（外文电子版资料）Robert A Heinlein - Waldo.pdf

file:///C|/Documents and Settings/hasi鈥/Dokumenty/Mar鈥novi pt谩鈥oviny/knihy/700 SciFi, Fantasy, and Classic eBooks/Heinlein, Robert A/Waldo.txt Waldo by Robert Heinlein The act was billed as ballet tap - which does not describe it. His feet created an intricate tympany of crisp, clean taps. There was a breath-catching silence as he leaped high into the air, higher than a human being should - and performed, while floating there, a fantastically improbable entrechat douze. He landed on his toes, apparently poised, yet producing a fortissimo of thunderous taps. The spotlights cut, the stage lights came up. The audience stayed silent a long moment, then realized it was time to applaud, and gave. He stood facing them, letting the wave of their emotion sweep through him. He felt as if he could lean against it; it warmed him through to his bones. It was wonderful to dance, glorious to be applauded, to be liked, to be wanted. When the curtain rang down for the last time he let his dresser lead him away. He was always a little bit drunk at the end of a performance; dancing was a joyous intoxication even in rehearsal, but to have an audience lifting him, carrying him along, applauding him - He never grew jaded to it. It was always new and heartbreakingly wonderful. This way, chief. Give us a little smile. The flash bulb flared. Thanks. Thankyou. Have a drink. He motioned towards one end of his dressing room. They were all such nice fellows, such grand guys - the reporters, the photographers - all of them. How about one standing up? He started to comply, but his dresser, busy with one slipper, warned him: You operate in half an hour. Operate? the news photographer said. Whats it this time? A left cerebrectomy, he answered. Yeah? How about covering it? Glad to have you - if the hospital doesnt mind. Well fix that. Such grand guys. -trying to get a little different angle on a feature article. It was a feminine voice, near his ea