Человек в высоком замке

           TheJapstheregobacktoalongtimebeforethewar.Theyhaveawholebusinesssectionandhouses,storesandeverything,veryold.It’saport.ThislittleoldJapwhotaughtme—IhadgoneuptherewithaMerchantMarineguy,andwhileIwasthereIstartedtakingtheselessons.MinoruIchoyasu;heworeavestandtie.Hewasasroundasayo-yo.HetaughtupstairsinaJapofficebuilding;hehadthatold-fashionedgoldletteringonhisdoor,andawaitingroomlikeadentist’soffice.WithNationalGeographics."

           Bendingoverher,Joetookholdofherarmandliftedhertoasittingposition;hesupportedher,proppedherup."What’sthematter?Youactlikeyou’resick."Hepeeredintoherface,searchingherfeatures.

           "I’mdying,"shesaid.

           "It’sjustananxietyattack.Don’tyouhavethemallthetime?Icangetyouasedativefromthehotelpharmacy.Whataboutphenobarbital?Andwehaven’teatensincetenthismorning.You’llbeallright.WhenwegettoAbendsen’s,youdon’thavetodoathing,onlystandtherewithme;I’lldothetalking.Justsmileandbecompanionablewithmeandhim;staywithhimandmakeconversationwithhim,sothathestayswithusanddoesn’tgooffsomewhere.WhenheseesyouI’mcertainhe’llletusin,especiallywiththatItaliandresscutasitis.I’dletyouin,myself,ifIwerehe."

           "Letmegointothebathroom,"shesaid."I’msick.Please."Shestruggledloosefromhim."I’mbeingsick—letmego."