Американские боги

           Hewasasmallman,thekindoflittleoldmanwholookedasifthepassingoftheyearshadshrunkhim,eatinganenormous,many-scoopedice-creamsundae,drinkingasupersizedmugofcoffee.Ablackcigarillowasburningintheashtrayinfrontofhim.

           "Threecoffees,"saidWednesdaytoShadow.Hewenttotherestroom.

           ShadowboughtthecoffeesandtookthemovertoCzernobog,whowassittingwiththeoldblackman,andwassmokingacigarettesurreptitiously,asifhewerescaredofbeingcaught.Theotherman,happilytoyingwithhissundae,mostlyignoredhiscigarillo,butasShadowapproachedhepickeditup,inhaleddeeply,andblewtwosmokerings—firstonelargeone,thenanother,smallerone,whichpassedneatlythroughthefirst—andhegrinned,asifhewereastonishinglypleasedwithhimself.

           "Shadow,thisisMisterNancy,"saidCzernobog.

           Theoldmangottohisfeet,andthrustouthisyellow-glovedrighthand."Goodtomeetyou,"hesaidwithadazzlingsmile."Iknowwhoyoumustbe.You’reworkingfortheoldone-eyebastard,aren’tyou?"Therewasafainttwanginhisvoice,ahintofapatoisthatmighthavebeenWestIndian.

           "IworkforMisterWednesday,"saidShadow."Yes.Please,sitdown."

           Czernoboginhaledonhiscigarette.