Американские боги

           "

           "Ah."Mr.Worldnodded.

           Hewasfollowing.Thatwasgood.Thefatkidsaid,"Look,I’mnottheonlyonewhofeelsthisway.I’vecheckedwiththecrewatRadioModern,andthey’reallforsettlingthispeacefully;andtheIntangiblesareprettymuchinfavoroflettingmarketforcestakecareofit.I’mbeing.Youknow.Thevoiceofreasonhere."

           "Youareindeed.Unfortunately,thereisinformationyoudonothave."Thesmilethatfollowedwastwistedandscarred.

           Theboyblinked.Hesaid,"MisterWorld?Whathappenedtoyourlips?"

           Worldsighed."Thetruthofthematter,"hesaid,"isthatsomebodysewedthemtogether.Alongtimeago."

           "Whoa,"saidthefatkid."Seriousomertàshit."

           "Yes.Youwanttoknowwhatwe’rewaitingfor?Whywedidn’tstrikelastnight?"

           Thefatkidnodded.Hewassweating,butitwasacoldsweat.

           "Wedidn’tstrikeyet,becauseI’mwaitingforastick."

           "Astick?"

           "That’sright.Astick.AnddoyouknowwhatI’mgoingtodowiththestick?"

           Aheadshake."Okay.I’llbite.What?"

           "Icouldtellyou,"saidMr.World,soberly."ButthenI’dhavetokillyou."Hewinked,andthetensionintheroomevaporated.

           Thefatkidbegantogiggle,alow,snufflinglaughinthebackofhisthroatandinhisnose.