Американские боги

           "

           "Sowhy’sshecallingmethere?"

           "Howthehellshouldyouknow?"

           Wednesdayputonapairoffadedpinkearmuffs.Heclosedthetrunk.Snowflakessettledonhisdarkbluecap,andonhisearmuffs.

           "HowdoIlook?"heasked.

           "Ludicrous,"saidShadow.

           "Ludicrous?"

           "Orgoofy,maybe,"saidShadow.

           "Mm.Goofyandludicrous.That’sgood."Wednesdaysmiled.Theearmuffsmadehimappear,atthesametime,reassuring,amusing,and,ultimately,loveable.Hestrodeacrossthestreetandwalkedalongtheblocktothebankbuilding,whileShadowwalkedintothesupermarkethallandwatched.

           WednesdaytapedalargeredOUTOFORDERnoticetotheATM.Heputaredribbonacrossthenightdepositslot,andhetapedaphotocopiedsignupaboveit.Shadowreaditwithamusement.

           FORYOURCONVENIENCE,itsaid,WEAREWORKINGTOMAKEONGOINGIMPROVEMENT’S.WEAPOLOGIZEFORTHETEMPORARYINCONVENIENCE.

           ThenWednesdayturnedaroundandfacedthestreet.Helookedcoldandput-upon.

           AyoungwomancameovertousetheATM.Wednesdayshookhishead,explainedthatitwasoutoforder.Shecursed,apologizedforcursing,andranoff.

           Acardrewup,andamangotoutholdingasmallgraysackandakey.