“Here's what I suggest," he said. "You pretend that rats can think, and I'll promise to pretend that humans can think, too.”

“What if I suggested we stopped pretending we're fuck buddies too?”

“I like the stars. It's the illusion of permanence, I think. I mean, the're always flaring up and caving in and going out.But from here, I can pretend...I can pretend that things last. I can pretend that lives last longer than moments.Gods come, and Gods go. Mortals flicker and flash and fade.Worlds don't last, and stars and galaxies are transient, fleeting things that twinkle like fireflies and vanish into cold and dust.But I can pretend.”

“Do you think we can be friends?” I asked.He stared up at the ceiling. “Probably not, but we can pretend.”

“OK," Josh said evenly, "I've seen men made of mud, I guess I can accept spying rats. Do they talk?" he wondered aloud.Don't be ridiculous," Flamel snapped, "They're rats."Josh really didn't think it was a ridiculous suggestion.”

“I like the stars. It's the illusion of permanence, I think. I mean, they're always flaring up and caving in and going out. But from here, I can pretend...I can pretend that things last. I can pretend that lives last longer than moments. Gods come, and gods go. Mortals flicker and flash and fade. Worlds don't last; and stars and galaxies are transient, fleeting things that twinkle like fireflies and vanish into cold and dust. But I can pretend...”