Американские боги

           Itsaidnothingelseastheywentthroughthewoodlandtogether,theravenintheleadandflyingfromtreetotree,themanstompingheavilythroughtheundergrowthtryingtocatchup.

           Theskywasauniformgray.Itwasalmostmidday.

           Inhalfanhourtheyreachedablacktoproadontheedgeofatown,andtheravenflewbackintothewood.ShadowobservedaCulver’sFrozenCustardButterBurgerssign,and,nexttoit,agasstation.HewentintotheCulver’s,whichwasemptyofcustomers.Therewasakeenyoungmanwithashavenheadbehindthecashregister.ShadoworderedtwoButterBurgersandfrenchfries.Thenhewentintotherestroomtocleanup.Helookedarealmess.Hedidaninventoryofthecontentsofhispockets:hehadafewcoins,includingthesilverLibertydollar,adisposabletoothbrushandtoothpaste,threeSnickersbars,fivechemicalheaterpads,awallet(withnothingmoreinitthanhisdriver’slicenseandacreditcard—hewonderedhowmuchlongerthecreditcardhadtolive),andinthecoat’sinsidepocket,athousanddollarsinfiftiesandtwenties,histakefromyesterday’sbankjob.Hewashedhisfaceandhandsinhotwater,slickeddownhisdarkhair,thenwentbackintotherestaurantandatehisburgersandfries,anddrankhiscoffee.

           Hewentbacktothecounter."Youwantfrozencustard?"askedthekeenyoungman.

           "No.Nothanks.IsthereanywherearoundhereIcouldrentacar?Mycardied,backdowntheroadaway.