Американские боги

           Hefindsitconfusing,claustrophobic,expensive,alien.

           FuadisSalim’ssister’shusband.Heisnotarichman,butheistheco-ownerofasmalltrinketfactory,makingknickknacksfromcopper,broochesandringsandbraceletsandstatues.Everythingismadeforexport,tootherArabcountries,toEurope,toAmerica.

           SalimhasbeenworkingforFuadforsixmonths.Fuadscareshimalittle.ThetoneofFuad’sfaxesisbecomingharsher.Intheevening,Salimsitsinhishotelroom,readinghisQur’an,tellinghimselfthatthiswillpass,thathisstayinthisstrangeworldislimitedandfinite.Hisbrother-in-lawgavehimathousanddollarsformiscellaneoustravelingexpensesandthemoney,whichseemedsohugeasumwhenfirsthesawit,isevaporatingfasterthanSalimcanbelieve.Whenhefirstarrived,scaredofbeingseenasacheapArab,hetippedeveryone,handingextradollarbillstoeveryoneheencountered;andthenhedecidedthathewasbeingtakenadvantageof,thatperhapstheywereevenlaughingathim,andhestoppedtippingentirely.

           Onhisfirstandonlyjourneybysubwayhegotlostandconfused,andmissedhisappointment;nowhetakestaxisonlywhenhehasto,andtherestofthetimehewalks.