". . .it wasn't ironic justice at all. It's what always happens in the South Bronx. The real devil gets away without a burn, and the children of the South Bronx are the victims." (9)

"He tried to console Nick Riso, who was punishing himself because he was driving the apparatus from which Mike fell. He said, 'God Almighty, Nick, how many times did you turn that corner before when nothing ever happened? The Big Guy upstairs called the shots, that's all. You gotta look at it that way.' But Nick just sobbed, with his face in his hands."
(16)

"If you pick up a telephone receiver in this town you may,or may not, get a dial tone. If you get on a subway you may, or may not, get stuck in a tunnel for an hour. The wall socket in your apartment may, or may not, contain electricity. The...