Being a good Samaritan was one thing; approaching a plateless mongrel of a car without caution was just plain stupid.
-- Narrator (“Mile 81”)

Importance: Doug stops to help when he sees the station wagon because he fears he will be known as the person who refuses to help someone in need. He believes he is taking adequate precautions when he carries his cell phone with him when he goes to examine the car.

Tat Man is bent over like a man suffering serious stomach cramps. He is also groping at the side of his neck, which has sprouted a piece of wood.
-- Narrator (“Batman and Robin Have an Altercation”)

Importance: Sanderson is shocked when he sees that his father has stabbed the Tat Man in the neck with a steak knife he stole from the restaurant. It appears that even though Sanderson’s father is suffering with Alzheimer’s, he still has the primary instinct to protect his son.

Over the years...
-- The Judge (“The Dune”)