"You can't just plain die. You got to do it by the book"

This quote by Richard McKenna is a pointer that life is not something to be ignored. It recommends that we must not take our lives for given and that we should live our lives according to the rules and guidelines set out for us. It is a pointer that we should not take shortcuts or try to find ways to cheat death. We must live our lives in a manner that is considerate and honourable, and when the time comes, we ought to accept death with self-respect. This quote is a suggestion that life is valuable and should be lived to the max, and that death must be accepted with grace and dignity. It is a tip that we should not attempt to cheat death, however instead, accept it as part of life and live our lives according to the book.