How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"After I called you on your cell phone I closed the mailroom and put up a sign. I told them I had to go to the courthouse and that the three o'clock and five o'clock would be delivered together. Patty at the reception desk can handle any packages that are delivered while we're gone." (14.49)
Marcelo's introduction to lying—or at least, the first law-office lie he knows is a lie—is when Jasmine tells a small fib to cover for him. Not that this is any kind of practice for the other, much more devastating lies he'll encounter there.
Quote #2
The boat ride. I suddenly remember it. "He wants to help me succeed at the law firm so that I can go to Paterson next year." I am not sure whether this is a lie or not. (17.26)
Wendell's lying to Marcelo every time he opens his mouth, of course, but Marcelo doesn't understand ulterior motives because he's never had to deal with them before. In a way, they're another form of lying.
Quote #3
"Anyone looking at the picture would know that it had to be connected to a Vidromek case. Nothing is thrown away on purpose, but maybe it was thrown away by accident. But you don't believe that was the case?" (17.58)
Reading Marcelo forces us to think about the other kinds of lies besides blatant untruths. Here, he's dealing with a lie of omission, in which withholding the truth is just as damaging as outright fibbing.