Bob had developed a supersuccessful start-up designing new mobile apps. It seemed like all around them people were developing Internet start-ups, building new applications, creating successful businesses out of thin air, getting rich overnight, just like that.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: Vica is jealous of how rich Bob has gotten in the business of designing mobile apps. She also sees other people who have earned a good deal of money with a successful app. She wonders why she and Sergey cannot have as much success with the app Sergey is trying to promote.

For most people, the choice of apartment was determined by their financial situation, social status, and personality. But for immigrants it was more challenging. They couldn’t figure out what their social status was, their financial future was murky, and relying on one’s personality seemed too frivolous.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: This quote describes one of the problems that immigrants to America face. It...