The Simulacra

by Philip K. Dick

“Is your Ganymedean creature too pure for what I have to say?” The smile was empty of warmth, now; it was fixed starkly in place. Nat said, “I’m a Jew, Mr. Goltz. So it’s hard for me to look on neo-Naziism with much enthusiasm.” After a pause Goltz said, “I’m a Jew, too, Mr. Flieger. Or more properly, an Israeli. Look it up. It’s in the records. Any good newspaper or media news morgue can tell you that.” Nat stared at him. “Our enemy, yours and mine,” Goltz said, “is the der Alte system. They’re the real inheritors of the Nazi past. Think about that. They, and the cartels. A.G. Chemie, Karp und Sohnen Werke . . . didn’t you know that? Where have you been, Flieger? Haven’t you been listening?” After an interval Nat said, “I’ve been listening. But I haven’t been very much convinced.” “I’ll tell you something, then,” Goltz said. “Nicole and the people around her, our Mutter, is going to make use of von Lessinger’s time travel principle to make contact with the Third Reich, with Hermann Goering, as a matter of fact. They’ll be doing it soon. Does this surprise you?” “I’ve—heard rumors.” Nat shrugged. “You’re not a Ge,” Goltz said. “You’re like me, Flieger, me and my people. You’re forever on the outside. We’re not even supposed to hear rumors. There shouldn’t have been a leak. But we Bes are not going to take it—do you agree? Bringing Fat Hermann from the past into our time is just too much, wouldn’t you say?” He studied Nat’s face, waiting for his reaction. Presently Nat said...