Американские боги

           Hisbedroom,likethekitchen,seemedtohavebeendecoratedsometimeinthe1920s:therewasawashstandandapitcherbesidethechestofdrawersandmirror.Theroomitselfsmelledfaintlymusty,asifitwastooinfrequentlyaired,andthesheetsofthebedseemedfaintlydampwhenhetouchedthem.

           Someonehadalreadylaidoutclothesforhimonthebed:ablacksuit,whiteshirt,blacktie,whiteundershirtandunderpants,blacksocks.BlackshoessatonthewornPersiancarpetbesidethebed.

           Hedressedhimself.Theclotheswereofgoodquality,althoughnoneofthemwerenew.Hewonderedwhotheyhadbelongedto.Washewearingadeadman’ssocks?Wouldhebesteppingintoadeadman’sshoes?Thenheputtheclothesonandlookedathimselfinthemirror.Theclothesfitperfectly:therewasnoteventhestretchingaroundthechestortheshortnessinthearmshehadexpected.Headjustedthetieinthemirrorandnowitseemedtohimthathisreflectionwassmilingathim,sardonically.Hescratchedthesideofhisnose,wasactuallyrelievedwhenhisreflectiondidthesame.

           Nowitseemedinconceivabletohimthathehadeverthoughtofcuttinghisthroat.Hisreflectioncontinuedtosmileasheadjustedhistie.

           "Hey,"hesaidtoit,"youknowsomethingthatIdon’t?"andimmediatelyfeltfoolish.

           Thedoorcreakedopenandthecatslippedbetweenthedoorpostandthedoorandpaddedacrosstheroom,thenuponthewindowsill.