Американские боги

           Therewerenolightsoninthebuilding

           Theyparkedbesidethemotel,andastheydidso,amaninachauffeur’suniformandcapwalkedoutofthemotelandwasilluminatedbytheheadlightsofthebus.Hetouchedhiscaptothem,politely,gotintotheHumvee,anddroveoff.

           "Bigcar,tinydick,"saidMr.Nancy.

           "Doyouthinkthey’llevenhavebedshere?"askedShadow."It’sbeendayssinceIsleptinabed.Thisplacelookslikeit’sjustwaitingtobedemolished."

           "It’sownedbyhuntersfromTexas,"saidMr.Nancy."Comeuphereonceayear.DamnedifIknowwhatthey’rehuntin’.Itstopstheplacebeingcondemnedanddestroyed."

           Theyclimbedoutofthebus.WaitingfortheminfrontofthemotelwasawomanShadowdidnotrecognize.Shewasperfectlymade-up,perfectlycoiffed.Sheremindedhimofeverynewscasterhe’deverseenonmorningtelevisionsittinginastudiothatdidn’treallyresemblealivingroom,smilingatthegoodmorningcrowd.

           "Lovelytoseeyou,"shesaid."Now,youmustbeCzernobog.I’veheardalotaboutyou.Andyou’reAnansi,alwaysuptomischief,eh?Youjollyoldman.Andyou,youmustbeShadow.You’vecertainlyledusamerrychase,haven’tyou?"Ahandtookhis,presseditfirmly,lookedhimstraightintheeye."I’mMedia.Goodtomeetyou.Ihopewecangetthisevening’sbusinessdoneaspleasantlyaspossible."

           Themaindoorsopened.