"When he (Springer) was around the lot was like they were all trying to fill some big skin that Springer spent all his time and energy imagining…When he died that skin became Harry's own, to stand around in loosely." Chapter I, page 5.

"These acres of dead railroad track and car shops and stockpiled wheels and empty boxcars stick in the heart of the city like a great rusting dagger." Chapter I, page 33.

"Dark youths thinking in languages of their own stare from the triangular stone porches of the old corner grocery stores." Chapter I, page 33, Harry on his drive home.

"The evening passes in a stale crackle of television and suppressed resentment…Ma Springer, having condescended to share with them at the kitchen table some lumpy mushroom soup Janice has warmed and the cold cuts slightly sweaty from waiting too long in the refrigerator…" Chapter I, page...