Американские боги

           "Hereachesoutapaw-likehandandshakestheotherman’swell-manicuredhand.Thenhewalksaway.

           Thethinwaitresscomesover,puzzled:there’snowonlyonemanatthecornertable,asharplydressedmanwithdarkhairinacharcoal-graysuit."Youdoingokay?"sheasks."Isyourfriendcomingback?"

           Themanwiththedarkhairsighs,andexplainsthathisfriendwon’tbecomingback,andthusshewon’tbepaidforhertime,orforhertrouble.Andthen,seeingthehurtinhereyes,andtakingpityonher,heexaminesthegoldenthreadsinhismind,watchesthematrix,followsthemoneyuntilhespotsanode,andtellsherthatifshe’soutsideTreasureIslandat6:00A.M.,thirtyminutesaftershegetsoffwork,she’llmeetanoncologistfromDenverwhowilljusthavewon$40,000atacrapstable,andwillneedamentor,apartner,someonetohelphimdisposeofitallintheforty-eighthoursbeforehegetsontheplanehome.

           Thewordsevaporateinthewaitress’smind,buttheyleaveherhappy.Shesighsandnotesthattheguysinthecornerhavedonearunner,andhavenoteventippedher;anditoccurstoherthat,insteadofdrivingstraighthomewhenshegetsoffshift,she’sgoingtodriveovertoTreasureIsland;butshewouldnever,ifyouaskedher,beabletotellyouwhy.

           Sowhowasthatguyyouwereseeing?"askedShadowastheywalkedbackdowntheLasVegasconcourse.Therewereslotmachinesintheairport.