Человек в высоком замке

           TakingitalldayfromJapssuchasMr.Tagomi.Bymerestinflectionmanagetorubmynoseinit,makemylifemiserable.

           Andthenanideaoccurredtohim.Fellow’sobviouslynotexperienced.Lookathim.MaybeIcangetsomestuffonconsignment.Worthatry.

           "Hey,"Childansaid.

           Themanglancedupswiftly,fastenedhisgaze.

           Advancingtowardhim,hisarmsstillfolded,Childansaid,"Lookslikeaquiethalfhour,here.Nopromises,butyoucanlaysomeofthosethingsout.Clearbackthoseracksofties."Hepointed.

           Nodding,themanbegantoclearhimselfaspaceonthetopofthecounter.Hereopenedhishamper,oncemorefumbledwiththevelvettrays.

           He’lllayeverythingout,Childanknew.Arrangeitpainstakinglyforthenexthour.Fussandadjustuntilhe’sgotitallsetup.Hoping.Praying.Watchingmeoutofthecornerofhiseyeeverysecond.ToseeifI’mtakinganyinterest.Anyatall.

           "Whenyouhaveitout,"Childansaid,"ifI’mnottoobusyI’lltakealook."

           Themanworkedfeverishly,asifhehadbeenstung.

           Severalcustomersenteredthestorethen,andChildangreetedthem.Heturnedhisattentiontothemandtheirwishes,andforgotthesalesmanlaboringoverhisdisplay.Thesalesman,recognizingthesituation,becamestealthyinhismovements;hemadehimselfinconspicuous.Childansoldashavingmug,almostsoldahand-hookedrug,tookadepositonanafghan.Timepassed.Atlastthecustomersleft.Oncemorethestorewasemptyexceptforhimselfandthesalesman.

           Thesalesmanhadfinished.