Американские боги

           "Excuseme,"saysSalim,"butcanyouperhapscallMisterBlandingandtellhimthatIamstillwaiting?"

           Shelooksupathimasifsurprisedtoseethatheisstillthere,asiftheyhavenotbeensittingfivefeetapartfortwoandahalfhours."He’satlunch,"shesays.He’daddudge.

           Salimknows,knowsdeepdowninhisgut,thatBlandingwasthemanwiththeunlitcigar."Whenwillhebeback?"

           Sheshrugs,takesabiteofhersandwich."He’sbusywithappointmentsfortherestoftheday,"shesays.He’dbiddywidabboidmedsfortheredobtheday.

           "Willheseeme,then,whenhecomesback?"asksSalim.

           Sheshrugs,andblowshernose.

           Salimishungry,increasinglyso,andfrustrated,andpowerless.

           Atthreeo’clockthewomanlooksathimandsays,"Hewodebegubbigbag."

           "Excuse?"

           "BidderBladdig.Hewodebegubbigbagtoday."

           "CanImakeanappointmentfortomorrow?"

           Shewipeshernose."Youhabtoteddephode.Appoidbedsodlybyteddephode."

           "Isee,"saysSalim.Andthenhesmiles:asalesman,FuadhadtoldhimmanytimesbeforeheleftMuscat,isnakedinAmericawithouthissmile."TomorrowIwilltelephone,"hesays.Hetakeshissamplecase,andhewalksdownthemanystairstothestreet,wherethefreezingrainisturningtosleet.