“To quote Shirley Polanski, head waitress at the Humdinger Diner: "Beware of a big man whose stomach doesn't move when he laughs."I think a Chinese philosopher said it first, but these things trickle down to the food service community.”

“Mother, this is a confidential business discussion. I hardly think that your driver can add anything noteworthy."I could kick you in the stomach, I thought, moving toward the couch. I could drag you across Texas by your pointy ears.”

“There they were, the movers and shakers of Benjamin Franklin Hight - the sports stars, the cheerleaders, the good, the great, the gorgeous - bent over their pizzas.Trish sensed my angst and said, "My mother says girls like Lisa Shooty get the ultimate curse known to man.""What's that?""Too much too soon."I looked at poor, cursed Lisa who had been sprayed with sex appeal at birth. She had gleaming teeth and long, raven-black curls. She threw back her head and laughed with diamond-studded joy."When do you think the curse takes effect?" I asked."Not in our lifetime," Trish answered.”

“Elden started toward me, "I think that's enough!"The man I almost knocked down bolted from his chair and shouted, "Let her speak!"Yield, rat boy!”

“The attendant walked closer. "Where'd you come from, soldier?" Tree tried to think of a recent war and coudn't, so he said, "Canada." The attendant looked surprised. "Canada?" "It was a secret mission," Grandpa said. "It saved the Republic," Wild Man whispered.”

“now i believe that the way to anyone's heart is through their stomach, and, my boy, i'm here to tell you, we ware in the heart business. we're going to reach deep past the menu and into the emotional power of food because a person comes back to a restaurant again and again for one reason only - to fee their soul. ”

“I've never said this to a girl before."I bit my lip, waiting."Well..." He looked down. "I'm not sure how to say this." He took a deep breath and announced, "I really like fighting evil with you.”