Американские боги

           "Hechuckled,andthenthechucklebecameawheezeandthewheezeturnedintoacough.

           Nancyspoke."Folklikeusdon’tgetcancer.Wedon’tgetarteriosclerosisorParkinson’sdiseaseorsyphilis.We’rekindofhardtokill."

           "TheykilledWednesday,"saidShadow.

           Hepulledoverforgas,andthenparkednextdooratarestaurant,foranearlybreakfast.Astheyentered,thepayphoneintheentrancebegantojangle.Theywalkedpastitwithoutansweringit,anditstoppedringing.

           Theygavetheirorderstoanelderlywomanwithaworriedsmile,whohadbeensittingreadingapaperbackcopyofWhatMyHeartMeantbyJennyKerton.Thetelephonebegantoringoncemore.Thewomansighed,thenwalkedbackandovertothephone,pickeditup,said,"Yes."Thenshelookedbackattheroom,said,"Yep.Looksliketheyare.Youjustholdthelinenow,"andwalkedovertoMr.Nancy.

           "It’sforyou,"shesaid.

           "Okay,"saidMr.Nancy."Now,ma’am,youmakesurethosefriesarerealcrispnow.Thinkburnt."Hewalkedovertothepayphone.

           "Thisishe,"hesaid.

           "AndwhatmakesyouthinkI’mdumbenoughtotrustyou?"hesaid.

           "Icanfindit,"hesaid."Iknowwhereitis."

           "Yes,"hesaid."Wewantit.Youknowwewantit.AndIknowyouwanttogetridofit.Sodon’tgivemeanyshit.