Ralph also took some classes in philosophy and literature and felt himself on the brink of some kind of huge discovery about himself. But it never came.

It's strange. You never start out life with the intention of becoming a bankrupt or an alcoholic or a cheat and a thief. Or a liar.

My life is going to change. I feel it.

We knew our days were numbered. We had fouled up our lives and we were getting ready for a shake-up.

Booze takes a lot of time and effort if you're going to do a good job with it.

My circumstances of unrelieved responsibility and permanent distraction necessitated the short story form.

I am too nervous to eat pie.