Американские боги

           "

           "Whydoyouwantit?"

           "It’sasouvenirofthiswholesorrymess,"saidMr.World."Don’tworry,it’snotmistletoe."Heflashedagrin."Itsymbolizesaspear,andinthissorryworld,thesymbolisthething."

           Thenoisesfromoutsidegrewlouder.

           "Whichsideareyouon?"sheasked.

           "It’snotaboutsides,"hetoldher."Butsinceyouasked,I’monthewinningside.Always.That’swhatIdobest."

           Shenodded,andshedidnotletgoofthestick."Icanseethat,"shesaid.

           Sheturnedawayfromhim,andlookedoutofthecaverndoor.Farbelowher,intherocks,shecouldseesomethingthatglowedandpulsed.Itwrappeditselfaroundathin,mauve-facedbeardedman,whowasbeatingatitwithasqueegeestick,thekindofsqueegeethatpeoplelikehimusetosmearacrosscarwindshieldsattrafficlights.Therewasascream,andtheybothdisappearedfromview."Okay.I’llgiveyouthestick,"shesaid.

           Mr.World’svoicecamefrombehindher."Goodgirl,"hesaidreassuringly,inawaythatstruckherasbeingbothpatronizingandindefinablymale.Itmadeherskincrawl.

           Shewaitedintherockdoorwayuntilshecouldhearhisbreathinherear.Shehadtowaituntilhegotcloseenough.Shehadthatmuchfiguredout.

           Theridewasmorethanexhilarating;itwaselectric.