Американские боги
Chapter 7
Salimcontemplatesthelong,coldwalkbacktotheForty-sixthStreethotel,andtheweightofthesamplecase,thenhestepstotheedgeofthesidewalkandwavesateveryyellowcabthatapproaches,whetherthelightontopisonoroff,andeverycabdrivespasthim.
Oneofthemacceleratesasitpasses;awheeldivesintoawater-filledpothole,sprayingfreezingmuddywateroverSalim’spantsandcoat.Foramoment,hecontemplatesthrowinghimselfinfrontofoneofthelumberingcars,andthenherealizesthathisbrother-in-lawwouldbemoreconcernedwiththefateofthesamplecasethanthatofSalimhimself,andthathewouldbringgrieftonoonebuthisbelovedsister,Fuad’swife(forSalimhadalwaysbeenaslightembarrassmenttohisfatherandmother,andhisromanticencountershadalways,ofnecessity,beenbothbriefandrelativelyanonymous):also,hedoubtsthatanyofthecarsisgoingfastenoughactuallytoendhislife.
Abatteredyellowtaxidrawsupbesidehimand,gratefultobeabletoabandonhistrainofthought,Salimgetsin.
Thebackseatispatchedwithgrayducttape;thehalf-openPlexiglasbarrieriscoveredwithnoticeswarninghimnottosmoke,tellinghimhowmuchtopaytothevariousairports.Therecordedvoiceofsomebodyfamoushehasneverheardoftellshimtoremembertowearhisseatbelt.
"TheParamountHotel,please,"saysSalim.
Thecabdrivergrunts,andpullsawayfromthecurb,intothetraffic.
