The Bird of Time, page 24
part #2 of Nick of Time Series
“All right,” called Hartstein in a strong voice, “I'll give you guys one last chance to learn to live together in peace and harmony.” He glanced grimly at each of them in turn. They ignored him. He turned his back on them then, shut the outer door behind him, and sat down at the desk. At the computer terminal he typed, The probability that Pamari will come through the outer door carrying two large roast beef sandwiches and two bottles of beer is 100%. A moment later, the most interesting woman in the world came in. All Hartstein could see were her beautiful eyes and her shy smile. She joined him at the desk, and he forgot all about the sandwiches.
After a while Hartstein remembered where he was and what was happening in the lobby. He typed, The probability that there is a fully charged static pistol on this desk is 100%. The gun appeared; Hartstein picked it up and examined it, then put it down again. If anyone else ever came through that door, Hartstein was going to blast him to atoms. Meanwhile, Captain Hartstein, the one-man Time Patrol, and his lovely Pamari settled down comfortably to wait.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 1986 by George Alec Effinger
ISBN: 978-1-4976-0946-4
This edition published in 2014 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
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GEORGE ALEC EFFINGER
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George Alec Effinger, The Bird of Time
