Американские боги
Chapter 10
Onceeveryhourapirateshipsinksamano’war.
Themaninthecharcoalsuitamblescomfortablyalongthesidewalk,feelingtheflowofthemoneythroughthetown.Inthesummerthestreetsarebaking,andeachstoredoorwayhepassesbreatheswintryA/Coutintothesweatywarmthandchillsthesweatonhisface.Now,inthedesertwinter,there’sadrycold,whichheappreciates.Inhismindthemovementofmoneyformsafinelattice-work,athree-dimensionalcat’s-cradleoflightandmotion.Whathefindsattractiveaboutthisdesertcityisthespeedofmovement,thewaythemoneymovesfromplacetoplaceandhandtohand:it’sarushforhim,ahigh,anditpullshimlikeanaddicttothestreet.
Ataxifollowshimslowlydownthestreet,keepingitsdistance.Hedoesnotnoticeit;itdoesnotoccurtohimtonoticeit:heissorarelynoticedhimselfthathefindstheconceptthathecouldbebeingfollowedalmostinconceivable.
It’sfourinthemorning,andhefindshimselfdrawntoahotelandcasinothathasbeenoutofstyleforthirtyyears,stillrunninguntiltomorroworsixmonthsfromnowwhenthey’llimplodeitandknockitdownandbuildapleasurepalacewhereitwas,andforgetitforever.Nobodyknowshim,nobodyremembershim,butthelobbybaristackyandquiet,andtheairisbluewitholdcigarettesmokeandsomeone’sabouttodropseveralmilliondollarsonapokergameinaprivateroomupstairs.
