Американские боги

           "Ofcourseyoudid.It’srightattheend.It’sthehighschoolmovie.Allthechildrengoingtotheprom."

           Czernobogshookhishead.

           Shadowsaid,"Thefilm’scalledCarrie,MisterCzernobog.Okay,oneofyoutellmeaboutthevigil."

           Nancysaid,"Youtellhim.I’mdrivin’."

           "IneverheardofnofilmcalledCarrie.Youtellhim."

           Nancysaid,"Thepersononthevigil—getstiedtothetree.JustlikeWednesdaywas.Andthentheyhangthereforninedaysandninenights.Nofood,nowater.Allalone.Attheendtheycutthepersondown,andiftheylived…well,itcouldhappen.AndWednesdaywillhavehadhisvigil."

           Czernobogsaid,"MaybeAlvisswillsendusoneofhispeople.Adwarfcouldsurviveit."

           "I’lldoit,"saidShadow.

           "No,"saidMr.Nancy.

           "Yes,"saidShadow.

           Thetwooldmenweresilent.ThenNancysaid,"Why?"

           "Becauseit’sthekindofthingalivingpersonwoulddo,"saidShadow.

           "Youarecrazy,"saidCzernobog.

           "Maybe.ButI’mgoingtoholdWednesday’svigil."

           WhentheystoppedforgasCzernobogannouncedhefeltsick,andwantedtorideinthefront.Shadowdidn’tmindmovingtothebackofthebus.Hecouldstretchoutmore,andsleep.Theydroveoninsilence.