Chapter 2

           Mr.NobusukeTagomisatconsultingthedivineFifthBookofConfucianwisdom,theTaoistoraclecalledforcenturiestheIChingorBookofChanges.Atnoonthatday,hehadbeguntobecomeapprehensiveabouthisappointmentwithMr.Childan,whichwouldoccurintwomorehours.

           HissuiteofofficesonthetwentiethflooroftheNipponTimesBuildingonTaylorStreetoverlookedtheBay.Throughtheglasswallhecouldwatchshipsentering,passingbeneaththeGoldenGateBridge.AtthismomentafreightercouldbeseenbeyondAlcatraz,butMr.Tagomididnotcare.Goingtothewallheunfastenedthecordandloweredthebambooblindsovertheview.Thelargecentralofficebecamedarker;hedidnothavetosquintagainsttheglare.Nowhecouldthinkmoreclearly.

           Itwasnotwithinhispower,hedecided,topleasehisclient.NomatterwhatMr.Childancameupwith:theclientwouldnotbeimpressed.Letusfacethat,hehadsaidtohimself.Butwecankeephimfrombecomingdispleased,atleast.

           Wecanrefrainfrominsultinghimbyamoldygift.

           TheclientwouldsoonreachSanFranciscoairportbyavenueofthehigh-placenewGermanrocket,theMesserschmitt9-E.Mr.Tagomihadneverriddenonsuchaship;whenhemetMr.Bayneshewouldhavetotakecaretoappearblasé,nomatterhowlargetherocketturnedouttobe.Nowtopractice.Hestoodinfrontofthemirrorontheofficewall,creatingafaceofcomposure,mildlybored,inspectinghisowncoldfeaturesforanygiveaway.Yes,theyareverynoisy,Mr.Baynes,sir.Onecannotread.