Человек в высоком замке

           Helethergo,andshemadeherwayacrosstheroomandintothebathroom;sheshutthedoorbehindher.

           Icandoit,shethought.Shesnappedthelighton;itdazzledher.Shesquinted.Icanfindit.Inthemedicinecabinet,acourtesypackofrazorblades,soap,toothpaste.Sheopenedthefreshlittlepackofblades.Singleedge,yes.Unwrappedthenewgreasyblueblackblade.

           Waterranintheshower.Shesteppedin—goodGod;shehadonherclothes.Ruined.Herdressclung.Hairstreaming.Horrified,shestumbled,halffell,gropingherwayout.Waterdrizzlingfromherstockings…shebegantocry.

           Joefoundherstandingbythebowl.Shehadtakenherwetruinedsuitoff;shestoodnaked,supportingherselfononearm,leaningandresting."JesusChrist,"shesaidtohimwhensherealizedhewasthere."Idon’tknowwhattodo.Myjerseysuitisruined.It’swool."Shepointed:heturnedtoseetheheapofsoddenclothes.

           Verycalmly—buthisfacewasstricken—hesaid,"Well,youweren’tgoingtowearthatanyhow."Withafluffywhitehoteltowelhedriedheroff,ledherfromthebathroombacktothewarmcarpetedmainroom."Putonyourunderwear—getsomethingon.I’llhavethehairdressercomeuphere;shehasto,that’sallthereis."Againhepickedupthephoneanddialed.

           "Whatdidyougetmeinthewayofpills?"sheasked,whenhehadfinishedphoning.

           "Iforgot.I’llcalldowntothepharmacy.No,wait;Ihavesomething.Nembutalorsomedamnthing."Hurryingtohissuitcase,hebeganrummaging.