In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice, but nothing to choose from. - Peter Ustinov

I'd rather be buried at sea than on the shore when I come to die. Will you stand by the plank, mates, so I can shake a friendly hand before I sink?

I was irrevocably betrothed to laughter, the sound of which has always seemed to me the most civilized music in the world.

The sea is calm you said. Peaceful. Calm above, but below a world of gliding monsters preying on their fellows. Murderers, all of them. Only the strongest teeth survive. And who's to tell me it's any different here on board, or yonder on dry land.