The existence theorem says that it is always much easier to find a solution when you can be confident that one exists. - Alastair Reynolds

Even godlike aliens have to act rationally—don't they?" "I wouldn't know," she said. "I can't recall ever meeting any.

Is there anyone or anything in this city which can't be bought?" I said, slipping him a note. "Yeah," the man said, laughing quietly. "But I'm not it.

She must have walked through life with men like him falling at her feet, squashing them underfoot like autumn leaves. It probably happened so often that all she noticed was that nice crunching sound.