Американские боги

           Andhere,inthesanctumsanctorum,therearethethreemenwhocountthemoney,andtherearetheguardswhowatchandwhobringmoneyandtakeitaway;andthenthereisanotherperson.Hischarcoal-graysuitisimmaculate,hishairisdark,heisclean-shaven,andhisface,andhisdemeanor,are,ineverysense,forgettable.Noneoftheothermenhasevenobservedthatheisthere,oriftheyhavenoticedhim,theyhaveforgottenhimontheinstant.

           Astheshiftendsthedoorsareopened,andthemaninthecharcoalsuitleavestheroomandwalks,withtheguards,throughthecorridors,theirfeetshushingalongthemonogrammedcarpets.Themoney,instrongboxes,iswheeledtoaninteriorloadingbay,whereitisloadedintoarmoredcars.Astherampdoorswingsopen,toallowthearmoredcaroutontotheearlystreetsofLasVegas,themaninthecharcoalsuitwalks,unnoticed,throughthedoorway,andsauntersuptheramp,outontothesidewalk.HedoesnotevenglanceuptoseetheimitationofNewYorkonhisleft.

           LasVegashasbecomeachild’spicturebookdreamofacity—hereastorybookcastle,thereasphinx-flankedblackpyramidbeamingwhitelightintothedarknessasalandingbeamforUFOs,andeverywhereneonoraclesandtwistingscreenspredicthappinessandgoodfortune,announcesingersandcomediansandmagiciansinresidenceorontheirway,andthelightsalwaysflashandbeckonandcall.Onceeveryhouravolcanoeruptsinlightandflame.