Американские боги

           "There’sonlysomuchbelieftogoaround.They’rereachingtheendofwhattheycangiveus.Thecredibilitygap."Andthenhesings,onceagain,inhistunelessnasalvoice,"Youareananaloggirl,livinginadigitalworld."Thelimotakesacornertoofast,andhetumblesacrosstheseatintoher.Thedriverofthecarishiddenbehindtintedglass.Anirrationalconvictionstrikesher,thatnobodyisdrivingthecar,thatthewhitelimoisdrivingthroughBeverlyHillslikeHerbietheLoveBug,underitsownpower.

           Thenthejohnreachesouthishandandtapsonthetintedglass.

           Thecarslows,andbeforeithasstoppedmovingBilquishaspushedopenthedoorandshehalf-jumps,half-fallsoutontotheblacktop.She’sonahillsideroad.Totheleftofherisasteephill,totherightisasheerdrop.Shestartstorundowntheroad.

           Thelimositsthere,unmoving.

           Itstartstorain,andherhighheelsslipandtwistbeneathher.Shekicksthemoffandruns,soakedtotheskin,lookingforsomewhereshecangetofftheroad.She’sscared.Shehaspower,true,butit’shunger-magic,cunt-magic.Ithaskeptheraliveinthislandforsolong,true,butforeverythingelsethat’snotsimplylivingsheuseshersharpeyesandhermind,herheightandherpresence.