Американские боги

           Shepeersinside,asmuchasshecanthroughtheopenwindow:sheknowsagirlwhogotintoastretchwithfivedrunkfootballplayersandgothurtrealbad,butthere’sonlyonejohnintherethatshecansee,andhelookskindofontheyoungside.Hedoesn’tfeellikeaworshiper,butmoney,goodmoneythat’spassedfromhishandtohers,that’sanenergyinitsownright—barakatheycalledit,onceonatime—whichshecanuseandfranklythesedays,everylittlehelps.

           "Howmuch?"heasks.

           "Dependsonwhatyouwantandhowlongyouwantitfor,"shesays."Andwhetheryoucanaffordit."Shecansmellsomethingsmokydriftingoutofthelimowindow.Itsmellslikeburningwiresandoverheatingcircuitboards.Thedoorispushedopenfrominside.

           "IcanpayforanythingIwant,"saysthejohn.Sheleansintothecarandlooksaround.There’snobodyelseinthere,justthejohn,apuffy-facedkidwhodoesn’tevenlookoldenoughtodrink.Nobodyelse,soshegetsin.

           "Richkid,huh?"shesays.

           "Richerthanrich,"hetellsher,edgingalongtheleatherseattowardsher.Hemovesawkwardly.Shesmilesathim.

           "Mm.Makesmehot,honey,"shetellshim."Youmustbeoneofthemdot-comsIreadabout?"

           Hepreensthen,puffslikeabullfrog."Yeah.Amongotherthings.I’matechnicalboy."Thecarmovesoff.

           "So,"hesays.