... in moments of crisis our thoughts do not run consecutively but rather sweep over us in waves or intuition and experience ... - John le Carré

Every writer wants to be believed. But every writer knows he is spurious; every fiction writer would rather be credible than authentic.

I honestly do wonder, without wishing to be morbid, how I reached this present pass. So far as I can ever remember of my youth, I chose the secret road because it seemed to lead straightest and furthest toward my... goal... Today, all I know is that I have learned to interpret the whole of life in terms of conspiracy... These people terrify me, but I am one of them. If they stab me in the back, then at least that is the judgement of my peers.

Smiley was soaked to the skin and God as a punishment had removed all taxis from the face of London.