Американские боги

           "Youtellthem,tellthemall,thatwhenweareneededmypeoplewillbethere."

           Czernobogpickedataflakeoftobaccobetweenhisteethandspatitoutontothefrozenslush."Andhowmanyofyouisthat?Ten?Twenty?"Thebarrel-chestedman’sbeardbristled."Andaren’ttenofusworthahundredofthem?Whowouldstandagainstevenoneofmyfolk,inabattle?Buttherearemoreofusthanthat,attheedgesofthecities.Thereareafewinthemountains.SomeintheCatskills,afewlivinginthecarnytownsinFlorida.Theykeeptheiraxessharp.TheywillcomeifIcallthem."

           "Youdothat,Elvis,"saidMr.Nancy.ShadowthoughthesaidElvis,anyway,buthecouldn’tbesure.Nancyhadexchangedthedeputy’suniformforathickbrowncardigan,corduroytrousers,andbrownloafers."Youcallthem.It’swhattheoldbastardwouldhavewanted."

           "Theybetrayedhim.Theykilledhim.IlaughedatWednesday,butIwaswrong.Noneofusaresafeanylonger,"saidthemanwhomighthavebeennamedElvis."Butyoucanrelyonus."HegentlypattedShadowonthebackandalmostsenthimsprawling.Itwaslikebeinggentlypattedonthebackbyawreckingball.

           Czernoboghadbeenlookingaroundtheparkinglot.Nowhesaid,"Youwillpardonmeasking,butournewvehicleiswhich?"

           Thebarrel-chestedmanpointed."Theresheis,"hesaid.

           Czernobogsnorted."That?"

           Itwasa1970VWbus.