The atmosphere in the room was so thick with dramatic clichés you could have cut it with a knife. - Jasper Fforde

I just had an idea for a cheap form of power: by bringing pasta and antipasta together, we could be looking at the utter annihilation of ravioli and liberation of vast quantities of energy.

"Agree?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I don't like subordinates always agreeing," she said. "Sycophants have no place in my department. You're to speak your mind when the opportunity calls for it."
"How will I know when that is?"
"I shall inform you."

"Did she believe you?"
"She's an excellent journalist—of course not."