Американские боги

           Oncetheywerecarved,permissionwasgranted,andnowthepeopledriveoutintheirmultitudestoseesomethinginthefleshthatthey’vealreadyseenonathousandpostcards."

           "Iknewaguyonce.HedidweighttrainingattheMuscleFarm,yearsback.HesaidthattheDakotaIndians,theyoungmenclimbupthemountain,thenformdeath-defyinghumanchainsofftheheads,justsothattheguyattheendofthechaincanpissonthepresident’snose."

           Wednesdayguffawed."Oh,fine!Veryfine!Isanyspecificpresidenttheparticularbuttoftheirire?"

           Shadowshrugged."Heneversaid."

           MilesvanishedbeneaththewheelsoftheWinnebago.ShadowbegantoimaginethathewasstayingstillwhiletheAmericanlandscapemovedpastthematasteadysixty-sevenmilesperhour.Awintrymistfoggedtheedgesofthings.

           Itwasmiddayontheseconddayofthedrive,andtheywerealmostthere.Shadow,whohadbeenthinking,said,"AgirlvanishedfromLakesidelastweek.WhenwewereinSanFrancisco."

           "Mm?"Wednesdaysoundedbarelyinterested.

           "KidnamedAlisonMcGovern.She’snotthefirstkidtovanishthere.Therehavebeenothers.Theygointhewintertime."

           Wednesdayfurrowedhisbrow."Itisatragedy,isitnot?Thelittlefacesonthemilk-cartons—althoughIcan’trememberthelasttimeIsawakidonamilk-carton—andonthewallsoffreewayrestareas.Haveyouseenme?theyask.