Американские боги

           "Isaidyouhadshitforbrains,andyoustillhaveshitforbrains.Can’tseewhensomebody’stryin’togiveyouanout?"

           "I’msorry,"saidShadow.Hedidn’tsayanythingelse.Nancywalkedbacktothebus.

           CzernobogwalkedovertoShadow.Hedidnotlookpleased."Youmustcomethroughthisalive,"hesaid."Comethroughthissafelyforme."AndthenhetappedhisknucklegentlyagainstShadow’sforeheadandsaid,"Bam!"HesqueezedShadow’sshoulder,pattedhisarm,andwalkedbacktothebus.

           Thebiggestwoman,whosenameseemedtobeUrthaorUrder—Shadowcouldnotrepeatitbacktohertohersatisfaction—toldhim,inpantomime,totakeoffhisclothes.

           "Allofthem?"

           Thebigwomanshrugged.ShadowstrippedtohisbriefsandT-shirt.Thewomenproppedtheladdersagainstthetree.Oneoftheladders—itwaspaintedbyhand,withlittleflowersandleavestwiningupthestruts—theypointedouttohim.

           Heclimbedtheninesteps.Then,attheirurging,hesteppedontoalowbranch.

           Themiddlewomantippedoutthecontentsofthesackontothemeadow-grass.Itwasfilledwithatangleofthinropes,brownwithageanddirt,andthewomanbegantosortthemoutintolengths,andtolaythemcarefullyonthegroundbesideWednesday’sbody