Американские боги

           Wednesdaysatatthecomputerterminal,composingaletter,and,withtheclerk’shelp,makingseverallarge-sizedsigns.

           Snow,thoughtShadow.Highintheatmosphere,perfect,tinycrystalsthatformaboutaminutepieceofdust,eachalace-likeworkofunique,six-sidedfractalart.Andthesnowcrystalsclumptogetherintoflakesastheyfall,coveringChicagointheirwhiteplenty,inchuponinch…

           "Here,"saidWednesday.HehandedShadowacupofKinko’scoffee,ahalf-dissolvedlumpofnon-dairycreamerpowderfloatingonthetop."Ithinkthat’senough,don’tyou?"

           "Enoughwhat?"

           "Enoughsnow.Don’twanttoimmobilizethecity,dowe?"

           Theskywasauniformbattleshipgray.Snowwascoming.Yes.

           "Ididn’treallydothat?"saidShadow."Imean,Ididn’t.DidI?"

           "Drinkthecoffee,"saidWednesday."It’sfoulstuff,butitwilleasetheheadache."Thenhesaid,"Goodwork."

           WednesdaypaidtheKinko’sclerk,andhecarriedhissignsandlettersandcardsoutsidetothecar.Heopenedthetrunkofhiscar,putthepapersinalargeblackmetalcaseofthekindcarriedbypayrollguards,andclosedthetrunk.HepassedShadowabusinesscard.

           "Who,"saidShadow,"isA.Haddock,DirectorofSecurity,A1SecurityServices?"

           "Youare."

           "A.Haddock?"

           "Yes.