In fact – though many aren't hip to this yet – not only is there no more Eleanora, there isn't any Billie, either. There is only Lady Day.
-- Speaker (Paragraph 1)

Importance: This quote appears at the beginning of the story, after the speaker has established that she is speaking to Billie Holiday. These lines signal to the reader that the story will explore the different personas that surround Billie Holiday: her original name, Eleanora Fagan, her stage name Billie Holiday, and finally her nickname Lady Day, given to her by a friend. In so doing, the story immediately establishes that the character of Billie Holiday as readers may know will be called into question as the story progresses.

What you got, everybody wants – and most days you let 'em have it. Sometimes it's as much as you can do to keep ahold of your mink.
-- Speaker (Paragraph 2)

Importance: This quote demonstrates the concept of fame and the fact...