Американские боги

           I’mnolongeryoungasIwas,butIcantellyouthis,youneversaynototheopportunitytopiss,toeat,ortogethalfanhour’sshut-eye.Youfollowme?"

           "Yes.ButI’mreallynothungry."

           "You’reabigone,"saidNancy,staringintoShadow’slight-grayeyeswitholdeyesthecolorofmahogany,"atalldrinkofwater,butIgottotellyou,youdon’tlooktoobright.Igotason,stupidasamanwhoboughthisstupidatatwo-for-onesale,andyouremindmeofhim."

           "Ifyoudon’tmind,I’lltakethatasacompliment,"saidShadow.

           "Beingcalleddumbasamanwhosleptlatethemornin’theyhandedoutbrains?"

           "Beingcomparedtoamemberofyourfamily."

           Mr.Nancystubbedouthiscigarillo,thenheflickedanimaginaryspeckofashoffhisyellowgloves."Youmaynotbetheworstchoiceoldone-eyecouldhavemade,cometothat."HelookedupatWednesday."Yougotanyideahowmanyofusthere’sgoin’tobeheretonight?"

           "IsentthemessageouttoeveryoneIcouldfind,"saidWednesday."Obviouslynoteveryoneisgoingtobeabletocome.Andsomeofthem,"hesaidwithapointedlookatCzernobog,"mightnotwantto.ButIthinkwecanconfidentlyexpectseveraldozenofus.Andthewordwilltravel.