philip_k_dick_-_the_man_in_the_high_castle

'Yes,' Mr. Tagomi said. 'They will usher him in directly he arrives.' He made a mental note to tell
Mr. Ramsey; as yet he had not gotten around to it. Are we not to begin discussions, then, until the
old gentleman puts in his appearance? He felt dismay. 'Sir,' he began. 'I am anxious to begin. Are
you about to present your injection molds to us? Although we have been in confusion today — '
'There has been a change,' Mr. Baynes said. 'We'll wait for Mr. Yatabe. 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. Please exert
yourself, Mr. Tagomi.' Mr. Baynes' voice sounded strained, jerky.
'I give you my word.' Now he, too, felt agitation. The Bormann death; that had caused the
change. 'Meanwhile,' he said rapidly, 'I would enjoy your company, perhaps at lunch today. I not
having had opportunity to have my lunch, yet.' Improvising, he continued. 'Although we will wait
on specifics, perhaps we could ruminate on general world conditions, in particular — '
'No,' Mr. Baynes said.
No? Mr. Tagomi thought. 'Sir,' he said, 'I am not well today. I had a grievous incident; it was my
hope to confide it to you.'
'I'm sorry,' Mr. Baynes said. 'I'll ring you back later.' The phone clicked. He had abruptly hung
up.
I offended him, Mr. Tagomi thought. He must have gathered correctly that I tardily failed to
inform my staff about the old gentleman. But it is a trifle; he pressed the intercom button and said,
'Mr. Ramsey, please come into my office.' I can correct that immediately. More is involved, he
decided. The Bormann death has shaken him.
A trifle — and yet indicative of my foolish and feckless attitude. Mr. Tagomi felt guilt. This is
not a good day. I should have consulted the oracle, discovered what Moment it is. I have drifted far
from the Tao; that is obvious.
Which of the sixty-four hexagrams, he wondered, am I laboring under? Opening his desk drawer
he brought out the I Ching and laid the two volumes on the desk. So much to ask the sages. So
many questions inside me which I can barely articulate. . .
When Mr. Ramsey entered the office, he had already obtained the hexagram. 'Look, Mr.
Ramsey.' He showed him the book.
The hexagram was Forty-Seven. Oppression — Exhaustion.
'A bad omen, generally,' Mr. Ramsey said. 'What is your question, sir? If I'm not offending you
to ask.'
'I inquired as to the Moment,' Mr. Tagomi said. 'The Moment for us all. No moving lines. A
static hexagram.' He shut the book.
At three o'clock that afternoon, Frank Frink, still waiting with his business partner for Wyndam-
Matson's decision about the money, decided to consult the oracle. How are things going to turn
out? he asked, and threw the coins.
The hexagram was Forty-seven. He obtained one moving line, Nine in the fifth place.
His nose and feet are cut off.
Oppression at the hands of the man with the purple knee bands.
Joy comes softly.
It furthers one to make offerings and libations.