Человек в высоком замке

           Tobepulledinsteadofhavingtopull.And—tohave,ifevenforamoment,higherplace.

           Guiltily,hewokehimself.Toomuchtoplan;notimeforamiddaydoze.WasheabsolutelyproperlydressedtoentertheNipponTimesBuilding?Possiblyhewouldfaintinthehigh-speedelevator.Buthehadmotion-illnesstabletswithhim,aGermancompound.Thevariousmodesofaddress…heknewthem.Whomtotreatpolitely,whomrudely.Bebrusquewiththedoorman,elevatoroperator,receptionist,guide,anyjanitorialperson.BowtoanyJapanese,ofcourse,evenifitobligedhimtobowhundredsoftimes.Butthepinocs.Nebulousarea.Bow,butlookstraightthroughthemasiftheydidnotexist.Didthatcovereverysituation,then?Whataboutavisitingforeigner?GermansoftencouldbeseenattheTradeMissions,aswellasneutrals.

           Andthen,too,hemightseeaslave.

           GermanorSouthshipsdockedattheportofSanFranciscoallthetime,andblacksoccasionallywereallowedoffforshortintervals.Alwaysingroupsoffewerthanthree.Andtheycouldnotbeoutafternightfall;evenunderPacificlaw,theyhadtoobeythecurfew.Butalsoslavesunloadedatthedocks,andtheselivedperpetuallyashore,inshacksunderthewharves,abovethewaterline.NonewouldbeintheTradeMissionoffices,butifanyunloadingweretakingplace—forinstance,shouldhecarryhisownbagstoMr.Tagomi’soffice?Surelynot.Aslavewouldhavetobefound,evenifhehadtostandwaitinganhour.Evenifhemissedhisappointment.