Человек в высоком замке

           WhodoIthank?Pray,maybe?

           Praytowhat?

           IwishIunderstood,hesaidtohimselfashemovedalongthebusyeveningsidewalk,bytheneonsigns,theblaringbardoorwaysofGrantAvenue.Iwanttocomprehend.Ihaveto.

           Butheknewheneverwould.

           Justbeglad,hethought.Andkeepmoving.

           Abitofhisminddeclared,AndthenbacktoEd.Ihavetofindmywaybacktotheworkshop,downthereinthatbasement.PickupwhereIleftoff,makingthejewelry,usingmyhands.Workingandnotthinking,notlookinguportryingtounderstand.Imustkeepbusy.Imustturnthepiecesout.

           Blockbyblockhehurriedthroughthedarkeningcity.Strugglingtogetbackassoonaspossibletothefixed,comprehensibleplacehehadbeen.

           WhenhegottherehefoundEdMcCarthyseatedatthebench,eatinghisdinner.Twosandwiches,athermosoftea,abanana,severalcookies.FrankFrinkstoodinthedoorway,gasping.

           AtlastEdheardhimandturnedaround."Ihadtheimpressionyouweredead,"hesaid.Hechewed,swallowedrhythmically,tookanotherbite.

           Bythebench,Edhadtheirlittleelectricheatergoing;Frankwentovertoitandcroucheddown,warminghishands.

           "Goodtoseeyouback,"Edsaid.HebangedFranktwiceontheback,thenreturnedtohissandwich.Hesaidnothingmore;theonlysoundswerethewhirroftheheaterfanandEd’schewing.

           Layinghiscoatoverachair,Frankcollectedahandfulofhalf-completedsilversegmentsandcarriedthemtothearbor