How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"That's what surge rats use. Combat squads. Half-men. It's for animals." She caught herself. "I mean…"
"Animals, huh?" Nailer exchanged a tired smile with Pima. "That's about rights. Just a bunch of animals here, making money for you big bosses." (12.29-30)
When Nita describes how her family uses genetically engineered "half-men" like Tool, she reveals the prejudices that she grew up with about class as she lessens Tool's humanity. But even more significantly, Nailer lumps himself in with the "animals," which shows us that he thinks he has more in common with Tool, a half-man, than with Nita, a swank.
Quote #5
"I'll tell you, a swank like her always means trouble for people like us. They don't give a copper yard about us, but they sure like their own. Maybe they pay us for her and then maybe they come back with guns and clear us out like a snake nest, instead of saying thank you." (13.87)
Richard Lopez, Nailer's dad, applies his own mercenary world-view to the swanks who might be after Nita; he thinks they'll live by the code he lives by. As we read, we realize that this perspective applies to some swanks but not to others, which just goes to show that there are good—and bad—people at all social levels.
Quote #6
"Pyce's people would have killed them all anyway. He wouldn't have wanted witnesses."
Pima grinned. "Damn, the swanks and the rust rats are all the same at the end of the day. Everyone's looking to get a little blood on their hands.""Yes." Nita nodded seriously. "Just the same." (13.138-140)
Pima realizes that even though the swanks may have more money and opportunities, they're still just as corrupt and selfish as the "rust rats." Morality—and immorality—transcend class boundaries. It's a revelation that pops up again and again throughout the novel.