zoe c.

“Though I have no kids and Hollywood doesn’t exist, I firmly believe, however, that it did exist. And like Rome, we are living amidst the fallen columns and clothes-lined courtyards, in the ruins of an empire of the self-enchanted which was once, briefly, more devastating than Caesar’s and still brings respectable families to a hot, windy intersection in August to sigh with unnoticed despondence, “…Well…here we are…Hollywood and Vine.”
― Eve Babitz, Eve's Hollywood

“it seemed much more likely to scald and burn from sex and rage instead.”
― Eve Babitz, Sex and Rage

“I know what 'nothing' means, and I keep on playing. Why, BZ would say. Why not, I say.”
― Joan Didion, Play It As It Lays

“Maria would say that they were not her friends, but Maria has never understood friendship, conversation, the normal amenities of social exchange. Maria has difficulty talking to people with whom she is not sleeping.

"I go to the Wilshire or the Beverly Hills," I say. "I read the trades, I like to be alone at breakfast."

"In fact he doesn't always get breakfast out," Maria says, very low, to no one in particular. "In fact the last time he got breakfast out was on April 17.”
― Joan Didion, Play It As It Lays