Человек в высоком замке

           Ritasaid,"Icouldn’tliveinthoseworkcamps,thosedormstheyhavebackEast.Agirlfriendofmine;shelivedthere.Theycensoredhermail—shecouldn’ttellmeaboutituntilshemovedbackouthereagain.Theyhadtogetupatsix-thirtyinthemorningtobandmusic."

           "You’dgetusedtoit.You’dhavecleanquarters,adequatefood,recreation,medicalcareprovided.Whatdoyouwant?Egginyourbeer?"

           ThroughthecoolnightfogofSanFrancisco,hisbigGerman-madecarmovedquietly.

           OnthefloorMr.Tagomisat,hislegsfoldedbeneathhim.Heheldahandlelesscupofoolongtea,intowhichheblewnowandthenashesmiledupatMr.Baynes.

           "Youhavealovelyplacehere,"Baynessaidpresently."ThereisapeacefulnesshereonthePacificCoast.Itiscompletelydifferentfrom—backthere."Hedidnotspecify.

           "‘GodspeakstomaninthesignoftheArousing.’"Mr.Tagomimurmured.

           "Pardon?"

           "Theoracle.I’msorry.Fleece-seekingcorticalresponse."

           Woolgathering,Baynesthought.That’stheidiomhemeans.Tohimselfhesmiled.

           "Weareabsurd,"Mr.Tagomisaid,"becausewelivebyafive-thousand-year-oldbook.Wesetitquestionsasifitwerealive.Itisalive.AsistheChristianBible;manybooksareactuallyalive.Notinmetaphoricfashion.Spiritanimatesit.Doyousee?"HeinspectedMr.Baynes’faceforhisreaction.

           Carefullyphrasinghiswords,Baynessaid,"Ijustdon’tknowenoughaboutreligion.It’soutofmyfield.IprefertosticktosubjectsIhavesomecompetencein."