Человек в высоком замке

           TheReichsbanknoteswerealmostgone,butshedidnotcare;ithadnoimportance.Hetoldusaboutourownworld,shethoughtassheunlockedthedoortohermotelroom.This,what’saroundusnow.Intheroom,sheagainswitchedontheradio.Hewantsustoseeitforwhatitis.AndIdo,andmoresoeachmoment.

           TakingtheblueItaliandressfromitscarton,shelaiditoutscrupulouslyonthebed.Ithadundergonenodamage;allitneeded,atmost,wasathoroughbrushingtoremovethelint.Butwhensheopenedtheotherparcelsshediscoveredthatshehadnotbroughtanyofthenewhalf-brasfromDenver.

           "Goddamnit,"shesaid,sinkingdowninachair.Shelitacigaretteandsatsmokingforatime.

           Maybeshecouldwearitwitharegularbra.Sheslippedoffherblouseandskirtandtriedthedresson.Butthestrapsofthebrashowedandsodidtheupperpartofeachcup,sothatwouldnotdo.Ormaybe,shethought,Icangowithnobraatall…ithadbeenyearssinceshehadtriedthat…itrecalledtohertheolddaysinhighschoolwhenshehadhadaverysmallbust;shehadevenworriedaboutit,then.Butnowfurthermaturityandherjudohadmadeherasizethirty-eight.However,shetrieditwithoutthebra,standingonachairinthebathroomtoviewherselfinthemedicinecabinetmirror.

           Thedressdisplayeditselfstunningly,butgoodlord,itwastoorisky.Allshehadtodowasbendovertoputoutacigaretteorpickupadrink—anddisaster.

           Apin!Shecouldwearthedresswithnobraandcollectthefront.