Beyond Sleep

Начало книги

The porter is disabled.

The oak reception desk at which he sits, staring through cheap sunglasses, is bare but for a telephone. His left ear must have been ripped off in the explosion that caused his disfigurement, or possibly it was burnt in a plane crash. What is left of the ear resembles a misshapen navel and offers no support for the hook of his dark glasses.

‘Professor Nummedal, please. I have an appointment with him.’

‘Good day, sir. I don’t know if Professor Nummedal is in.’

His English sounds slow, as if it’s German. He falls silent, doesn’t stir.

‘I made an appointment yesterday with Professor Nummedal’s secretary — for ten thirty today.’

Automatically I glance at my watch, which I adjusted to Norwegian summer time upon arrival in Oslo yesterday. Half past ten.

Only now do I notice the electric clock above his head, also indicating half past ten.

As if wanting to dispel every vestige of doubt in the disabled porter’s mind, I bring out the letter given to me by Professor Sibbelee in Amsterdam and say:

Читать дальше →