Американские боги

           "OnedayIwilltakemyhammeranddomuchworsethanthattoyou,myfriend,remember?"

           "Yes,"saidShadow."Butifyoutapmyheadagain,I’llbreakyourhand."

           Czernobogsnorted.Thenhesaid,"Theyshouldbegrateful,thepeoplehere.Therewassuchpowerraised.Eventhirtyyearsaftertheyforcedmypeopleintohiding,thisland,thisveryland,gaveusthegreatestmoviestarofalltime.Shewasthegreatestthereeverwas."

           "JudyGarland?"askedShadow.

           Czernobogshookhisheadcurtly.

           "He’stalkingaboutLouiseBrooks,"saidMr.Nancy.

           ShadowdecidednottoaskwhoLouiseBrookswas.Insteadhesaid,"So,look,whenWednesdaywenttotalktothem,hediditunderatruce."

           "Yes."

           "Andnowwe’regoingtogetWednesday’sbodyfromthem,asatruce."

           "Yes."

           "Andweknowthattheywantmedeadoroutoftheway."

           "Theywantallofusdead,"saidNancy.

           "SowhatIdon’tgetis,whydowethinkthey’llplayfairthistime,whentheydidn’tforWednesday?"

           "That,"saidCzernobog,overenunciatingeachword,ashewouldforadeafforeignidiotchild,"iswhywearemeetingatthecenter.Is…"Hefrowned."Whatisthewordforit?Theoppositeofsacred?"

           "Profane,"saidShadow,withoutthinking.