How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
You dismissed us on day one, I think. It's the kind of sardonic comment that would be good to share with a mate, a pal, a sidekick and co-conspirator. If I had one. (2.7)
Yeah, that's a pretty lonely sentiment there, Cam. It's no good being awesomely witty if there's no one else to witness it and get pleasure from your scathing genius.
Quote #2
I guess we're sort of friends. If getting high in high school bathrooms and occasionally sharing a table in the caf counts as friendship. (2.24)
There are friends and there are friends, you know? If the only things you share are pieces of furniture at a given time and love of an illegal substance, though, we're going to go right ahead and say that you're not really friends, though—this screams acquaintances. While Cam is trying to be nonchalant about not really having friends, we think it's just an act. He knows he doesn't really have any friends, and it's easier to be defensive than it is to put himself out there.
Quote #3
"Nowhere's a bad place to be. I been there. How come you got no girlfriend?"
I pick up a copy of the free weekly newspaper I have no intention of reading. "Ahh, you know. The Cam-man is meant to be shared by many, held by none."
Eubie laughs. He's got a laugh like a machine gun firing through velvet. "That's some serious bu'shit, man. Do yourself a favor, friend. Leave my shop and go live a little." (4.7-9)
Now here's a friend. Eubie is probably the only person at this point in Cam's life who gives it to him like it is because he sees right through all of his facades. He calls him out on his baloney, but only because he cares. He wants Cam to stop hiding and get out there—which is exactly what a good friend would want for him, too. Dang it, Cam, why do you have to be so blind?
Quote #4
"'Not me, princess. I travel solo or not at all.' Right. Not the point. The point is, you're gonna need a mate, a pal, a sidekick and coconspirator. And frankly, Gonzo could use a little help, too. I mean, look at him." (15.101)
Hans Solo impression aside, Dulcie has a good point. A healthy friendship isn't unilateral—both parties get something out of it. Cam needs someone to help him on his quest, and Gonzo needs this mission just as badly as Cam does. The poor kid puffs his inhaler just contemplating eating from a salad bar, for Pete's sake.
Quote #5
I'd like to beat the crap out of him for calling Gonzo a midget freak, but I'm tied to a chair and the lizard part of my brain has been activated and is now occupied with survival. (26.11)
Cam's first thought after the Revolution is to ask about Gonzo, and then he wants to defend his honor, too? He's come a long way from the kid who couldn't even care about anyone else.
Quote #6
I grab his shoulders hard and shake him. "Gonzo! I am not going to let you die. Okay? I'm not your mom! I am not rushing you into an early grave so I can get on with my life. Okay? Okay?"
I'm waiting for him to go medieval on my ass for talking about his mom that way, but surprisingly, he just nods, letting me get back to his bag. (27.20-21)
Only really good friends can talk to each other like this. Like really good friends. But Gonzo takes it—which means there's an element of truth to what Cam says—and their relationship grows three sizes this day.
Quote #7
"No matter if he has lost his wits completely and speaks like one whom the dogs should tear asunder in a mercy killing," Balder continues. "This is a quest. I pledged my loyalty to Cameron back on the cul-de-sac. I shall see it through till the end." (29.189)
He may be small, but when it comes to friendship, Balder's about as mighty as they come.
Quote #8
[Gonzo] has every right to call his mom and head back to Texas, but I hope he won't. The truth is, I've kind of gotten used to his neurotic weirdness, and I'd miss it if he left. Maybe that's what real friendship is—getting so used to people that you need to be annoyed by them. (29.191)
But is Cam really so annoyed by Gonzo? Or is this just his disgruntled way of admitting that he enjoys his company?
Quote #9
"He was very disrespectful. I have learned much in my current form. I have seen how those supposed to have no power can be disregarded quite easily. Just because I'm small doesn't mean I have no worth."
Gonzo nods. "Say what-what." He puts a stubby fist on the back of his seat rest.
"What-what." Balder says. He reaches up and bumps fists with Gonzo, and they go back to eating their chips in satisfied silence. (30.97)
How's this for some male bonding, eh? These two may be small, but their shared mightiness becomes be the basis for their budding friendship. At first Gonzo doesn't trust Balder because he thinks Balder is too ashamed to admit that he is a dwarf. But after a few lethal-looking injuries from diner projectiles, Gonzo finally realizes that Balder truly is just trapped in his tiny form, and now they have common ground to stand on.
Quote #10
"Maybe there's a universe where I don't get this disease at all. Where none of this happens." As soon as I say it, I think of Dulcie. Of Gonzo and Balder and this whole nutty trip, how I wouldn't trade parts of it for anything. (35.11)
It's pretty sad that Cam has to die in order to learn the value of friendship and all the joy it can bring, but at least he finally gets it. Can you imagine the Cam from the beginning of the book saying something like this? Us neither.
Quote #11
Gonzo has heard. He looks a little sad as he nods. There's not much I can do without alerting the guys to his presence. And so I put up my palm. It's not really a wave, not a goodbye or a hello, just a hand, a Hey, I see you. He gives me a palm right back. I see you, too. And then he does what he should; he folds into the swarm of people trying to have a good time and make a few memories, just another face in the crowd. (49.52)
This was such a touching moment. They just get each other, so their big goodbye can be a simple guy-nod type gesture—cool but sweet. Nice.