Американские боги

           AbatteredU-Haultruckpulledup,disgorgingseveraltravel-wearyvilaandrusalka,theirmake-upsmudged,runsintheirstockings,theirexpressionsheavy-liddedandtired.

           Inaclumpoftreesatthebottomofthehill,anelderlywampyrofferedaMarlborotoahugenakedape-likecreaturecoveredwithatangleoforangefur.Itacceptedgraciously,andtheysmokedinsilence,sidebyside.

           AToyotaPreviapulledupbythesideoftheroad,andsevenChinesemenandwomengotoutofit.Theylooked,aboveall,clean,andtheyworethekindofdarksuitsthat,insomecountries,arewornbyminorgovernmentofficials.Oneofthemcarriedaclipboard,andhecheckedtheinventoryastheyunloadedlargegolf-bagsfromthebackofthecar:thebagscontainedornateswordswithlacquerhandles,andcarvedsticks,andmirrors.Theweaponsweredistributed,checkedoff,signedfor.

           Aonce-famouscomedian,believedtohavediedinthe1920s,climbedoutofhisrustingcar,andproceededtoremovehisclothing:hislegsweregoat-legs,andhistailwasshortandgoatish.

           FourMexicansarrived,allsmiles,theirhairblackandveryshiny:theypassedamongthemselvesabeerbottlewhichtheykeptoutofsightinabrownpaperbag,itscontentsabittermixtureofpowderedchocolate,liquor,andblood.

           Asmall,dark-beardedmanwithadustyblackderbyonhishead,curlingpayessathistemples,andaraggedfringedprayershawlcametothemwalkingacrossthefields.