Американские боги

           Andeventoday,Tigerkeepschasin’monkeys.Soyouallremember:justbecauseyou’resmall,doesn’tmeanyougotnopower."

           Mr.Nancysmiled,andbowedhishead,andspreadhishands,acceptingtheapplauseandlaughterlikeapro,andthenheturnedandwalkedbacktowhereShadowandCzernobogwerestanding.

           "IthoughtIsaidnostories,"saidWednesday.

           "Youcallthatastory?"saidNancy."Ibarelyclearedmythroat.Justwarmedthemupforyou.Goknockthemdead."

           Wednesdaywalkedoutintothefirelight,abigoldmanwithaglasseyeinabrownsuitandanoldArmanicoat.Hestoodthere,lookingatthepeopleonthewoodenbenches,sayingnothingforlongerthanShadowcouldbelievesomeonecouldcomfortablysaynothing.And,finally,hespoke.

           "Youknowme,"hesaid."Youallknowme.Someofyouhavenocausetoloveme,andI’mnotsureIcanblameyouforthat,butlovemeornot,youknowme."

           Therewasarustling,astiramongthepeopleonthebenches.

           "I’vebeenherelongerthanmostofyou.Liketherestofyou,Ifiguredwecouldgetbyonwhatwegot.Notenoughtomakeushappy,butenoughtokeepgoing.

           "Thatmaynotbethecaseanymore.There’sastormcoming,andit’snotastormofourmaking."

           Hepaused.Nowhesteppedforward,andfoldedhisarmsacrosshischest.