“Then it suddenly and theatrically began to clean itself in the way cats do when they want you to know what a big deal you aren't.”

“When you're a cat, most of the time you're thinking about cat things. Little movements in the grass, cupboards that aren't quite closed, patches of sunlight on rocks, narrow places at the backs of closets - you're always noticing those things. You can't help yourself. It's boring if you think about it, but you don't think about it because you're a cat. ... sometimes you know what people want. You don't always care; but you know what they want.”

“It's strange though. People make such a big deal about looks, but after a while, when you know someone, you don't even notice anymore, do you? It's just the way they look.”

“Okay, so I'll admit I'm curious. Big deal. We both know what that leads to. Dead cat.”

“Listen up, Wanda. I know exactly what you don't want to be. But we're human, and we're selfish, and we don't always do the right thing. We aren't going to let you go. Deal with it.”

“It's a big deal when you finally get the chance to do the one thing you want to do -need to do- more than anything. It can kind of scare the crap out of you.”