I have this disease late at night sometimes, involving…
“I have this disease late at night sometimes, involving alcohol and the telephone. I get drunk, and I drive my wife away with a breath like mustard gas and roses. And then, speaking gravely and elegantly into the telephone, I ask the telephone operators to connect me with this friend or that one, from whom I have not heard in years.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The narrator describes late-night turmoil involving alcohol, abusive language, and desperate attempts to reconnect with distant friends.
In simple terms: Late night drinking leads to destructive behavior and longing for old contacts.
Key Takeaway
Seek healthier ways to cope with loneliness and guilt.
Themes
addiction
loneliness
communication
Mood
melancholic
introspective
Type
literary
confessional
When to use this quote
- nighttime drinking
- relationship strain
- phone calls
Key Concepts
self-destruction
yearning
Questions to Reflect On
- What healthier outlets could replace this pattern?
- How can you rebuild strained relationships?
A Different Perspective
Self‑destructive habits mask deeper pain.