Человек в высоком замке

           Coulddoitwiththree-fifthsofhisbrainremoved,likethelegofafroginbiologyclass.

           "Hey,"shecalled."Wakeup."

           Inthebed,Joestirred,snorted.

           "DidyouheartheBobHopeshowtheothernight?"shecalled."Hetoldthisreallyfunnyjoke,theonewherethisGermanmajorisinterviewingsomeMartians.TheMartianscan’tprovideracialdocumentationabouttheirgrandparentsbeingAryan,youknow.SotheGermanmajorreportsbacktoBerlinthatMarsispopulatedbyJews."ComingintothelivingroomwhereJoelayinthebed,shesaid,"Andthey’reaboutonefoottall,andhavetwoheads…youknowhowBobHopegoeson."

           Joehadopenedhiseyes.Hesaidnothing;hestaredatherunwinkingly.Hischin,blackwithstubble,hisdark,achefilledeyes…shealsobecamequiet,then.

           "Whatisit?"shesaidatlast."Areyouafraid?"No,shethought;that’sFrankwho’safraid.Thisis—Idon’tknowwhat.

           "Therigwenton,"Joesaid,sittingup.

           "Whatareyougoingtodo?"Sheseatedherselfontheedgeofthebed,dryingherarmsandhandswiththedishtowel.

           "I’llcatchhimonthereturn.Hewon’tsayanythingtoanybody;heknowsI’ddothesameforhim."

           "You’vedonethisbefore?"sheasked.

           Joedidnotanswer.Youmeanttomissit,Julianasaidtoherself.Icantell;allatonceIknow.

           "Supposehetakesanotherrouteback?"shesaid.

           "HealwaystakeFifty.NeverForty.HehadanaccidentonFortyonce;somehorsesgotoutintheroadandheplowedintothem.IntheRockies."