Американские боги

           No,intheUSA,peoplestillgetthecall,orsomeofthem,andtheyfeelthemselvesbeingcalledtofromthetranscendentvoid,andtheyrespondtoitbybuildingamodeloutofbeerbottlesofsomewherethey’venevervisited,orbyerectingagiganticbat-houseinsomepartofthecountrythatbatshavetraditionallydeclinedtovisit.Roadsideattractions:peoplefeelthemselvesbeingpulledtoplaceswhere,inotherpartsoftheworld,theywouldrecognizethatpartofthemselvesthatistrulytranscendent,andbuyahotdogandwalkaround,feelingsatisfiedonaleveltheycannottrulydescribe,andprofoundlydissatisfiedonalevelbeneaththat."

           "Youhavesomeprettywhacked-outtheories,"saidShadow.

           "Nothingtheoreticalaboutit,youngman,"saidWednesday."Youshouldhavefiguredthatoutbynow."

           Therewasonlyoneticketwindowopen."Westopsellingticketsinhalfanhour,"saidthegirl."Ittakesatleasttwohourstowalkaround,yousee."

           Wednesdaypaidfortheirticketsincash.

           "Where’stherock?"askedShadow.

           "Underthehouse,"saidWednesday.

           "Where’sthehouse?"

           Wednesdayputhisfingertohislips,andtheywalkedforward.Fartherin,aplayerpianowasplayingsomethingthatwasintendedtohavebeenRavel’s"Bolero.