Американские боги

           Hetookoutatobaccopouchandpapersfromthepocketofhisdenimjacketandbegantorollhimselfanothercigarette.Hisbeardbristledandhismouthmovedashedidthis,althoughnowordsweresaidaloud.Helickedtheadhesivesideofthecigarettepaperandrolleditbetweenhisfingers.Theresultlookedonlydistantlylikeacigarette.Thenhesaid,"’Mnotatroll.Shit.Thosebastards’refuckenmean."

           "Iknowyou’renotatroll,Sweeney,"saidShadow,gently,hopingthathedidnotsoundasifhewerepatronizingtheman."HowcanIhelpyou?"

           MadSweeneyflickedhisZippo,andthefirstinchofhiscigaretteflamedandthensubsidedtoash."YourememberIshowedyouhowtogetacoin?Youremember?"

           "Yes,"saidShadow.Hesawthegoldcoininhismind’seye,watchedittumbleintoLaura’scasket,sawitglitteraroundherneck."Iremember."

           "Youtookthewrongcoin,man."

           Acarapproachedthegloombeneaththebridge,blindingthemwithitslights.Itslowedasitpassedthem,thenstopped,andawindowsliddown."Everythingokayhere,gentlemen?"

           "Everything’sjustpeachythankyou,officer,"saidShadow."Justoutforamorningwalk.""Okaynow,"saidthecop.Hedidnotlookasifhebelievedthateverythingwasokay.Hewaited.ShadowputahandonMadSweeney’sshoulder,andwalkedhimforward,outoftown,awayfromthepolicecar.