© Copyright Arkady and Boris Strugatsky "Стажеры"


Аркадий и Борис Стругацкие "Стажеры"
PROLOGUE
A massive red and white coach arrived. Departure was announced.
- Alright, off you go, - said Daugeh.
Bykov grumbled:
- We'll make it. By the time they all board...
He watched sullenly how the other passengers entered the bus at
leisure, one by one. About a hundred people were boarding.
- This will take fifteen minutes, at least, - Grisha remarked
knowingly.
Bykov gave him a strict look.
- Button up your shirt, - he said.
- Dad, I'm hot, - Grisha said.
- Do up your shirt, - Bykov repeated. - Don't walk around like a
slouch.
- Don't look at me, - said Yurkovski. - I am allowed, whilst you aren't
yet.
Daugeh looked at him and shifted his eyes. Didn't feel like looking at
Yurkovski - seeing his self-assured flabby face with a surly drooping lower