Американские боги
Chapter 8
Mostofthesuckersouttherehavebarelygotthat.It’slikethefuneralbusiness—thebigguysaregoingtobuyyouuponeday,likeitornot,becausethey’rebiggerandmoreefficientandbecausetheywork.Fighting’snotgoingtochangeadamnedthing,becausewelostthisparticularbattlewhenwecametothisgreenlandahundredyearsagoorathousandortenthousand.WearrivedandAmericajustdidn’tcarethatwe’darrived.Sowegetboughtout,orwepresson,orwehittheroad.So,yes.You’reright.Thestorm’scoming."
Shadowturnedontothestreetwherethehouseswere,allbutoneofthem,dead,theirwindowsblindandboarded."Takethebackalley,"saidJacquel.
Hebackedthehearseupuntilitwasalmosttouchingthedoubledoorsattherearofthehouse.Ibisopenedthehearse,andthemortuarydoors,andShadowunbuckledthegurneyandpulleditout.Thewheeledsupportsrotatedanddroppedastheyclearedthebumper.Hewheeledthegurneytotheembalmingtable.HepickedupLilaGoodchild,cradlingherinheropaquebaglikeasleepingchild,andplacedhercarefullyonthetableinthechillymortuary,asifhewereafraidtowakeher.
"Youknow,Ihaveatransferboard,"saidJacquel."Youdon’thavetocarryher."
"Ain’tnothing,"saidShadow.HewasstartingtosoundmorelikeJacquel."I’mabigguy.Itdoesn’tbotherme."
AsakidShadowhadbeensmallforhisage,allelbowsandknees.
