“Carlyle spread her hands. ‘I speculated that it was the remains of the starship that took the Eurydiceans to the planet. This seems to have been borne out.’ She smiled. ‘It transmitted a defensive virus that contained Microsoft patches.”

“She's an old, close-to-the-ground, jelly-belly woman with bald patches showing through her wispy grey hair. It doesn't seem like she's got a lot going for her, but she's still smiling. Been around the sunflowers too long, I'd say.”

“Imagine what the world might have been like if Larry and Sergey instead became professors or took a job at Microsoft.”

“They say, that when I was born,my mother taught me to suck the milk.And every night beside my crib,she taught me to sleep as soft as silk.With a smile she pressed her lips to mine,till my mouth with joy oversplit.She took my hand and guided my foot,till I learned to walk with a happy lilt.One word, two words, then three and more...that's how she taught me to talk.That's why my life is part of her life,and will remain so as long as I live”

“Are you a virgin?” I asked, “A virgin who’s gonna tear out my heart?”“Yes … no … wait.” She looked at me. “I’m not going to rip out your heart.”“Thanks for clearing that up,” I said“Is that okay with you?” she asked softly.“Okay with me?”,“No, it’s not okay at all,” I replied.“Why not?” She looked down at her toes.“I want you to rip out my heart.”She smiled, pressed her hand to my chest, and said, “I could never do that.”You already have, I thought as I took her hand in mine”

“She looked at him and smiled. She placed her hand upon his shoulder.He took her right hand in his left and placed his other at her waist, looking at her as if she were an unexploded bomb.They began to dance.”