Американские боги
Chapter 7
WhatwasSalimdoingwiththeirmoney,livinglikeasultaninAmerica?Salimreadthefaxinhisroom(whichhasalwaysbeentoohotandstifling,solastnightheopenedawindow,andwasnowtoocold)andsatthereforatime,hisfacefrozenintoanexpressionofcompletemisery.
ThenSalimwalkeddowntown,holdinghissamplecaseasifitcontaineddiamondsandrubies,trudgingthroughthecoldforblockafterblockuntil,onBroadwayandNineteenthStreet,hefindsasquatbuildingoveraLaundromatandwalksupthestairstothefourthfloor,totheofficeofPanglobalImports.
Theofficeisdingy,butheknowsthatPanglobalhandlesalmosthalfoftheornamentalsouvenirsthatentertheU.S.fromtheFarEast.Arealorder,asignificantorder,fromPanglobalcouldredeemSalim’sjourney,couldmakethedifferencebetweenfailureandsuccess,soSalimsitsonanuncomfortablewoodenchairinanouteroffice,hissamplecasebalancedonhislap,staringatthemiddle-agedwomanwithherhairdyedtoobrightaredwhositsbehindthedesk,blowinghernoseonKleenexafterKleenex.Aftersheblowshernoseshewipesit,anddropstheKleenexintothetrash.
Salimgotthereat10:30A.M.,halfanhourbeforehisappointment.Nowhesitsthere,flushedandshivering,wonderingifheisrunningafever.Thetimeticksbysoslowly.
Salimlooksathiswatch.Thenheclearshisthroat.
Thewomanbehindthedeskglaresathim."Yes?"shesays.ItsoundslikeYed.
