Американские боги

           "

           "G-word?"

           "Gods.Whatwereyoudoin’thedaytheyhandedoutbrains,boy,anyway?"

           "Someonewastellingastoryaboutstealingatiger’sballs,andIhadtostopandfindouthowitended."

           Mr.Nancychuckled.

           "Butnothingwasresolved.Nobodyagreedtoanything."

           "He’sworkingthemslowly.He’llland’emoneatatime.You’llsee.They’llcomearoundintheend."

           Shadowcouldfeelthatawindwascomingupfromsomewhere,stirringhishair,touchinghisface,pullingathim.

           TheywerestandingintheroomofthebiggestCarouselintheworld,listeningto"TheEmperorWaltz."

           Therewasagroupofpeople,touristsbythelookofthem,talkingwithWednesdayoverattheothersideoftheroom,bythewallcoveredwithallthewoodencarouselhorses:asmanypeopleastherehadbeenshadowyfiguresinWednesday’sHall."Throughhere,"boomedWednesday,andheledthemthroughtheonlyexit,formedtolooklikethegapingmouthofahugemonster,itssharpteethreadytorendthemalltoslivers.Hemovedamongthemlikeapolitician,cajoling,encouraging,smiling,gentlydisagreeing,pacifying.

           "Didthathappen?"askedShadow.

           "Didwhathappen,shit-for-brains?"askedMr.Nancy.

           "Thehall.Thefire.Tigerballs.RidingtheCarousel.