Американские боги

           Hesippedthehotcoffee,asblackandassweetasheremembered.

           Heheardadeepmalevoiceinthecorridor,andhesatupstraighter.Hewaspleasedtoseethathishandwasnottrembling.Thedooropened.

           "Shadow?"

           "Hi,"saidShadow.Hestayedsittingdown.

           Czernobogwalkedintotheroom.HewascarryingafoldedcopyoftheChicagoSun-Times,whichheputdownonthecoffeetable.HestaredatShadow,thenheputhishandout,tentatively.Thetwomenshookhands.

           "Icame,"saidShadow."Ourdeal.Youcamethroughwithyourpartofit.Thisismypart."

           Czernobognodded.Hisbrowcreased.Thesunlightglintedonhisgrayhairandmoustache,makingthemappearalmostgolden."Is…"Hefrowned."Isnot…"Hebrokeoff."Maybeyoushouldgo.Isnotagoodtime."

           "Takeaslongasyouneed,"saidShadow."I’mready."

           Czernobogsighed."Youareaverystupidboy.Youknowthat?"

           "Iguess."

           "Youareastupidboy.Andonthemountaintop,youdidaverygoodthing."

           "IdidwhatIhadtodo."

           "Perhaps."

           Czernobogwalkedtotheoldwoodensideboard,and,bendingdown,pulledanattachécasefromunderneathit.Heflippedthecatchesonthecase.Eachonesprangbackwithasatisfyingthump.Heopenedthecase.