I haven't read The Folk of the Air or American Gods, so I can't make comparisons there or say what's new here, but I not only love this idea (the muse as shown in this light), but the character dynamics, what's going on each with themselves and with each other. And you thrown in those other fascinating concepts, making me want to read more from these two minds. You're not generally called to do longer works (novels), right? I think there's potential for an entire novel with these two. With this journey trying to get where they need to go. Did you ever try writing a "scene two" with them, after they're back in the car or at the next stop? Or step back a scene to where they were a week before this tire blowout?

I was caught up in this, in these characters and the idea. I'd like it to go on.