Американские боги

           Thecancerousthingwaited,sayingnothing,untilthekidwasoutofsight.

           "Itwillbeabattle,"saidthecancerousthingtoawomanwhosefacewassmudgedwithphosphor-dots.

           Shenodded,andleanedclosertoit."Sohowdoesthatmakeyoufeel?"sheasked,inasympatheticvoice.

           Itblinked,andthenitbegantotellher.

           Town’sFordExplorerhadaglobalpositioningsystem,alittlesilverboxthatlistenedtothesatellitesandwhisperedbacktothecaritslocation,buthestillgotlostoncehegotsouthofBlacksburgandontothecountryroads:theroadshedroveseemedtobearlittlerelationshiptothetangleoflinesonthemaponthescreen.Eventuallyhestoppedthecarinacountrylane,wounddownthewindowandaskedafatwhitewomanbeingpulledbyawolfhoundonitsearlymorningwalkfordirectionstoAshtreefarm.

           Shenodded,andpointedandsaidsomethingtohim.Hecouldnotunderstandwhatshehadsaid,buthesaidthanksamillionandwoundupthewindowanddroveoffinthegeneraldirectionshehadindicated.

           Hekeptgoingforanotherfortyminutes,downcountryroadaftercountryroad,eachofthempromising,noneofthemtheroadhesought.Townbegantochewhislowerlip.

           "I’mtoooldforthisshit,"hesaidaloud,relishingthemovie-starworld-wearinessoftheline.

           Hewaspushingfifty.