Isabel Gillies Quotes

Charlie Black Of course there is a God. We all basically know there is.

Cynthia McLean I know no such thing.

Charlie Black Of course you do. When you think to yourself, and most of our waking life is taken up thinking to ourselves, you must have that feeling that your thoughts aren't entirely wasted, that in some sense they are being heard. Rationally, they aren't. You're entirely alone. Even the people to whom we are closest can have no real idea of what is going on in our minds. We aren't devastated by loneliness because, at a hardly conscious level, we don't accept that we're entirely alone. I think this sensation of being silently listened to with total comprehension... something you never find in real life... represents our innate belief in a supreme being, some all-comprehending intelligence.

Charlie Black Well, I don't think "preppy" is a very useful term. I mean, it might be descriptive for someone who is still in school or college; but, it's ridiculous to refer to a man in his 70s, like Averell Harriman, as a "preppy". And none of the other terms people use - WASP, P.L.U., et cetera - are of much use either. And that's why I prefer the term "U.H.B.

Nick Smith What?

Charlie Black U.H.B. It's an acronym for Urban Haute Bourgeoisie.

Cynthia McLean Is our language so impoverished that we have to use acronyms or French phrases to make ourselves understood?

Charlie Black Yes.

Nick Smith It's incredible, the eagerness of girls like you to justify the worst bastards imaginable... as being sensitive and shy. But if any guy who really was shy dared talk to you... you wouldn't give him the time of day - your eyes would glaze over.

Cynthia McLean You're really hung up on Rick, aren't you? He must really threaten you somehow.

Nick Smith You're right. I do feel threatened - that I may get a venereal disease from one of the St. Tim's girls he's been with.

Nick Smith Did you learn that from your lovemaking with Rick? I hear it can get really rough.

Nick Smith Don't do that again. For me, it isn't erotic.