1. While the criminals in DTEB all act like criminals, to what extent is the public complicit in the disposal of waste at cut-rate prices?
2. It would be hard to justify the actions of the criminals in DTEB, but what about the actions of local residents who do not question the fact that they pay nothing for sewage disposal or who do not think twice about what happens to the wastes that they generate?
3. While awaiting the break-the-fast dinner, Nicky Kane’s father complains about over-regulation by government agencies, “sucking the lifeblood out of business.” Do you think that government agencies are properly regulating or over-regulating?
4. The truck driver thinks about which bill to pay as he pumps the hazardous waste into the borehole. As the waste splashes its way toward the river, he is described as a mild-mannered man who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Discuss the banality of evil.
5. When Mike is confronted by Flynn in the mine shaft, Flynn says to him: “Don’t judge me. In a couple of years, you’ll be working for some big law firm and even if you don’t let the bastards dump down some borehole, you’ll still be doing basically the same thing I’m doing.” Assuming that Mike goes to work for a law firm some day and represents corporations, would he be doing the same thing as Flynn?
6. Mike asks both Sherry and Patty if he can kiss them before he kisses them. Is this polite, necessary in this day and age, or just plain creepy?
7. Why does Mike not tell Sherry about Patty or Patty about Sherry? He has justifications, but are they reasonable or believable? What should Mike have done?
8. For most of the story, Mike thinks of himself as a “good guy” when it comes to his relationship with women. Is he?
9. Mike gives up pursuing a rabbinical degree to pursue a career in environmental law. Some have said participation in social reform is a substitute for observance of Judaism. Others say participation in social reform is the essence of Judaism. What do you think? Is this a problem in the Jewish community (as a religion) or one of its strengths?

By the end of DTEB Mike believes he has grown. How has he grown? How has he not changed?