We talked across each other, our conversation at right angles, only meeting in the intersections of silence at story’s end. - Harlan Ellison

The ability to dream is all I have to give. That is my responsibility; that is my burden. And even I grow tired.

To see an almost certain horrible death — you know how crowds all sit at the edge of their seats, /praying/ subconsciously for a spectacular accident — and then to be whisked away from it so suddenly — brought to the edge of tragedy, and then to have their better natures win out, showing them how much nicer they always /knew/ they were — that was the supreme thrill.

It was gibberish, but it was a deep gibberish, and if he kept talking, the beast would shuck off the thoughts rather than try to fathom them.