Американские боги
Chapter 8
Folkswanttothinkthey’regoingtoafamilyconcern,somewherethey’llbetreatedwithrespectbysomeonewho’lltiphishattothemifheseestheminthestreet."
Mr.Ibisworeahat.Itwasasoberbrownhatthatmatchedhissoberbrownblazerandhissoberbrownface.Smallgold-rimmedglassesperchedonhisnose.InShadow’smemoryMr.Ibiswasashortman;wheneverhewouldstandbesidehim,ShadowwouldrediscoverthatMr.Ibiswaswelloversixfeetinheight,withacrane-likestoop.
"Sowhenthebigcompaniescomeintheybuythenameofthecompany,theypaythefuneraldirectorstostayon,theycreatetheapparencyofdiversity.Butthatismerelythetipofthegravestone.Inreality,theyareaslocalasBurgerKing.Now,forourownreasons,wearetrulyanindependent.Wedoallourownembalming,andit’sthefinestembalminginthecountry,althoughnobodyknowsitbutus.Wedon’tdocremations,though.Wecouldmakemoremoneyifwehadourowncrematorium,butitgoesagainstwhatwe’regoodat.Whatmybusinesspartnersaysis,iftheLordgivesyouatalentoraskill,youhaveanobligationtouseitasbestyoucan.Don’tyouagree?"
"Soundsgoodtome,"saidShadow.
"TheLordgavemybusinesspartnerdominionoverthedead,justashegavemeskillwithwords.Finethings,words.Iwritebooksoftales,youknow.Nothingliterary.Justformyownamusement.Accountsoflives."Hepaused.
