Человек в высоком замке

           Tenminutes.IsitaslongasIcan.Time,alas,willmakeussellitshort.WhatisitIhold,whilethereisstilltime?

           Forgiveme,Mr.Tagomithoughtinthedirectionofthesquiggle.Pressureonusalwaystoriseandact.Regretfully,hebegantoputthethingawaybackinitsbag.Onefinalhopefulglance—heagainscrutinizedwithallthathehad.Likechild,hetoldhimself.Imitatetheinnocenceandfaith.Onseashore,pressingrandomlyfoundshelltohead.Hearinginitsblabberthewisdomofthesea.

           This,witheyereplacingear.Entermeandinformwhathasbeendone,whatitmeans,why.Compressionofunderstandingintoonefinitesquiggle.

           Askingtoomuch,andsogetnothing.

           "Listen,"hesaidsottovocetothesquiggle."Saleswarrantypromisedmuch."

           IfIshakeitviolently,likeoldrecalcitrantwatch.Hedidso,upanddown.Orlikediceincriticalgame.Awakenthedietyinside.Peradventurehesleepeth.Orheisonajourney.TitillatingheavyironybyProphetElijah.Orheispursuing.Mr.Tagomiviolentlyshookthesilversquiggleupanddowninhisclenchedfistoncemore.Callhimlouder.Againhescrutinized.

           Youlittlething,youareempty,hethought.

           Curseatit,hetoldhimself.Frightenit.

           "Mypatienceisrunningout,"hesaidsottovoce.

           Andwhatthen?Flingyouinthegutter?Breatheonit,shakeit,breatheonit.Winmethegame.

           Helaughed.Addlepatedinvolvement,hereinwarmsunlight.Spectacletowhoevercomesalong.Peekingaboutguiltily,now.Butnoonesaw.Oldmensnoozing.Measureofrelief,there.