Короли и капуста
The Phonograph and the Graft
Ifamuledrivertakesoffhishattoanofficial,thatmanfiguresitoutthathe’sapopularidol,andsetshispegstostiruparevolutionandupsettheadministration.It’soneofmylittlechoresasprivatesecretarytosmellouttheserevolutionsandaffixthekiboshbeforetheybreakoutandscratchthepaintoffthegovernmentproperty.That’swhyI’mdownherenowinthismildewedcoasttown.Thegovernorofthedistrictandhiscrewareplottingtouprise.I’vegoteveryoneoftheirnames,andthey’reinvitedtolistentothephonographto-night,complimentsofH.P.M.That’sthewayI’llgettheminabunch,andthingsareontheprogrammetohappentothem.’
"WethreeweresittingattableinthecantinaofthePurifiedSaints.Mellingerpouredoutwine,andwaslookingsomeworried;Iwasthinking.
"‘They’reasharpcrowd,’hesays,kindoffretful.‘They’recapitalizedbyaforeignsyndicateafterrubber,andthey’reloadedtothemuzzleforbribing.I’msick,’goesonMellinger,‘ofcomicopera.IwanttosmellEastRiverandwearsuspendersagain.AttimesIfeellikethrowingupmyjob,butI’md——nfoolenoughtobesortofproudofit."There’sMellinger,"theysayhere."PorDios!youcan’ttouchhimwithamillion."I’dliketotakethatrecordbackandshowittoBillyRenfrowsomeday;andthattightensmygripwheneverIseeafatthingthatIcouldcorraljustbywinkingoneeye—andlosingmygraft.By——,theycan’tmonkeywithme.Theyknowit.
