...there was always a moment ... when they'd share a look across the bar, a silent understanding it was time to leave, to be alone again. That was a look I knew well, one Gail and I would notice between other couples ... a look that always made us feel defensive and exposed. After those evenings, we'd find ourselves dissecting the relationship of our friends ...standing beside one another at our twin sinks, brushing our teeth."
-- Narration (Howard) (The Old World, Part 1)

Importance: In this quote, taken from the moment at which Svetlana is discussing the history of her marriage, the history she reveals about her relationship with her husband Nikolai trigger thoughts in Howard about his relationship with his ex-wife Gail.

It felt like the fakest thing in the world and at first I didn't know what to say, or even who to say it to, but then I closed my eyes and tried. I prayed for calm...
-- Narration (Howard) (The Old World, Part 2)