Человек в высоком замке

           Sounds—heinvoluntarilyputhisfingersuptocoverhisears.Ha-ha!Ho-ho!Greatburstthatmadehimwinceandblink.Lizardscurriesandtigerroars,andoutcomesGodHimself!

           Whatdoesitmean?Hepeeredabouthislivingroom.Arrivalof—what?Hehoppedtohisfeetandstoodpanting,waiting.

           Nothing.Heartpounding.Respirationandallsomaticprocesses,includingallmannerofdiencephalic-controlledautonomicresponsestocrisis:adrenalin,greaterheartbeat,pulserate,glandspouring,throatparalyzed,eyesstaring,bowelsloose,etal.Stomachqueasyandsexinstinctsuppressed.

           Andyet,nothingtosee;nothingforbodytodo.Run?Allinpreparationforpanicflight.Butwheretoandwhy?Mr.Tagomiaskedhimself.Noclue.Thereforeimpossible.Dilemmaofcivilizedman;bodymobilized,butdangerobscure.

           Hewenttothebathroomandbeganlatheringhisfacetoshave.

           Thetelephonerang.

           "Shock,"hesaidaloud,puttingdownhisrazor."Beprepared."Hewalkedrapidlyfromthebathroom,backintothelivingroom."Iamprepared,"hesaid,andliftedthereceiver."Tagomi,here."Hisvoicesqueakedandheclearedhisthroat.

           Apause.Andthenafaint,dry,rustlingvoice,almostlikeoldleavesfaroff,said,"Sir.ThisisShinjiroYatabe.IhavearrivedinSanFrancisco."

           "GreetingsfromtheRankingTradeMission,"Mr.Tagomisaid."HowgladIam.Youareingoodhealthandrelaxed?"

           "Yes,Mr.Tagomi.WhenmayImeetyou?"

           "Quitesoon.Inhalfanhour."Mr.Tagomipeeredatthebedroomclock,tryingtoreadit.