Завершив свои туалетные дела, адмирал Шерман вернулся в кабинет профессора Гупты чтобы поблагодарить его за помощь и попрощаться.
— Admiral, what are the Navy regulations when a serviceman wants to get married? — неожиданно задал вопрос профессор.
— It depends if the marriage takes place on the U.S. soil or overseas.
— It's the U.S. soil, admiral. To be even more specific, it's the state of California.
— If this is the case, professor, a serviceman should take the same course of action as civilians do. He and his fiancee need to apply for a marriage license and marry according to the California law. Why are you asking?
— My daughter Shruthi and sergeant Erikson have decided to get married.
— Are you serious, professor?
— Yes, I am. I noticed that they were attracted to each other from the moment sergeant Erikson came in.
— Have they had enough time for such an important decision?
— They've been together all the time while we were having our therapy session.
— Wow! It did not take long! And she's not scared to die of Fever if she becomes pregnant?
— Well, you know, Shruthi lost her entire family to Fever, so she's been scared to get married again and take another loss. But while talking to this young man, she suddenly had a vision that if she marry him, she won't die and their children won't die either. I believe her, she is clairvoyant.
— Did she fall in love with the sergeant?
— I know my daughter. I saw her eyes when she was making his coffee.
«Fuck! I knew it!» воскликнул про себя Дуэйн, но вслух ничего не сказал.
— Olaf, that was a fast move on, even for a marine! — только и сказал адмирал. — Are you sure you love this woman?
— Affrimative, sir! I officially ask your permission to get married, sir!
— Shruthi, what about you? Do you love sergeant Erikson?
— Yes, admiral. I love him with all my heart! Will you give Olaf a permission to marry?
— He does not need my permission. Just go to a courthouse of your choice and get your marriage license.
Какая всё же это удивительная штука — любовь! Не только в кино, не только в театре или в их бледном невзрачном и лживом отражении, каковым является реальная жизнь, а даже и таких неподходящих для этого местах как апокалиптический роман, в котором человеку не то что кого-то полюбить, а и просто дожить хотя бы до середины повествования ой как нелегко, она внезапно зажигается от электрического соприкосновения рук и взглядов мужчины и женщины, горячо и ярко, и заставляет давно разуверившегося в любви автора книги остановить своё перо в досадном и в то же время радостном изумлении — ну надо же!