Dead of Night Quotes

“Melbourne Beach. The inlaid woods are from South America and Africa—caoba, rose, and mahogany. Otherwise, it’s nearly ten feet of full balsa, but chambered for buoyancy. Dave told me he’d built this one with an extra tail rocker, three stringers, and a long panel vee to facilitate rail-to-rail turns—plus, the thinner rails will make it easier for you to keep an edge in the face of a wave. Perfect for a guy your size.” I said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about. It is pretty, though. For someone to put so much time into it, I don’t doubt it rides fine.” I was noting the O near the nose, just beneath the shark. There was the brand name, Vector, imposed upon a line drawing of a globe. The globe was crosshatched with lines of latitude and longitude. Still admiring the surfboard, I added, “But I can’t accept something like this. It’s so nice, I’d be afraid to take it near the water.” “Dude, it’s a present. You’ve gotta accept it. And she’s built to ride, not hang on the wall.” “Why a present? This thing had to cost a mint. What’s the occasion?” Tomlinson gave a regal wave of dismissal: Don’t be crass by mentioning the cost. “You have a birthday coming up, young man.” “No ... Actually, it’s way past.” “So I forgot.” “No, you didn’t forget. You don’t recall the party? The night the fishing guides went skinny-dipping and scared off that group of nice tourist ladies? You gave me a little bag of marijuana. What you did forget is that I don’t smoke, ever.” Tomlinson had an index”
― Randy Wayne White, Dead of Night

“primate units struggle for ascendance, the weaknesses of many sheltered by the strength of a few. Conventional human conduct—trappings of respect, ceremony, alliance, and ritual—are added later to maintain the comforting illusion of a sentimental, civilized world ... —MDF I”
― Randy Wayne White, Dead of Night

“society whose moral ideals inhibit its own defense is a society doomed to destruction by those predators it defines as immoral.”
― Randy Wayne White, Dead of Night

“generation of children grew up drinking DDT-laced milk and water and eating DDT-contaminated food. Unknown thousands of that generation are still suffering the effects.”
― Randy Wayne White, Dead of Night

“People used to making decisions sometimes like it when they’re told what to do.”
― Randy Wayne White, Dead of Night

“Studies have been done on people who believe in conspiracies. Clinical paranoia, plus nonspecific rage, are two common components. Crazy and angry: a dangerous combination.”
― Randy Wayne White, Dead of Night