Американские боги

           Shadowcheckedhiswatch.Itwasfivethirty.Hewentintothebathroom,shaved,combedhishair.Hechangedhisclothes.Somehowthefinalfifteenminutespassed.Hegotthewineandtheplant,andhewalkednextdoor.

           Thedooropenedasheknocked.MargueriteOlsenlookedalmostasnervousashefelt.Shetookthewinebottleandthepottedplant,andsaidthankyou.Thetelevisionwason,TheWizardofOzonvideo.Itwasstillinsepia,andDorothywasstillinKansas,sittingwithhereyesclosedinProfessorMarvel’swagonastheoldfraudpretendedtoreadhermind,andthetwister-windthatwouldtearherawayfromherlifewasapproaching.Leonsatinfrontofthescreen,playingwithatoyfiretruck.WhenhesawShadowanexpressionofdelighttouchedhisface;hestoodupandran,trippingoverhisfeetinhisexcitement,intoabackbedroom,fromwhichheemergedamomentlater,triumphantlywavingaquarter.

           "Watch,MikeAinsel!"heshouted.Thenheclosedbothhishandsandhepretendedtotakethecoinintohisrighthand,whichheopenedwide."Imadeitdisappear,MikeAinsel!"

           "Youdid,"agreedShadow."Afterwe’veeaten,ifit’sokaywithyourmom,I’llshowyouhowtodoitevensmootherthanthat."

           "Doitnowifyouwant,"saidMarguerite."We’restillwaitingforSamantha.Isentheroutforsourcream.Idon’tknowwhat’stakinghersolong.