I'm the one he's looking for.
-- Avishai (Pages 1-29 paragraph 3)

Importance: Avishai offers plentiful poetic descriptions in the book, but this simple statement marks his introduction onto the scene. The first few pages deceptively portray an omniscient perspective of Dovaleh's performance until this quote, the first instance of first-person narration. The delay in this reveal not only shows Avishai's neutral reporting of the scene, it hints at the important connection he and Dovaleh share.

When he hit himself, there was something there, I'm not sure what, some sort of alluring abyss that opened up. And the guy is no idiot. He never was, and I'm sure I'm missing something in him tonight, too, some signal I have trouble putting my finger on, something inside him that's calling out to me.
-- Avishai (Pages 29-65 paragraph 2)

Importance: In the beginning, Avishai quickly displays his distaste with Dovaleh's brand of comedy through his insults and reluctance over the phone to accept Dovaleh's invitation...