Американские боги

           Shadowputhisshoesbackon,walkedovertothedoor,wentoutintothecorridor.Someonehadfoundsomecandles,andadimyellowlightilluminatedthereceptionhall.ThedriveroftheHumveecameinthroughtheswingdoorsholdingacardboardtrayandapapersack.Heworealongblackcoatandapeakedchauffeur’scap.

           "Sorryaboutthedelay,"hesaid,hoarsely."Igoteverybodythesame:acoupleofburgers,largefries,largeCoke,andapplepie.I’lleatmineoutinthecar."Heputthefooddown,thenwalkedbackoutside.Thesmelloffastfoodfilledthelobby.Shadowtookthepaperbagandpassedoutthefood,thenapkins,thepacketsofketchup.

           Theyateinsilencewhilethecandlesflickeredandtheburningwaxhissed.

           ShadownoticedthatTownwasglaringathim.Heturnedhischairalittle,sohisbackwastothewall.Mediaateherburgerwithanapkinpoisedbyherlipstoremovecrumbs.

           "Oh.Great.Theseburgersarenearlycold,"saidthefatkid.Hewasstillwearinghisshades,whichShadowthoughtpointlessandfoolish,giventhedarknessoftheroom.

           "Sorryaboutthat.Theguyhadtodriveawaytofindthem,"saidTown."ThenearestMcDonald’sisinNebraska."

           Theyfinishedtheirlukewarmhamburgersandcoldfries.Thefatkidbitintohissingle-personapplepie,andthefillingspurteddownhischin.Unexpectedly,thefillingwasstillhot."Ow,"hesaid.