“The prospective buyer said, “Name your price.” So I replied, “OK, how about Ralph Isaac Papov?”

“If my name were Isaac Newton, would I be a famous no name? I’d have worldwide and historical name recognition, yet I’d be anonymous.”

“Socialism provides safety in numbers. And that’s OK, if you don’t mind trading your name—your identity and individualism—for a number.”

“She always looks like she’s about to break into laughter. He always looks like he’s about to break into her house. I don’t care what he takes, so long as it’s me who steals her heart. I’ve already got a buyer lined up in Russia.”

“She said, “What?” so I replied, “What what?” She gave me a look that said, “What what what?” and I didn’t respond because I fell in love with her.”

“In my life I haven’t done anything worth writing about, but that’s OK. That’s why I write fiction.”

“I heard you calling out to me, but I almost didn’t reply because you were using another guy’s name.”