Американские боги

           "So,"saidSweeney,"youwanttoknowthetrickofhowit’sdone?"

           "Yes,"saidShadow."Wereyouloadingtheminyoursleeve?"

           "Theywereneverinmysleeve,"saidSweeney.Hechortledtohimself,rockingandbouncingasifhewerealanky,beardedvolcanopreparingtoeruptwithdelightathisownbrilliance."It’sthesimplesttrickintheworld.I’llfightyouforit."

           Shadowshookhishead."I’llpass."

           "Nowthere’safinething,"saidSweeneytotheroom."OldWednesdaygetshimselfabodyguard,andthefeller’stooscaredtoputuphisfists,even."

           "Iwon’tfightyou,"agreedShadow.

           Sweeneyswayedandsweated.Hefiddledwiththepeakofhisbaseballcap.Thenhepulledoneofhiscoinsoutoftheairandplaceditonthetable."Realgold,ifyouwerewondering,"saidSweeney."Winorlose-andyou’lllose-it’syoursifyoufightme.Abigfellowlikeyou-who’d’athoughtyou’dbeafuckencoward?"

           "He’salreadysaidhewon’tfightyou,"saidWednesday."Goaway,MadSweeney.Takeyourbeerandleaveusinpeace."

           SweeneytookastepclosertoWednesday."Callmeafreeloader,willyou,youdoomedoldcreature?Youcoldblooded,heartlessoldtree-hanger."Hisfacewasturningadeep,angryred.

           Wednesdayputouthishands,palmsup,pacific."Foolishness,Sweeney.Watchwhereyouputyourwords."

           Sweeneyglaredathim.Thenhesaid,withthegravityoftheverydrunk,"You’vehiredacoward.WhatwouldhedoifIhurtyou,doyouthink?"

           WednesdayturnedtoShadow."I’vehadenoughofthis,"hesaid."Dealwithit."