Американские боги

           Thesmellontheairwasthatofburninginsulationwire,asifsomewhereaplugwasoverloading.

           Thefatkid’shandtwitchedspastically,andthenhefell.Theexpressiononhisfacewasoneofpuzzlement,andmisery."Lookathim,"saidMr.World,conversationally,totheair."Helooksasifhejustsawasequenceofzeroesandonesturnintoaclusterofbrightlycoloredbirds,andthenjustflyaway."

           Therewasnoreplyfromtheemptyrockcorridor.

           Mr.Worldshoulderedthebodyasifitweighedverylittle,andheopenedthepixiedioramaanddroppedthebodybesidethestill,coveringitwithitslongblackraincoat.Hewoulddisposeofitthatevening,hedecided,andhegrinnedhisscarredgrin:hidingabodyonabattlefieldwouldalmostbetooeasy.Nobodywouldevernotice.Nobodywouldcare.

           Foralittlewhiletherewassilenceinthatplace.AndthenagruffvoicewhichwasnotMr.World’scleareditsthroatintheshadows,andsaid,"Goodstart."