Человек в высоком замке

           Lessontomeforever.Oneseekstocontraveneone’sperceptions—why?Sothatonecanwanderutterlylost,withoutsignpostsorguide?

           Thishypnagogiccondition.Attention-facultydiminishedsothattwilightstateobtains;worldseenmerelyinsymbolic,archetypalaspect,totallyconfusedwithunconsciousmaterial.Typicalofhypnosis-inducedsomnambulism.Muststopthisdreadfulglidingamongshadows;refocusconcentrationandtherebyrestoreegocenter.

           Hefeltinhispocketsforthesilvertriangle.Gone.Leftthethingonthebenchinthepark,withbriefcase.Catastrophe.

           Crouching,heranbackupthesidewalk,tothepark.

           Dozingbumseyedhiminsurpriseashehurriedupthepath.There,thebench.Andleaningagainstitstill,hisbriefcase.Nosignofthesilvertriangle.Hehunted.Yes.Fallenthroughtograss;itlaypartlyhidden.Wherehehadhurleditinrage.

           Hereseatedhimself,pantingforbreath.

           Focusonsilvertriangleoncemore,hetoldhimselfwhenhecouldbreath.Scrutinizeitforcefullyandcount.Atten,utterstartlingnoise.Erwache,forinstance.

           Idioticdaydreamingoffugaltype,hethought.Emulationofmorenoxiousaspectsofadolescence,ratherthantheclearheadedpristineinnocenceofauthenticchildhood.JustwhatIdeserveanyhow.

           Allmyownfault.NointentionbyMr.R.Childanorartisans;myowngreedtoblame.Onecannotcompelunderstandingtocome.

           Hecountedslowly,aloud,andthenjumpedtohisfeet."Goddamstupidity,"hesaidsharply.

           Mistscleared?

           Hepeepedabout.Diffusionsubsided,inallprobability.