Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           ASundayreposeprevailedthewholemoribundtown,peaceful,profound.Acertainpleasingnumbness,asenseofgratefulenervationexhaledfromthescorchingplaster.Therewasnomovement,nosoundofhumanbusiness.Thefainthumoftheinsect,theintermittentmurmuroftheguitar,themellowcomplainingsofthepigeons,theprolongedpurrofthewhitecat,thecontentedcluckingofthehens—allthesenoisesmingledtogethertoformafaint,drowsybourdon,prolonged,stupefying,suggestiveofaninfinitequiet,ofacalm,complacentlife,centuriesold,lapsinggraduallytoitsendunderthegorgeouslonelinessofacloudless,paleblueskyandthesteadyfireofaninterminablesun.

           InSolotari’sSpanish-Mexicanrestaurant,VanameeandPresleysatoppositeeachotheratoneofthetablesnearthedoor,abottleofwhitewine,tortillas,andanearthenpotoffrijolesbetweenthem.Theywerethesoleoccupantsoftheplace.ItwasthedaythatAnnixterhadchosenforhisbarn-danceand,inconsequence,QuienSabewasinfeteandworksuspended.PresleyandVanameehadarrangedtospendthedayineachother’scompany,lunchingatSolotari’sandtakingalongtrampintheafternoon.Forthemomenttheysatbackintheirchairs,theirmealallbutfinished.Solotaribroughtblackcoffeeandasmallcarafeofmescal,andretiringtoacorneroftheroom,wenttosleep.

           AllthroughthemealPresleyhadbeenwonderingoveracertainchangeheobservedinhisfriend.Helookedathimagain.

           Vanamee’slean,sparefacewasofanolivepallor.