Well, I guess in all honesty I would have to say that I never knew nor did I ever hear of anybody that money didnt change.

Creedless shells of men tottering down the causeways like migrants in a feverland.

Here beyond men's judgments all covenants were brittle.

He believed in God even if he was doubtful of men's claims to know God's mind. But that a God unable to forgive was no God at all.

I yearn for the darkness. I pray for death. Real death. If I thought that in death I would meet the people I've known in life I don't know what I'd do. That would be the ultimate horror. The ultimate despair. If I had to meet my mother again and start all of that all over, only this time without the prospect of death to look forward to? Well. That would be the final nightmare. Kafka on wheels.

They sat on a bench and Sproule held his wounded arm to his chest and rocked back and forth and blinked in the sun. What do you want to do? said the kid. Get a drink of water. Other than that. I dont know. You want to try and head back? To Texas? I don't know where else. We'd never make it. Well you say. I aint got no say. He was coughing again. He held his chest with his good hand and sat as if he'd get his breath. What have you got, a cold? I got consumption. Consumption? He nodded. I come out here for my health.

All progressions from a higher to a lower order are marked by ruins and mystery and a residue of nameless rage.