Американские боги

           Inadarkredroom-thecolorofthewallsisclosetothatofrawliver-isatallwomandressedcartoonishlyintoo-tightsilkshorts,herbr**stspulledupandpushedforwardbytheyellowblousetiedbeneaththem.Herblackhairispiledhighandknottedontopofherhead.StandingbesideherisashortmanwearinganoliveT-shirtandexpensivebluejeans.Heisholding,inhisrighthand,awalletandaNokiamobilephonewithared-white-and-bluefaceplate.

           Theredroomcontainsabed,uponwhicharewhitesatin-stylesheetsandanoxbloodbedspread.Atthefootofthebedisasmallwoodentable,uponwhichisasmallstonestatueofawomanwithenormouships,andacandleholder.Thewomanhandsthemanasmallredcandle."Here,"shesays."Lightit."

           "Me?"

           "Yes,"shesays."Ifyouwanttohaveme."

           "Ishouldajustgotyoutosuckmeoffinthecar."

           "Perhaps,"shesays."Don’tyouwantme?"Herhandrunsupherbodyfromthightobreast,agestureofpresentation,asifsheweredemonstratinganewproduct.

           Redsilkscarvesoverthelampinthecorneroftheroommakethelightred.

           Themanlooksatherhungrily,thenhetakesthecandlefromherandpushesitintothecandleholder."Yougotalight?"

           Shepasseshimabookofmatches.Hetearsoffamatch,lightsthewick:itflickersandthenburnswithasteadyflame,whichgivestheillusionofmotiontothefacelessstatuebesideit,allh*psandbr**sts.

           "Putthemoneybeneaththestatue."

           "Fiftybucks."

           "Yes,"shesays."Now,comeloveme."

           HeunbuttonshisbluejeansandremoveshisoliveT-shirt.