Американские боги

           AweekagotherainsbeganinLosAngeles,slickingthestreetsintoroadaccidents,crumblingthemudfromthehillsidesandtopplinghousesintocanyons,washingtheworldintotheguttersandstormdrains,drowningthebumsandthehomelesscampeddownintheconcretechanneloftheriver.WhentherainscomeinLosAngelestheyalwaystakepeoplebysurprise.

           Bilquishasspentthelastweekinside.Unabletostandonthesidewalk,shehascurledupinherbedintheroomthecolorofrawliver,listeningtotherainpatteringonthemetalboxofthewindowairconditionerandplacingpersonalsontheInternet.ShehasleftherinvitationsonAdultfriendfinder.com,LA-escorts.com,Classyhollywoodbabes.com,hasgivenherselfananonymouse-mailaddress.Shewasproudofherselffornegotiatingthenewterritories,butremainsnervous—shehasspentalongtimeavoidinganythingthatmightresembleapapertrail.ShehasnevereventakenasmalladinthebackpagesoftheLAWeekly,preferringtopickoutherowncustomers,tofindbyeyeandsmellandtouchtheoneswhowillworshipherassheneedstobeworshiped,theoneswhowilllethertakethemalltheway…

           Anditoccurstohernow,standingandshiveringonthestreetcorner(forthelateFebruaryrainshaveleftoff,butthechilltheybroughtwiththemremains),thatshehasahabitasbadasthatofthesmackwhoresandthecrackwhores,andthisdistressesher,andherlipsbegintomoveagain.