“SMILEY: ‘Look! It’s a map of the mountain range!’ PHONEY: ‘I’m saved! Give it to me!’ SMILEY: ‘Gimmie a dollar first.’ PHONEY: ‘What?’ FONE: ‘Go on, Phoney! Give him a dollar! PHONEY: ‘WHAT?! FONE: ‘We’re lost in the middle of th’ desert! Give him a dollar!’”

This moment takes place in the first scene of the book and serves several purposes. The first is to establish character: Through this exchange alone, we can see that Phoney is an archetypal miser, Smiley is goofy, and Fone is the mediator of the group. This scene also establishes a lighthearted tone: Despite the dire circumstances, this scene is played for laughs, and Smiley and Fone are calmly making jokes at Phoney’s expense. Lastly, this gag is mirrored at the end of the story when the Bone Cousins are returning home from their journey, which imparts a sense of closure and symmetry.

“Hmmf. I’m always getting’ him outta trouble! Well, cousin or not… when we get back to Boneville, Phoney’s gonna have to face the music by himself! I’ve had it! From now on, he can outrun angry mobs, an’ fall off cliffs without my help! What kind of pasty does he take me for?! Urnf! It’s always: “Fone Bone, you gotta save me!” Or: “Fone Bone, you gotta help me!” Why I oughta—HEY! How’d I get so close to the mountains?! Where is everybody? Where’s th’ locusts?! NO WAY! I climbed up the wrong side! PHONEY! HELP!! YOU GOTTA SAVE ME!!”

This monologue implies some of the dimensions of Fone and Phoney’s relationship early on. Fone serves as a responsible foil to Phoney, who often gets into trouble and relies on his cousin’s assistance. Although this pattern aggravates Fone, his call for help suggests that they mutually rely on one another.

“QUICHE?! What kind of food is that for a monster to eat!?”

This quote distinguishes the two Stupid Rat Creatures from each other. While one of the pair enjoys stereotypical monster food (stew and raw meat), the other likes comparatively effete cuisine, a contrast that sets them up as a bickering comic duo.