The connection was so bad, and I couldn’t talk at all during most of the call. How terrible it is when you say I love you and the person at the other end shouts back ‘What?

A confessional passage has probably never been written that didn't stink a little bit of the writer's pride in having given up his pride.

Then I’d throw my automatic down the elevator shaft-after I’d wiped off all the fingerprints and all. Then I’d crawl back up to my room and call up Jane and have her come over and bandage up my guts. I pictured her holding a cigarette for me to smoke while I was bleeding and all. The goddam movies. They can ruin you. I’m not kidding.

I'm not afraid to compete. It's just the opposite. Don't you see that? I'm afraid I will compete - that's what scares me.

if somebody at least listens it not too bad

I can be quite sarcastic when I'm in the mood.

Don't tell people what you are thinking, or you will miss them terribly when you are away.