Человек в высоком замке

           "Sure,"Frinksaid,alittledazed.

           "I’llseeyouafterworktonight,"McCarthysaid."Atmyapartment.YoucomeoveraroundsevenandhavedinnerwithJeanandme—ifyoucanstandthekids."

           "Okay,"Frinksaid.

           McCarthygavehimaslapontheshoulderandwentoff.

           I’vegonealongway,Frinksaidtohimself.Inthelasttenminutes.Buthedidnotfeelapprehensive;hefelt,now,excitement.

           Itsurehappenedfast,hethoughtashewalkedovertohisbenchandbegancollectinghistools.Iguessthat’showthosekindsofthingshappen.Opportunity,whenitcomes—

           AllmylifeI’vewaitedforthis.Whentheoraclesays"somethingmustbeachieved"itmeansthis.Thetimeistrulygreat.Whatisthetime,now?Whatisthismoment?SixatthetopinHexagramElevenchangeseverythingtoTwenty-six,TamingPoweroftheGreat.Yinbecomesyang;thelinemovesandanewMomentappears.AndIwassooffstrideIdidn’tevennotice!

           I’llbetthat’swhyIgotthatterribleline;that’stheonlywayHexagramElevencanchangetoHexagramTwenty-six,bythatmovingsixatthetop.SoIshouldn’tgetmyassinsuchanuproar.

           But,despitehisexcitementandoptimism,hecouldnotgetthelinecompletelyoutofhismind.

           However,hethoughtironically,I’mmakingadamngoodtry;byseventonightmaybeI’llhavemanagedtoforgetitlikeitneverhappened.

           Hethought,Isurehopeso.Becausethisget-togetherwithEdisbig.He’sgotsomesurefireidea;Icantell.AndIdon’tintendtofindmyselfleftout.