Человек в высоком замке

           Heavoidedseeingthem;kepthiseyesstraightahead.Distortionofmyopticperceptionofparticularlysinisternature.Adisturbanceaffectingmysenseofspace.Horizontwistedoutofline.Likelethalastigmatismstrikingwithoutwarning.

           Mustobtainrespite.Ahead,adingylunchcounter.Onlywhiteswithin,allsupping.Mr.Tagomipushedopenthewoodenswingingdoors.Smellofcoffee.Grotesquejukeboxincornerblaringouthewincedandmadehiswaytothecounter.Allstoolstakenbywhites.Mr.Tagomiexclaimed.Severalwhiteslookedup.Butnonedepartedtheirplaces.Noneyieldedtheirstoolstohim.Theymerelyresumedsupping.

           "Iinsist!"Mr.Tagomisaidloudlytothefirstwhite;heshoutedintheman’sear.

           Themanputdownhiscoffeemugandsaid,"Watchit,Tojo."

           Mr.Tagomilookedtotheotherwhites;allwatchedwithhostileexpressions.Andnonestirred.

           BardoThodolexistence,Mr.Tagomithought.Hotwindsblowingmewhoknowswhere.Thisisvision—ofwhat?Cantheanimusendurethis?Yes,theBookoftheDeadpreparesus:afterdeathweseemtoglimpseothers,butallappearhostiletous.Onestandsisolated.Unsuccoredwhereveroneturns.Theterriblejourney—andalwaystherealmsofsuffering,rebirth,readytoreceivethefleeing,demoralizedspirit.Thedelusions.

           Hehurriedfromthelunchcounter.Thedoorsswungtogetherbehindhim;hestoodoncemoreonthesidewalk.

           WhereamI?Outofmyworld,myspaceandtime.

           Thesilvertriangledisorientedme.Ibrokefrommymooringsandhencestandonnothing.Somuchformyendeavor.