The Shattering Peace Quotes

“Just telling humans anything has never worked in the entire history of people.”
― John Scalzi, The Shattering Peace

“Hello, Ran,” I said. “How was your day?” “I already told you,” Ran said. “Did you forget?” “No, I was just making polite sounds with my mouth.” “Thank you for the polite sounds, which I will accept in the spirit in which they were offered.” “Would you like a beer?” Magdy asked Ran. “Are these also polite sounds from you?” Ran asked back. “They are,” Magdy replied. “And also, if you would like a beer I would be happy to get you one.” “Thank you,” Ran said. “I would not like a beer. I do not like the way it tastes to me.” “What does it taste like to you?” I asked. “Metaphor is difficult for me, so I apologize if I get this wrong,” Ran said. “All right.” “Beer tastes like ass.” “No, you got it right,” I told Ran. “Interesting comparison,” Magdy said, and took a sip of his own beer. “It is only a metaphor,” Ran told him. “I have not literally eaten ass. Why did you just spit out your beer?” “I was not expecting that response,” Magdy said, after some significant coughing. “Are you all right?” I asked Magdy. Magdy nodded, still coughing. “Beer is not for your lungs,” Ran said. “I know that, thank you, Ran,” Magdy said. “Also I think not for your mouth.” “It’s an acquired taste,” I admitted. “Why would you acquire it?” “For fuck’s sake, shut up about beer,” someone said from a nearby table.”
― John Scalzi, The Shattering Peace

“What did you do?” “It’s like I said,” I told him. “We just talked.” “And threatened,” Ran said. “Threatening is talking,” I reminded them both.”
― John Scalzi, The Shattering Peace

“Dying is a part of life, but I would have preferred not to get to that part so soon.”
― John Scalzi, The Shattering Peace

“What did you do?” “It’s like I said,” I told him. “We just talked.” “And threatened,” Ran said. “Threatening is talking,”
― John Scalzi, The Shattering Peace

“I would not like a beer. I do not like the way it tastes to me.” “What does it taste like to you?” I asked. “Metaphor is difficult for me, so I apologize if I get this wrong,” Ran said. “All right.” “Beer tastes like ass.” “No, you got it right,” I told Ran.”
― John Scalzi, The Shattering Peace

“If I get infected by an alien virus I will go out of my way to make sure you’re the first person I pass it on to.” “That seems fair.” “I’m serious. If my skin melts off, yours is melting right after mine.”
― John Scalzi, The Shattering Peace

“Which means we can both annoy each other quite a bit before there’s a problem.” “That is an interesting definition of what being a friend is,” Ran observed.”
― John Scalzi, The Shattering Peace

“I turned back to Dia. “You have to be joking.” “By all means, Gretchen, let me explain to you why I am not joking, here in the public atrium of Bainburger Tower, with several dozen people within earshot,” Dia said.”
― John Scalzi, The Shattering Peace