How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I’ll have a roast pork tenderloin with apple sauce and mashed potatoes," the first man said.
"It isn’t ready yet."
"What the hell do you put it on the card for?" (6-8)
This is the first case of false appearances that we get in the story. The menu lists food that isn’t really available. Yes, this is trivial, but it’s easing us into this theme.
Quote #2
George looked at the clock on the wall behind the counter.
"It’s five o’clock."
"The clock says twenty minutes past five," the second man said.
"It’s twenty minutes fast." (10-13)
And right away we’re hit with the second instance – the clock reads one time when it is in fact another. More false appearances, more "seeming."
Quote #3
"This is a hot town," said the other. "What do they call it?"
"Summit." (26-7)
The town’s name is deceptive; far from being a peak of any sort, the town is a veritable valley of deadened passivity.
Quote #4
"Just a bright boy," Max said. He leaned forward and took the ham and eggs. Both men ate with their gloves on. George watched them eat. (46)
Did you notice that Max ends up eating what Al ordered? Interesting…
Quote #5
"Hello, George," he said. "Can I get supper?"
"Sam’s gone out," George said. "He’ll be back in about half an hour." (117-8)
Here’s a double case of deceptive appearances; to the man who comes in, the diner appears open but is in fact closed. Of course, to the reader, the diner appears closed but is in fact concealing two would-be murderers.
Quote #6
"You talk too much, all the same," Al said. He came out from the kitchen. The cut-off barrels of the shotgun made a slight bulge under the waist of his too tight-fitting overcoat. He straightened his coat with his gloved hands. (140)
Notice how this bulge under the overcoat is revealed to us only now, after we know that Al has a gun, not earlier when he first entered the lunchroom.
Quote #7
Nick opened the door and went into the room. Ole Andreson was lying on the bed with all his clothes on. He had been a heavyweight prizefighter and he was too long for the bed. He lay with his head on two pillows. He did not look at Nick. (173)
Ole’s appearance as a burly ex-fighter belies his passivity.
Quote #8
"I’m sorry he don’t feel well," the woman said. "He’s an awfully nice man. He was in the ring, you know."
"I know it."
"You’d never know it except from the way his face is," the woman said. (204-6)
It seems that Ole is not only passive, but also gentle; his appearance hides both of these characteristics.