Американские боги

           "

           "Youmeanthecopsaremoresuspiciousat4:30inthemorning?"

           "Notatall.Butthebouncersare.Andthingscangetawkward."

           Heflickedthroughasheafoffifties,addedasmallerstackoftwenties,weighedtheminhishand,thenpassedthemovertoShadow."Here,"hesaid."Yourfirstweek’swages."

           Shadowpocketedthemoneywithoutcountingit."So,that’swhatyoudo?"heasked."Tomakemoney?"

           "Rarely.Onlywhenagreatdealofcashisneededfast.Onthewhole,Imakemymoneyfrompeoplewhoneverknowthey’vebeentaken,andwhonevercomplain,andwhowillfrequentlylineuptobetakenwhenIcomebackthatwayagain."

           "ThatSweeneyguysaidyouwereahustler."

           "Hewasright.ButthatistheleastofwhatIam.AndtheleastofwhatIneedyoufor,Shadow."

           Snowspunthroughtheirheadlightsandintothewindshieldastheydrovethroughthedarkness.Theeffectwasalmosthypnotic.

           "Thisistheonlycountryintheworld,"saidWednesday,intothestillness,"thatworriesaboutwhatitis."

           "What?"

           "Therestofthemknowwhattheyare.NooneeverneedstogosearchingfortheheartofNorway.OrlooksforthesoulofMozambique.Theyknowwhattheyare."

           "And…?"

           "Justthinkingoutloud.