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| NULTI ČAS | Zero Hour |
| Oh, ima da bude ludo! Što je igra! Godinama nisu osetili takvo uzbuđenje. Deca su pretrčavala na sve strane preko zelenih travnjaka, dovikivala jedno drugom, držala se za ruke, jurila u krugovima, pela se na drveće, smejala se. Gore su preletale rakete, i kola-bube su zvrjala ulicama, ali deca su se igrala i dalje. Kakvo veselje, kakva uzdrhtala radost, kakvo prevrtanje i vrištanje od srca. | OH, IT was to be so jolly! What a game! Such excitement they hadn’t known in years. The children catapulted this way and that across the green lawns, shouting at each other, holding hands, flying in circles, climbing trees, laughing. Overhead the rockets flew, and beetle cars whispered by on the streets, but the children played on. Such fun, such tremulous joy, such tumbling and hearty screaming. |
| Mink utrča u kuću, sva prljava i u znoju. Za svojih sedam godina bila je bučna, snažna i odlučna. Njena majka, g-đa Moris, jedva da je vide dok je ona cimala i otvarala fioke i cangarajući izručivala šerpe i pribor u veliku vreću. | Mink ran into the house, all dirt and sweat. For her seven years she was loud and strong and definite. Her mother, Mrs. Morris, hardly saw her as she yanked out drawers and rattled pans and tools into a large sack. |
| "Pobogu, Mink, šta se to dogada?" | “Heavens, Mink, what’s going on?” |
| "Najuzbudljivija igra što može biti!" odazva se Mink bez daha, zarumenela lica. | “The most exciting game ever!” gasped Mink, pink-faced. |
| "Stani i izduvaj se", reče majka. | “Stop and get your breath,” said the mother. |
| "Ne treba, dobro sam", odseče Mink. "Je l' smem da uzmem ove stvari, Mama?" | “No, I’m all right,” gasped Mink. “Okay I take these things, Mom?” |
| "Samo nemoj da ih ulubiš", reče gospođa Moris. | “But don’t dent them,” said Mrs. Morris. |
| "Hvala, hvala!" uzviknu Mink, i tras! jurnu kao raketa. | “Thank you, thank you!” cried Mink, and boom! she was gone, like a rocket. |
| Gospođa Moris se zagleda u klinče koje je trčalo. "Kako se zove ta igra?" | Mrs. Morris surveyed the fleeing tot. “What’s the name of the game?” |
| "Invazija!" reče Mink. Vrata se zalupiše. | “Invasion!” said Mink. The door slammed. |
| U sva dvorišta na ulici deca su iznosila noževe i viljuške, džarače i stare čunkove i otvarače za konzerve. | In every yard on the street children brought out knives and forks and pokers and old stovepipes and can openers. |
| Bilo je zanimljivo da su to divljanje i strka uhvatili samo mlađu decu. Stariji, oni od deset godina pa na više, prezirali su igru i prekorno se udaljavali ili se za sebe igrali jedne ozbiljnije verzije žmurke. | It was an interesting fact that this fury and bustle occurred only among the younger children. The older ones, those ten years and more, disdained the affair and marched scornfully off on hikes or played a more dignified version of hide-and-seek on their own. |
| U međuvremenu, roditelji su dolazili i odlazili u hromiranim bubama. Majstori su dolazili da poprave vakuumske liftove u kućama, da srede televizore što trepere ili da čekićima odglavljuju zaglavljene cevi za isporuku hrane. Civilizacija odraslih prolazila je i prolazila pored radom zanetih mališana, surevnjiva na žestoku energiju pobesnelih klinaca, popustljivo se zabavljajući njihovim čavrljanjem, čeznući da im se i sama pridruži. | Meanwhile, parents came and went in chromium beetles. Repairmen came to repair the vacuum elevators in houses, to fix fluttering television sets or hammer upon stubborn food-delivery tubes. The adult civilization passed and repassed the busy youngsters, jealous of the fierce energy of the wild tots, tolerantly amused at their flourishings, longing to join in themselves. |
| "Ovo i ovo, i ovo", reče Mink, upućujući ostale šta da čine sa svojim odabranim kašikama i otvaračima. "Uradi to, a to donesi ovamo. Ne! Ovamo, klinjo! Tako. Sada se vrati dok ja ovo sredim." Jezik joj je bio među zubima, lice se nabiralo od misli. "Ovako. Vidiš?" | “This and this and this,” said Mink, instructing the others with their assorted spoons and wrenches. “Do that, and bring that over here. No! Here, ninny! Right. Now, get back while I fix this.” Tongue in teeth, face wrinkled in thought. “Like that. See?” |
| "Joo-ooo!" povikaše klinci. | “Yayyyy!” shouted the kids. |
| Pritrča im dvanaestogodišnji Džozef Konors. | Twelve-year-old Joseph Connors ran up. |
| "Odlazi", isprsi se Mink na njega. | “Go away,” said Mink straight at him. |
| "'Oću da se igram", reče Džozef. | “I wanna play,” said Joseph. |
| "Ne može!" reče Mink. | “Can’t!” said Mink. |
| "Zašto ne može?" | “Why not?” |
| "Samo bi nas izigravao." | “You’d just make fun of us.” |
| "Ne bih, časna reč." | “Honest, I wouldn’t” |
| "Ne. Znamo mi tebe. Odlazi ili ćemo da te šutnemo." | “No. We know you. Go away or we’ll kick you.” |
| Jedan drugi dvanaestogodišnjak prozvrča na malim motornim kolicima. "Ej, Džo! Hajde! Pusti balavce da se igraju!" | Another twelve-year-old boy whirred by on little motor skates. “Hey, Joe! Come on! Let them sissies play!” |
| Džozefu se nije odlazilo, i kao da se malo nadao. "Ja hoću da se igram", reče. | Joseph showed reluctance and a certain wistfulness. “I want to play,” he said. |
| "Ti si star", odlučno reče Mink. | “You’re old,” said Mink firmly. |
| "Nisam toliko star", razložno reče Džo. | “Not that old,” said Joe sensibly. |
| "Ti bi se samo smejao i pokvario Invaziju." | “You’d only laugh and spoil the Invasion.” |
| Dečak na motornim kolicima posprdno zviznu. "Hajde, Džo! Oni i njihove vile! Budalaštine!" | The boy on the motor skates made a rude lip noise. “Come on, Joe! Them and their fairies! Nuts!” |
| Džozef se polako udalji. Osvrtao se stalno za sobom, sve do kraja bloka. | Joseph walked off slowly. He kept looking back, all down the block. |
| Mink je već opet bila zauzeta poslom. Od sakupljene opreme napravila je neku vrstu aparata. Bila je odredila još jednu devojčicu sa blokom i olovkom da pravi beleške, ova je s mukom žvrljala. Glasovi su im bili čas jači čas slabiji na toploj sunčanoj svetlosti. | Mink was already busy again. She made a kind of apparatus with her gathered equipment. She had appointed another little girl with a pad and pencil to take down notes in painful slow scribbles. Their voices rose and fell in the warm sunlight. |
| Grad je brujao svuda oko njih. Duž ulica dobro zeleno i mirno drveće. Samo je vetar pravio uzbunu prolazeći gradom, širom zemlje, preko kontinenta. U hiljadu drugih gradova bilo je drveće, bila su deca i ulice, poslovni ljudi u svojim mirnim kancelarijama koji su snimali svoj glas na trake ili gledali televizore. Kao šivaće igle, promicale su rakete na plavom nebu. Osećala se sveopšta, mirna umišljenost i opuštenost ljudi naviklih na mir, sasvim sigurnih da više nikada neće biti neprilika. Ruku pod ruku na celoj planeti, činili su jedan jedinstven front. Savršena oružja držala su se pod ravnopravnim starateljstvom svih nacija. Ostvarena je neverovatno lepa ravnoteža. Među ljudima nije bilo izdajnika. Nije bilo nesrećnih, niti nezadovoljnika; svet je počivao na stabilnom tlu. Sunce je osvetljavalo polovinu sveta, drveće dremalo na toploj struji vazduha. | All around them the city hummed. The streets were lined with good green and peaceful trees. Only the wind made a conflict across the city, across the country, across the continent. In a thousand other cities there were trees and children and avenues, businessmen in their quiet offices taping their voices, or watching televisors. Rockets hovered like darning needles in the blue sky. There was the universal, quiet conceit and easiness of men accustomed to peace, quite certain there would never he trouble again. Arm in arm, men all over earth were a united front. The perfect weapons were held in equal trust by all nations. A situation of incredibly beautiful balance had been brought about. There were no traitors among men, no unhappy ones, no disgruntled ones; therefore the world was based upon a stable ground. Sunlight illumined half the world and the trees drowsed in a tide of warm air. |
| Minkina majka je gledala dole sa svog prozora na spratu. | Mink’s mother, from her upstairs window, gazed down. |
| Deca. Pogleda ih i zavrte glavom. Pa dobro, dobro će jesti, dobro spavati, i u ponedeljak će biti u školi. Mali su, pa moraju da se istrče. Ona ih oslušnu. | The children. She looked upon them and shook her head. Well, they’d eat well, sleep well, and be in school on Monday. Bless their vigorous little bodies. She listened. |
| Mink je ozbiljno razgovarala sa nekim kod žbuna ruže - iako tamo nije bilo nikoga. | Mink talked earnestly to someone near the rose bush—though there was no one there. |
| Ta čudna deca. I ona mala, kako se zvaše? Ana? Ana je beležila u beležnicu. Mink je najpre postavljala žbunu pitanje, pa onda dovikivala Ani odgovor. | These odd children. And the little girl, what was her name? Anna? Anna took notes on a pad. First, Mink asked the rosebush a question, then called the answer to Anna. |
| "Trougao", reče Mink. | “Triangle,” said Mink. |
| "Šta je to tro", reče Ana mučeći se, "ugao?" | “What’s a tri,” said Anna with difficulty, “angle?” |
| "Nema veze", reče Mink. | “Never mind,” said Mink. |
| "Kako ide slovo po slovo?" zapita Ana. | “How you spell it?” asked Anna. |
| "T-r-o..." stade polako da sriče Mink, onda odseče, "ma, napravi ga sama slovo po slovo!" Onda nastavi sa ostalim rečima, "Zrak," reče. | “T-r-i——” spelled Mink slowly, then snapped, “Oh, spell it yourself!” She went on to other words. “Beam,” she said. |
| "Još nisam tro", reče Ana, "ugao zapisala!" | “I haven’t got tri,” said Anna, “angle down yet!” |
| "Pa požuri, požuri!" uzviknu Mink. | “Well, hurry, hurry!” cried Mink. |
| Minkina majka se naže preko prozora, "U-g-a-o," izdiktira Ani slovo po slovo. | Mink’s mother leaned out the upstairs window. “A-n-g-1-e,” she spelled down at Anna. |
| "O, hvala gospodo Moris", reče Ana. | “Oh, thanks, Mrs. Morris,” said Anna. |
| "Tako je", reče gospođa Moris i povuče se sa prozora, smejući se, da magnetnim elektro-brisačem prebriše prašinu u holu. | “Certainly,” said Mink’s mother and withdrew, laughing, to dust the hail with an electro-duster magnet. |
| U treperavom vazduhu glasovi su se čuli čas jače čas slabije. "Greda", reče Ana. Glas se onda utuli. | The voices wavered on the shimmery air. “Beam,” said Anna. Fading. |
| "Četiri-devet-sedam-A-i-B-i Iks", reče Mink, u daljini, ozbiljnim glasom. "I jedna viljuška i kanap i heks-heks-agonija - heksagonalno!" | “Four-nine-seven-A-and-B-and-X,” said Mink, far away, seriously. “And a fork and a string and a—hex-hex-agony—hexagonal!” |
| Za ručkom Mink sruči mleko u jednom gutljaju i već je bila kod vrata. Majka udari šakom o sto. | At lunch Mink gulped milk at one toss and was at the door. Her mother slapped the table. |
| "Smesta da se vratiš i da sedneš", naredi gospođa Moris. "Vruća supa dolazi za minut." Džarnu jedno crveno dugme na kuhinjskom poslužitelju, i kroz deset sekundi nešto se lupnuvši spusti u gumenu prihvatnu komoru. Gospođa Moris je otvori, izvadi jednu metalnu kutiju sa parom aluminijumskih držača, otvori je otvaračem i izli vrelu supu u zdelu. | “You sit right back down,” commanded Mrs. Morris. “Hot soup in a minute.” She poked a red button on the kitchen butler, and ten seconds later something landed with a bump in the rubber receiver. Mrs. Morris opened it, took out a can with a pair of aluminum holders, unsealed it with a flick, and poured hot soup into a bowl. |
| Za sve to vreme Mink se vrpoljila. "Požuri, Mama! U pitanju je život ili smrt! Joj..." | During all this Mink fidgeted. “Hurry, Mom! This is a matter of life and death! Aw——” |
| "I ja sam bila ista takva u tvojim godinama. Uvek je bilo život ili smrt. Znam." | “I was the same way at your age. Always life and death. I know.” |
| Mink navali na supu. | Mink banged away at the soup. |
| "Polako", reče Mama. | “Slow down,” said Mom. |
| "Ne mogu", reče Mink. "Dril me čeka." | “Can’t,” said Mink. “Drill’s waiting for me.” |
| "Ko je sad pa Dril? Što ima čudno ime", reče Mama. | “Who’s Drill? What a peculiar name,” said Mom. |
| "Ne znaš ga ti", reče Mink. | “You don’t know him,” said Mink. |
| "Nov dečko u susedstvu?" zapita Mama. | “A new boy in the neighborhood?” asked Mom. |
| "Pa jeste nov", reče Mirik. Krenu na drugu zdelu. | “He’s new all right,” said Mink. She started on her second bowl. |
| "Koji je Dril?" zapita Mama. | “Which one is Drill?” asked Mom. |
| "Tu je negde", reče Mink izvrdavajući. "Ti ćeš nam se smejati. Svi se ismejavaju. Ma nek se nosi." | “He’s around,” said Mink evasively. “You’ll make fun. Everybody pokes fun. Gee, darn.” |
| "Je li Dril stidljiv?" | “Is Drill shy?” |
| "Jeste. Nije. Nekako jeste. Joj, Mama, moramo sad trkom ako hoćemo Osvajanje!" | “Yes. No. In a way. Gosh, Mom, I got to run if we want to have the Invasion!” |
| "Ko osvaja šta?" | “Who’s invading what?” |
| "Marsovci Zemlju. Pa, ne baš tačno Marsovci. Oni su - ne znam. Odozgore." Pokaza kašikom. | “Martians invading Earth. Well, not exactly Martians. They’re—I don’t know. From up.” She pointed with her spoon. |
| "I iznutra", reče Mama, opipavši joj grozničavo čelo. | “And inside,” said Mom, touching Mink’s feverish brow. |
| Mink se pobuni. "Ti se smeješ! Hoćeš da ubiješ Drila i sve ostale." | Mink rebelled. “You’re laughing! You’ll kill Drill and everybody.” |
| "Nisam nameravala", reče Mama. "Je li Dril Marsovac?" | “I didn’t mean to,” said Mom. “Drill’s a Martian?” |
| "Nije. On je - pa - možda sa Jupitera ili Saturna, ili sa Venere. U svakom slučaju, namučio se." | “No. He’s—well—maybe from Jupiter or Saturn or Venus. Anyway, he’s had a hard time.” |
| "Mogu da zamislim." Gospođa Moris sakri usta šakom. | “I imagine.” Mrs. Morris hid her mouth behind her hand. |
| "Nisu mogli da smisle kako da napadnu Zemlju." | “They couldn’t figure a way to attack Earth.” |
| "Mi smo neprobojni", reče Mama praveći se ozbiljna. "Tu reč je upotrebio Dril! Nepro... Tu reč, Mama." | “We’re impregnable,” said Mom in mock seriousness. “That’s the word Drill used! Impreg—— That was the word, Mom.” |
| "Boga mi, Dril je sjajan dečkić. Zna složenice." | “My, my, Drill’s a brilliant little boy. Two-bit words.” |
| "Nisu mogli da smisle na koji način da napadnu, Mama. Dril kaže - on kaže ako hoćeš da uspeš u borbi moraš da nađeš neki nov način da iznenadiš ljude. A kaže da moraš da dobiješ i pomoć od neprijatelja." | “They couldn’t figure a way to attack, Mom. Drill says—he says in order to make a good fight you got to have a new way of surprising people. That way you win. And he says also you got to have help from your enemy.” |
| "Peta kolona", reče Mama. | “A fifth column,” said Mom. |
| "Jeste. To je Dril rekao. A nisu mogli da izmisle kako da iznenade Zemlju ili da dobiju pomoć." | “Yeah. That’s what Drill said. And they couldn’t figure a way to surprise Earth or get help.” |
| "Nije čudo. Mi smo prilično jaki", nasmeja se Mama raspremajući sto. Mink je sedela, gledala u sto, shvatala o čemu ona govori. | “No wonder. We’re pretty darn strong.” Mom laughed, cleaning up. Mink sat there, staring at the table, seeing what she was talking about. |
| "Sve dok se jednoga dana", prošaputa Mink kao u melodrami, "nisu setili dece!" | “Until, one day,” whispered Mink melodramatically, “they thought of children!” |
| "Pazi, boga ti!" reče veselo gospoda Moris. | “Well!” said Mrs. Morris brightly. |
| "Pa su pomislili kako su odrasli toliko zauzeti da nikada ne gledaju ispod ruža niti na travnjake!" | “And they thought of how grownups are so busy they never look under rosebushes or on lawns!” |
| "Samo kad traže puževe i pečurke." | “Only for snails and fungus.” |
| "Pa onda ima nešto o dimen-dimama." | “And then there’s something about dim-dims.” |
| "Dimen-dimama?" | “Dim-dims?” |
| "Dimen-zama." | “Dimens-shuns.” |
| "Dimenzijama?" | “Dimensions?” |
| "Ima ih četiri! Pa onda o deci ispod devet godina i mašti. Stvarno je zabavno kad Dril priča." | “Four of ’em! And there’s something about kids under nine and imagination. It’s real funny to hear Drill talk.” |
| Gospoda Moris je bila umorna. "Pa, mora da je zabavno. Sad puštaš Drila da te čeka. Već je kasno, i ako hoćeš tu tvoju Invaziju pre kupanja uveče, bolje da potrčiš." | Mrs. Morris was tired. “Well, it must be funny. You’re keeping Drill waiting now. It’s getting late in the day and, if you want to have your Invasion before your supper bath, you’d better jump.” |
| "Moram li da se kupam?" zareža Mink. | “Do I have to take a bath?” growled Mink. |
| "Moraš. Zašto li deca mrze vodu? Bez obzira u kom veku živiš, deca mrze vodu iza ušiju!" | “You do. Why is it children hate water? No matter what age you live in children hate water behind the ears!” |
| "Dril kaže da neću morati da se kupam", reče Mink. | “Drill says I won’t have to take baths,” said Mink. |
| "A, kaže je l' da?" | “Oh, he does, does he?” |
| "To je rekao svoj deci. Nema više kupanja. I možemo da ne idemo na spavanje do deset sati i da u subotu idemo na dve televizorske predstave umesto na jednu!" | “He told all the kids that. No more baths. And we can stay up till ten o’clock and go to two televisor shows on Saturday ’stead of one!” |
| "Pa, gospodin Dril bolje neka gleda svoja posla. Pozvaću njegovu majku i..." | “Well, Mr. Drill better mind his p’s and q’s. I’ll call up his mother and—” |
| Mink ode do vrata. "Muku mučimo sa dečacima kao što su Pit Bric i Dejl Džerik. Oni rastu. Njima je to smešno. Gori su od roditelja. Prosto neće da veruju u Drila. Tako su se uobrazili što rastu. Da pomisliš da bi oni znali bolje. Bili su mali samo pre dve-tri godine. Njih najgore mrzim. Najpre ćemo njih ubiti." | Mink went to the door. “We’re having trouble with guys like Pete Britz and Dale Jerrick. They’re growing up. They make fun. They’re worse than parents. They just won’t believe in Drill. They’re so snooty, ’cause they’re growing up. You’d think they’d know better. They were little only a coupla years ago. I hate them worst. We’ll kill them first.” |
| "A tvog oca i mene poslednje?" | “Your father and I last?” |
| "Dril kaže da ste vi opasni. Znaš zašto? Zato što ne verujete u Marsovce! Oni će nam dozvoliti da vladamo svetom. Pa, ne samo nama, već i deci iz bloka do nas. Mogla bih da budem kraljica." Ona otvori vrata. | “Drill says you’re dangerous. Know why? ’Cause you don’t believe in Martians! They’re going to let us run the world. Well, not just us, but the kids over in the next block, too. I might be queen.” She opened the door. |
| "Mama?" | “Mom?” |
| "Molim?" | “Yes?” |
| "Šta je to log-ika?" | “What’s lodge-ick?” |
| "Logika? Pa, dete, logika je da znaš koje stvari su istinite a koje nisu." | “Logic? Why, dear, logic is knowing what things are true and not true.” |
| "Spomenuo je to", reče Mink. "A šta je to pri-jem-čiv?" Bio joj je potreban jedan minut da to izgovori. | “He mentioned that,” said Mink. “And what’s im-pres-sionable?” It took her a minute to say it. |
| "Pa, to znači..." Njena majka pogleda u pod, tiho se smejući. "To znači - biti dete, dušo." | “Why, it means—” Her mother looked at the floor, laughing gently. “It means—to be a child, dear.” |
| "Hvala za ručak!" Mink istrča, onda proturi glavu nazad kroz vrata. "Mama, postaraću se sigurno da te ne boli mnogo, stvarno!" | “Thanks for lunch!” Mink ran out, then stuck her head back in. “Mom, I’ll be sure you won’t be hurt much, really!” |
| "Dobro, hvala", reče Mama. | “Well, thanks,” said Mom. |
| Tras - vrata se zalupiše. | Slam went the door. |
| U četiri sata zazvoni audio-vizor. Gospođa Moris lako pritisnu dirku. "Halo, Helen", reče pozdravljajući. "Halo, Meri. Kako je u Njujorku?" | At four o’clock the audio-visor buzzed. Mrs. Morris flipped the tab. “Hello, Helen!” she said in welcome. “Hello, Mary. How are thinks in New York?” |
| "Lepo. Kako je u Skrentonu. Izgledaš umorna." | “Fine. How are things in Scranton? You look tired.” |
| "I ti. Deca. Samo gamižu", reče Helen. | “So do you. The children. Underfoot,” said Helen. |
| Gospoda Moris uzdahnu. "I moja Mink. Super-invazija." | Mrs. Morris sighed. “My Mink too. The super-Invasion.” |
| Helen se nasmeja. "I tvoji klinci igraju tu igru?" | Helen laughed. “Are your kids playing that game too?” |
| "Igraju, gospode bože. Sutra će da budu geometrijski lastiši i motorizovane školice. Jesmo li mi bili toliko nevaljali kad smo bili klinci četrdeset osme?" | “Lord, yes. Tomorrow it’ll be geometrical jacks and motorized hopscotch. Were we this bad when we were kids in ’48?” |
| "Bili smo gori. Japanci i Nacisti. Ne znam kako su me moji roditelji podnosili. Muškaraču." | “Worse. Japs and Nazis. Don’t know how my parents put up with me. Tomboy.” |
| "Roditelji oguglaju." | “Parents learn to shut their ears.” |
| Nastade ćutanje. | A silence. |
| "Šta nije u redu, Meri?" zapita Helen. | “What’s wrong, Mary?” asked Helen. |
| Oči gospođe Moris bile su upola sklopljene; jezikom je polako, zamišljeno, prelazila preko donje usne. "A?" trže se. "A, ništa. Samo sam mislila o tome. O oguglavanju, i tako to. Nema veze. Gde smo ono stale?" | Mrs. Morris’s eyes were half closed; her tongue slid slowly, thoughtfully, over her lower lip. “Eh?” She jerked. “Oh, nothing. Just thought about that. Shutting ears and such. Never mind. Where were we?” |
| "Mom Timu zavrteo mozak neki momak, zove se - Dril mislim da se zvaše." | “My boy Tim’s got a crush on some guy named—Drill, I think it was.” |
| "Mora da im je to nova lozinka. I Mink ga voli. Nisam znala da je došla čak do Njujorka. Valjda od usta do usta. Izgleda kao neka akcija za sakupljanje svega i svačega. Razgovarala sam sa Jozefinom i ona kaže da njeni klinci - to je u Bostonu - pobesneše od te nove igre. Zahvatila je čitavu zemlju." | “Must be a new password. Mink likes him too.” “Didn’t know it had got as far as New York. Word of mouth, I imagine. Looks like a scrap drive. I talked to Josephine and she said her kids—that’s in Boston—are wild on this new game. It’s sweeping the country.” |
| U tom trenutku Mink upade u kuhinju da sjuri čašu vode u sebe. Gospoda Moris se okrete. "Kako ide?" | At this moment Mink trotted into the kitchen to gulp a glass of water. Mrs. Morris turned. “How’re things going?” |
| "Gotovo je završeno", reče Mink. | “Almost finished,” said Mink. |
| "Sjajno", reče gospođa Moris. "Šta je to?" | “Swell,” said Mrs. Morris. “What’s that?” |
| "Jo-jo", reče Mink. "Gledaj." | “A yo-yo,” said Mink. “Watch.” |
| Hitnu jo-jo naniže na kanapu. Kad stiže do kraja, on - on nestade. | She flung the yo-yo down its string. Reaching the end it— It vanished. |
| "Vidiš", reče Mink. "Opa!" Zabode prstom nadole, i jo-jo se opet pojavi i namota uz kanap. | “See?” said Mink. “Ope!” Dibbling her finger, she made the yo-yo reappear and zip up the string. |
| "Napravi to opet", reče joj majka. | “Do that again,” said her mother. |
| "Ne mogu. Nulti čas je u pet sati! 'đenja." Mink izade, zamotavajući jo-jo. | “Can’t. Zero hour’s five o’clock! ’By.” Mink exited, zipping her yo-yo. |
| Na audio-vizoru, Helen se nasmeja. "Tim je jutros doneo u kuću jedan od tih jo-joa, ali kada sam se zainteresovala on neće da mi ga pokaže, a kad sam ja pokušala da ga pokrenem nije hteo da radi." | On the audio-visor, Helen laughed. “Tim brought one of those yo-yos in this morning, but when I got curious he said he wouldn’t show it to me, and when I tried to work it, finally, it wouldn’t work.” |
| "Ti nisi prijemčiva", reče gospoda Moris. | “You’re not impressionable,” said Mrs. Morris. |
| "Šta?" | “What?” |
| "Nema veze. Nešto sam se setila. Je l' ti nešto treba, Helen?" | “Never mind. Something I thought of. Can I help you, Helen?” |
| "Htela sam da uzmem recept za crno-beli kolač..." | “I wanted to get that black-and-white cake recipe——” |
| Sat se dremljivo vukao. Dan je čileo. Sunce se spuštalo na mirnom plavom nebu. Na zelenim travnjacima izdužiše se senke. Smeh i uzbuđenje su trajali i dalje. Jedna devojčica pobeže, plačući. Gospoda Moris izađe na prednja vrata. | The hour drowsed by. The day waned. The sun lowered in the peaceful blue sky. Shadows lengthened on the green lawns. The laughter and excitement continued. One little girl ran away, crying. Mrs. Morris came out the front door. |
| "Mink, je li to Pegi En plakala?" | “Mink, was that Peggy Ann crying?” |
| Mink je stajala pognuta u dvorištu, u blizini ružinog žbuna. "Aha. Ona je kukavica-jeca. Više joj nećemo dati da se igra. Ostarila je za igru. Mislim da je odjedanput porasla." | Mink was bent over in the yard, near the rosebush. “Yeah. She’s a scarebaby. We won’t let her play, now. She’s getting too old to play. I guess she grew up all of a sudden.” |
| "I zato je plakala? Besmislica. Odgovaraj uljudno, gospođice, ili ulazi unutra!" | “Is that why she cried? Nonsense. Give me a civil answer, young lady, or inside you come!” |
| Mink se uzvrpolji zabrinuto i razdraženo. "Sad ne mogu da napustim igru. Skoro je vreme. Biću dobra. Izvini." | Mink whirled in consternation, mixed with irritation. “I can’t quit now. It’s almost time. I’ll be good. I’m sorry.” |
| "Jesi li ti udarila Pegi En?" | “Did you hit Peggy Ann?” |
| "Nisam, kažem ti. Pitaj nju. To je bilo nešto... Pa, ona se prosto utronjala." | “No, honest. You ask her. It was something—well, she’s just a scaredy pants.” |
| Deca zatvoriše krug oko Mink dok je ona namršteno poslovala sa kašikama i u kvadrat postavljenim čekićima i cevima. "Tamo i tamo", mrmljala je Mink. | The ring of children drew in around Mink where she scowled at her work with spoons and a kind of square-shaped arrangement of hammers and pipes. “There and there,” murmured Mink. |
| "Šta je zapelo?" reče gospoda Moris. | “What’s wrong?” said Mrs. Morris. |
| "Dril se zaglavio. Na pola puta. Kad bismo samo mogli da ga provučemo, bilo bi lakše. Onda bi i svi ostali mogli da prođu za njim." | “Drill’s stuck. Halfway. If we could only get him all the way through, it’d be easier. Then all the others could come through after him.” |
| "Mogu li ja da pomognem?" | “Can I help?” |
| "Neka, hvala. Srediću ja to." | “No’m, thanks. I’ll fix it.” |
| "Važi. Zvaću te na kupanje za pola sata. Zamorila sam se gledajući vas." | “All right. I’ll call you for your bath in half an hour. I’m tired of watching you. |
| Uđe u kuću i sede u električnu stolicu za opuštanje, srkućući pivo iz poluprazne čaše. Stolica joj je masirala leđa. Deca, deca. Deca i ljubav i mržnja, jedno uz drugo. Ponekad su te deca volela, mrzela - sve u jednom trenutku. Čudna deca, da li ona zaista zaboravljaju i opraštaju one batine i stroge reči naređivanja? Zapita se gospoda Moris. Kako možeš zaboraviti, ili oprostiti onima odozgo, iznad tebe, onima visokim i blesavim diktatorima? | She went in and sat in the electric relaxing chair, sipping a little beer from a half-empty glass. The chair massaged her back. Children, children. Children and love and hate, side by side. Sometimes children loved you, hated you—all in half a second. Strange children, did they ever forget or forgive the whippings and the harsh, strict words of command? She wondered. How can you ever forget or forgive those over and above you, those tall and silly dictators? |
| Vreme je prolazilo. Neobična tišina, tišina očekivanja, spusti se na ulicu, zgusnu se. | Time passed. A curious, waiting silence came upon the street, deepening. |
| Pet sati. Negde u kući meko zapeva sat, tihim, melodičnim glasom: "Pet časova - pet časova. Ode vreme. Pet časova", otprede svoje i utopi se u tišinu. | Five o’clock. A clock sang softly somewhere in the house in a quiet, musical voice: “Five o’clock—five o’clock. Time’s a-wasting. Five o’clock,” and purred away into silence. |
| Nulti čas. | Zero hour. |
| Gospoda Moris se prigušeno zakikota. Nulti čas. | Mrs. Morris chuckled in her throat. Zero hour. |
| Kola-buba zazujaše na ulazu. Gospodin Moris. Gospođa Moris se osmehnu. Gospodin Moris izađe iz bube, zaključa je, doviknu zdravo kćeri koja je bila zabavljena svojim poslom. Mink ga je ignorisala. On se nasmeja i zastade trenutak posmatrajući decu. Onda se uspe ulaznim stepenicama. | A beetle car hummed into the driveway. Mr. Morris. Mrs. Morris smiled. Mr. Morris got out of the beetle, locked it, and called hello to Mink at her work. Mink ignored him. He laughed and stood for a moment watching the children. Then he walked up the front steps. |
| "Zdravo, mila." | “Hello, darling.” |
| "Zdravo, Henri." | “Hello, Henry.” |
| Ona se isteže napred na ivici stolice, osluškujući. Deca su se utišala. Bila su i suviše tiha. | She strained forward on the edge of the chair, listening. The children were silent. Too silent. |
| On isprazni lulu, pa je ponovo napuni. "Što je divan dan. Prosto si srećan što živiš." | He emptied his pipe, refilled it. “Swell day. Makes you glad to be alive.” |
| Zvrrr. | Buzz. |
| "Šta je to?" zapita Henri. | “What’s that?” asked Henry. |
| "Ne znam." Ona odjednom ustade, razrogačenih očiju. Nešto je htela da kaže. Uzdrža se. Smešno. Nervi joj zaigraše. "Ta deca nemaju ništa opasno tamo napolju, a?" reče. | “I don’t know.” She got up suddenly, her eyes widening. She was going to say something. She stopped it. Ridiculous. Her nerves jumped. “Those children haven’t anything dangerous out there, have they?” she said. |
| "Ništa osim cevi i čekića. Zašto?" | “Nothing but pipes and hammers. Why?” |
| "Ništa električno?" | “Nothing electrical?” |
| "Ma kakvi", reče Henri. "Pogledao sam." | “Heck, no,” said Henry. “I looked.” |
| Ona ode do kuhinje. Zvonjenje se nastavljalo. "Svejedno, bolje idi pa im kaži da prestanu. Prošlo je pet. Kaži im..." Oči joj se raširiše pa skupiše. "Kaži im da odlože svoju Invaziju do sutra." Nasmeja se, nervozno. | She walked to the kitchen. The buzzing continued. “Just the same, you’d better go tell them to quit. It’s after five. Tell them—” Her eyes widened and narrowed. “Tell them to put off their Invasion until tomorrow.” She laughed, nervously. |
| Zvonjenje se pojača. | The buzzing grew louder. |
| "Šta to oni smeraju bolje da pogledam." | “What are they up to? I’d better go look, all right.” |
| Eksplozija! | The explosion! |
| Kuća se zatrese od potmulog zvuka. I eksplozije su se čule iz drugih dvorišta, sa drugih ulica. | The house shook with dull sound. There were other explosions in other yards on other streets. |
| Nehotice, gospođa Moris vrisnu. "Ovamo gore!" vikala je besmisleno, ne znajući ni za kakav smisao, ni za kakav razum. Možda je videla nešto iz ugla očiju; možda osetila neki nov miris ili čula novu buku. Nije bilo vremena da se raspravlja sa Henrijem i ubeđuje ga. Neka misli da je luda. Da, luda. Vrišteći, potrča uza stepenice. On potrča za njom da vidi šta će ona. "Na tavanu!" vrištala je. "Tamo je to!" Bio je to samo jadan izgovor da ga dovuče na tavan na vreme. Oh, Bože - na vreme! | Involuntarily, Mrs. Morris screamed. “Up this way!” she cried senselessly, knowing no sense, no reason. Perhaps she saw something from the corners of her eyes; perhaps she smelled a new odor or heard a new noise. There was no time to argue with Henry to convince him. Let him think her insane. Yes, insane! Shrieking, she ran upstairs. He ran after her to see what she was up to. “In the attic!” she screamed. “That’s where it is!” It was only a poor excuse to get him in the attic in time. Oh, God—in time! |
| Napolju se začu još jedna eksplozija. Deca su vrištala od radosti, kao na velikom vatrometu. | Another explosion outside. The children screamed with delight as if at a great fireworks display. |
| "Nije na tavanu!" povika Henri. "Napolju je!" | “It’s not in the attic!” cried Henry. “It’s outside!” |
| "Ne, ne!" Šišteći, boreći se za dah, petljala je oko tavanskih vrata. "Pokazaću ti, Požuri! Pokazaću ti!" | “No, no!” Wheezing, gasping, she fumbled at the attic door. “I’ll show you. Hurry! I’ll show you!” |
| Utumbaše se na tavan. Ona zalupi vratima, zaključa ih, uze ključ, baci ga u drugi ugao natrpan stvarima. Sada je brbljala ludosti. Izlazile su iz nje. Sve podsvesne sumnje i strah što su se potajno sakupljali celo popodne i previrali kao vino u njoj. Sva ona mala otkrića i saznanja koja su je uznemiravala celog dana i koja je ona logično, brižljivo i razumno odbacivala i cenzurisala. Sada je to eksplodiralo u njoj i raznelo je u komadiće. | They tumbled into the attic. She slammed the door, locked it, took the key, threw it into a far, cluttered corner. She was babbling wild stuff now. It came out of her. All the subconscious suspicion and fear that had gathered secretly all afternoon and fermented like a wine in her. All the little revelations and knowledges and sense that had bothered her all day and which she had logically and carefully and sensibly rejected and censored. Now it exploded in her and shook her to bits. |
| "Tako, tako", jecala je oslonjena uz vrata. "Bezbedni smo do večeras. Možda ćemo moći da se iskrademo. Možda možemo da pobegnemo!" | “There, there,” she said, sobbing against the door. “We’re safe until tonight. Maybe we can sneak out. Maybe we can escape!” |
| I Henri je eksplodirao, ali iz drugog razloga. "Jesi li luda? Zašto si bacila taj ključ? Do đavola, dušo!" | Henry blew up too, but for another reason. “Are you crazy? Why’d you throw that key away? Damn it, honey!” |
| "Da, da, luda sam, ako to može nešto da pomogne, ali ostani ovde sa mnom!" | “Yes, yes, I’m crazy, if it helps, but stay here with me!” |
| "Ne znam samo kako mogu da izađem!" | “I don’t know how in hell I can get out!” |
| "Ćuti. Čuće nas. O, Bože, naći će nas oni već..." | “Quiet. They’ll hear us. Oh, God, they’ll find us soon enough—” |
| Dole ispod njih, začu se Mink. Muž stade. Na sve strane se čulo zujanje i cvrčanje, vrištanje i kikotanje. Dole je audio-televizor zvonio i zvonio uporno, uzbunjujuće, pobesnelo. Da li to Helen zove? pomisli gospoda Moris. I da li zove zbog onoga zbog čega mislim da zove? | Below them, Mink’s voice. The husband stopped. There was a great universal humming and sizzling, a screaming and giggling. Downstairs the audio-televisor buzzed and buzzed insistently, alarmingly, violently. Is that Helen calling?thought Mrs. Morris. And is she calling about what I think she’s calling about? |
| U kuću stupiše koraci. Teški koraci. | Footsteps came into the house. Heavy footsteps. |
| "Ko dolazi u moju kuću?" ljutito zapita Henri. "Ko to trapa tamo dole?" | “Who’s coming in my house?” demanded Henry angrily. “Who’s tramping around down there?” |
| Teške stope. Njih dvadeset, trideset, četrdeset, pedeset. U kuću se nagura pedeset osoba. Zujanje. Kikotanje dece. "Ovuda!" uzviknu Mink ispod njih. | Heavy feet. Twenty, thirty, forty, fifty of them. Fifty persons crowding into the house. The humming. The giggling of the children. “This way!” cried Mink, below. |
| "Ko je dole?" zaurla Henri. "Ko je tamo!" | “Who’s downstairs?” roared Henry. “Who’s there!” |
| "Ćuti. Oh, nenenenenene!" reče malaksalo njegova žena, hvatajući se za njega. "Molim te, budi miran. Mogli bi da odu." | “Hush. Oh, nononononono!” said his wife weakly, holding him. “Please, be quiet. They might go away. |
| "Mama?" pozva Mink. "Tata?" Ćutanje. "Gde ste?" | “Mom?” called Mink. “Dad?” A pause. “Where are you?” |
| Teške stope, teške, teške, veoma teške stope pele su se stepenicama. Predvodila ih je Mink. | Heavy footsteps, heavy, heavy, very heavy footsteps, came up the stairs. Mink leading them. |
| "Mama?" Oklevanje. "Tata?" Čekanje, tišina. | “Mom?” A hesitation. “Dad?” A waiting, a silence. |
| Zujanje. Koraci se primiču tavanu. Najpre Mink. Drhtali su zajedno ćutke na tavanu, gospodin i gospođa Moris. Iz nekog razloga, električno zujanje, čudna hladna svetlost koja se odjednom videla kroz pukotinu ispod vrata, čudan tuđ miris i stran prizvuk žudnje u Minkinom glasu konačno dopreše i do mozga Henri Morisa. Stajao je i tresao se u mračnoj tišini, sa ženom pored sebe. | Humming. Footsteps toward the attic. Mink’s first. They trembled together in silence in the attic, Mr. and Mrs. Morris. For some reason the electric humming, the queer cold light suddenly visible under the door crack, the strange odor and the alien sound of eagerness in Mink’s voice finally got through to Henry Morris too. He stood, shivering, in the dark silence, his wife beside him. |
| "Mama! Tata!" | “Mom! Dad!” |
| Koraci. Kratko zujanje. Brava na tavanskim vratima se rastopi. Vrata se otvoriše. Mink zaviri unutra, visoke plave senke za njom. | Footsteps. A little humming sound. The attic lock melted. The door opened. Mink peered inside, tall blue shadows behind her. |
| "Uja", reče Mink. | “Peekaboo.” said Mink. |