Американские боги
Chapter 2
ShadowgottohisfeetandlookedupintoMadSweeney’sface:howtallwastheman?hewondered."You’rebotheringus,"hesaid."You’redrunk.Ithinkyououghttoleavenow."
AslowsmilespreadoverSweeney’sface."There,now,"hesaid.HeswungahugefistatShadow.Shadowjerkedback:Sweeney’shandcaughthimbeneaththerighteye.Hesawblotchesoflight,andfeltpain.
Andwiththat,thefightbegan.
Sweeneyfoughtwithoutstyle,withoutscience,withnothingbutenthusiasmforthefightitself:huge,barrelingroundhouseblowsthatmissedasoftenastheyconnected.
Shadowfoughtdefensively,carefully,blockingSweeney’sblowsoravoidingthem.Hebecameveryawareoftheaudiencearoundthem.Tableswerepulledoutofthewaywithprotestinggroans,makingaspaceforthementospar.ShadowwasawareatalltimesofWednesday’seyesuponhim,ofWednesday’shumorlessgrin.Itwasatest,thatwasobvious,butwhatkindofatest?
InprisonShadowhadlearnedthereweretwokindsoffights:don’tf**kwithmefights,whereyoumadeitasshowyandimpressiveasyoucould,andprivatefights,realfights,whichwerefastandhardandnasty,andalwaysoverinseconds.
"Hey,Sweeney,"saidShadow,breathless,"whyarewefighting?"
"Forthejoyofit,"saidSweeney,sobernow,oratleast,nolongervisiblydrunk."Forthesheerunholyfuckendelightofit.Can’tyoufeelthejoyinyourownveins,risinglikethesapinthespringtime?"Hislipwasbleeding.SowasShadow’sknuckle.
"Sohow’dyoudothecoinproduction?"askedShadow.
