Человек в высоком замке

           "Youcheckinwiththemjustbeforeyoudoit.Tobesure."

           Henodded.

           "You’renotItalian;you’reaGerman."

           "Swiss."

           Shesaid,"MyhusbandisaJew."

           "Idon’tcarewhatyourhusbandis.AllIwantisforyoutoputonthatdressandfixyourselfupsowecangotodinner.Fixyourhairsomehow;Iwishyoucouldhavegottentothehairdresser’s.Possiblythehotelbeautysalonisstillopen.YoucoulddothatwhileIwaitformyshirtsandtakemyshower."

           "Howareyougoingtokillhim?"

           Joesaid,"Pleaseputonthenewdress,Juliana.I’llphonedownandaskaboutthehairdresser."Hewalkedovertotheroomphone.

           "Whydoyouneedmealong?"

           Dialing,Joesaid,"WehaveafolderonAbendsenanditseemsheisattractedtoacertaintypeofdark,libidinousgirl.AspecificMiddle-EasternorMediterraneantype."

           Ashetalkedtothehotelpeople,Julianawentovertothebedandlaydown.Sheshuthereyesandputherarmacrossherface.

           "Theydohaveahairdresser,"Joesaidwhenhehadhungupthephone."Andshecantakecareofyourightaway.Yougodowntothesalon;it’sonthemezzanine."Hehandedhersomething;openinghereyesshesawthatitwasmoreReichsbanknotes."Topayher."

           Shesaid,"Letmeliehere.Willyouplease?"

           Heregardedherwithalookofacutecuriosityandconcern.

           "SeattleislikeSanFranciscowouldhavebeen,"shesaid,"iftherehadbeennoGreatFire.Realoldwoodenbuildingsandsomebrickones,andhillylikeS.F.