“He put on his hat and wrapped his scarf around his jaw, but did without the wig and the sunglasses. He clicked his key chain and the car beeped and the doors locked."That's it?"He looked up. "Sorry?""Aren't you afraid it might get stolen? We're not exactly in a good part of town.""It's got a car alarm.""Don't you, like, cast a spell or something? To keep it safe?""No. It's a pretty good car alarm.”

“Where are you going?""Nowhere special. I just have some... things to do.""Why did you pause?'"I'm sorry?""You paused. You have 'some... things to do.'"No reason, I just--""You're up to something.""No--""Then why'd you pause?""Get in the car."She got in. He got in."Seat belt," he said.Why'd you pause?"His head drooped. "Because I'm up to somthing.""And why can't I come with you?""Because it's something sneaky.""Do you promise to tell me later?""I do.""Well all right then." She clicked her seat belt into place. "Let's go.”

“He does this on purpose," Stephanie's mother said as they sat in the car, seat belts on and ready to go. They watched him appear at the front door, shrug into his jacket, tuck in his shirt, go to step out, and then pause."He looks like he's about to sneeze," Stephanie remarked.”

“With his sunglasses gone and his scarf hanging down, there was no denying that he had no flesh, he had no skin, he had no eyes and he had no face. All he had was a skull for a head.”

“You're bored, aren't you.''I need constant distraction. Shall we go?''Uh, aren't you supposed to delegate responsibility or something? If you're not here, who's in charge?'Skulduggery looked around and pointed to a sorcerer at the far side of the cemetery. 'He is.''Who is he?''Don't know. He looks like leadership material, though, doesn't he?''Does he?''He's wearing a hat.''And that means he's a leader?''Leaders wear hats. It's to keep the rain off while we make important decisions. He'll do fine.''Shouldn't you tell him that he's in charge?' 'And spoil the surprise?”

“He crouched at the car window and looked in. 'What a lovely family you have. What a charming family. They're all lovely. Except for that one.' His finger jabbed the glass. 'That one's a bit ugly.”

“The workshop door opened and Skulduggery emerged. "Ryan," he said, "stop leaning on my car.”