“[...]Since then it’s been passed from mother to daughter, along with The Face.”“The Face?” Lucas asked.“That Launched a Thousand Ships,” Daphne said, repeating the title automatically. “It’s our curse.”

“It wasn't a beautiful face. But it was a nice face. It wasn't a face that could launch a thousand ships. Maybe two ships and a small yacht.”

“Was this the face that launched a thousand ships/And burnt the topless towers of Ilium?”

“Was this the face that launched a thousand ships, And burnt the topless towers of Ilium? Sweet Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.— Her lips suck forth my soul; see where it flies...”

“Enough wars have been started over this face. My face. My curse—and my mother’s curse, and her mother’s curse, and so on all the way back to the first woman to ever wear this face. Helen of Troy.”

“I’m going to tell you my name, since you’re too shy to ask.”.... “It’s David . . .” He slowly leaned in toward my face, “ . . . and I’m real.”...I suddenly recognized that voice... “I win,” he grinned.”