Американские боги

           Thereweretwomeninthebackseat:apeculiar-lookingyoungmanwhosenameShadowhadnotproperlycaught,butthoughtmightbeElvis,andanotherman,inadarksuit,whoShadowcouldnotremember.

           Hehadstoodbesidethemanashegotintothecar,hadopenedandclosedthedoorforhim,andwasunabletorememberanythingabouthim.Heturnedaroundinthedriver’sseatandlookedathim,carefullynotinghisface,hishair,hisclothes,makingcertainhewouldknowhimifhemethimagain,andturnedbacktostartthecar,tofindthatthemanhadslippedfromhismind.Animpressionofwealthwasleftbehind,butnothingmore.

           I’mtired,thoughtShadow.HeglancedtohisrightandsnuckaglanceattheIndianwoman.Henotedthetinysilvernecklaceofskullsthatcircledherneck,hercharmbraceletofheadsandhandsthatjangled,liketinybells,whenshemoved.Therewasadarkbluejewelonherforehead.Shesmelledofspices,ofcardamomandnutmegandflowers.Herhairwaspepper-and-salt,andshesmiledwhenshesawhimlookather.

           "YoucallmeMama-ji,"shesaid.

           "IamShadow,Mama-ji,"saidShadow.

           "Andwhatdoyouthinkofyouremployer’splans,MisterShadow?"

           Heslowed,asalargeblacktruckspedpast,overtakingthemwithasprayofslush."Idon’task,hedon’ttell,"hesaid.

           "Ifyouaskme,hewantsalaststand.Hewantsustogooutinablazeofglory.That’swhathewants.