Человек в высоком замке

           Attackofvertigo.Middle-earmalfunction,nodoubt.

           Hethought,Diencephalon,ancientbrainstem,actingup.

           Someorganicmomentarybreakdown.

           Thinkalongreassuringlines.Recallorderofworld.Whattodrawon?Religion?Hethought,Nowagavotteperformsedately.Capitalboth,capitalboth;you’vecaughtitnicely.Thisisthestyleofthingprecisely.Smallformofrecognizableworld,Gondoliers.G.&S.Heshuthiseyes,imaginedtheD’OyleCarteCompanyashehadseenthemontheirtourafterthewar.Thefinite,finiteworld.

           Anembassyemployee,athiselbow,saying,"Sir,canIgiveyouassistance?"

           Mr.Tagomibowed,"Iamrecovered."

           Theother’sface,calm,considerate.Noderision.Theyarealllaughingatme,possibly?Mr.Tagomithought.Downunderneath?

           Thereisevil!It’sactuallikecement.

           Ican’tbelieveit.Ican’tstandit.Evilisnotaview.Hewanderedaboutthelobby,hearingthetrafficonSutterStreet,theForeignOfficespokesmanaddressingthemeeting.Allourreligioniswrong.What’llIdo?heaskedhimself.Hewenttothefrontdooroftheembassy;anemployeeopenedit,andMr.Tagomiwalkeddownthestepstothepath.Theparkedcars.Hisown.Chauffeursstanding.

           It’saningredientinus.Intheworld.Pouredoverus,filteringintoourbodies,minds,hearts,intothepavementitself.

           Why?

           We’reblindmoles.Creepingthroughthesoil,feelingwithoursnouts.Weknownothing.Iperceivedthis…nowIdon’tknowwheretogo.Screechwithfear,only.Runaway.

           Pitiful.