Американские боги

           Thereweresuntansandsuitsandshadesandsmilesandscowls.Theycameinallsizesandshapes,allagesandstyles.

           Alltheyhadincommonwasalook,averyspecificlook.Itsaid,Youknowme;orperhaps,Yououghttoknowme.Aninstantfamiliaritythatwasalsoadistance,alook,oranattitude—theconfidencethattheworldexistedforthem,andthatitwelcomedthem,andthattheywereadored.

           Thefatkidmovedamongthemwiththeshufflingwalkofonewho,despitehavingnosocialskills,hasstillbecomesuccessfulbeyondhisdreams.Hisblackcoatflappedinthewind.SomethingthatstoodbesidethesoftdrinkstandinMotherGooseCourtcoughedtoattracthisattention.Itwasmassive,andscalpel-bladesjuttedfromitsfaceanditsfingers.Itsfacewascancerous."Itwillbeamightybattle,"ittoldhim,inaglutinousvoice.

           "It’snotgoingtobeabattle,"saidthefatkid."Allwe’refacinghereisafuckingparadigmshift.It’sashakedown.ModalitieslikebattlearesofuckingLaoTzu."

           Thecancerousthingblinkedathim."Waiting,"isallitsaidinreply.

           "Whatever,"saidthefatkid.Then,"I’mlookingforMisterWorld.Youseenhim?"

           Thethingscratcheditselfwithascalpel-blade,atumorouslowerlippushedoutinconcentration.Thenitnodded."Overthere,"itsaid.

           Thefatkidwalkedaway,withoutathank-you,inthedirectionindicated.