123439.fb2 Holy Terror - читать онлайн бесплатно полную версию книги . Страница 31

Holy Terror - читать онлайн бесплатно полную версию книги . Страница 31

"He doesn't want to spend the 25 cents," said Chiun. "I have sometimes seen him waste whole dollars at a time, and he begrudges me 25 cents."

"All right, all right, all right," said Remo. "But we agreed on five rides. This is your fourth."

"Remo, I tell you this as absolute truth. If you let me go on the boat, I won't even ask for the fifth ride."

"Okay," said Remo.

Remo went up to the ticket seller and fished a quarter from his pocket. "One," he said.

The ticket man smiled a gap-toothed grin at Remo. "Sure it won't be too fast for you?"

"It's not for me, sweetheart. Now let's have the ticket before I tell the police of thirteen states that I found you."

"Okay, wiseass," said the ticket man. He ripped a ticket from a thick roll. "Here." He took the quarter.

"Do yourself another favor," said Remo. "When this ticket is used, don't say anything."

"Huh?"

"Don't make any comments and don't try to be a smartass. Just do yourself some good and keep your big mouth shut."

"You know, I don't like you. I think I'd like to work you over."

"I know, except you're worried I might be related to your parole officer. Just do what I said. No remarks."

Remo walked away and handed the ticket to Chiun who looked disappointed.

"None for her?"

"She didn't say she wanted one."

"Do you want one, girl? Do not be afraid," said Chiun. "Remo is very rich. He can afford it."

"No, that's all right," she said.

Chiun nodded, then walked toward the "Splashy-Washy," Remo at his side. "I'm kind of glad she didn't want to ride," he confided. "Screaming women annoy me."

Chiun handed his ticket to the ticket taker, who looked at the frail old Oriental, then at Remo. Remo raised his right index finger to his lips, suggesting silence.

"Be sure to fasten your seat belt, papasan," said the ticket taker. "Wouldn't want you falling out and drowning."

"I will. I will," said Chiun. He stepped forward past the ticket taker and walked around the shallow moat. He got into a blue boat, carefully arranging his robes around him on the narrow seat, then quickly got out and walked toward a red boat. Heading toward the red boat at that moment was a five-year-old girl, her face smiling, long golden hair splashing about her face, short dress bobbing up behind her rump as she skipped. Chiun saw her coming and broke into a run.

They reached the red boat at the same time.

Each paused.

Chiun pointed toward the sky. "Look! Look!" he said in a voice of astonishment. "Look up there!"

The little girl followed Chiun's finger and looked up. As her head went up, Chiun darted by her, jumping into the red boat. When the girl looked down, he was already settled in the seat.

Her face wrinkled up, and she seemed about to cry.

"The blue boat is nicer," said Chiun.

"I want to ride in the red boat," she said.

"Go ride in the blue boat."

"But I want to ride in the red boat."

"So do I," said Chiun, "and I got here first. Be gone with you."

The little girl stamped her foot. "Get out of my boat."

Chiun folded his arms across his chest. "Try the blue boat," he said.

"No," she said.

"I will not force you to ride in the blue boat," said Chiun. "You may stand there forever if you wish."

"Get out of my boat," the little girl cried.

"Yeah, old-timer, get out of her boat," said the ticket taker.

Remo tapped the ticket taker on the shoulder. "You forgot already, pal," he said. "Remember what I said? No talk. Do yourself a favor. Butt out."

"I'm running this ride. He should get out of the red boat."

"You going to tell him that?"

"You bet your ass I am," said the ticket taker, standing up.

"Where do you want the remains sent?" asked Remo.

The ticket taker stomped off, and took a place alongside the little girl, looking down at Chiun.

"Get out of that boat."

"She can ride in the blue one," said Chiun. "And you can ride in the yellow one."

"She's riding in the red one."

Chiun turned sideways in the seat so he did not have to look at the man's face. "Start the ride," he said. "I'm tired of waiting."

"Not until you get out of there."

Chiun called, "Remo, make him start the ride."