Smells

Rojack has a better sense of smell than Tucan Sam. As die-hard Fruit Loops fanatics (we attend Loop-Con every year), we don't say that lightly.

Take a look at Rojack's interactions with Deborah, for example. He is disgusted when Deborah asks for a kiss—all he can focus on is the "stench of sweet rot" that she emits whenever she's "been drinking" (1.97). In this instance, Deborah's scent reminds of him of his own mortality, which he's eager to forget (for more on Rojack's inner death drama, swing by the "Characters" section and check out his page).

Another example comes later, when Rojack visits Kelly. As he walks through the hallways in this fancy-schmancy hotel, Rojack becomes overwhelmed by the "congregated odor of the wealthy […] a whiff of the tomb" (8.112). Once again, a scent is used to illustrate a deep-seated feeling that Rojack has. Here, it represents his simultaneous infatuation with and hatred of wealth. He both wants it, and senses the ways in which is signals death (think of Kelly's isolation, for instance).

Ultimately, then, Rojack's sense of smell comes to represent his subconscious feelings. He's been going through a lot lately and he doesn't entirely understand all of the emotions he's experiencing. Like an animal running on instinct, however, Rojack still feels those emotions even if he can't comprehend them. And his nose knows what's up.