Американские боги

           Theplaneseemedprettyfull,ashemadehiswaydowntowardtheback.Actually,Shadowfound,itwascompletelyfull,andtherewasamiddle-agedwomansittinginseat17D.Shadowshowedherhisboardingcardstub,andsheshowedhimhers:theymatched.

           "Canyoutakeyourseat,please?"askedtheflightattendant.

           "No,"hesaid,"I’mafraidIcan’t."

           Sheclickedhertongueandcheckedtheirboardingcards,thensheledhimbackuptothefrontoftheplaneandpointedhimtotheemptyseatinfirstclass."Lookslikeit’syourluckyday,"shetoldhim."CanIbringyousomethingtodrink?We’lljusthavetimebeforewetakeoff.AndI’msureyouneedoneafterthat."

           "I’dlikeabeer,please,"saidShadow."Whateveryou’vegot."

           Theflightattendantwentaway.

           ThemaninthepalesuitintheseatbesideShadowtappedhiswatchwithhisfingernail.ItwasablackRolex."You’relate,"saidtheman,andhegrinnedahugegrinwithnowarmthinitatall.

           "Sorry?"

           "Isaid,you’relate."

           TheflightattendanthandedShadowaglassofbeer.

           Foronemoment,hewonderedifthemanwascrazy,andthenhedecidedhemusthavebeenreferringtotheplane,waitingforonelastpassenger."SorryifIheldyouup,"hesaid,politely."Youinahurry?"

           Theplanebackedawayfromthegate.TheflightattendantcamebackandtookawayShadow’sbeer.Themaninthepalesuitgrinnedatherandsaid,"Don’tworry,I’llholdontothistightly,"andshelethimkeephisglassofJackDaniel’s,whileprotesting,weakly,thatitviolatedairlineregulations.