Человек в высоком замке

           Walksuprightinconsciousnessofmanypinched-nervepossibilitiesingrizzledsalivatingadversary.Deathinsteadby,say,sniffingcarexhaustinhighwaytown,perhapsthroughlonghollowstraw.

           Learnedthat,shethought,fromJapanese.Imbibedplacidattitudetowardmortality,alongwithmoney-makingjudo.Howtokill,howtodie.Yangandyin.Butthat’sbehind,now;thisisProtestantland.

           ItwasagoodthingtoseetheNazirocketsgobyoverheadandnotstop,nottakeanyinterestofanysortinCanonCity,Colorado.NorinUtahorWyomingortheeasternpartofNevada,noneoftheopenemptydesertstatesorpasturestates.Wehavenovalue,shesaidtoherself.Wecanliveoutourtinylives.Ifwewantto.Ifitmatterstous.

           Fromoneoftheshowers,thenoiseofadoorunlocking.Ashape,largeMissDavis,finishedwithhershower,dressed,purseunderherarm."Oh,wereyouwaiting,Mrs.Frink?I’msorry."

           "It’sallright,"Julianasaid.

           "Youknow,Mrs.Frink,I’vegottensomuchoutofjudo.EvenmorethanoutofZen.Iwantedtotellyou."

           "SlimyourhipstheZenway,"Julianasaid."Losepoundsthroughpainlesssatori.I’msorry,MissDavis.I’mwoolgathering."

           MissDavissaid,"Didtheyhurtyoumuch?"

           "Who?"

           "TheJaps.Beforeyoulearnedtodefendyourself."

           "Itwasdreadful,"Julianasaid."You’veneverbeenoutthere,ontheCoast.Wheretheyare."

           "I’veneverbeenoutsideofColorado,"MissDavissaid,hervoiceflutteringtimidly.

           "Itcouldhappenhere,"Julianasaid.