us openly disdainful look and turned away and began to lick her stomach. With bated breath, we watched a few minutes of the process, until the spring has eased, and the animal, a toy he called me to not turn the language again frozen in stillness.
- Impressive, is not it? - the seller luchilsya joy and pride. - This Kitten seventy years, the master made it for my daughter, who gave him for his daughter, and she, in turn, sold for debts and some money to buy a house outside the city.
- House outside the city? And how much is this beauty? - Mrs. Jobson looked at the cat with great interest.
- Expensive, ma'am. Unfortunately, artists who can do such a thing is almost gone. This cat is worth fifteen hundred gold.
- How many? Yes you mad?
- I'm afraid I can not help it, ma'am. As you can see, all the mechanisms are old enough, we purchase them wherever we can, and for any money. But I can offer you another option, you might be interested? It is worth fifteen.
The man took off another shelf of another mechanical cat, this time explicit remake. This cat, unlike the previous one, was well polished, its body surface was covered with an engraved pattern imitating cat fur, eyes were made of enamel and malachite. Figure looked very presentable and expensive. The man turned the key on the back of figures, continuing to speak:
- We work with one of the best engineers in the city, all the toys that you see here, he produced. This is certainly not an old work, but believe me, the best thing was after the master Emile Shaw.
The cat, meanwhile, subject to spring force unnatural rattled. Sound, simulating rumble, looked more like some kind of chatter. Occasionally lifting the right, then the left leg, he bowed his head, as if licking, turning it to the left and to the right, and sometimes open mouth, emitting an unnatural metallic clang, designed to portray meowing.
I laughed:
- You seriously do it better than the master? Yes, I now can make a toy that will be much better than this, and at the same time - it is cheaper.
- Young man, this is ridiculous. The man who makes these arrangements, doing this all my life, and you, a, um ... a young, says it can do better?
- That's right, saying! And I offer you a bet. Say, you have the right to address issues with suppliers?
- Yes, I like the store manager, fully empowered. But the final decision is made by the shop owner.
- It's enough! Let's make you a bet - if I did not continue as a week, will bring you a mechanical toy, the like of which has never been in your store, and you acknowledge that it is superior to all that you have presented, with the exception of the mechanisms of the old work, you enter into a contract with me and start to sell my products. Well, or if you do not have rights, then introduced me to the owner of the most flattering characteristics.
Looking at snapping the air in anger man, I honestly started to fear that I now have just kicked vzashey, but he coped with:
- Well, you get the chance, young braggart. But keep in mind, if you do not cope with the task, then you will lose as their toys, and access to our shop.
- Deal!
After shaking hands with each other, we made a bet. And I got another message system:
- to offer you the quest: "Do not lose face!".
- Quest Conditions - imagine the manager of a toy store mechanism is clearly superior to all those that it makes the current master. (Term - 1 week).
The award - 3000 experience, the opportunity to become the new master toy store, the conclusion of the contract on its own terms (variably).
Penalty failure - object loss, decrease reputation with the owner of a toy store.
Accept the quest?
That is great! That is what I expected. No, I'm not that sure was that I would get a quest, while simply hoping to information, and only later, when I will be in the hands of the sample, was about to return to a substantive discussion. But as work - even better.
- All we can go further, I then nothing more interesting - I said cheerfully and went outside.
- You sure you do not want to buy? - caught up with me at the exit, Mr. Jobson said.
- No there is nothing good.
- Well, you must, Donnie said about the same thing - a man shook his head. - And I was your age here on a rope to the conclusions they do. Well, then in the Museum!
As it turned out, the building of the Museum of Natural History is in the City, not far from the public library, which I attended, when looking for information on the case of the Night Strangler. As soon as we stepped inside, Donnie with a strangled cry of joy rushed to get exposure, breathless with delight mouth open next to each plate and forget about everything.
- What a lovely boy. And after some clever ... The future scientist, no less - Mrs. Jobson with a smile watching Throwing Donnie between the skeletons of dinosaurs.
- Yes, ma'am. He was just wonderful - kind, intelligent, brave, read a lot of books! And it is very unfortunate. He is an orphan, so sorry ...
- orphan? What a terrible tragedy - the woman said slowly, never taking his eyes from brooding Donnie.
Well, I hope the seeds fell on fertile ground. As I understand it, their children, the couple Jobson was not, and of them could go out wonderful parents.
Donnie is with delight and enthusiasm of a puppy for a walk, he raced for the exhibition. At first, I tried to follow him, surprised and amazed by reading the numerous signs and looking at endless Triceratops and different Zavriev. But in the end, even my ability is not enough. Mr. and Mrs. Jobson has long sat on the bench, stretching his tired legs. So, good enough is enough, people are no longer young, no matter how to drive them, such a pace.
From searching in a crowd near a diorama showing a typical camp caveman, my friend, I walked resolutely:
- Donnie, we then walk for 2 hours can finish today? I would like to get to the fair, and that Mrs. Jobson has barely standing on his feet from fatigue.
- Yes, of course, I'm sorry, Sherlock. Just as there is interesting, I've been dreaming all see it ...
- I promise you, we here more than once come, this is not the last day of my life. You remember that things have changed?
- Yes you are right.
No matter how tried Mr and Mrs Jobson hide their feelings out of politeness, still it was evident that they were excited to finally get out of the museum.
- I suggest not to waste time on the cafe, and now move to the fair and eat right there. As far as I can remember, there has always sell mulled wine, hot dogs and cotton candy that will certainly appeal to all, eh? How do you look at it? - Mr Jobson winked.
I noisily gulped, suddenly feeling a strong attack of hunger.
- Well, I do not know, Arthur, there on the street? This is not appropriate.
- Martha, do not you remember how happy we were eating these hot dogs, and on the street. Thirty years ago, it does not bother you!
- Oh, Arthur, when it was. Well, he persuaded - smiled Miss Jobson. - I hope I do not meet anyone there from the neighbors.
The time has come the afternoon, and the fair was in full swing. Never before had I could not conceive that once having been in a place like this. Noisy crowd stormed nemudrenyh attractions - people sitting on horses, swinging on swings, climbed on the varnished poles of tied to the top prizes.
Periodically with wild cries h
ere and there ran some children and adults, laughing, with a mug of beer in their hands or white clouds of cotton candy, are not so different from them.
- Lord, do not hesitate to pass ... - appear suddenly, as if out of the ground the man was a gangster type, with eyes closed bandage, put my hands on a piece of paper. - Come to Madame Rosalind, young man. The road awaits you distant, difficult, you reach it? Come to Madame Rosalind, it will help. Cards see cards know all the cards will tell!
- Sherlock, catch up! - gone forward Jobson and Donny waved his hand at me from the counter with hot dogs.
"Come to the salon of Madame Rosalind, find out your destiny!" - looking up from the papers a couple of seconds, I was not surprised, no longer seeing the next one.
Chapter 5.
Thrusting a piece of paper in my pocket, I hurried to go to the counter, where I was immediately handed a two sausages, watered with spicy mustard. Holding in each hand sausage, biting alternately from each smiling Donnie and Mr. and Mrs. Jobson, I was ready to admit that today is the best day of my life for the last six years, since my separation from parents. And let the world around was a virtual, happiness was the most that neither is on, genuine and sincere.
I must say that the wife and Jobson and Donnie, apparently received from the walk a lot of fun. Fresh air, noise, noise, great food - what could be better?
- Ladies and Gentlemen! Come, do not hesitate! Only today, only here! Interesting idea, an unforgettable experience! The tragic story of unrequited love, drama, betrayal and murder! Sensational tragedy of the great Enzo Giovanni "Forbidden Love"! Come! Beginning five minutes later, the cost of seats - one serebrushka.
Instantly swallowed the remains of dogs and wiped his hands with a paper towel, Mrs. Jobson twisted his head in search of a place where there were calls. Stumbling look at a group of people who were standing in front of the platform and listened tolstyachka to suit either the royal jester, or the buffoon, she is bewitched went to vote.
- Mad a theater - with a sigh, said the old lawyer. - So, boys, apparently, enjoy the pleasures of life in the form of attractions and trained bears only lucky you, I'm going to have, together with Martha, watch this "tragic story of unrequited love." You see for yourself, take it from there is not possible.
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