“Folks think a lifetime is a thing stretched out over years. It ain't. It can happen quick as a match in a dark room.”

“Ain't no man can outrun his fate.”

“Chip said it was his piano hands - one ain't never doing the same thing as the other.”

“The cabbie's eyes sort of glazed over. Canada kills any conversation quick, I learned long ago. It's a little trick of mine.”

“Ain't no glory made from being dependable.”

“It ain't really Czechoslovakian,' I said, coughing. 'We used to call it the Cheque. Like, you drink it up now, you pay for it later.”

“Tell me bout this caveman with the clam moustache been barkin speeches all over Germany.”