In "Tours of the Black Clock," Steve Erickson explores a sense of disillusionment and the absence of authority in urban spaces. The narrator observes the environment, noting a lack of decisive leadership or figureheads who exert control. This leads to an atmosphere of confusion and frustration, prompting the question of who is really in charge. The imagery of police roaming aimlessly on horseback through a seemingly affluent area like Fifth Avenue highlights the disparity between authority and the emotional landscape of the people. The quote captures a feeling of alienation, as the narrator wonders about the presence of anger in such a privileged space, suggesting a deeper social commentary on urban life and its complexities.