Question

Read the excerpt from “The Railroad Earth.”

So there I am in dawn in my dim cell——2½ hours to go till the time I have to stick my railroad watch in my jean watchpocket and cut out

Within these lines, where is the most appropriate place for a pause?
after “dawn”
after “cell”
after “railroad”
after “jean”

Answer 1

after “cell”

The em dash after "cell" marks a strong pause—introducing the parenthetical time note—so that's the most appropriate break.