Sartre claimed that hell is other people,” I said. “He never saw no TV game show,” Hawk said.

But like they say at the Pentagon, you have to plan for the enemy’s capacity, not his intentions.

We’ll let the B and E slide,” Quirk said. “But corpses keep showing up in your area, we might cite you for littering.

Tough is what you do, more than it is how you feel about it before or after,” I said. “You’re tough enough.

The room was amazing. It was all glass, including the domed roof, and in all directions it offered a view of the Atlantic Ocean stretching empty into the distance, hinting of eternity.

Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don’t. I don’t need the competition.

Vinnie and Hawk lounged in the theater lobby, blending in to the theatrical scene like two coyotes at a poultry festival.

There is excitement in a new kiss, but there is a quality of memory and intimacy in kissing someone you’ve kissed often before. I.

Too much positive is either scared or stupid or both. Reality is uncertain.

We split a bottle of Norman cider. Not everybody sells Norman cider by the bottle. “Has a European feel” Susan said. “That sounds terrific” I said. “Can I have one?” Susan grinned at me. “How did you ever get to be so big without growing up?” she said. “Iron self-control” I said.