“Weeks later, she said: 'The guy was about middle-aged. All his things right there in his yard. No lie. We got real pissed and danced. In the driveway. Oh, my God. Don't laugh. He played us these records. Look at this record-player. The old guy gave it to us. And all these crappy records. Will you look at this shit?' She kept talking. She told everyone. There was more to it, and she was trying to get it talked out. After a time, she quit trying”

“She also keeps talking about the Billie Holiday record she bought for me. And she says she wants to expose me to all these great things. And to tell you the truth, I don't really want to be exposed to all these great things if it means that I'll have to listen to Mary Elizabeth talk about all the great things she exposed me to all the time. It almost feels like of the three things involved: Mary Elizabeth, me, and the great things, only the first one matters to Mary Elizabeth. I don't understand that. I would give someone a record so they could love the record, not so they would always know that I gave it to them.”

“And she says she wants to expose me to all these great things. And to tell you the truth, I don't really want to be exposed to all these great things if it means that I'll have to hear Mary Elizabeth talk about all the great things she exposed me to all the time. I don't understand that. I would give someone a record so they could love the record, not so they would always know that I gave it to them.”

“B-T-W," Heather said. "What's with the death wish?""What are you talking about?""I'm talking about provoking the wicked witch of the west. You look old? Are you trying to get us both killed?""She does look old. Or at least, older than she used to.""It doesn't matter! Two things you never comment on when it comes to girls: their age and their weight. That's male survival 101. Come on!”

“She was tough," James said, "but nice. She wanted to talk things out with Slytherin even after he'd tried to kill the lot of us. But she wasn't a pushover. None of them were. They were hardcore. I'll tell you more tomorrow. How'd you all know I'd gone missing?”

“I think we should probably get Vanessa out of the Quiet Box to help us. What do you guys say?''Absolutely,' Newel affirmed. 'Best idea I've heard all day.''I'll second that,' Doren said gladly.Seth gave the satyrs a doubtful scowl. 'Wait a minute. You guys just think she's pretty.''I've been around a long time,' Newel said. 'Vanessa Santoro is not jut pretty.''He's right,' Doren agreed. 'She's walking dynamite. My pulse is rising just talking about her.''She also might be a traitor,' Seth stressed.'The lethal temptress,' Newel said with relish. 'Even better.''It will definitely spice up the adventure,' Doren encouraged.'I'm obviously talking to wrong guys,' Seth sighed.'Believe me,' Newel said cockily. 'you're talking to the right guys. We've been chasing babes since the world was flat.'Seth rolled his eyes.”