Человек в высоком замке

           Leaningbackhischairsothatitrestedagainstthewallhesippedhisteaandpondered.

           TheMomentchanges.Onemustbereadytochangewithit.Orotherwiselefthighanddry.Adapt.

           Theruleofsurvival,hethought.Keepeyepeeledregardingsituationaroundyou.Learnitsdemands.Andmeetthem.Bethereattherighttimedoingtherightthing.

           Beyinnish.TheOrientalknows.Thesmartblackyinnisheyes.

           Suddenlyhehadagoodidea;itmadehimsituprightinstantly.Twobirds,onestone.Ah.Hehoppedtohisfeet,excited.Carefullywrapbestofjewelrypieces(removingtag,ofcourse).Pin,pendant,orbracelet.Somethingnice,anyhow.Then—sincehavetoleaveshop,closeupattwoasitis—saunterovertoKasouras’apartmentbuilding.Mr.Kasouras,Paul,willbeatwork.However,Mrs.Kasoura,Betty,willverylikelybehome.

           Graftgift,thisneworiginalU.S.artwork.Complimentsofmyselfpersonally,inordertoobtainhigh-placereaction.Thisishowanewlineisintroduced.Isn’titlovely?Wholeselectionbackatstore;dropin,etc.Thisoneforyou,Betty.

           Hetrembled.JustsheandI,middayintheapartment.Husbandoffatwork.Allonupandup,however;brilliantpretext.

           Airtight!

           Gettingasmallboxpluswrappingpaperandribbon,RobertChildanbeganpreparingagiftforMrs.Kasoura.Dark,attractivewoman,slenderinhersilkOrientaldress,highheels,andsoon.Ormaybetodaybluecottoncooliestyleloungingpajamas,verylightandcomfortableandinformal.Ah,hethought.

           Oristhistoobold?HusbandPaulbecomingirked