Американские боги

           "

           "AndwouldIhavewantedtoemploysomeonewhocouldnotevenbestasadcaselikethatinabarfight?Butneverfear,you’verepaidmyfaithinyouadozentimesover.HaveyoueverbeentoLasVegas?"

           "LasVegas,Nevada?"

           "That’stheone."

           "No."

           "We’reflyingintherefromMadisonlatertonight,onagentleman’sred-eye,acharterplaneforHighRollers.I’veconvincedthemthatweshouldbeonit."

           "Don’tyouevergettiredoflying?"askedShadow.Hesaiditgently,curiously.

           "Notintheslightest.Anyway,it’strue.Weareplayingforthehigheststakesofall.Itshouldn’ttakeusmorethanacoupleofhourstogettoMadison,theroadsareclear.Solockyourdoorandturnofftheheaters.Itwouldbeaterriblethingifyouburneddownthehouseinyourabsence."

           "WhoarewegoingtoseeinLasVegas?"

           Wednesdaytoldhim.

           Shadowturnedofftheheaters,packedsomeclothesintoanovernightbag,thenturnedbacktoWednesdayandsaid,"Look,Ifeelkindofstupid.Iknowyoujusttoldmewhowe’regoingtosee,butIdunno.Ijusthadabrain-fartorsomething.It’sgone.Whoisitagain?"

           Wednesdaytoldhimoncemore.

           ThistimeShadowalmosthadit.Thenamewasthereonthetipofhismind.Hewishedhe’dbeenpayingcloserattentionwhenWednesdaytoldhim.Heletitgo.