Человек в высоком замке

           Smallshopsoneachsideofthelobby,flowershop,gifts,candy,placetotelegraph,desktoreserveplaneflights,thebustleofguestsatthedeskandtheelevators,thehugepottedplants,andundertheirfeetthecarpeting,thickandsoft.Shecouldsmellthehotel,themanypeople,theactivity.Neonsignsindicatedinwhichdirectionthehotelrestaurant,cocktaillounge,snackbar,lay.Shecouldbarelytakeitallinastheycrossedthelobbyandatlastreachedthereservationdesk.

           Therewasevenabookstore.

           WhileJoesignedtheregister,sheexcusedherselfandhurriedovertothebookstoretoseeiftheyhadTheGrasshopper.Yes,thereitwas,abrightstackofcopiesinfact,withadisplaysignsayinghowpopularandimportantitwas,andofcoursethatitwasverboteninGerman-runregions.Asmilingmiddle-agedwoman,verygrandmotherly,waitedonher;thebookcostalmostfourdollars,whichseemedtoJulianaagreatdeal,butshepaidforitwithaReichsbanknotefromhernewpurseandthenskippedbacktojoinJoe.

           Leadingthewaywiththeirluggage,thebellboyconductedthemtotheelevatorandthenuptothesecondfloor,alongthecorridor—silentandwarmandcarpeted—totheirsuperb,breathtakingroom.Thebellboyunlockedthedoorforthem,carriedeverythinginside,adjustedthewindowandlights;Joetippedhimandhedeparted,shuttingthedoorafterhim.

           Allwasunfoldingexactlyasshewanted.

           "HowlongwillwestayinDenver?"sheaskedJoe,whohadbegunopeningpackagesonthebed.