《Last Day 》作者：- A. Bertram Chandler【EPUB】

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Last DayA. Bertram ChandlerFADE IN TO DISTANT CHIMING of church clock to seven slow solemnstrokes. There is a short pause followed by the subdued creaking of amattress as the man shifts and stirs in his bed. Then--JOHN sleepily. Seven already. And its light. His voice becomes morealert a little querulous. Why didnt you set the alarm Evelyn I wanted tobe up early. I wanted to see the sun rise. I wanted...EVELYN bitterly I wanted too. I wanted all kinds of things. I wanted youwith me just ourselves as long as possible. I wanted you to sleep allthrough today all through the night thats coming so that they couldntfind you and you would miss this craziness. But now her voice takes on astrained cheerfulness I suppose you want your breakfast.JOHN rather surprised as though the idea is brilliantly novel. Why yes.EVELYN. In bedJOHN surprised and gratified. Thank you darling.Fade in to sizzling frying pan then footsteps on stairs then door opening.EVELYN still with the same forced gaiety. There you are mlud. Sunnyside up two with crisp bacon. And...JOHN. Mlud. Funny you should say that. Reminds me of something else...EVELYN sharply. WhatJOHN. Trials and things. The Old Bailey. The condemned man ate a heartybreakfast...EVELYN. The condemned man... John JohnThere is a crash as of breaking crockery a sound of a womans sobbing.And--JOHN. There darling there. Dont worry about it. It was a silly joke. Do yousuppose Id have made it if it wasnt meant to be a joke Were no morecondemned men than Brown and Alcock or the Wright brothers. Less so.They had to make up the rules as they went along we already have a massof theory and practice to work on. And look--youve broken the teapot. Younever liked it did youEVELYN with a laugh that is very close to a sob No. It was an ugly thing.But what a mess Ive made of your eggs darling. And theyll be your lasteggs too. The last for a few days I mean. Why cant you take eggs TheaccelerationJOHN. No. Properly stowed theyll stand anything that we can stand. Itsjust the old old story of Mass Ratio. It means that we have to cut downweight as much as possible. It means dehydrated foods...EVELYN. And powdered egg omelets...JOHN. There you are now. Youve got it. It just means a few days ofdiscomfort of putting up with unpleasant sensations