How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"[Myrtle] had some dough on her. She gave [MacSwain] two hundred and a diamond ring that had cost a fellow named Boyle a thousand. I thought he'd come back for more later, but he didn't." (11.29)
Instances of bribery, like this moment between Myrtle and MacSwain, are perfect examples of how money is used to buy silence and cover up the truth. Interestingly, the Op is able to figure out that MacSwain is the real murderer of Tim by noticing that MacSwain wasn't as greedy about demanding more money as he could have been. Oh the irony!
Quote #8
"I win myself six hundred iron men. […] And then I lose myself that and my own two hundred and some in a crap game. What do you think of that? I pick up six hundred berries like shooting fish, and have to bum four bits for breakfast."
I said it was a tough break but that was the kind of world we lived in. (12.12)
MacSwain tries his hand at gambling and loses all he has. It makes us scratch our head over why gambling is so appealing, especially for those have more to lose. And the only real thing that seems to separate the criminals from the heroes is who gets the lucky break.
Quote #9
"What's it worth to know?"
"Nothing."
"I'll tell you for a hundred bucks."
"I wouldn't want to take advantage of you that way."
"I'll tell you for fifty bucks."
I shook my head.
"Twenty-five." (16.34)
Notice how quickly Dinah drops down her asking price from 100 to 25 bucks in exchange for giving Op information on Noonan? She is so desperate for money that she's sell her information for whatever price the Op agrees on. Is this greed talking or an unhealthy obsession, or both?