Американские боги

           ’Andhewentbacktothegame."Darkeyesstareatthemaninthelightgraysuitdistrustfully.Themaninthecharcoalsuitsayssomethinginreply.Themaninthelightsuit,whohasagrayingreddishbeard,shakeshishead.

           "Look,"hesays,"I’msorryaboutwhatwentdowninWisconsin.ButIgotyoualloutsafely,didn’tI?Noonewashurt."

           ThemaninthedarksuitsipshisLaphroaigandwater,savoringthemarshytaste,thebody-in-the-bogqualityofthewhisky.Heasksaquestion.

           "Idon’tknow.Everything’smovingfasterthanIexpected.Everyone’sgotahard-onforthekidIhiredtorunerrands—I’vegothimoutside,waitinginthetaxi.Areyoustillin?"

           Themaninthedarksuitreplies.

           Thebeardedmanshakeshishead."She’snotbeenseenfortwohundredyears.Ifsheisn’tdeadshe’stakenherselfoutofthepicture."

           Somethingelseissaid.

           "Look,"saysthebeardedman,knockingbackhisJackDaniel’s."Youcomein,betherewhenweneedyou,andI’lltakecareofyou.Whaddayouwant?Soma?IcangetyouabottleofSoma.Therealstuff."

           Themaninthedarksuitstares.Thenhenodshishead,reluctantly,andmakesacomment.

           "OfcourseIam,"saysthebeardedman,smilinglikeaknife."Whatdoyouexpect?Butlookatitthisway:it’stheonlygameintown.