– I'm sorry… You see Unfortunate, we have fallen in the world of pure information, the world of complete licence. One can fight, lead a dissolute life, engage in hooliganism. There's no laws ready, and most important – the human mentality isn't ready. There's almost no punishments in the Deep – even if they excommunicate you from the Net, it's possible to reenter under the different name. One can get into troubles stealing data, but even here restraining norms are minimal. Go ahead and try to prove to the jury that it was Mr John Smith who stole a new game from Microprose's server, smuggled it to Vanya Petrov who released it to the market in a pirate manner with the help of Van Xo. It's a world of unprovable crimes and fake deaths. Only the pain in the soul remains real – but who would ever measure this pain that slid across the wires and squeezed your heart? We have nothing left except the moral, the funny shabby moral. And we realized that it's so much more comfortable to be a scum or a saint than a human… just a human, a real human.
– But what is that – a human? – says Unfortunate, – Just a human, a real human?
– I'd explain you, – I reply, – If I was God. Cut this out you two, okay?
– But I'm really curious, – Unfortunate still talks in a quiet, even somehow indifferent tone but there's a spark of excitement in his eyes.
– You're the human.
– Why?
Really, why? Wasn't I ready to consider him nothing more than just a cunning program? I feel confused but Vika also looks at me waiting for an answer and I say:
– I don't know. You didn't shoot people in "Labyrinth", you rescued nonexistent kid… But this is an extreme stupidity… You cite Carroll in original but the human is not just a crammed load of knowledge… You're in the Deep for the third day in a row and you're still fine…
Vika looks at Unfortunate in surprise.
– And nobody knows how did you enter virtuality… but this is not a human indication but the opposite…
He waits patiently.
– You know, this is something inside us, – I say suddenly even for myself. – You're a human for me… because I'd like to be your friend.
It seems that Unfortunate is confused.
– We're all wearing masks here in the Deep, maybe it's for the better, maybe it's closer to the truth. I don't know. When you exit into the real world, you might turn out to be a very unpleasant type. But here and now I consider you human. It's impossible to explain.
– Then maybe it's for good that I can't exit into reality? – asks Unfortunate. He looks at Vika and smiles shyly, – The thing is, I'm not a human.
Here we go again.
Insanity, part two.
Vika smiles examining Unfortunate, and my heart sinks.
– Vika… he doesn't lie. He never lies. – I say slowly standing up – When he doesn't want to reply, he just says nothing… – I take her hand and pull her from the table. Unfortunate watches us, sadly and calmly.
– Was it a joke? – Vika nods to Unfortunate questionably.
– No.
– He can't joke, – I confirm. – You really can't exit the Deep?
– No.
– Are you a human?
– No.
– Who are you?
Silence.
– You see? – I almost shout, – He doesn't reply!
– A minute ago you called me a human, – says Unfortunate, – You even said that you'd like to be my friend. Was it true?
Now it's my turn to be silent.
– You said that the truth is here and now, – he goes on, – Anyone may be himself in the Deep, without any makeup. Only the soul… if to believe in it.
– Yes! – I say, – Yes, it was true!
– Then what scares you? My confession?
I nod. Vika snuggles close and I can feel how she shakes. I didn't expect her to be so scared.
– Why didn't you tell before? – I shout.
– I told you enough, Leonid.
At this point Vika starts to laugh excitedly.
– You're crazy, both of you! You're not human? – she breaks free, approaches Unfortunate, takes his hand, – Tell me!
– What do you define by the term 'human'?
– A bipedal creature without feathers!
– I'm NOT a human.
The nightmare goes on. Unfortunate plays his games, Vika is confused and I don't know anymore how to break the chain of riddles and omissions. Computer mind is impossible! It's not time yet for it to be born. But I can't consider Unfortunate's words a lie either!
The phone ring that tears the silence is like a salvation.
Vika steps back from Unfortunate, opens the door of the sideboard. A cordless phone lies there among scattered jars, packages and boxes.
– Yes? – says Vika without averting her gaze from Unfortunate.
The voice in the handset is loud and confident, I can hear it well and recognize it immediately.
– I'd like to talk to Gunslinger.
– Whom? – Vika is genuinely surprised.
– Gunslinger. Tell him that Man Without Face wants to talk to him.
I step forward and take the phone.
– Talk.
– Firstly, I'd like to congratulate you Gunslinger. Secondly, I suggest you to come out.
– No fucking way. – I reply.
– Gunslinger, we have no time for games. I'm standing by the main entrance. But this time I outstrip our competitors for a couple of minutes only, no more. Al-Kabar could trace your route. Come out.
– And what's next?
– You will get the promised reward and I will get Unfortunate.
A loud phone, a very loud one. I look at the blonde guy who doesn't consider himself a human, at frowning Vika.
– I think he doesn't want to go with you, – I reply, – I'm sorry.
– Gunslinger, we had a deal…
– I didn't promise to give you the guy. I've got him out of "Labyrinth" and all the rest is our own business.
– You take too much responsibility on yourself, diver.
– At least somebody must make decisions, right?
– Well, you've made yours.
The voice vanishes. In a second the floor quivers, pushing us to the ceiling, the log walls crunch, bending. A picture with a waterfall on it falls on me and the sound of water returns me to my senses.
I rise and crawl along the kicking floor. This is not an earthquake, this is the brothel's walls falling apart, they break the security system so naively praised by Computer Wiz.
Though, if nobody broke into the hut yet, it means that the security wasn't too bad after all.
– Vika!
I help her to stand up, her face is in blood, the jersey sleeve torn off.
– Bastards, – she whispers.
Only Unfortunate haven't fallen down, he stands propped against the wall, outstretching his hands to the sides to keep balance.
– I'll come out of the bui… – he starts, but the next explosion booms and muffles his words, – It's inevitable…
– Do you want to surrender?
– No, but…
– Then stop fluttering! – I shake Vika slightly, – Are there any ropes in the room?
She shakes her head in confusion.
– We need ropes!
Vika turns to look at the window, she understood.
– We could jump…
– We'll kill ourselves, there's seven and a half meters to go!
Fortunately Vika doesn't notice the exactness of the figure, otherwise I wouldn't avoid a untimely scandal. Women are made of a different clay.
– On the third floor… – she starts, and then the door flies open. I tear the belt from my body and it turns into lash with a soft hiss. But there's neither Man Without face nor his mercenaries in the door, Computer Wiz hangs there balancing on his winged slippers. The corridor behind his back is enveloped in colorful glow, flashes and as I look at this carnival blur, something starts happening to me – my movements slow down, lose their precision…