'It's rather like a Poe story, isn't it,' said Patrick luxuriously, unfocusing his eyes. 'A person sees the chance of a better life passing by, and he makes as if to call out' - he flung one arm in the imploring gesture of a soul in torment - 'but something in his nature makes him hesitate. He pauses... he closes his lips... he steps back... and then he slides down, and down, and down.'
Page 8. - Cosmo Cosmolino (1992)