Американские боги

           "

           TheVWbussmelledofpatchouli,ofoldincenseandrollingtobacco.Therewasafadedpinkcarpetgluedtothefloorandtothewalls.

           "Whowasthat?"askedShadow,ashedrovethemdowntheramp,grindingthegears.

           "Justlikehesaid,AlvisssonofVindalf.He’sthekingofthedwarfs.Thebiggest,mightiest,greatestofallthedwarffolk."

           "Buthe’snotadwarf,"pointedoutShadow."He’swhat,fiveeight?Fivenine?"

           "Whichmakeshimagiantamongdwarfs,"saidCzernobogfrombehindhim."TallestdwarfinAmerica."

           "Whatwasthataboutthevigil?"askedShadow.

           Thetwooldmensaidnothing.Shadowglancedtohisright.Mr.Nancywasstaringoutofthewindow.

           "Well?Hewastalkingaboutavigil.Youheardhim."

           Czernobogspokeupfromthebackseat."Youwillnothavetodoit,"hesaid.

           "Dowhat?"

           "Thevigil.Hetalkstoomuch.Allthedwarfstalkandtalkandtalk.Andsing.Allthetime,sing,sing,sing.Isnothingtothinkof.Betteryouputitoutofyourmind."

           Theydrovesouth,keepingoffthefreeways("Wemustassume,"saidMr.Nancy,"thattheyareinenemyhands.Orthattheyareperhapsenemyhandsintheirownright").Drivingsouthwaslikedrivingforwardintime.