News travels fast in places where nothing much ever happens.

That the young rich smell the stink of the poor and learn to find it a bit amusing. They had to laugh, otherwise it would be too terrifying.

Some nights I knew that if I slept I would die.

I was a man who thrived on solitude; without it I was like another man without food or water. Each day without solitude weakened me. I took no pride in my solitude; but I was dependent on it. The darkness of the room was like sunlight to me.

There's music in everything, even defeat

What were you going to do tonight?" "I was going to listen to the songs of Rachmaninoff." "Who's that?" "A dead Russian.

What? You’d dare drink right after getting out of jail for intoxication?” That’s when you need a drink the most.