“Reality is a fiction with an unlimited budget.”
The remark expresses how money may be used to create a false sense of reality. The narrator is having a conversation with their father about money and its relationship to reality. The father contends that money is an illusion that does not necessarily define those who possess it. He claims that an individual's wealth is an accident and tells nothing about them. He also mentions that money has an endless budget when handled properly, which means it can be used to create a false sense of reality. The narrator then asks the father what property or quality would not be deemed an accident and the father is rendered speechless. This quote serves to highlight the power that money holds in creating false realities and how it can be used as a tool to manipulate people into believing certain things.
“My job is about being right. Always. If I’m ever wrong, I must make use of all my means and resources to bend and align reality according to my mistake so that it ceases to be a mistake.”
This quote is made by the character Bevel and refers to Vanner's novel, which contains outlandish charges about Bevel's family. This phrase reflects Bevel's professional ethics and sense of accomplishment in his work. He feels that it is his responsibility to always be correct and that if he makes a mistake, he must devote all of his resources to correcting it. This phrase might be interpreted as a commentary on Bevel's character, demonstrating his dedication to excellence in his work and his unwavering quest for perfection. It also reflects his sense of responsibility and accountability, as he believes he must accept responsibility for whatever mistakes he makes. The quote can also be seen as a commentary on Bevel's values as he is committed to upholding a high standard of integrity in his professional and personal life.
“the closer one is to a source of power, the quieter it gets. Authority and money surround themselves with silence, and one can measure the reach of someone’s influence by the thickness of the hush enveloping them.”
The phrase implies that power and influence carry some weight and gravity. Those in positions of power and wealth can generate an almost tangible environment of stillness. This can be observed in the remark that portrays Bevel Investments' reception area on the top floor, where the only sound was murmurs and whispers. It's also seen in the man in the swivel chair staring out the window while being watched by a welder. The narrator also uses the three applicants' examples to show how one's position with respect to a source of power may be identified simply by monitoring the level of silence that surrounds them. The author implies that the closer one is to the source of power, the quieter it gets and the more silent and respectful the atmosphere becomes.
“I have no country. I don’t want one. The root of all evil, the cause of every war—god and country.”
The quote expresses the narrator's father's opinions on nations and countries. His father is an exile who feels estranged from both his motherland and the United States. He despises all nations and their separate governments, believing that they are the source of all evil and the cause of all wars. He has no allegiance to any country and does not want one because he feels it will just bring more carnage and turmoil. This comment represents his father's views on nationalism and patriotism as well as his idea that the only thing that may create more harm than the nation-state is the marriage of religion and nation-state.
