Человек в высоком замке

           Heshoutedexcitedly,"I’mexplainingFascisttheoryofaction!"

           Shecouldn’tanswer;itwastoofunny.

           Butthemanbesideherdidnotthinkitwasfunny;hegloweredather,hisfacered.Veinsinhisforeheadbecamedistendedandhebeganoncemoretoshake.Andagainhepassedhisfingersclutchinglyalonghisscalp,forwardandback,notspeaking,onlystaringather.

           "Don’tgetsoreatme,"shesaid.

           Foramomentshethoughthewasgoingtohither;hedrewhisarmback…butthenhegrunted,reachedandturnedupthecarradio.

           Theydroveon.Bandmusicfromtheradio,static.Oncemoreshetriedtoconcentrateonthebook.

           "You’reright,"Joesaidafteralongtime.

           "Aboutwhat?"

           "Two-bitempire.Clownforaleader.Nowonderwegotnothingoutofthewar."

           Shepattedhisarm.

           "Juliana,it’salldarkness,"Joesaid."Nothingistrueorcertain.Right?"

           "Maybeso,"shesaidabsently,continuingtotrytoread.

           "Britainwins,"Joesaid,indicatingthebook."Isaveyouthetrouble.U.S.dwindles,Britainkeepsneedlingandpokingandexpanding,keepstheinitiative.Soputitaway."

           "IhopewehavefuninDenver,"shesaid,closingthebook."Youneedtorelax.Iwantyouto."Ifyoudon’t,shethought,you’regoingtoflyapartinamillionpieces.Likeaburstingspring.Andwhathappenstome,then?HowdoIgetback?AnddoIjustleaveyou?

           Iwantthegoodtimeyoupromisedme,shethought.Idon’twanttobecheated;I’vebeencheatedtoomuchinmylifebefore,bytoomanypeople.