Американские боги

           Dotheylooklikeme?"

           Shadowshrugged.He’dseenblackguyswholookedlikeMr.Ibis.He’dseenwhiteguyswithtanswholookedlikeMr.Ibis.

           "Howwasyourcoffee-cake?"askedthewaitress,refillingtheircoffees.

           "BestIeverhad,"saidMr.Ibis."Yougivemybesttoyourma."

           "I’lldothat,"shesaid,andbustledaway.

           "Youdon’twanttoaskafterthehealthofanyone,ifyou’reafuneraldirector.Theythinkmaybeyou’rescoutingforbusiness,"saidMr.Ibis,inanundertone."Shallweseeifyourroomisready?"

           Theirbreathsteamedinthenightair.Christmaslightstwinkledinthewindowsofthestorestheypassed."It’sgoodofyou,puttingmeup,"saidShadow."Iappreciateit."

           "Weoweyouremployeranumberoffavors.AndLordknows,wehavetheroom.It’sabigoldhouse.Thereusedtobemoreofus,youknow.Nowit’sjustthethreeofus.Youwon’tbeintheway."

           "AnyideahowlongI’mmeanttostaywithyou?"

           Mr.Ibisshookhishead."Hedidn’tsay.Butwearehappytohaveyouhere,andwecanfindyouwork.Ifyouarenotsqueamish.Ifyoutreatthedeadwithrespect."

           "So,"askedShadow,"whatareyoupeopledoinghereinCairo?Wasitjustthenameorsomething?"

           "No.Notatall.Actuallythisregiontakesitsnamesfromus,althoughpeoplebarelyknowit.