Энн Райс (Anne Rice)PART ONE
"I see...," said the vampire, and slowly he walked across the room to the window. For a long time, he stood there, looking out at Divisadero Street.
The boy could see the room more clearly now: a round table, some chairs, a mirror. He put his briefcase on the table and waited.
"How much tape do you have, young man?" asked the vampire, turning to the boy. "Is there enough for the story of a life?"
"Yes, if it's a good life. Sometimes I interview three or four people a night, if I'm lucky. But it should be a good story."
"It's a good story," the vampire said. "I would like to tell you the story of my life. I would really like to do that."
"Great," said the boy. Quickly, he took out a small tape recorder from his briefcase and checked the batteries. "I really want to hear why you believe this, why you..."
"No," said the vampire. "We can't begin like that. Is your equipment ready?"
"Yes," said the boy.
"Then sit down. I'll turn on the light."
"But I thought that vampires didn't like light," said the boy. Then he stopped. The vampire was watching him. The boy couldn't see his face now, only the dark figure. He wanted to say something again, but he said nothing. And then the vampire walked to the table and turned on the light. The boy was shocked.
"Dear God!" he whispered, looking at the vampire. The vampire was all white, like a marble statue, but his eyes were bright and green.
The vampire smiled sadly and asked, "Do you see?"
The boy's eyes moved slowly over the fine black coat he'd seen in the bar, the black silk lie, and the white shirt that was as white as the vampire's body. He stared at the vampire's black hair.
"Now, do you still want the interview?" the vampire asked.
The boy's mouth was open. He nodded and said, "Yes."
The vampire sat down opposite him and said gently, "Don't be afraid. Just start the tape recorder. Believe me, I won't hurt you. I want this chance. It's more important to me than you can understand now."