Arkangel Gabriel – Las Vegas, Nevada
The spectral hum of the elevator drowns out the awkward silence between Shadow Moon and Wednesday. After what feels like an eternity, Wednesday leads Shadow into a Penthouse suite that overlooks the Las Vegas strip.
Wednesday is not surprised to see a pasty skin figure who is fast asleep on the futon that's located at the centre of the suite. The figure has a mop of messy brown hair and a paunchy physique as evidenced by the empty beer cans and fast food packages that are strewn around the floor of his suite. He wears a cashmere shirt and matching pants that look like they haven't been laundered in days. In his hands he holds a trumpet that is so close to his lips the instrument lets out an unpleasant sigh with every forced, reluctant breath from his slumber.
Shadow inspects the decorative posters around the figure's apartment that reads: "The Amazing Gabriel" who appears to be posing as either a stage magician, musician, or a stand up comic.
Shadow rifles through some of the opened boxes that are scattered around the Penthouse suite. Each box contains some form of merchandise that are correlated to the figure and the commercial brand that he represents. Each box contains everything from autographed "headshots", to "bobble heads", and "blu-rays and compact disks."
"Now, are you going to explain to me what we're doing here?"
Wednesday stands at the figure's side. "I think I'll let our friend here do the talking. He owes me a favour."
Wednesday delivers a sharp kick to the figure's left leg who is quizzically startled as he awakens from his slumber. The trumpet lands onto the floor with a thud startling Shadow in the process.
"May I present to you, the patron saint of messengers, telecommunications workers, postal workers, and God's private secretary. Archangel Gabriel." Wednesday takes a step back to give Gabriel some distance to get his bearings.
Gabriel rubs sleep from his eyes as he takes in the two visitors who have somehow made it inside his secure apartment.
Wednesday leans in close. "Get yourself cleaned up. I can smell the stench of your cum stained underwear from that gloryhole you visited three days back."
Gabriel appears as if he has seen the face of God. Wednesday doesn't break his stance as Gabriel awkwardly gets to his feet and runs painfully for the bathroom. Wednesday fires Shadow a stern look.
"Pray to whatever God you believe in that Media and Technical Boy haven't gotten to him first."
Shadow appears perplexed.