In any case”—he gestured at the car—“this vehicle has achieved a state of permanent inanimation. - Matt Hughes

Insanity was not unknown among the wealthy. Indeed, some forms of madness had sometimes been cultivated as fashionable accessories.

"Are you familiar with Wallader's theory that every society is fundamentally organized around one or another of the cardinal sins?"
"I believe not," I said.
"He argues that the true seed of every culture, whatever the ideals to which it gives lip service, always turns out to be one of the seven mortal iniquities identified by the ancients: pride, greed, and anger are the most common; lust, gluttony, and envy less so; those based on sloth usually do not last."

"Then how is it done?"
"By magic, I suppose. How else?"
"That is a foolish and flippant answer," he said. "'Oh, it's magic,' is not a handy solution to every mystery. I am not the child."