Richard Yates

Tell me the truth, Frank, remember that? We used to live by it. And you know what's so good about the truth? Everyone knows what it is however long they've lived without it. No one forgets the truth, Frank, they just get better at lying.

If being crazy means - living life as if it matters, then I don't care if we're completely insane. Do you?

Don't you see? That's the whole idea! You'll be able to do what you should have been allowed to do seven years ago, you'll have the time. For the first time in your life, you'll have the time to find out what it is you actually want to do. And when you figure it out, you'll have the time and the freedom, to start doing.

No, Frank. This is what's unrealistic. It's unrealistic for a man with a fine mind to go on working year after year at a job he can't stand. Coming home to a place he can't stand, to a wife who's equally unable to stand the same things. And you know what the worst part of it is? Our whole existence here is based on this great premise that we're special. They we're superior to the whole thing. But we're not. We're just like everyone else! We bought into the same, ridiculous delusion. That we have to resign from life and settle down the moment we have children. And we've been punishing each other for it.

I wanted *in*. I just... I just wanted us to live again. For years I thought we've shared this secret... that we would be wonderful in the world. I didn't exactly know how, but just... just the possibility kept me hoping.

How pathetic is that? So stupid. To put all your hopes in... in a promise that was never made. See, Frank knows. He knows what he wants. He's found his place. He's just fine. Married, two kids. It should be enough.

It is for him. And he's right. We were never special or destined or anything at all.

Just because you've got me safe in this little trap, you think you can bully me into feeling whatever you want me to feel!

Don't worry, I can't be bothered! You're not worth the trouble it would take to hit you! You're not worth the powder it would take to blow you up. You are an empty, empty, hollow shell of a woman. I mean, what the hell are you doing in my house if you hate me so much? Why the hell are you married to me? What the hell are you doing carrying my child? I mean, why didn't you just get rid of it when you had the chance? Because listen to me, listen to me, I got news for you - I wish to God that you had!

Knowing what you've got - comma - knowing what you need - comma - knowing what you can do without - dash - That's inventory control.

You know what this is like? April, honestly? This talking like this. The whole, the whole idea of, of going off to Europe this way. This is the way I felt going up to the line, the first time, in the war. I mean, I was, I was probably just as scared as everyone else; but, but inside, I never felt better. I felt, I felt alive! I felt full of blood! I felt - everything just - everything seemed more real. The guys in the uniforms. The snow on the fields. The trees. And all of us, all of us, just, walking. I mean, I-I was scared, of course; but, I just kept thinking, this is it, you know! This - is the truth!