“That's how New York looked: like a gorgeous, easy thing to have, even for me.”

“Behind the desk was nothing but view-the whole city flung out in front of us the way street vendors fling out their towels packed with cheap, glittery watches and belts. That's how New York looked: like gorgeous, easy thing to have, even for me.”

“You can see the most beautiful things from the observation deck of the Empire State Building. I read somewhere that people on the street are supposed to look like ants, but that's not true. They look like little people. And the cars look like little cars. And even the buildings look little. It's like New York is a miniature replica of New York, which is nice, because you can see what it's really like, instead of how it feels when you're in the middle of it.”

“It may have seemed like an insane thing to do at the time, but somehow...staying in New York would have been even crazier.”

“That's how quickly New York City comes about - like a weather wane - or the head of a cobra. Time tells which.”

“That's the problem with living in New York. You've got no New York to run away to.”