" The lowliest European functionary—a border inspector, say—dressed immaculately, and furnished even a cubicle to lend an impression of respectability. A truly wealthy man, like Stolarsky, pronounced his status in paneling, burnished wood, fountain pens, leather volumes. Bruno banished the despondent thought; this baleful room was Europe’s nullification. “What’s the matter, I trample on your delicate sensibilities? "

― Jonathan Lethem , A Gambler's Anatomy