Человек в высоком замке

           Once,hehadprofessionallyflower-raisedbackhomeonHokkaido.

           MissEphreikian,atall,brown-hairedArmeniangirl,bowed.

           "ReadywithZip-TrackSpeedMaster?"Mr.Tagomiasked.

           "Yes,Mr.Tagomi."MissEphreikianseatedherself,theportablebattery-operatedtaperecorderready.

           Mr.Tagomibegan,"Iinquiredoftheoracle,"WillthemeetingbetweenmyselfandMr.Childanbeprofitable?"andobtainedtomydismaytheominoushexagramThePreponderanceoftheGreat.Theridgepoleissagging.Toomuchweightinthemiddle;allunbalanced.ClearlyawayfromtheTao."Thetaperecorderwhirred.

           Pausing,Mr.Tagomireflected.

           MissEphreikianwatchedhimexpectantly.Thewhirringceased.

           "HaveMr.Ramseycomeinforamoment,please,"Mr.Tagomisaid.

           "Yes,Mr.Tagomi."Rising,sheputdownthetaperecorder;herheelstappedasshedepartedfromtheoffice.

           Withalargefolderofbills-of-ladingunderhisarm,Mr.Ramseyappeared.Young,smiling,headvanced,wearingthenattyU.S.MidwestPlainsstringtie,checkeredshirtandtightbeltlessbluejeansconsideredsohigh-placeamongthestyle-consciousoftheday."Howdy,Mr.Tagomi,"hesaid."Rightniceday,sir."

           Mr.Tagomibowed.

           Atthat,Mr.Ramseystiffenedabruptlyandalsobowed.

           "I’vebeenconsultingtheoracle,"Mr.Tagomisaid,asMissEphreikianreseatedherselfwithhertaperecorder."YouunderstandthatMr.Baynes,whoasyouknowisarrivingshortlyinperson,holdstotheNordicideologyregardingso-calledOrientalculture.