Jerott, for God's sake! Are you doing this for a wager?' said Lymond, his patience gone at last. 'What does anyone want out of life? What kind of freak do you suppose I am? I miss books and good verse and decent talk. I miss women, to speak to, not to rape; and children, and men creating things instead of destroying them. And from the time I wake until the time I find I can't go to sleep there is the void-the bloody void where there was no music today and none yesterday and no prospect of any tomorrow, or tomorrow, or next God-damned year.
In this passage, Lymond expresses his deep frustration and disillusionment with the chaos and brutality surrounding him. He questions the purpose of life and laments missing the simple joys of literary and intellectual pursuits, meaningful conversations, and the innocence of human relationships. His words reveal a profound sense of despair and a longing for a more humane and creative existence that seems elusive amidst the violence and destruction he perceives.
He rhetorically asks Jerott if his actions are motivated by a wager, highlighting his disbelief and anger. Lymond describes a sense of emptiness and loss, emphasizing that his days are filled with a void where music, love, and the hope for a better future have vanished. His speech underscores his inner turmoil and the stark contrast between human potential and the devastation that dominates his life.
