The Man In The High Castle

Frank visits his former employers. Before he can ask them to rehire him, Mr. Wyndam-Matson claims that he has already "hired someone to take your place" (30). As he collects his tools, Frank is approached by his former foreman, Ed McCarthy. Ed explains that he admires Frank's attitude and skillset; he believes they could go into the jewelry manufacturing business. The Wyndam-Matson Corporation covertly manufactures "forgeries of pre-war American artifacts" (31) that are sold in shops like Childan’s, who Ed believes will buy authentic, American-made jewelry. The Japanese are fascinated by such items and make the counterfeit industry very lucrative. Frank—who specializes in making "small arms of the American Civil War and Frontier period" (31)—thinks about Ed's proposal while consulting the I Ching in the lounge at the factory. When the I Ching suggests that a new business venture would be a positive move but warns that "the hour of doom is at hand" (33), Frank is puzzled. He wonders whether the terrible future might be another world war and "civilization wiped out" (33). He decides to accept Ed's proposal. Ed invites Frank to dinner as he has a plan to obtain the funds they will need to start the business.