Американские боги

           Hetippedtheglassofstickycoinsintohisjacketpocket,andthentappedthepockettoshow,unmistakably,thatitwasempty.

           "There,"hesaid."That’sacointrickforyou."

           Shadow,whohadbeenwatchingclosely,puthisheadononeside."Ineedtoknowhowyoudidit."

           "Ididit,"saidSweeney,withtheairofoneconfidingahugesecret,"withpanacheandstyle.That’showIdidit."Helaughed,silently,rockingonhisheels,hisgappyteethbared.

           "Yes,"saidShadow."Thatishowyoudidit.You’vegottoteachme.AllthewaysofdoingtheMiser’sDreamthatI’veread,you’dbehidingthecoinsinthehandthatholdstheglass,anddroppingtheminwhileyouproduceandvanishthecoininyourrighthand."

           "Soundslikeahellofalotofworktome,"saidMadSweeney."It’seasierjusttopickthemoutoftheair."

           Wednesdaysaid,"Meadforyou,Shadow.I’llstickwithMisterJackDaniel’s,andforthefreeloadingIrishman...?"

           "Abottledbeer,somethingdarkforpreference,"saidSweeney."Freeloader,isit?"Hepickedupwhatwasleftofhisdrink,andraisedittoWednesdayinatoast."Maythestormpassoverus,andleaveushaleandunharmed,"hesaid,andknockedthedrinkback.

           "Afinetoast,"saidWednesday."Butitwon’t."

           AnothermeadwasplacedinfrontofShadow.

           "DoIhavetodrinkthis?"

           "I’mafraidyoudo.Itsealsourdeal.Thirdtime’sthecharm,eh?"

           "Shit,"saidShadow.Heswallowedthemeadintwolargegulps.Thepickled-honeytastefilledhismouth.

           "There,"saidMr.Wednesday."You’remyman,now."