Американские боги

           Shadowsuspectedthathehadpracticedthatinfrontofamirrorforawhilebeforedoingitinpublic."Ifyou’veliedtome,"saidtheboy,asiffromalongwayaway,"I’llf**kingkillyou.Youknowthat."

           "Soyousaid."

           Theboytookanotherlongdragonhiscigarette."Yousayyou’restayingattheMotelAmerica?"Hetappedonthedriver’swindow,behindhim.Theglasswindowlowered."Hey.MotelAmerica,upbytheinterstate.Weneedtodropoffourguest."

           Thedrivernodded,andtheglassroseupagain.

           Theglintingfiber-opticlightsinsidethelimocontinuedtochange,cyclingthroughtheirsetofdimcolors.ItseemedtoShadowthattheboy’seyeswereglintingtoo,thegreenofanantiquecomputermonitor.

           "YoutellWednesdaythis,man.Youtellhimhe’shistory.He’sforgotten.He’sold.Tellhimthatwearethefutureandwedon’tgiveaf**kabouthimoranyonelikehim.HehasbeenconsignedtotheDumpsterofhistorywhilepeoplelikemerideourlimosdownthesuperhighwayoftomorrow."

           "I’lltellhim,"saidShadow.Hewasbeginningtofeellightheaded.Hehopedthathewasnotgoingtobesick.

           "Tellhimthatwehavef**kingreprogrammedreality.Tellhimthatlanguageisavirusandthatreligionisanoperatingsystemandthatprayersarejustsomuchf**kingspam.TellhimthatorI’llf**kingkillyou,"saidtheyoungmanmildly,fromthesmoke.

           "Gotit,"saidShadow."Youcanletmeouthere.Icanwalktherestoftheway."

           Theyoungmannodded."Goodtalkingtoyou,"hesaid.Thesmokehadmellowedhim