Американские боги

           "

           HarryBluejay’scarwasmissingitssidemirrors,anditstireswerethebaldestShadowhadeverseen:perfectlysmoothblackrubber.HarryBluejaytoldthemthecardrankoil,butaslongasyoukeptpouringoilin,itwouldjustkeeprunningforever,unlessitstopped.

           HarryBluejayfilledablackgarbagebagwithshitfromthecar(saidshitincludingseveralscrew-topbottlesofcheapbeer,unfinished,asmallpacketofcannabisresinwrappedinsilverfoilandbadlyhiddeninthecar’sashtray,askunk-tail,twodozencountryandwesterncassettesandabattered,yellowingcopyofStrangerinaStrangeLand)."SorryIwasjerkingyourchainbefore,"saidHarryBluejaytoWednesday,passinghimthecarkeys."YouknowwhenI’llgettheWinnebago?"

           "Askyouruncle.He’sthefuckingused-cardealer,"growledWednesday.

           "Wisakedjakisnotmyuncle,"saidHarryBluejay.Hetookhisblackgarbagebagandwentintothenearesthouse,andclosedthedoorbehindhim.

           TheydroppedJohnnyChapmaninSiouxFalls,outsideawhole-foodstore.

           Wednesdaysaidnothingonthedrive.Hewasbrooding.

           InafamilyrestaurantjustoutsideSt.PaulShadowpickedupanewspapersomeoneelsehadputdown.Helookedatitonce,thenagain,thenheshowedittoWednesday.Wednesdaywasinablacksulk,ashehadbeensincetheyleftWhiskeyJack’splace.

           "Lookatthat,"saidShadow.