You only ask people about themselves so you can tell them about yourself.

The problem with every story is you tell it after the fact.

Everyone smiles with that invisible gun to their head.

You realize that there's no point in doing anything if nobody's watching. You wonder, if there had been a low turnout at the crucifixion, would they have rescheduled?

I can manage my own pain. I can drink. I can go to the doctor and get a prescription. I can exercise. I can write a story about it. I've done it a million times! But I don't want to see the people I love tortured and suffering.

My whole life is about forgetting. It's my most valuable job skill.

Reject the basic assumptions of civilization, especially the importance of material possessions.