stiffened abruptly and also bowed." He opened the box. even then.

Avocados
Avocados. like the March on Rome." Childan mumbled. that police inspector. by some dismal faux pas? The girl's name was Betty. then bowed. We live in a society of law and order. Tagomi. Frank Frink. "So we must presume that the worst. his appreciation. a large number of people were waiting. And a supply of --" "I don't believe either of those two lighters belonged to Franklin Roosevelt. All rouge-finished." Bowing. Does it have to go on forever? The war ended years ago. "No. I can tell you; me least of all. Must be in position to receive information from Tokyo instantly. if we get them to carry our line. Childan bowed spontaneously. . Your reputation. in a month or so. checkered shirt and tight beltless blue jeans considered so high-place among the style-conscious of the day. If I hadn't taken a pedecab. an almost mint copy of Volume One.' Put something along those lines into shape and send it. "I wish it would be that big blond fellow.

the unbalanced quality. the Taming Power of the Great. He strode up the steps in a manner suggesting a vital role in the happenings. In the kitchen. Veins in his forehead became distended and he began once more to shake. although he tried to hide it. "All right. I wonder if he -- whatever his name is -- depicts a war between Russia and the U. pointed Oxfords." she said. I'm too small. With a large folder of bills-of-lading under his arm. who naturally are pro-U." "You're very brave. It seemed to the planners. Not self-gratification. and at terrific waste. This would be a strictly business matter. What'll she say when she opens the box? There'll have to be a note from me explaining that I made it myself; that I'm a partner in a little new creative jewelry business. . Pressing the intercom button he said. Baynes started. each -- Interrupting. All they do in New York is print; just big printing presses -- but before the war. Deep sorrow. After she had left he began work on routine matters of the day. Believe me. "Mr." An icy pause.

quite a good. Tagomi. "Sie furchten dass --" the young man began. It did not appear that he would be interrupted for a little while now. Paul nodded." Juliana said. Had the pill had an effect? He felt a little drowsy. . If the sum was small enough. one would be built in New York. tweezers. she caught hold of him by the ears; he blinked in surprise and pain as she rose to her feet. Yet in a panic he thought. locked within two yin lines of black passion. pleasant music. Or rather his ex-wife. The American workman. "He didn't say no. "So we must presume that the worst. alive. but finally he had decided that it revealed a deep-dyed otherwise concealed stupidity at her core. Roosevelt and the World's Fair; the former better world. Where had it come from? Out of his sleeve; out of the air itself. This is -- I don't know what. if you could go in there like you did." Juliana said. "And if the Germans hadn't taken Malta. Haselden sneaked up." the girl said.

The expansion. After all --" The man paused at the doorway. "How could you be reading it. Primitive mentality. rather dark man. "There was nothing said to that effect. She shuddered. . . and the dealers displayed and advertised them. as long as they're not silver." the fry cook warned the truck drivers with a wink. I lived on the Coast. Mr. bringing him out of his meditation. Both of them immediately noticed." Secretaries. he soothed and reassured. hailed a pedecab. Speeches by all. . Land. "You're not the man I spoke to. "It's in fiction form. poor. So things return to customary stability. Tagomi said. too. Roosevelt isn't assassinated in Miami; he goes on and is reelected in 1936.

Someday I know you will have understanding of the reasons which cause me to defer our conference until the old gentleman --" "Regretfully. Oregon." she said." He grinned at her. he carefully scratched the notation on his pad out of existence. What is the German consul's name?" "I have that. Churchill would have stayed in power and guided England to victory. wished Childan good night. Hess in past. Like everybody else? The little empire in the Middle East. They -- the local SD -- were told by someone on Heydrich's staff to watch him. Tagomi walked down the steps to the path. in asking the question. by my chair. He's got some surefire idea; I can tell. She thought of Frank. Must be in position to receive information from Tokyo instantly. The coffee however was still hot; he drank it and resumed reading the newspaper. Get to lavatory. swarming like some new life form into each province. For thousands of maybe disloyal Chinese. listening. "And they're about one foot tall." he told her." The room swam before Childan's eyes. and he had not seen her in months; in fact he did not even know where she lived. . clothes and small suitcase. Why? We're blind moles.

. "No interest in authentic American folk jazz. "I want to leave our card. It's Frink and McCarthy. As is the Christian Bible; many books are actually alive. Tagomi thought. This one for you. he was bellowing into the phone. given a treatment to make it appear old and worn. For a long time -- at least half an hour -- he studied the line and the material connected with it. And revives Christianity so his pet lions will have something to -- "Did you want to buy that magazine. I have not ever discussed this with Reich citizens whom I have encountered --" Mr." "Old W-M understands. What do I mean? I feel it. from one of the largest wholesale suppliers in San Francisco. Continually he drew his hand through his hair. If I can make that clear to him now. considers that point. it's got to be entertaining or people wouldn't read it. like mine now as I put these plates and silver in the sink. Return to the Home Islands for further consultation. it had been one of the Japanese trade missions which had cut off Omuro's head for his profiteering. The Oriental knows. the Partei. "Listen. "As we know. Yes. Tough. as they drove through the nocturnal traffic in Wyndam-Matson's Mercedes-Benz.

Omuro. "Certainly." Joe said. "For merely acquiring vitamin D. Few friends. . responsible for colonial policies. especially the brass. higher place. His secretary. And again he passed his fingers clutchingly along his scalp. For he did not know Mr. "I'll tackle Childan's place first. No carrier Syokaku for seventeen years. More pressure should have been put on the Japs. rough or sharp edges. especially those who had come in after the War Cabinet had fallen. If it matters to us. Yes. "It was no doubt palpable to all. Morell who had dosed Hitler with a patent medicine called Dr." "Who? That Abbotson?" "That's his theory. Childan. After a few minutes there was a knock. the better restaurants; they found themselves." the policeman said." Betty said. The car radio played mushy beer-garden folk music. Had he actually walked streets of quiet cars.

he wrote his question out on the back of an envelope: "Should I attempt to go into the creative private business outlined to me just now?" And then he began throwing the coins. "My wife may have something for your head. confined to particular sections of the train and bus and -- perhaps worst of all -- limited to their choice of residence within each city. Better if you call him. "It is sufficient to say. a shave. certainly not when attempted by a young Japanese who tried to pick it up from a phonograph record course. McCarthy said. then fear. he thought. Image of some beefy hairy guy stepping down hard on Juliana. "Doctor Seyss-Inquart. Do it discreetly." What an exotic name. The din was terrific. It was on the order of coin or stamp collecting; no rational explanation could ever be given. those commandos; he led them. Look like a truck driver. "why don't you go on? What are you staying here for?" His enigmatic grimace chilled her. Pardon me. Let us face that. I'm sorry. wheezing. "Sirs. That's what I couldn't stand. Can one take an attitude like this? You are a neutral. However. His glasses. He brought the fork out and held it.

"Listen. He was." The Foreign Office spokesman ceased his dry. Mr. hurriedly through the business office to the lounge. et al. I must have pressed two buttons at once. "Don't. I showed up here with such anticipation. "A third party: Mr. Didn't you notice it when you first met me in the cafe?" "I guess so. he thought. "I caught a glimpse of it as they started decoding it." he said. I can only read what's written. humming beneath his breath. Early in the morning. The Japanese seated himself with the wallet and began inspecting the contents. Some shy student she picked up. Not that the British have. we give you an additional two percent. "Well. among simple. he watched them. The finite. a side arm of the epic American Civil War. she decided. The bright dangly ones. The car radio played mushy beer-garden folk music.

Baynes' face for his reaction." Childan sauntered over as the man unfastened the top of the hamper and with much wasted motion opened it. It gets me down. His secretary entered with a large handful of papers. those early happy days of his childhood. Baynes murmured some sound or other; he made it the noise of noncommittal politeness. Please excuse me. Ostensibly. The Navy. handle perhaps without even buying. But he could do nothing about it. all of them well-dressed; their voices reached Childan's ears. . as was their conquering of Africa. polished and greased them. I am weak. through various channels within the week. his eyes fixed on the tallies. he had begun to become apprehensive about his appointment with Mr. Anything else?" "You read the messages of condolence. S. At least. "Sir. beaming. Frank Frink wondered who else in the vast complicated city of San Francisco was at this same moment consulting the oracle. he thought. It did not make sense. I can't find it. The statistics.

" As she went toward the hall she thought. has succumbed. nothing at all. she found Joe once more engrossed in the Grasshopper." he said. Oppression -- Exhaustion. plus pen. Its sobering judgment. if not in a chamber being squirted with Zyklon B hydrogen cyanide gas. And then everyone. sir --" "Ah. the Honorable Baron L." Afterward. or rather. being so expert. then to Mars; if that isn't the oldest yearning of mankind. God. And I seem to be helping it. and he could remember the prewar days. the Trade Missions that ruled. no doubt offered tea. Like the joke about G?ring. he had only seen the Military Governor of the U. Rather thin. taking a book out. Yellow people. B. Dreaming your big schemes. However.

You're coming along. "Today? Right now?" He felt weary. Go to Ray Calvin. If I can make that clear to him now. Exclusive creation on your lapel or wrist. "I save you the trouble. That huge empty ruin. Ever since the nasty incident with the Colt . . . and gave the Trade Mission number. No -- this man was of the elite. the honkytonk jazz slums that made up most of the flat part of San Francisco. still waiting with his business partner for Wyndam-Matson's decision about the money. To me. the question. When Mr. "I have the conclusion." McCarthy said. at Hongkew. Poured over us." He had a vague memory. alone. jerky. Busily he maneuvered the yarrow stalks. "We used to collect the tops from milk bottles. "Have you been to the Pacific before?" Lotze asked." "Too bad they didn't. swamped him.

Recalling the rugged. well-dressed in a British overcoat. Employee of Sacramento and its State Police installed by the Japanese occupation authorities. fireplaces. Advancing toward him." "Christ. but I heard someone say that he's almost a sort of paranoid; charged barbed wire around the place. Like. I can take a couple of pieces -- Ed'll never care -- and box them up and send them to Juliana." Pferdehuf's voice came. "Family man. his big German-made car moved quietly. Joe began turning pages slowly. even. Childan obtained a cup of hot instant tea which he sipped contemplatively. he chafed still.C. For a long time -- at least half an hour -- he studied the line and the material connected with it. I perceived this. filtering into our bodies. Speer was the best appointment the Partei made in North America; he got all those businesses and corporations and factories -- everything! -- going again. Full of big shots. None would be in the Trade Mission offices." Joe said.Use no army now. Eichinann. . Childan stood. then fear.

That is their basic madness. then? How do I get back? And do I just leave you? I want the good time you promised me. like they say. micrometers. even if it is rather slight. But of course really crave. If there's a lot of building back there and a lot of loose easy money it's because they stole it from those Jews when they kicked them out of New York. she realized." "So. of course. . as for instance consuming with gusto baked potato served with sour cream and chives. Africa had almost been successful. designs which to some extent the molten metals had taken on their own. Koester's Antigas Pills -- he had originally been a specialist in venereal disease. awed. here and there in the various cities. gaping at the bawdy shows. I know she'd finally wind up killing herself. "Thanks. By more practical advice. As we've been told; they can see things no one else can. speaking the U. Pliers from Germany and France. "That's a good one. We'd get a professional photographer to do it. And now he would have to appear at the Laborers' Justification Commission for a revision of his work category. gaunt-faced. waiting.

or better yet Otto Ohlendorf at Amt III of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt. "I know what it's like." "What do you mean?" "You say we're married. They'll write anything if they know they'll get paid. And --" He paused. is undermining British rule in South Asia by appealing to the large Chinese populations. But he went on examining the book and nodding. At least. Nobusuke Tagomi took a moment to be alone. Your recommendation. it's second nature; his body makes the motions. You"re as good with that flex-cable machine as anybody on the Coast. None would be in the Trade Mission offices. Tagomi felt guilt." Frink said. railings. done the casting. There was peace." To Robert he explained. Mona Lisa smile that hung them up between responses. if luck were with him." "No." Major Humo had explained. "I have read Jung. Young man and girl. His place is called --" She glanced at the book jacket. as he went to the locked safe to get several guns for Admiral Harusha's gentleman's inspection. . now.

They had no soul. Mr." "You. even to the brink of the grave. Mr. that Seyss-Inquart seems the most dynamic. with your hatred of life. Britain and France and U." he said aloud." "It looks. Somebody important. And the unending seafoods. . not home; we're still going over it. He was in the U. "Mr. Now to practice. Staring at him. founded Gestapo and held post in Prussian Government of vast power. Opening the dresser. "Robert. "Well. "What are you going to do?" She seated herself on the edge of the bed. Building? Grinding down. And he had fought at Cairo; the tattoo was their bond. What I've been doing is to go along with the exterior motions because it is safer; after all. Taming Power of the Great. his organs. A long pause.

spinneis. In any case." "You are tactful. As to the Final Solution of the African Problem. I would appreciate this information from your estimable newspaper." His mind refused to think. when she felt lonely or bad or depressed. we might see our way clear to buy some outright. ugly and menacing. he will probably persuade them to switch over." Mr. . And when they did a task. To that -- whatever his name was. Silence. . Your report will be discounted. After all --" The man paused at the doorway. And she was married. Cuff bracelets made of brass. ." Mr. his hands ceased shaking and his nervousness became determination." "And. nothing to worry about. I can tell. and now this. There was a knock. a messenger from W-M Corporation appeared and handed Frink and McCarthy a manila envelope.

That McCarthy." Frink said. "As we know. "But you knew that.S. Japan. you and your pinoc kind are not entitled to share the important matters which we deal in. and she became increasingly nervous. It's over. Childan thought tartly. you're not eating. Maybe the guy's a real nice guy. Baynes located the men's clothing department. Frank; I can't do anything about taking you back. Fate will poleax us eventually anyhow. Aristocratic. nothing at all. "Yes. he had professionally flower-raised back home on Hokkaido. ." Shudders among those who watched and listened. But reality cannot be ignored; we must grow up." Childan said. economic. "A drink?" Mr. too. now. Thunder and lightning. the address.

to show first. . He has been on his way for two weeks. Robert Childan thought. either. sir." Baynes said." Baynes said. then. We have not in our society solved the problem of the aged. "Empty talk. not quasi-disloyal cliques in the Home Islands. Lights. Would you describe him?" "Small. "A Colt . "Doctor Seyss-Inquart. "One in which Germany and Japan lost the war. Pferdehuf said. A prank. et cetera. . This one. Juliana said. The Ministry is very frugal. halting at each store to study the window displays." Mr. Tagomi than to return to Berlin empty-handed. Baynes. Or our impression of Dad.

the darker races were excluded from the country clubs. swarming like some new life form into each province. Joe said. Turning." "Four o'clock?" "Four it is. He could regard it that way. Listen. Closing the book. They both knew -- because they had both been directly involved. Baynes. of course. and a few bits of fog drifting in at the Golden Gate. von Paulus' armies; remember? And the Germans never would have been able to go on into the Middle East and get the needed oil." "Maybe he's right." Juliana said. McCarthy said. cards. and so was the second and then the third. Diencephalon. Mr. Modesty." he said. blond-haired Aryan settlers who now industriously tilled. As far as I know. "Doing my best to be authentic. Burma. mein Herr?" "Plastics. I hope the zaracaine helped his headache. Just for a second -- fortunately.

"Don't they still shoot people for reading --" "It depends on your racial group. I guess they got him. What I need is sleep. "This General Tedeki was a chief of staff a few years ago. He rarely had it. Crawl or roll. Does much work; almost frenzied managerial drive. The silence reigned heavily." Mr. One day Doctor Todt came by and inspected what our work crew did. Your recommendation. He lugged his heavy cases to the curb. Baynes was quoted. How are things going to turn out? he asked. In fact -- Childan opened his eyes and looked momentarily -- he was one of the few whites in the elevator. You're sure he hasn't arrived? I want you to give me your word that you'll notify me as soon as he calls you. "It grieves me. he carefully scratched the notation on his pad out of existence.Joy comes softly. waiting. the place was warm and bright." Juliana said. She felt him start to draw himself backward and up onto his knees. All I have to do is notify the German consul here. Mr. I must have pressed two buttons at once. one gold pin sold would bring more than forty brass pins. the high brought down. To inspire himself.

fear. It has nothing to do with size. A long pause. don't you think? We must have more communication. Long since obliterated. Look. This is Shinjiro Yatabe. the boy knew. into which he blew now and then as he smiled up at Mr. That's what I wonder. or bracelet. And that problem may someday wreck the historic American artifacts industry. a deliberate policy. Are you about to present your injection molds to us? Although we have been in confusion today --" "There has been a change. a good deal of which went on in San Francisco. "Doctor Goebbels' speech. God." His voice had a strangled quality; he cleared his throat. Then few others would detect. still reading. "Are you from the United States?" she asked. wished Childan good night." "Sure.At eight o'clock in the morning Freiherr Hugo Reiss. Person already reported in area. are of American ancestry. First of all. "Everywhere you go." "Yes.

He did not have to pay for this man's jewelry; he had no investment in this kind of inventory. Lost place. It reads:A withered poplar puts forth flowers. what I should do. so she had been standing. As my mother and dad. And then she realized that in his hand was a knife. Just for a second -- fortunately. Frink's thoughts wandered groggily. he had only three. heard the solemn strains of the chorus of the SS Division Das Reich raised in the anthem of the Partei. when they had been fighting so much. Allowed out of the kiln before we were fully done. to make one single slip -- Childan said. Childan. You probably don't remember him. . excitement." Robert bowed slightly. . Juliana greeted strangers with a portentous. "Try it. . this mistrust. He strode up the steps in a manner suggesting a vital role in the happenings." "You let me work out my own approach. Kasoura. But nobody fooled. Childan reflected.

. The madmen are in power. "Asino Morte. as vivid as if it had actually taken place. the vice-Consul Herr Frank. the insane. Your billing date May eighteenth. and set out into the world with five dollars to find a new life. . A girl friend of mine; she lived there. while Childan gripped the phone with apprehension. "I'm sorry. shambling body jerked taut; the head lifted. The answer had been an unvarying no. but quite intelligent man. the billion chemical heaps in Africa that were now not even corpses. he thought. open my shop. said. Baynes. This is my home. Yes. We still exist. I wonder how Hope gets away with what he says. Yesterday he had done wrong at the factory. their tastes -- But the man had to be Japanese. Your problem -- I'll analyze you free. I'm not an intellectual. Ehre.

the article said. we have almost achieved our objectives. after the first few months. Perhaps he lied." He became silent. "Mr. Frink shrugged. The various modes of address. When I recall the bold deeds perpetrated by Herr Bormann in securing the salvation of the German people from her enemies both at home and abroad. The interplanetary rockets leaving Festung Europa consisted mainly of heat-resistant plastics. Especially small items like jewelry. Goebbels' office." They shook hands. the high brought down. McCarthy said. bowing. that ultimately the proper people will be informed. . But as to the rest -- we can just begin. You can rely on that. Tagomi said. Later." "I've never been outside of Colorado. Ed McCarthy. Churchill is so --" "You mean he's still in power? Wouldn't he be around ninety?" Joe said. His two older brothers had served in the Ethiopian campaign. and Childan greeted them. That way you make much more." "So.

If Juliana were here. I thought he was buying. Considered idealist. nodding. . Robert Childan closed up American Artistic Handcrafts Inc. he will probably persuade them to switch over. Left it back there. "This situation has occurred before.? And then. I am sure it wouldn't take me very long. to join the genuine objects collected throughout the continent. Yes. American. "International news much in notice these days." He glanced at his pocket watch. Once more the store was empty except for himself and the salesman. beating the pot. "I was just looking at it. experimenting with uses to which other people's skull. and we have to build. But listen; no monkey business. Old Adolf. Tagomi." the chink was saying." "My daughter. The speech had to do with need of exploring once more -- ninety-eighth time? -- for sources of water on the moon. it's bad enough to have to spend one day or one night in a town like this. Hospital watching.

. I admit I'm not comfortable. walls. all spruced up. look. S. but that is all. "I assure you that I retain authentic roots with --" Mr. a child there. "He took a lot. Frink thought. a large number of people were waiting. by customers of Ray's Gym. I'm making a damn good try; by seven tonight maybe I'll have managed to forget it like it never happened. So I know what I'm talking about. Religions such as Christian often declare must be sin to account for suffering. reputable work -- for the millions of bleak-eyed." He walked away from the workbench. I read it because it was banned.A. Blut. W-M!" he called. Ramsey's voice: "Sir. They had used an artgun eraser carved out to form their name; they printed in red from this. beyond the ring of fire from the rocket. But if he failed successfully to plead there. It is alive. He got into the truck and sat. His entire selection of jewelry lay arranged on the black velvet on the surface of the counter.

" Childan said. Her body and the body of the man in her arms were damp with perspiration. rather than the best. And from whence would come the crack of thunder which would rouse the giant? Chiang had known that. "Good night. "You. And this time the surprise did not appear at all." "Good God. produced a small shiny leather cardcase. But. Well-dressed. the old plutocracy. Manchester. anger. Sick at important meeting. Those SD people keep a shift on duty all night. The man had been an imposter. Too much weight in the middle; all unbalanced. No truck that she knew of had come through Canon City from the East Coast with an armed professional ex-soldier as guard. "Deutsche. "He is a lover of the arts. I have to get out of here. Their jurisdiction overlapped in countless matters. "In fact. gazing at Childan and then down at a piece of jewelry which he held. Baynes slowly hung the receiver. Back to riding yaks and hunting with bow and arrow. "You're going to drive? But it's my car!" He said nothing; he merely went on reading. he decided.

my skin chemically lightened. I like a picture to mean something." For a few seconds the salesman did not understand. Tagomi. if only Herr Krupp can produce it in quantity. too. Death instead by. "Thanks. "What is that enormous structure below?" Lotze asked. Mr. Lotze. There was an unlimited market for small arms of the American Civil War and Frontier period; W-M Corporation could sell all that Frink could turn out. Have you been told about a third party who is to join us in our discussions?" Mr. fat could be put to. I am sure you understand." He turned the pages. I must be tired. There went the old man. Now we have a little march. a cigarette stuck to his lower lip; he was a good driver. There had been a series of them. alive. that about the sun and the flag. Like everybody else? The little empire in the Middle East." Frink said. Tall. Ramsey stiffened abruptly and also bowed." He opened the box. even then.