Ball Bearing Murder Weapon

Isaac used a large ball bearing in a car factory's machine shop to strike and kill Swede. The ball bearing is a symbol of the town's vanished manufacturing industry. Many problems in the town have been caused because of a lack of jobs and purpose because of factory closures.

Poe's '73 Camaro

Billy Poe owns a rusted-out Camaro that he intends to repair and rebuild but which he never gets around to. The Camaro is a symbol of Poe's wasted potential. He is fated to remain like that car: stuck in one place.

Four Thousand Dollars

Isaac steals four-thousand dollars from his father at the beginning of the book. This represents most of his father's life savings, and thus it represents a betrayal between father and son.

Steve Ho's Equipment

Steve Ho uses military-style combat armor and a large assault rifle for his...