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The Young Ones (TV series)

The Young Ones (1982 - 1984) was a British sitcom, originally airing on BBC Two, about the lives of four dissimilar students and their landlord's family on different plots that often included anarchic, offbeat, surreal humour. The show often included slapstick gags, visual humour and surreal jokes sometimes acted out by puppets, with each episode also featuring a notable selection of guest stars and musical numbers from various performers.

Demolition [1.1]

 * Rick: I suppose you think it's pretty weird, don't you Mike? Well, you'd be right. 'Cause THAT'S the kind of guy I am, right? WEIRD. Which is why I go over people's heads. A bit like an aeroplane! You think I'm an aeroplane, don't you, Mike? Well, I'm not.

 * Rick: Neil, are these lentils South African?!
 * Neil: Well, ummm...
 * Rick: You bastard! You complete and utter bastard! Why don't you just go out and become a policeman?! Become a pig?! There's no difference, you know! [burns hand on lentils] There's no difference, you know! You think there is, but there isn't! I suppose you hate gay people too! Hippie!

 * Rick: Neil... what are you doing, Neil? To make a meal, Neil? Huh. Surreal! From totalitarian vegetables, how much does it cost, Neil?
 * Neil: ... well actually, it's about £4.50 each.
 * Rick & Mike: £4.50?!
 * Rick: I'm not paying you money to eat black men! I could become a pig and do that for free!

 * Rick: None of you ever give the slightest consideration to a word I say!
 * Vyvyan: That's because you're very boring!
 * Rick: OH! Oh, and I suppose you think ideas like peace and freedom and equality are boring too.
 * Vyvyan: Yes, they are.
 * Rick: Ha! Fallen into my trap. In that case, why isn't Cliff Richard boring, clever trousers? Tell me that!
 * [Vyvyan stands up and hits Rick's head on the table.]

 * Vyvyan: I've got a leg!
 * Mike: Hey Vyvyan, that's not unusual.
 * Vyvyan: No look! I'm supposed to write an essay on it, but I think I'm just gonna stick it on the bonnet of my car!

 * Rick: I think Special Patrol Group is a stupid name for a hamster!
 * Vyvyan: OK, I'll change it, then! Hello, Cliff Richard!
 * Rick: Bastard!

 * Special Patrol Group: I could murder a curry! [farts and flies across the basement]
 * Vyvyan: Poor Special Patrol Group.
 * Rick: What's poor about him?
 * Vyvyan: It'll take ten weeks to starve another one.

 * Rick: [To Vyvyan] Shut up! I'm trying to stir my coffee!

 * Vyvyan: I thought you were dead!
 * Neil: That's no reason to hassle me on the toilet!

 * Mike: I'll handle this.
 * Rick: I'll handle this!
 * Vyvyan: I'll handle this!
 * Neil: I can't handle this.

 * Neil: What are you doing with my crucifix, Rick?
 * Rick: Protesting!
 * Neil: I don't wanna bring you down or anything, but I think that is a really negative way to try and kill yourself, I mean I tried it hundreds of times, there's no way you can hammer in the last nail.

Oil [1.2]

 * Rick: Bloody heck! Is this the new house?
 * Neil: I think it's beautiful, Rick!
 * Rick: Well I think it looks like a gigantic lavatory!
 * Mike: It hasn't been razed to the ground.
 * Vyvyan: We had a front door at the last house!
 * Rick: Yes, Vyvyan, but it was nailed to the ceiling in the living room!
 * Mike: Rick, it had to be done.
 * Vyvyan: Yeah! I had to! I was drunk!

 * Statue: More bloody students...
 * Sunflower: Oh shut up, and put some clothes on.

 * [Rick demands an explanation as to why Vyvyan removed the toilet from the bathroom and threw it out the living room window]
 * Vyvyan: Well now we can go to the rent tribunal. You don't have to pay as much for a house with an outside lavy!
 * Rick: Really? Well you know what I think? I think you did it on purpose because you know I've got a runny bottom!

 * TV Set: And don't forget to unplug your set.
 * Vyvyan: Why?
 * TV Set: 'Cause it'll blow up you silly boy.

 * Vyvyan: Shut your face, traitor! [Hits Rick in the crotch with the bat]
 * Rick: Ha! Ha! Missed both my legs! [grimaces]
 * Vyvyan: [smacks Rick in the head with the bat] SHUT UP!

 * Rick: [Catches a golf ball] How's that? [Realises it is actually feces and groans in disgust, goes into bathroom and comes out] Who's been using my toothpaste?!
 * Mike: Vyvyan was writing an essay and he used it as Tipp-Ex.
 * Rick: Bastard!

 * Rick: Five pounds to get in my own bedroom?! Hah! What have you done, turned it into a roller disco?
 * Mike: Uncanny!
 * [Rick walks into his room to find that it has indeed been turned into a roller disco.]

 * Title Card: Underneath the Staircase: A Look at Everyday Life Beneath the Stairs
 * Cloth: Oh dear me, ma'am. I know it's our job to look after the young gentlemen as best we can, but I can't help but feel Young Master Neil do treat us very rough sometimes.
 * Brush: And so he should, young Lucy, for we love it. The complete negation of our personalities, the mind numbing servility, and the eighteen-hour day, and we expect no reward but a staircase over our heads.
 * Polish Spray: Oh yes, the personal abuse is our lot. And the further back you go, the better it was!
 * Brush: Now, everyone, the masters are coming downstairs to beat us. Not a peep out of you. Best behaviour, or you'll have me to answer to!

 * [Neil, Vyvyan and Rick are digging in the basement for oil. Unlike Rick and Neil who are using pickaxes, Vyvyan is using his head whilst wearing a helmet.]
 * Neil: Oh, sorry, Vyv.
 * [Vyvyan slowly stands up only to have the pickaxe right through his head.]
 * Vyvyan: [calmly] That's ok, Neil. It was bound to happen... sooner or later [faints].

 * Mike: Who're you? I'm coming in here to watch Postman Pat.
 * Alexei: [the band leader] This is the band Radical Posture, and my name is Alexei Yuri Gagarin Siege of Stalingrad Glorious Five-Year Plan Sputnik Pravda Moscow Dynamo Back Four Balowski. Me Dad was a bit of a Communist, know what I mean?
 * Mike: You know you're the spitting image of our landlord, Jerzei?
 * Alexei: Yeah, he's my uncle, actually, you know.
 * Mike: It's incredible! You're as like as two peas.

 * Rick: I'm not sharing a bedroom with THAT rubber Johnny! All right Neil, shut up. Before you say anything I just tossed a coin for who gets the bed and you lost. It's completely fair and if you don't believe me, ask Mike.
 * Neil: [despondently] Oh, uh. Ok Rick. [Audience awws]
 * Rick: What?
 * Neil: What?
 * Rick: What did you just say?
 * Neil: Huh?
 * Rick: You just called me a bastard didn't you!

 * Mike: Oh, and Neil? I want that ₤1.50 by Friday or else another moose dies.

 * Vyvyan: [to audience] By the way, it was a complete lie about the oil.

Boring [1.3]

 * Rick:: What are you doing, Vyvyan?
 * Vyvyan:: I'm entering a contest to win a Ford Tippex. You have to say what Cornflakes mean to you in 10 words. So I said: Cornflakes. Cornflakes. Cornflakes, Cornflakes. Cornflakes, Cornflakes, Cornflakes, Cornflakes, Cornflakes.
 * Rick:: Pathetic! You'll never win, Vyvyan.
 * Vyvyan: Why not?
 * Rick: It's only nine words.
 * Vyvyan: [writing] Corn...flakes!

 * Rick:: [to Suggs of Madness, the live band playing at the pub] Do any of you lot know Summer Holiday by Cliff Richard?
 * Suggs:: You 'um it, I'll smash your face in.
 * Rick:: [taken aback] I'll go sit over there...

 * Rick: Bloody hell. No room for me on the sofa as usual. I'll have to sit on the rickety chair. (Going over to the TV) Oh goody goody gumdrops. Just in time to watch "Oh Crikey" on ITV!
 * Neil: Oh, Rick! We were watching "Bastard Squad"!

 * Vyvyan's Mum: Well aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?
 * Vyvyan: Oh yeah. Uh, this is a friend of mine called Mike... uh... this is a friend of mine called Neil...
 * Neil: Hello.
 * Vyvyan: And that's a complete bastard I know called Rick.
 * Rick: [laughing] He's just joshing, Mrs. Vyvyan, we're actually terrific friends.
 * Vyvyan's Mum: Ooh-er. He is a bastard, isn't he?
 * Rick: Tell me, Mrs Vyvyan, why did you give him a girl's name?
 * [Vyvyan pushes Rick off his chair, knocking him onto the floor. Vyvyan's Mum steps over to Rick and kicks him.]
 * Vyvyan's Mum: Now dear, why don't you come over here and tell me what you've been doing for the past 10 years?
 * Vyvyan: Ok, Mum.
 * Vyvyan's Mum: Not you. Zitface! [Picks Mike up from his seat] Him.

 * Vyvyan: Neil, wanna see my new trick? [Neil meditates] Mike, do you want to see my new trick?
 * Mike: No, I'm busy with the paper.
 * Vyvyan: Rick?
 * Rick: No, I don't Vyvyan, I've got something more important to think about too. [Neil meditates]
 * Vyvyan: Look! Watch my trick you bastards or I'll kill you! [Slices off a finger on his hand] Brilliant, hey!... Oh, dear... Wrong finger... Arrrrrhhhh, ah, ah, ah, arrrgghhhh!
 * Neil: Hey, Vyvyan. Vyvyan! I think you cut off one of your fingers!

 * Mike: Let's do something, we're bored stupid!
 * Vyvyan: Ha! Ha! Rick didn't have far to go, did he?
 * Rick: I just knew you were gonna say that!
 * Vyvyan: That's a complete lie, you poof!
 * Rick: I knew you were gonna say that too!
 * [Vyvyan smashes Rick over the head with a bottle.]
 * Vyvyan: You didn't know I was gonna do that, did you?!
 * Rick: (awkwardly) Alright, Vyvyan, no I didn't know that. [Vyvyan laughs.]

 * Mike: Vyvyan, have you ever heard of cloning?
 * Vyvyan: (pause) No.
 * Mike: Oh, good. Would you swear to that?
 * Vyvyan: Certainly. If that's what you want. Big jobs!

 * Policeman 2: It's a laugh, though, innit?
 * Policeman 1: What?
 * Policeman 2: That noise you make in the back of your throat when you hear a joke.
 * Policeman 1: Yeah. Yeah, that's a laugh.
 * Papa Bear: Who's been gobbing in my lentils?
 * Mama Bear and Baby Bear: Yes! Who's been gobbing in our lentils?
 * Papa Bear: Sod it. Let's go to McDonald's.
 * Mama Bear and Baby Bear: Yes!

 * Rick: Hey! Wouldn't it be a-mazing if all this money was real?
 * Vyvyan: That is the single most predictable... and BORING thing that anybody, could ever say whilst playing Monopoly.
 * Rick: What about 'Vyvyan'? I can say 'Vyvyan' can't I? That's boring.
 * Vyvyan: You have won second prize in a beauty contest... [Rick Laughs] smash Rick over the head with the bank!
 * [Vyvyan does just that.]
 * Rick: It did not say that! Michael, Vyvyan is cheating!
 * Vyvyan: Mike?
 * Mike: No, he's right, Rick. That's exactly what it says.
 * Rick: In biro, Mike! In biro over the top of the print!
 * Vyvyan: But we had to change the rules because Monopoly's so boring!
 * Rick: Congratulations, it is your birthday, you may set fire to Rick's Bed.
 * Vyvyan: Good one!
 * Rick: Get out of jail free: you may keep this card, sell it or stick it up Rick's bottom! Vyvyan, you've ruined the game!
 * Vyvyan: I WAS BORED!
 * Mike: It gets worse! Neil's gone down to the garden to kill himself... and it's his go.

Bomb [1.4]

 * Rick: Pollution, all around. Sometimes up, sometimes down. But always around. Pollution are you coming to my town? Or am I coming to yours? Ha! We're on different buses, pollution, but we're both using petrol... bombs.

 * [While in the bathroom, Rick shouts through the wall to Vyvyan who is still in bed in his room.]
 * Rick: Vyvyan! Have you been using my roll-on deodorant? There's a revolting hair on it and it's not one of mine!
 * Vyvyan: How d'you know?
 * Rick: Because I know what mine looks like, Vyvyan! I can see them now! [raises arm and points to armpit.]
 * Vyvyan: Not the ones on your bum you can't. Could be off your bum.
 * Rick: Oh, and I suppose you think being rude first thing in the morning is a terribly trendy thing to do, do you, Vyvyan? Well, it's not!
 * Vyvyan: Look, it's probably a hamster hair. He was getting a bit whiffy so I gave him a good going over.
 * S.P.G.: And was I consulted, pally? How d'you think I feel stinking like a student's armpit?
 * Rick: It's stealing, Vyvyan! It's common stealing, and if you ever touch it again, EVER, I'm going to the police. I will, you know. I will go to the police!
 * [Vyvyan punches his fist through the wall to flip Rick a two fingered a salute.]

 * Rick: Gotcha Vyvyan! Using my ketchup on your cornflakes!
 * Vyvyan: Well, I couldn't get any milk out of the fridge.
 * Rick: Why, what are you, a spazzy?
 * Vyvyan: No, there just happens to be an atom bomb in front of the door.
 * Rick: That's the most pathetic excuse I've ev- *spots the bomb* GORDON WALTERS!
 * Mike: That's an atom bomb.
 * Neil: Oh no, it's the holocaust.

 * [A test card is on every television channel]
 * Rick: Absolutely pathetic! There's nothing on at all! Humph! Don't know why we bother to pay our license!
 * Mike: We don't.
 * Rick: But, haven't we got a license?
 * Mike: No.
 * Rick: But that makes me a criminal! [thinks about it] Right on! Yeah, this will shake them up at the Anarchists Society! Occupying the refectories! So what? This is the real stuff! I'm a fugitive! A desperado! I'm going to form a new union society, right? With me as president! "People Who Don't Pay Their TV Licenses Against the Nazis!" [takes out pad and pen and starts writing] This is only the beginning!
 * Vyvyan: What are you going to do, Rick? Burn your bra?
 * Rick: [look at Vyvyan flatly] Well, someone's got to do it, Vyvyan! It's very easy to sit on your backside, isn't it?
 * Vyvyan: Not if you haven't got a bottom.

 * Mike: Vyv! Eat the telly!
 * Vyvyan: That's a completely brilliant idea, Mike. I've been waiting for this for a long time!

 * (Right Bleedin' Bastard sees the television cable hanging out of Vyv's mouth)
 * Mr Bastard: Ah ha! So you do have a... you little runt!
 * Vyvyan: [waving] Hello.
 * Mr Bastard: The old trick, eh? Eat the telly before I get a chance to nick ya.
 * Vyvyan: [pointing at the cable] It's a toaster.
 * Mr Bastard: It's a telly, you yobbo. Give it back, I wanna nick ya!
 * Mike: Mr Bastard! Mr Bastard! Toaster or telly, the contents of my colleague's stomach are private property and if they get damaged in any way we sue.

 * Mike: I'm waiting for that phone to start ringing and the world to start bidding any second now.
 * Neil: Well, they better hurry up... coz Vyvyan's escaped...
 * [Right on cue, Vyvyan crashes through the kitchen wall on a wrecking ball trying to set off the bomb. He then enters the kitchen a moment later.]
 * Vyvyan: Missed!

Interesting [1.5]

 * Rick: Ok! Pop music! Let's go! Anyone here like the Human League? [No-one is paying attention] Ok! [The song plays quietly. Two policemen run in and smash the record player]
 * Policeman 1: Right, the music's too loud! The neighbours have been complaining! You just watch your step sonny!

 * Dr. Jim Morrison: Wow, what is this? Tobacco or... Pink Floyd?

 * Rick: That's just typical. Five minutes before the most important party of my life and the house is destroyed by a giant sandwich.

 * Anarchist: Next week, right, I'm going to blow up a panda in Croydon.
 * Rick: Yeah, right on! Bloody zoos, who needs 'em?
 * Anarchist: I mean a police car, you terminal wally!

 * Rick: [trying to host a party] That's my flatmate Vyvyan. Hi, Vyvyan, what are you doing?
 * Vyvyan: [pauses from doing push-ups] Shut up, you girl!
 * Rick: [laughs] He's incredible! I'm not a girl at all! Mind you, we're all pretty potty in this house. Last night, right, we were all watching the television and it was a program we wanted to watch, you know, and, uh, we were just watching it and right in the middle of it, I got up and turned it off! Mad! I don't care what I do, you know. Unless it's work or anything like that, you know. Last Wednesday we stayed up 'til one o'clock in the morning!

 * Mr. Balowski: There's no chance of using your toilet, is there?
 * Mike: No.
 * Mr. Balowski: I thought not, that's why I pissed in your garden.

 * [The clock's hands have spun rapidly.]
 * Sue: Is that the time?
 * Vyvyan: No, the clock's broken. The hands keep whizzing round really fast. It's only really half past seven.

Flood [1.6]

 * Rick: God, I'm bored. Might as well be listening to Genesis.

 * Neil: It was getting really hot. Then I thought, oh no, I should have put out that sociology file that was burning on Rick's bed.
 * Vyvyan: Yeah, I did that. Trying to make Rick think I was hiding in his bedroom.
 * Neil: What? You set fire to Rick's bedroom? I think that's a very selfish thing to do Vyvyan. I was hiding in there, you could have given me away!

 * [Neil announces he's doing an inventory of the kitchen]
 * Rick: Neil, you don't have to do that! All my stuff is covered with sticky labels!
 * Vyvyan: Wait a minute! Was yours the stuff with the sticky labels with "Rick" written on it?
 * Rick: Yes.
 * Vyvyan: [mock sympathy] Oh, sod it! I'm very sorry Rick, I thought it was mine, and I ate them, every single one!

 * [Neil is going over whose food is whose in the fridge]
 * Vyvyan: My potion! My potion as well.
 * Neil: What potion?
 * Vyvyan: It's a potion I've invented that, when a person drinks it, he turns into an axe-wielding homicidal maniac! It's basically a cure, for not being an axe-wielding homicidal maniac! The potential market's enormous!
 * Neil: [Notes Coke can in fridge] Is this it?
 * Vyvyan: Yeah! I put it in a Coke can so no one would drink it by accident!
 * Neil: [with hammy foreshadowing] You know, I just bet, a bit later on, someone does drink that, and turns into an axe-wielding homicidal maniac!
 * Rick: Yes, I bet that too! That's just the sort of crazy unpredictable kind of thing that happens around here, isn't it? [all are ignoring Rick] I said "Isn't It?" [still no reaction from the others, Rick pouts]

 * [When Rick is asking who ate his apple.]
 * Vyvyan: What were you doing, saving it for teacher? Trying to keep the doctor away?!
 * Rick: If he's anything like you, YES! Did you take it, Mike?
 * Mike: Well, if you're gonna sin you might as well be original.
 * Rick: What's that supposed to mean?
 * Mike: I don't know.

 * [When Vyvyan visits Narnia and sees the White Witch and the driver, Shirley.]
 * Witch: Come, sit next to me, child. [Vyvyan sits on the sled.] Have some Turkish Delight. Eurgh! Who's farted?
 * Vyvyan: It's not me!
 * Shirley: That's revolting! That's revolting! People like you should be put in little boxes tied up with string, and left in small dark rooms with out any electricity!
 * Vyvyan: Who says?
 * Shirley: For a month!
 * Vyvyan: Who says?!
 * Shirley: [weakly] She does.
 * Witch: I did not! That's a lie, Shirley!
 * Vyvyan: 'Shirley'? Is that your name, then? 'Shirley'?
 * Shirley: It's better than 'Vyvyan' by a longshot!
 * Vyvyan: Oh, yeah? 'Shirley'!
 * Witch: Oh, would you two shut up! Would you like some Turkish Delight, my child?
 * Vyvyan: Not particularly. You got any kebabs?

 * Mike: Hey, Neil.
 * Neil: Yes, Mike?
 * Mike: Come over here.
 * Neil: You want to know why I keep hitting myself in the head with a frying pan, don't you, Mike?
 * Mike: No, I don't.
 * Neil: Oh.
 * Mike: Where's my breakfast?
 * Vyvyan: Yeah, where's the bloody vindaloo, hippie? You said you were going to the shops two hours ago!
 * Neil: Oh, come on, guys! It's always my turn to go to the shops!
 * Mike: So why haven't you gone?
 * Neil: Well, it's raining. My hair will lose its shape! Anyway, I haven't got any money!
 * Rick: There's plenty of money in the kitty!
 * Neil: Yeah, but he's constipated, isn't he?
 * Vyvyan: [wielding dagger] Well, let's open him up, then!
 * Rick: [pointing to floor] There he is, Vyvyan! GET HIM!

 * Mr. Balowski: Heerrree's Jerzei!
 * Rick: It's Mr. Balowski!
 * Vyvyan: How did he get in here?!
 * Neil: Well, you could eat him instead, actually.
 * Mr. Balowski: Little pigs! Little pigs! Let me in! Boys and girls come out to play on the busy motorway! Let me in! Jerzei wants to play 'Hospital'!
 * Rick: Oh, my God! He's turned into an homicidal axe-wielding maniac!

Bambi [2.1]

 * Rick: Honestly, I don't know why I bother sometimes.
 * Vyvyan: I don't know why you bother ever.

 * Neil: Why didn't you cook your own tea, Vyvyan?
 * Vyvyan: Because I do not cook the tea, Neil, you do! That's what we agreed when we first came; you do the cooking, I'll look after the plants and the goldfish.
 * Neil: Yeah, and what did you make me cook on that first day?
 * Vyvyan: Er, sausages! It was a Tuesday.
 * Neil: Yeah, sausages and?
 * Vyvyan: Sausages and plants and goldfish! Look, I've discharged my responsibilities, Neil, now you discharge yours.

 * Neil: I mean, come on guys, you can tell me, truthfully, do I smell?
 * Mike: Yes.
 * Neil: Come on guys, I can handle it, you can tell me, do I sme- what do you mean, yes?
 * Vyvyan: We mean, yes you smell. Smelly!
 * Neil: [clearly not handling it] Oh, great. Yeah.

 * [Rick is trying to commit suicide]
 * Rick: I feel sorry for you, you zeros! You nobodies! What's going to live on after you die? I'll tell you: nothing! That's what! [struggling to hang himself] Oh, this is pathetic!
 * [he gives up trying to hang himself, then sees a jar of pills and attempts to overdose]
 * Neil: [upon seeing Rick eating the pills] Vyv, Vyv, can you, like, actually kill yourself with laxative pills?
 * Vyvyan: I don't know Neil, but I'm going to stay and find out!
 * Neil: I think I'm going up to my room for a bit!
 * [Rick swallows pills in front of Neil as he leaves]
 * Rick: This house will become a shrine, and punks and skins and rastas will all gather round and hold their hands in sorrow for their fallen leader. And all the grown-ups will say, "But why are the kids crying?" And the kids will say, "Haven't you heard? Rick is dead! The People's Poet is dead!"
 * [Vyvyan crouches down to watch Rick's rear as he talks]
 * Rick: And then one particularly sensitive and articulate teenager will say, "Other kids, do you understand nothing? How can Rick be dead when we still have his poems?" And then another kid will say... [he then farts loudly and realises what he's been taking]
 * Pack of matches: Don't look at me. I'm irrelevant.

 * [After the guys kill a loose sock]
 * Mike: Right, that's it, we're going to the launderette, now!
 * Vyvyan: We can't Mike.
 * Mike: Why not?
 * Vyvyan: Because they don't open for another eight hours. It's midnight.
 * Mike: Right, that's it, we're going upstairs to bed very fast, now.
 * [close-up on the guys' feet as they run up the stairs. Immediately the light comes up, a cock crows, and close-up on their feet as they run down the stairs. The guys alight in the living room. The actors are all in the wrong characters and costumes.]
 * "Vyvyan": [Rik Mayall dressed as Vyvyan] Ah, morning! Completely brilliant! Let's go to the launderette.
 * "Rick": [Nigel Planer dressed as Rick] Oh, oh, so it's completely brilliant. And now we've all got to go to the launderette just because Vyvyan says so! It's like we're living in Nazi Germany. Neil, I hate you.
 * "Neil": [Christopher Ryan dressed as Neil] Oh, wow, don't bring me down and hassle me, Rick. I'm really confused. [to camera] I'm just not feeling myself today.
 * "Rick": Mike, you could do a really good joke, couldn't you, about feeling yourself!
 * "Vyvyan": [grabbing "Rick" by the collar] Shut up, or I'll kill you!
 * "Mike": [Adrian Edmonson dressed as Mike] OK, guys, come on. As the one guy said to the other guy when he was getting fed up, I'm getting fed up. I want to wash my smalls, and I don't mean dip my tiddlies in a glass of water. Let's go!
 * "Vyvyan": Right. [points to "Rick"'s hat] And take that stupid girly bonnet off!
 * ["Rick" takes off his hat, and Neil's long hair tumbles out]
 * "Neil": Right, let's go.
 * [They all jump up into the air and disappear. Cut to a city street outside the launderette. The guys appear, and the actors are now back in the correct characters]
 * Vyvyan: Cor! That was quick!
 * [They enter the launderette. Vyvyan's dust-bin liner full of laundry emits green smoke. A pair of knickers is too slow in following him. Vyvyan points at the knickers.]
 * Vyvyan: Oi!
 * [The knickers fly into the launderette after him. Several people flee the launderette, choking and gagging]

 * Rick: I've told you a million times, do not exaggerate!

 * Washing Machine: [spits out the guys' dirty clothes] No way!
 * Neil: Oh, wow! Techno-fear! It's happening again, all the machines are ganging up on me! Vyvyan!
 * Vyvyan: Get out of the way, Neil! Me and machinery have a very special understanding. Now then, don't give me any gyp, you bastard. [All the machines close on them] Oh dear! [clears throat] This calls for a very special blend of psychology and extreme violence. [to machine] Oh, la-di-dah! Look what I found in my laundry bag! All of Felicity Kendal's underwear, and it needs a good wash!
 * Washing Machine: [opens up] Phwoar!
 * Vyvyan: Now!
 * [Rick and Mike frantically load the clothes into the machine while Vyvyan and Neil hold it open.]

 * Neil: Oh, what's the time?
 * Mike: Vyv, here's your chance. [Shows him his watch.] See the big hand there?
 * Vyvyan: Yeah.
 * Mike: That's on the two, right.
 * Vyvyan: Yep.
 * Mike: And the little hand is on that one there just before the twelve, now what's that one?
 * Vyvyan: Eleven?
 * Mike: Perfectly excellent. So what's the time?
 * Vyvyan: Er... half past five!

 * [Vyvyan sees a sign whilst on the train]
 * Vyvyan: "Do not lean out of the window." I wonder why?
 * [Vyvyan leans out of the window, only to have his head cut off whilst going through a tunnel.]
 * Vyvyan: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!
 * [The headless Vyvyan hastily pulls the communication cord, stopping the train.]
 * Rick: Oh, good heavens, what now?!
 * Mike: Somebody must have pulled the communication cord.
 * Rick: Well, it wasn't me, matey. If British Rail want 50 pounds, they can just about bloomin' well go out and become a prostitute, which they virtually are anyway, come to think of it... [turns to camera] ...right, commuters?
 * Neil: Oh no, we'll never get there on time now!
 * Mike: Relax, Neil, Bambi's a personal friend. I introduced him to Walt Disney.
 * [On the tracks outside, Vyvyan's headless body is stumbling around, while his head shouts at him]
 * Vyvyan's head: Over here! Over here! Hurry up about it, will you! [Vyvyan's body stands over his head] You took your time, you bastard!

 * [At the TV studios, the guys walk past a guard.]
 * Mike: [to the guard] Evening, officer. University Challenge, Scumbag College.
 * Guard: Yeah, hang on, hang on... [checks his clipboard] You were supposed to be here two weeks ago.
 * Neil: Well, we had to walk the last 200 miles.
 * Mike: Didn't you get our message? Neil, why didn't you phone our message?
 * Guard: [checking his clipboard] We did get a message, yes... "Beep beep beep, oh no heavy, the coins keep coming out, beep beep beep, even the telephone hates me, beep beep beep, I wish there were no machines, and everyone led a pastoral existence, trees and flowers don't deliberately cool you out and go beep in your ear."
 * Neil: Yeah, that's the message, didn't you get it?
 * Guard: Yeah, that was on the 24th. [Vyvyan attempts to enter the studio with a pig] 'Ere, hang on! What's that?
 * Vyvyan: It's my mascot!
 * Guard: A pig?
 * Vyvyan: No!
 * Guard: It is.
 * Vyvyan: It's not, it's a ferret. It's a deformed ferret, I'll grant you that. So severely deformed in fact that it looks a little bit like a pig.
 * Guard: Looks exactly like a pig.
 * Vyvyan: Yes, well, it certainly has been remarked upon. In fact, just as John Merrick is known as "The Elephant Man", Bacon Sandwich here is known as the Pig Ferret.
 * Guard: Bacon Sandwich? Funny name for a ferret, isn't it?
 * Vyvyan: Aha! And that's where I had you fooled because it's not a ferret, it's a pig.
 * Mike: Well done, Vyv, you've certainly got him there.
 * Rick: Have you had enough, Nazi, or do you want some more? [gives guard the 2-finger salute]
 * Pig: [in thought balloon] That's nothing; someone called me a policeman the other day.
 * [Bambi enters]
 * Guard: Good morning, Mr. Gascoigne, sir.
 * Bambi: Scumbag College? So you finally made it.
 * Mike: Bambi, Bambi, my main man! So good to see you. You're looking good, albeit you've lost a lot of fur since we last met, and you're walking on two legs now I see, but still the same old Bambi!
 * [Neil is crying softly]
 * Rick: Shut up, Neil, shut up! What's the matter?
 * Neil: I'm sorry, everybody. I'm sorry, Bambi. I'm just remembering, like, that bit when you got lost in the snow, and the little rabbit found you, it was so beautiful...
 * Vyvyan: Yeah, I liked the bit where you shoved the drill in the virgin otter's face.
 * Neil: That wasn't in "Bambi", Vyvyan!
 * Vyvyan: It was in the sequel, Neil. "Bambi Goes Crazy Ape Bonkers with His Drill and Sex".
 * Neil: [gravely] Is that true, Bambi? Did you do a Disney nasty?
 * Bambi: So what if I did? I'm not apologising. My life collapsed after "Bambi". I was a lovable fawn, all right, unusable for anything else. I did the Babycham stuff, sure, thanks to Mike here, but... I was finished. When the porn "Bambi" came along, well, I thought, this is where I get something back... If it hadn't been for the chance to present University Challenge and start a new life, I'd be giving executive relief to woodland creatures to this very day.
 * Rick: Well, are you going to let us win?
 * Bambi: No, of course not, the posh kids win, they always do. Come on.
 * [on his way out, Vyvyan leaves the pig with the guard]

 * [The guys are now on University Challenge]
 * Bambi: Hello, and welcome to another edition of University Challenge. This week, the teams represent Footlights College, Oxbridge...
 * Audience: Rah! Rah! Rah! We're going to smash the oiks!
 * Bambi: Yes, that's the spirit. And Scumbag College.
 * S.P.G.: Oh aye! Up Scumbag! Up Scumbag! [Audience boo at Scumbag] See you, Teddy bear! Come here! [headbutts Teddy bear]
 * Bambi: Yes, well representing Footlights, we have Lord Monty...
 * Lord Monty: Hello.
 * Bambi: Lord Snot...
 * [Lord Snot gives a posh-sounding laugh and sips champagne]
 * Bambi: Ms. Money-Sterling...
 * [Ms. Money-Sterling also gives a posh-sounding laugh and sips champagne]
 * Bambi: ...and Mr. Kendal Mintcake.
 * Kendal Mintcake: Hi!
 * Bambi: And representing Scumbag, we have Mike...
 * Mike: Hello.
 * Bambi: Prick... [A startled Rick looks to see a 'p' written in front of his name] Vyvyan... and Neil.
 * Neil: Vegetable rights and peace.

 * [The game begins.]
 * Bambi: So, your starter for ten, no conferring. Born in 1311 of Manchurian stock, he came to...
 * [Neil buzzes in]
 * Voice-over: Scumbag, Neil.
 * Neil: Er, can I go to the toilet, please?
 * Bambi: No, I'm sorry, you're barking up the wrong tree there. Five-point penalty to Scumbag, full question to Footlights, no conferring. [continuing the question] He came to represent the modal cathodic slip-weight of the...
 * [Lord Monty buzzes in]
 * Voice-over: Footlights, Monty.
 * Lord Monty: Er, now, wasn't it, wasn't it Monk De Wally De Honk?
 * Bambi: Yes, well you're almost there, can you give me any more?
 * Lord Monty: Certainly, will £50 do?
 * Bambi: Absolutely spot on. Well done, Footlights, ten points, and three bonus questions to you. What was the name of...
 * [Lord Snot buzzes in]
 * Lord Snot: Battle of Bannockburn!
 * Bambi: Yes, well that's very well anticipated there. Battle of Bannockburn it is.
 * [Neil buzzes in, almost falling out of his booth]
 * Neil: Buzz, buzz, buzz... err, listen, sorry to hassle you or anything, Bambi, but I really do need to go to the toilet really badly, you know.
 * Bambi: Yes, well the second bonus question for Footlights, leading by fifteen points, but it's early days yet.
 * Neil: Oh no, guys, I'm just going to have to wee on Lord Snot's head.
 * [An appalled-looking Bambi looks up at Neil, then at the camera, before continuing]
 * Bambi: Who said 'Lawks-a-lordy, my bottom's on fire'?
 * [Kendal Mintcake buzzes in]
 * Kendal Mintcake: Lenin!
 * Bambi: Yes, well I can accept that, though the exact answer was Joan of Arc. Well done, Footlights, five points. And what is the chemical equation for...
 * [Ms. Money-Sterling buzzes in]
 * Ms. Money-Sterling: I've got a Porsche. Hee hee!
 * Bambi: [pause] Yes, well that's not exactly what I've got written on the card, but I knew your father, so Footlights lead by 25 points.
 * Ms. Money-Sterling: Daddy sends hugs. Hee hee!

 * [Scumbag are back in play]
 * Bambi: So, starter for ten, fingers on the buzzers. Who is the richest person in the world?
 * [Vyvyan unwittingly buzzes in while tampering with his microphone]
 * Voice-over: Scumbag, Vyvyan.
 * Vyvyan: [pause] What?
 * Rick: [to his team] We're getting thrashed! We're getting completely thrashed! Isn't there some way we can cheat?
 * Neil [feeling desperate for the toilet]: Guys, guys, look. It's beginning to seep out, guys. Please!
 * Mike: It's very simple, Neil. Use the jug.
 * [Mike pours the water out of the jug, and onto Lord Snot]
 * Bambi: Now, I'll have to hurry you, I'll have to hurry you. Who is the richest person in the world?
 * [Lord Snot buzzes in]
 * Voice-over: Footlights, Snot.
 * Lord Snot: It's me, isn't it?
 * Bambi: No, I'm afraid not. Your father's multi-national collapsed early this morning.
 * Lord Snot: Oh, damn!
 * [The jug that Neil was using to urinate in falls on top of Lord Snot's head]
 * Bambi: So, with the score... with the score still standing at 25 to nothing, here goes...
 * [Vyvyan buzzes in]
 * Vyvyan: I'm completely bloody sick of this! [he stamps a hole in his booth and knocks out Kendal Mintcake] Give us some easy ones, Bambi, you big bottom boil!
 * Mike: Relax, we can handle this. Vyvyan?
 * Vyvyan: [whilst getting a German World War II grenade ready] Achtung!
 * [he throws the grenade into Footlights' booth; Ms. Money-Sterling buzzes in]
 * Ms. Money-Sterling: It's not an automatic...
 * [the grenade explodes, blowing Footlights to smithereens]
 * Mike: Ok, Bambi. Let's hear another.
 * Bambi: So here goes with the starter for ten: What is the record number of marshmallows stuffed up one nostril?
 * [Mike buzzes in]
 * Voice-over: Scumbag, Mike.
 * Mike: Er, 604, Toxteth O'Grady, USA.
 * Vyvyan: I told you that, Mike, you bloody cheat!
 * Bambi: Ten points, Scumbag, and your question. Who produced the world's stickiest bogey?
 * [Mike buzzes in again]
 * Mike: Toxteth O'Grady.
 * Bambi: Correct, five points.
 * Vyvyan: [to Mike] You bum-bag!
 * Bambi: The world's stupidest bottom burp?
 * [Neil buzzes in]
 * Neil: Rick, Britain!
 * Bambi: Correct, five points.
 * Rick: It is not!
 * Bambi: And finally, for five bonus points to take you into the lead - who's been tampering with my question cards?
 * [Rick buzzes in]
 * Rick: It was me! It was me! [the audience boo at Scumbag] Damn! Damn!
 * [Scumbag are constantly booed at, and pelted with rubbish, until they're crushed by a giant éclair. The scene changes when a doctor picks up the éclair]
 * Doctor: Oh no, this sticky bun's covered with human beings the size of amoebas. [he feeds the éclair to an elephant] Here, Jumbo. Get that down your esophagus.
 * Elephant: Very good.
 * Doctor: Anyway, as I was saying, the most interesting theory...
 * [End credits roll as he is talking]

Cash [2.2]

 * Mike: Rick! Where'd you find all that firewood?
 * Rick: Um, between my legs.
 * Vyvyan: [takes the wood from Rick] Wish I'd thought of that.
 * Rick: Well, I wish you'd done it! I might want to have had children one day.
 * Vyvyan: What a revolting thought!
 * Mike: This calls for a celebration! Vyv! Throw another record player on the fire!
 * Vyvyan: Oh, certainly Michael [Begins throwing bits of Rick's chopped-up record player on the fire]
 * Rick: You Bastards! That's my record player!
 * Mike: You said it was your record player!
 * Vyvyan: No I didn't Mike. I said let's throw Rik's record player on the fire...that will be good for a laugh!
 * Mike: Oh yeah, yeah it is yours Rick.
 * Rick: Yes, it is now give it back!
 * Vyvyan: Ok!
 * [Hands back to him a burnt piece of his record player, to which Rick whines and hands it back to Vyvyan. He places it on the fire again.]
 * Rick: My parents gave me that record player for finishing my O Levels!
 * Vyvyan And by the looks of it you failed them all!
 * Rick: That's not true. I got a B for French, i got a C for divinity...
 * Mike: Rick, were all completely broke so we have to make sacrifices. I have generously donated my used tissue collection. Vyvyan has burnt everything Neil owns!
 * Rick: Yes, well never mind all that now. I'm more interested in sorting out this O level business. I got a 4 for Geo...[Neil moves the table and Rick hits his leg] Oowww!!!
 * Vyvyan: Looks like supper's ready!

 [Vyvyan watches as Neil is trying to hammer the plates to the table] Neil, we're not having broken crockery again! That's my recipe!
 * Neil: I'm not cooking Vyvyan. I'm just trying to nail the plates to the table.
 * Vyvyan: Neil, is it really necessary to nail the plates to the table? I mean what happens when we wanna play Monopoly? Go directly to plate! Do not pass plate nailed to the table by a stupid hippie.
 * Neil: No guys, guys you don't understand. I've got something well scary to lay on you ok, so like sit down.
 * Rick: What do you mean sit down? There's only one chair, do you expect us all to put our bottoms on that and catch horrible diseases off each other?
 * Neil: That's not important Rick.
 * Rick: Well, I think it is rather important actually, I happen to be rather attached to my bottom.
 * Vyvyan: Well, I've got a couple of seats in my car.
 * Rick: All right we'll have to use them then.
 * Vyvyan: No, they're attached. I mean, you sit in them while your driving. I suppose I could drive the whole car in?
 * Rick: No no no better idea, we'll go out there!
 * Vyvyan: Ah ha! (Vyvyan and Rick start to walk outside)
 * Neil: No, wait guys guys, what about my scary story?
 * Vyvyan: Oh that's true we won't be able to hear Neil from out there!
 * Rick: Oh well you'll just have to make us a tape Neil.
 * Vyvyan: No, that's no good, my cassette's bust!
 * Rick: Oh then you'll just have to come out there with us.
 * Vyvyan: No, good either i've only got two seats.
 * Neil: I could go in the boot?
 * Vyvyan: No, no Neil cause if you so much as touch my car I'm gonna kill you! Remember?
 * Neil: Oh right yeah.
 * Mike: Neil? (Whispers in Neils ear)
 * Neil: Oh yeah right great idea Mike. Er guys i've got something well scary to lay on you OK, so like squat down.
 * Vyvyan: Brilliant!
 * Rick: Squatting, right on, youth control, no rent.
 * Neil: Well... (Rick interrupts him)
 * Rick: Neil, is it my imagination or has this table shrunk?
 * Neil: That's what I've been trying to tell you for the last ten minutes right. Strange things keep happening, furniture keeps disappearing, plates keep moving about the place and last night, I found, my guitar, on the fire. Do you know what this means?
 * Vyvyan & Rick: Yeah, it means.. (Neil stops them)
 * Neil: No! Yeah! It means we've got a polterghoost!!
 * MIke: Don't be stupid Neil, there's no such thing.
 * Rick: Yeah don't be such a spasmo Neil, theres a perfectly good explanation for any phenonemon you might encounter.
 * Neil: Oh yeah well how do you explain the table shrinking then?
 * Rick: Er...
 * Vyvyan: Erm well, I did that actually, like this [pulls out a chain saw and cuts off all the legs of the chair Mike is sitting on.] See! Corr, Mike's floating!! How's that done then?
 * Rick: Arrggghhh!! Get a priest! Get a Vicar! I believe in God!
 * Mike: Never mind a priest, call an ambulance!
 * Vyvyan: Why, Mike?
 * Mike: I've just nailed my legs to the table!

 * Neil: I'm writing to my bank manager, see what you think, OK? "Dear bank manager..."
 * Mike: Yeah?
 * Neil: Well, that's it. I'm quite pleased with it so far.
 * Mike: Oh, well, it's a strong opening, certainly.
 * Vyvyan: I don't like the "dear". Sounds a bit too much like "will you go to bed with me?"
 * Neil: Nicely spotted, Vyvyan. What do you think instead?
 * Vyvyan: What about "darling"?
 * Neil: "Darling bank manager..."
 * Rick: Oh, no, no, no, no! Not "bank manager". It's far too crawly bum-lick. Tell it like it is, put "fascist bully boy".
 * Neil: "Darling fascist bully boy..."
 * Mike: That's nice, yeah, so far so good, so what do you want to say?
 * Neil: Well, basically I want to ask him if I can have, like, an extension on my overdraft, but I know there must be a better way of putting it than that.
 * Mike: Well, what about, "give me some more money"?
 * Vyvyan: "You bastard"
 * Neil: Don't you think that's a bit strong?
 * Mike: No, Neil, people like that respect strength.
 * Neil: Yeah, you're right. "Darling fascist bully boy, give me some more money, you bastard..." Uh... "Love, Neil."
 * Vyvyan: Not "love, Neil"! That sounds far too much like "come and get it like a bitch-funky sex machine".
 * Neil: Yeah, you're right. Uh... What about "yours sincerely"?
 * Rick: Oh, come off it, Neil! If you're going to be that sycophantic, why don't you go there now and stick your tongue straight down the back of his trousers?
 * Neil: Oh, look, I know, I know, why not put "Boomshanka"?
 * Mike: Ahh... that's hard to tell, Neil. What does it mean?
 * Neil: It means "May the seed of your loins be fruitful in the belly of your woman".
 * Rick: Ah-ha! And WHAT makes you think your bank manager's a man?
 * Neil: His beard.
 * Mike: He'll never understand "Boomshanka". You'll have to write the whole thing out.
 * Neil: Right, ok, here we go. "Darling fascist bully boy, give me some more money, you bastard. May the seed of your loins be fruitful in the belly of your woman, Neil."
 * Rick: Well, if that doesn't work, I don't know what will.
 * Mike: The only problem is we're running out of fuel. [scrunches the letter up and hands it to Vyvyan] Vyv, chuck it on the fire. [Vyvyan does so and all four scramble toward the fire, trying to get warm]

 * Vyvyan: QUICK! GET THE STIRRUPS! I'M GONNA HAVE MY BABY NOW!

 * Rick: [Screaming hysterically] I AM NOT! GETTING! AGGRESSIVE!
 * Neil: [Calmly, staring at Rick] You are, Rick. I can sense it.

 * Vyvyan: [clutching his stomach] OH! OH NO! The contractions are starting! I'm gonna have a baby!
 * Neil: Quick, quick, Mike, Mike! Get some boiling towels... er, Rick, clean water. Vyvyan, Vyvyan, sit down, take the weight off your feet.
 * Rick: What d'you mean "sit down"?! There aren't any chairs!
 * Mike: Yeah, and all the towels have been burnt.
 * Neil: Oh, no! We've got to buy some furniture for Vyvyan, quickly!
 * Rick: We can't! We haven't got any money! Vyvyan's baby will be a pauper! Oliver Twist! Geoffrey Dickens! Back to Victorian values! [to camera] I hope you're satisfied, Thatcher!

 * [Rick is warming himself by the broken fridge while Vyvyan is lying on a bed.]
 * Rick: I was wondering if you'd thought of a name for your baby yet?
 * Vyvyan: Shut Up or Piss Off!
 * Rick: Oh, that's charming, isn't it?
 * Vyvyan: No, no, those are the two names I'm considering. I mean, they'll be really handy in later life for getting into fights and things. Oh! Oh, it's kicking.
 * [His stomach moves rapidly up and down. Rick looks fascinated.]
 * Rick: Er, Vyvyan. Would it be alright... I mean... can I have a bit... a bit of a listen?
 * Vyvyan: Yeah, help yourself. You can hear it kicking.
 * Rick: [Placing his ear on Vyvyan's bare stomach] I can't hear anything... all I can hear is... OW! [Vyvyan's stomach twitches violently, knocking Rick upwards.]
 * Vyvyan: [Patting his stomach] That's my boy!

Nasty [2.3]

 * [Repeated line of dialogue]
 * Various characters: Oh, have we got a video?
 * Vyvyan: [Increasingly exasperated] Yes! We've got a video!

 * Neil: Oh, have we got a video!
 * Vyvyan: If anyone else asks me that question I'm gonna stick their head through the window!
 * Neil: Vyv? Have we got a video?
 * Vyvyan: Right... come this way, Neil.
 * [He walks over to the window and literally pulls it off the wall. He then walks over to Neil.]
 * Vyvyan: Sideways on. [Neil turns sideways.] Thank you.
 * [He smashes the window over Neil's head. But Neil merely looks confused.]
 * Neil: I still don't understand. I still don't understand. Does that mean we've got one or not?

 * Woman: Do you dig graves?
 * Neil: Yeah, yeah, they're alright, yeah.

 * Rick: Neil, the bathroom's free! Unlike the country under the Thatcherite Junta.

 * Vicar: What-ho, I'm the vicar.
 * Vyvyan: Well you'd better be, otherwise you'd look right girlie in that dress.
 * Vicar: [pokes Vyvyan in the eye] Right. Anyone tell the stiffie joke?
 * Vyvyan: [rubbing his eye] Yes. Rick has.
 * Vicar: Yeah, well, forget about that then. Right. C'mon, let's get on with it, then. Let's get it over with. Oh, bloody hell. [As everyone takes their places around the open grave, the Vicar pulls out a small metal flask and starts slurping]
 * Rick: Crikey, it's a bit early for that, isn't it?
 * Vicar: My God, you're right! [drops the flask, spilling the contents, then pulls out a large whiskey bottle] Better get some of this down me before I have any of that, for starters. [takes a big gulp] Right, now, um, oh, yes! Ashes to ashes....
 * Rick: [singing] Funk to funky, we know Major Tom's a junkie...
 * Vicar: [grabs Rick by the collar] Shaddup! [punches Rick, causing him to fall into the grave]
 * Rick: Help! I've just fallen into a grave!
 * Vyvyan: Brilliant! Let's fill it in! [grabs the shovel from Neil]
 * Neil: No! No! We can't bury Rick alive!
 * Vyvyan: That's absolutely correct, Neil. We better kill him first!

 * Mike: Thank heaven for Habitat's sofa-coffins!

 * Vyvyan: When my hamster finds out you nicked his carrot he's gonna kill you, Neil.
 * Neil: Oh was it S.P.G.'s? I didn't know he ate carrots.
 * Vyvyan: He doesn't eat carrots, Neil, he sticks 'em down his underpants to impress the girls.

 * Rick: Oh, no! The front door's exploded!
 * Mike: Vyvyan!
 * Rick: Vyvyan!
 * Vyvyan: "Vyvyan!" "Vyvyan!" "Vyvyan!" Honestly, whenever anything explodes in this house it's always blame Vyvyan!
 * Mike: Well, who do you suggest we blame?
 * Rick: Thatcher!
 * Vyvyan: No. Blame whoever rung the front doorbell! Because they obviously triggered off the bomb I set up!

 * Vyvyan: It's a video nasty!
 * Rick: It's a carpet, farty!

 * Boys: ARRRGGHH!!
 * Mike: It's a vampire!
 * Vyvyan: In a parcel!
 * Rick: In the kitchen!
 * Neil: [To Audience] Hate mail! [To guys] What are we gonna do?
 * Rick: Only Pop Music can save us now!
 * [The Damned appear and start performing]

 * Vampire: No, this is some kind of misunderstanding! I'm not a vampire! I'm a driving instructor! From Johannesburg!
 * Vyvyan: A driving instructer from Johannesburg? Prove it!
 * Vampire: How?
 * Vyvyan: Ok, what should you never do in a box junction?
 * Vampire: In a box junction you should never enter it unless your exit is clear!
 * Vyvyan: Ah, true. Ok, what's the procedure for the approach of a humpback bridge?
 * Vampire: Approaching a humpback bridge, you should slow down and check in both rear-view mirrors. If no-one is behind you you should RIP OUT A VIRGIN'S THROAT AND-
 * Vyvyan: Ah-ha! Ah-ha! Gotcha, gotcha, gotcha! Driving instructor my bottom! You're a vampire and there's no denying it!
 * Vampire: Oh, Outspan!

 * Sayle: People think television must be great. They tell me all the time 'Television must be great!', but it's not. It's dead boring you know! And that lot, they're drawl as well, and they all talk about me behind me back!
 * [Cut to the boys who are behaving much more maturely backstage.]
 * Vyvyan: I hate him.
 * Neil: (Posh voice) He drinks like a fish.
 * Rick: Well, he's got no talent.
 * Mike: Alexei who?

 * Vyvyan: I don't see what all the fuss is about. Vampires only attack virgins!
 * [Awkward pause]
 * Mike: Yeah, uh, it's not myself I'm worried about, Vyv. It's Rick and Neil I'm worried about.
 * Rick: Me, a virgin? Ha! [Increasingly scared] Just try telling that to some of the foxy chicks who owe me favours!
 * Neil: Well, if Rick's not a virgin them I'm not either!
 * Vyvyan: Well, we'll find out shortly, 'cause the vampire's gonna know, and if anyone gets attacked, then we'll know they're a sissy virgin! [Quietly] God, I hope snogging with SPG counts!
 * [Later]
 * Neil: He's gonna get us and turn us all into vampires! And we'll all be dead and yet still alive! Like Leonard Cohen!
 * Mike: Ok, guys! There's only one way out. We've all got to lose our virginity. Now!
 * Vyvyan: But how, Mike? [Beat] Oh, no! Bags not Rick!
 * Rick: Bags not Vyv!
 * Neil: [Confused] Bags not... Neil?

 * Vampire: [Having being lit up by sunlight] Oh, no! I've forgotten about the time difference between here and Johannasburg! Arrrgh! Arrrgh!

 * Harry the Bastard: You owe me five hundred quid.
 * Vyvyan, Rick, Neil, Mike: Well, what a complete bastard!

Time [2.4]

 * Neil: You mean, you, like, scored with a chick?
 * Rick: Well, of course, I wouldn't put it in such sexist terms, Neil, but yes.
 * Mike: Now, wait a minute, Rick. I'm the one who gets the girls around here. There could be a copyright problem.
 * Vyvyan: I don't understand. How? Was she unconscious?
 * Rick: What, Vyvyan? Do I detect a little spark of jealousy?
 * Vyvyan: Ha! I'm not jealous. I find the idea of spending a night with you completely revolting!
 * Rick: You know perfectly well what I mean. Just because I was the most wanted and attractive guy at the party last night...
 * Neil: What do you mean, Rick? You passed out after half a glass of cider.
 * Rick: Did I? Blimey, that's a bit anarchic! Anyway, it just goes to show you, Neil. Even when I'm unconscious, I can pick up the birds. Erm, I mean, forge meaningful relationships with birds... chicks... tarts... women. Women!

 * (When asked about his night he spent with the girl, but he has no recollection of what happened.)
 * Rick: (awkward) Well... it was... sort of... sort of... sexy.
 * Vyvyan: Oh, God. I think I'm gonna be violently and copiously sick.
 * Neil: Go into really lengthy and vivid detail about the whole thing.
 * Vyvyan: Well, I'm gonna bend over and open my mouth. And wait for the muscles of my alimentary canal to go into spasm...
 * Neil: No, not you, Vyvyan! Rick.

 * Rick: It was incredible. We did everything.
 * Mike: [Recording with a tape recorder] Like what?
 * Rick: Umm, everything. At one point, she even took her bra off! So I took off my dungarees...
 * [Vyvyan promptly throws up.]

 * Helen: I hope you don't mind me spending the night, but I was desperate for somewhere to stay. And when I saw you had all gone away for the weekend, I just climbed in the kitchen window, found an empty bed and went to sleep.
 * Vyvyan, Mike & Neil: (Look at Rick) Eh?
 * Rick: No, no, no, darling. No. It wasn't an empty bed, was it? Cause I was in there, wasn't I?
 * Helen: Were you? You weren't when I woke up.
 * Neil: Rick, you bloody liar! You said you'd done it to her- [To Helen] he said he'd done it to you.
 * Rick: Look, there's obviously been some ghastly misunderstanding...
 * Vyvyan: Ah ha ha ha ha! Rick is STILL A VIRGIN!
 * Rick: I'M NOT! I'm not a...
 * Vyvyan: Virgin, virgin, virgin!

 * Rick: Vyvyan! Where'd you get that Howitzer?!
 * Vyvyan: Found it.
 * Rick: Well you can put it back this instant, young man!
 * Vyvyan: I will, I will. Just as soon as I've blown you to pieces!

 * Sayle [as John Cleese doing a Silly Walk]: 'Scuse me, is this a cheese shop?
 * Mayall [as Michael Palin]: No, sir.
 * Sayle: [to camera] Well, that's that sketch knackered then, innit?

 * Vyvyan: What's a good thing for a hangover?
 * Mike: Drinking heavily the night before.

 * Rick: Alright, if I'm a virgin, how come I know what a girl's bottom looks like?
 * (Pause)
 * Vyvyan: From looking in the mirror.
 * Rick: Damn!

 * Mike: Who are you?
 * Knight: I'm a Knight, of the Square Table.
 * Mike: 'Square' Table?
 * Knight: Well, King Arthur doesn't think I'm cool and hip enough to be at the Round Table, on account of some of my suits of armour still have flares.
 * Mike: You can't get much squarer than that.
 * Neil: No shut up, Mike! [To Knight] There's nothing wrong with flares.

 * Mike: Neil, have you upset the neigbours?
 * Neil: No, Mike, I've blown them up.
 * Rick: Phew! And who said Sunday was day of rest?
 * Vyvyan: God did.
 * Rick: That's right! I knew it was someone Tory.

 * Mike: I don't know what it is, but every time I pull at Neil's ankles big flakes of crusty skin come off underneath my fingernails.
 * Vyvyan: That's only his cornflakes, Michael. He keeps them in his socks to stop me from stealing them.
 * Rick: What a nerdy! [to audience] I just initial mine individually with sticky labels.
 * Vyvyan: [to audience] That doesn't worry me. I just eat the labels as well.

 * Neil: I'll die if I miss Scooby-Doo!
 * Vyvyan: Too bloody right, Neil! Everybody panic!

 * Vyvyan: Where were we?... Ah, yes. Virgin.
 * Rick: Yeah. Argh!
 * Vyvyan: (chases Rick up the stairs) Virgin! Virgin!

 * Rick: Amazulu.
 * S.P.G.: Oh, is that right? I'm a Glaswegian.

 * [Vyvyan is trying to blow up Rick with his howitzer for not admitting to be a virgin.]
 * Rick: No, Vyvyan! Please! Look, you were right and I was wrong. I am a virgin.
 * Vyvyan: Not for long, matey! [fires at Rick again]

Sick [2.5]

 * Neil: Vyv, will you shut up, you're giving me tunnel vision!
 * Rick: STOP SHOUTING NEIL!!
 * Neil: Stop shouting yourself!
 * Rick: I AM NOT SHOUTING!!
 * Neil: Yes, you are!
 * Rick: I BLOODY WELL AM NOT!!! IF YOU WANT TO HEAR SHOUTING MATEY THIS IS IT!!!
 * [Rick starts yelling like a baby, whilst Vyvyan lights a Molotov cocktail]
 * Vyvyan: It's funny, but being ill makes me lose my usual tolerant and easygoing approach to communal living.
 * [Vyvyan throws the Molotov cocktail into Rick's bedroom, which explodes]
 * Rick: Oh, well, how ruddy considerate, Vyvyan. Thank you very much!
 * Neil: Yeah, thanks, Vyv. That petrol bomb's really cleared my sinuses.
 * Vyvyan: Why aren't you dead?!
 * Rick: I'm not prepared to discuss it with you, Vyvyan. You will be hearing from my solicitors in the morning. I'm going to write to my MP.
 * [Takes out paper and pencil]
 * Neil: You haven't got an MP, Rick. You're an anarchist.
 * Rick: Oh. Well, then I shall write to the lead singer of Echo and the Bunnymen!
 * Mike: What this? [Holding a fish]
 * Vyvyan: It's a fish, mate.
 * Mike: Oh, thanks.
 * Rick: [writing] Dear Mr. Echo....
 * Vyvyan: Why did I do that?
 * Rick: Ah, Vyvyan, beginning to regret it now, are you?
 * Vyvyan: Of course I'm beginning to regret it. That was nearly a full bottle of vodka! That's £7.99 you owe me, ploppy pants!
 * Rick: Oh, stop being so blinking bourgeoisie! All property is theft, Vyvyan.
 * Vyvyan: All right, then. Where's your girlie purse? (...)
 * Mike: Hang on a minute, I haven't finish my sentence. I meant to say: What's this fish doing in my bed?
 * Vyvyan: It's not in your bed, Mike.
 * Mike': Oh yeah. Right, right, yeah. Thanks Vyv.
 * Vyvyan: [takes Rick's coin purse, removes some money] Ha ha! Found it!
 * Rick: You put that back! That's my personal property!
 * Neil: You just said all property is theft, Rick.
 * Rick: Well, yes, it is.
 * Vyvyan: Yeah, so I'm nicking it.
 * Rick: Stop! Thief! Thief!

 * Vyvyan's Mum: Hello, Vyvyan!
 * Vyvyan: Piss off!
 * Vyvyan's Mum: That's no way to talk to your mother, Vyvyan!
 * Vyvyan: Alright then... piss off, Mum!
 * Vyvyan's Mum: That's better.
 * Vyvyan: What d'you want?
 * Vyvyan's Mum: Well, what're Mums for?
 * Vyvyan: I dunno, having babies?
 * Vyvyan's Mum: Don't be so sexist, Vyvyan! (twists the crotch of his jeans.)
 * Vyvyan: (gasps in pain) I'm sorry, Mum.
 * Vyvyan's Mum: No, I heard you was ill so I bought you a present.
 * Vyvyan: The last present you gave me was a box of matches.
 * Vyvyan's Mum: That was a joke.
 * Vyvyan: I was only eight weeks old... well, what've you bought me this time?
 * Vyvyan's Mum: A bottle of vodka.
 * Vyvyan: (smiles) Oh, brilliant! Thanks, Mum! (tips the bottle and nothing comes out.) This is empty.
 * Vyvyan's Mum: Ha! Ha! Up yours, ugly!

 * Neil's Mother: Dear me, what a... what a ghastly smell!
 * Neil: Yeah, that's Vyvyan, Mummy. He's going to be a doctor.
 * Vyvyan: How d'you do!
 * Neil's Mother: Oh, fascinating! I think I'm going to be sick.

 * Neil's Father: Now why couldn't you be in one of those nice situation comedies that your mother likes. Like, uh, what's the thing called...?
 * Vyvyan: Grange Hill!
 * Neil's Father: Yes! That's the one.
 * [Scene changes to School Corridor. Two school boys run in.]
 * Ben Elton: So that's settled. We'll organise a protest against school uniforms!
 * Spaz: Great! We can use the banners left over from the last protest we organised, so that racism wouldn't be an issue in this school.
 * Ben Elton: Good idea. I'll get Mucka, Ducka, Trucka and Sucka, and you get Spaz.
 * Spaz: But I am Spaz!
 * Ben Elton: Oh. I better get him as well then. Come on!
 * [They run into a teacher.]
 * Spaz: Oh! Sorry, Mr. Liberal. We were just on our way to...
 * Mr. Liberal: Now hang on you pair of scruffy tear-aways. Don't you realise that the way you act is influencing millions of children to talk Cockney and be insubordinate?
 * Ben Elton: Oh, come on, sir. We're the only kids in Britain who never say f-
 * Neil's Mother: You must be joking! I don't watch that ghastly programme!
 * Neil's Father: I'm sorry, my dear. It was my mistake. I meant The Good Life.
 * Neil's Mother: Oh, yes. That's the one.

 * [The introduction to The Good Life starts playing]
 * Vyvyan: [Ripping up the introduction to The Good Life] NO, NO, NO, NO! WE ARE NOT WATCHING THE BLOODY GOOD LIFE! BLOODY, BLOODY, BLOODY! I HATE IT! IT'S SO BLOODY NICE! FELICITY "TREACLE" KENDAL, AND RICHARD "SUGAR FLAVOURED SNOT" BRIERS! WHAT DO THEY DO NOW? CHOCOLATE BLOODY BUTTON ADS, THAT'S WHAT! THEY'RE NOTHING BUT A COUPLE OF REACTIONARY STEREOTYPES, CONFIRMING THE MYTH THAT EVERYONE IN BRITAIN IS A LOVABLE MIDDLE CLASS ECCENTRIC, AND I HATE THEM!!
 * Mike: That was a highly articulate outburst, Vyvyan. I only hope they're not watching.
 * Rick: Well you can shut up now, Vyvyan. You can just about blummin' well shut up! Because if you've got anything horrid to say about Felicity Kendal, then you can just about blummin' well say it to me first!
 * Vyvyan: Rick, I just did!
 * Rick: Oh you did, did you? Well I ought to give a ruddy great punch on the bottom for what you just said! You're talking about the woman I love!
 * Neil: And me, I love her too!
 * Neil's Father: Well I agree with the spotty twerps on that one. Felicity Kendal is sweetly pretty, just what a real girly should be. I mean, speaking as a Feminist myself I can safely say this; that Felicity Kendal is a wonderful woman, and I want to protect her.
 * Vyvyan: Well, it's the first time I've ever heard it called that!

 * Mike: Ah, well. Boing!
 * (Jumps in the air and motions Rick and Vyvyan to do the same. The two exchange looks before following suit.)
 * Rick & Vyvyan: (Jumping) Boing!

 * [Rick is lying in bed, looking nervous after he believed he killed Neil. His conscience starts speaking to him.]
 * Conscience: Rick... Rick... this is the voice of your conscience speaking.
 * Rick: Shut up! Shut up!
 * Conscience: Don't tell me to shut up, you spotty little bastard! I'm your conscience. You killed Neil, didn't you?
 * Rick: No! No! It wasn't me. It was, er, Vyvyan and Mike. They did it and I'm going to tell on them as well!
 * Conscience: They didn't bloody well do it! It was you!
 * Rick: Oh, God! Whose side are you on?!
 * Conscience: Not bloody yours, matey!
 * Rick: Get out of my head, pooh-hole!
 * Conscience: Ha! Ha! Ha! Try and make me, farty breath!
 * [From the other room.]
 * Vyvyan: Rick, will you tell your conscience to keep its voice down?! I'm trying to get some sleep!

Summer Holiday [2.6]

 * Vyvyan: Do you think ants go to discos?
 * Mike: Vyvyan, it has been proved that ants are highly intelligent with a well ordered society. The last thing they go to would be discos.
 * Vyvyan: Well, why's one of them wearing a silver boob tube then?
 * Mike: There's a very good reason for that.
 * Vyvyan: What?
 * Mike: You're talking crap.

 * Neil: [on his final exam] It was terrible. I sat in the big hall and put my packet of polos on the desk, and my spare pencil and my support gonk and my chewing gum and my extra pen, and my extra polos and my lucky gonk, and my pencil sharpener shaped like a cream cracker and three more gonks with a packet of polos in each, and lead for my retractable pencil and my retractable pencil, and my spare lead for my retractable pencil, and chewing gum and pencils and pens and more gonks and the guy said "Stop writing please."!

 * Rick: Oh yes, Mike, your tutor asked me to tell you that if you don't start turning up to class next September, then he and the Dean are going to have to seriously reconsider your grant.
 * Mike: Well, you can tell my tutor that I've still got the photos of him and the Dean.

 * Mike: [Having just knocked out Neil with a cricket bat] What's a hippie worth then, a six?
 * Vyvyan: Six? It would have been worth six if you'd killed him, Mike. Let's call it two.
 * Mike: Fair enough.

 * Rick: Don't think I don't know exactly who drew that thingy-ma-jig on the back on my curriculum vitae.
 * Vyvyan: Well, they like to know what your hobbies are, Rick.
 * Rick: Well, all I can say Vyvyan, is that tiny things please tiny minds.
 * Vyvyan: Yeah, and with a thing that tiny you're gonna be hard put to please anything!

 * Mike: Neil, it's not often you interest me, but today you have. Why do you keep running in here carrying a cake and yelling "Surprise!"?
 * Neil: Well, because it's my birthday, Mike.
 * Mike: Now, you knew that anyway, and we don't care, so where's the surprise?

 * Vyvyan: Rick, shut up, or I'll tell everybody in this room that you've got an iron-on cartoon worm on the front of your Y-fronts that says "Girl Bait".
 * Rick: Oh! So you've been going through my Y-fronts, have you, Vyvyan? I suppose you fancy me, is that it?
 * Vyvyan: (looks genuinely panicked) Yes! As a matter of fact, I do, Rick! I really, really fancy you, and I wanna give you a big girly kiss on the bottom!
 * Rick [creeped out]: Urgh! You hear that, Mike? Vyvyan's gone all funny! He says he wants to kiss my bottom!
 * Vyvyan: Oh! Did I say "kiss you on the bottom?" Oh, beg my pardon, I meant to say "stick a pickaxe through your spinal column"!

 * Rick: I can't believe it. My parents... are dead.
 * Neil: You think that's bad...
 * Rick: Well yes I do actually! What's it to you piss-face?!

 * Neil: Oh no! I never knew I wore a wig. Eurgh!

 * God: Hello, I'm God. Well, you didn't expect me to be a woman, now, did you?

 * [As the boys are about to rob a bank with pistols]
 * Mike: Now whatever you do, don't go losing your heads and using them!
 * Vyvyan: Why not, Mike?!
 * Rick: Yeah, why not? Those bank clerks didn't have to become bank clerks! They knew the risks when they took the job. Now let's just get in there and let 'em have it!
 * Mike: Rick, we can't do that, because if we do, there's a very good chance they'll discover that these are water pistols.

 * Jersei Baloski: [Having smashed the window] Oh, look! Some sod broke your window. That's £18 you owe me.

 * [After a bank job. Everyone jumps into Vyvyan's car. But he drives it directly into a lamp-post.]
 * Vyvyan: [hysterical] Oh, what have I done?! [sobs]
 * Mike: C'mon, Vyv, there's no time for that now.
 * Vyvyan: My car! My beautiful, beautiful car!
 * Rick: Oh, no, it's the pigs! This is it, guys! I'll see you later! [exits the car]
 * Neil: [to Rick] Yellow chicken!
 * Mike: [to Vyvyan, who's still crying] You've got to forget about your car, Vyvyan! Start life again without it. After all, you've still got S.P.G.
 * Vyvyan: I don't think so, Michael. He was asleep on the radiator!
 * [S.P.G. is crushed on the grill of the car. Bagpipe music plays as he floats above the car wearing angel wings and a halo.]
 * S.P.G.: See you later, you little whimp.

 * [After the bus they were riding in has crashed to the bottom of a ravine]
 * The Guys: Phew! That was close!
 * [The bus explodes]

Comic Relief 1986

 * Vyvyan: It's fantastic! The streets are completely filled with screaming children!
 * Neil: All for Cliff!
 * Vyvyan: Well, not exactly, Neil... a bomb's gone off.
 * Mike: You mean you let a bomb off, Vyvyvan.
 * Vyvyan: Look, what I had for breakfast is completely my own affair thank you, Michael.

 * Neil: Look, everyone, he's coming through the doors.
 * Vyvyan: BRILLIANT! He didn't even open them!

 * Mike: We don't want you in the song anymore.
 * Rick: What? What?!
 * Mike: I simply said we don't want you in the song...
 * Rick: Yes, yes, yes, but why?
 * Vyvyan: (From backstage) Because you're total and utter crap!

 * Neil: Don't do the song, right, I've got some really heavy news about Cliff that's gonna completely blow your mi... what's that smell?
 * Rick & Vyvyan: Neil, go away!
 * [Audience awws.]
 * Neil: Don't patronise me, you bastards! Oh, yeah, let's all sit in rows and ruin Neil's evening!
 * Rick: What's the message, Neil?
 * Neil: Oh, yeah, the message about Cliff, right, er... Cliff's blown out the gig.
 * Rick: What? You mean he's... farted?
 * Neil: No, no, Cliff can't come.
 * Rick: Why?
 * Neil: He's doing time.
 * Rick: They put him in prison for farting?! Right on!

 * Vyvyan: (Shouting backstage to Kate Bush) Back in a tickle, Katy baby! HA HA! I've just gotta do this number one song with Shaky Stevens. Right, good evening, bastards!

 * Neil: What d'you call a man with a seagull on his head? Cliff!

 * Cliff: (singing) # Got a roving eye and that is why she satisfies my soul. #
 * Mike, Vyvyan, Rick, Neil: (singing) # fies my soul! #
 * Vyvyan: "Fies my soul"?
 * Rick: Yes, "fies my soul". It's raunchy, Vyvyan.

 * Vyvyan: Hey, Cliff! I've just invented a great new sound.
 * [Strange clicking noises are heard.]
 * Neil: Ow!
 * Mike: Untie Neil's legs, Vyvyvan.
 * Cliff: Settle down, chaps.

 * Vyvyan: Neil, d'you wanna hear a great new joke?
 * Neil: Oh, yeah. Ok.
 * Vyvyan: Rick, I'd get out of the way if you don't wanna get seriously hurt. Right, what d'you say to a stupid hippie who's standing on a pile of dynamite?
 * Neil: I dunno, what do you say to a stupid hippie who's standing on a pile of dynamite?
 * Vyvyan: Get this, buster!
 * [He steps on a detonator and there's an explosion which appears to go horribly wrong as Vyvyan gasps in pain while holding his crotch.]
 * Neil: Oh, yeah. I get it. "Get this, buster!" Yeah, brilliant!
 * Rick: Is everyone happy? Vyvyan's whiffed out the theatre, blown his goolies off and you've stopped Cliff coming! Can we please just do the song?!

 * [While recording the flipside of the Living Doll record.]
 * Rick: Good morning, everybody. Let's make rock 'n' roll history.
 * Vyvyan: Oh, no. He's found us.
 * Rick: Hey, great gag telling me the recording studio was in Wales!

 * Neil: Oh, no. Guys, guys. I thought pop music was supposed to be about like... loving each other.
 * Mike: No, Neil, no, that's sex. Pop music's about making money.

 * Mike: Are we gonna sing this song or not?
 * Vyvyan: Yes, we are! But first... let's have a fight!

 * Vyvyan, Rick, Neil, Mike: (singing) # All the little flowers are singing. All the little birdies are too, tweet tweet! Everything in the garden is happy and we hope you are too. If you're happy we're happy, ha ha! If you're sad we're sad, boo hoo! But now it's time to end this song coz it's so (bleep) bad! #
 * Rick: Goodnight, children.
 * Mike: Goodnight.
 * Neil: Hello... er... goodnight.
 * Vyvyan: Pass the detonator.

Quotes about The Young Ones

 * I like The Young Ones a lot, I think they're excellent—particularly Rik Mayall. I think he's brilliant.
 * Graham Chapman, from "On Other Comedy Teams", an interview excerpt included on the posthumously released comedy album Looks Like Another Brown Trouser Job (Rykodisc, 2006).

title: The Young Ones (TV series)


text:
Young Wizards

Young Wizards is a series of young adult science fiction books by Diane Duane. They follow Nita and Kit, a fourteen year old girl and a twelve year old boy who discover that they are wizards.

So You Want to Be a Wizard
"Reading one book is like eating one potato chip," she said. (Mrs. Lesser to Nita.)

 In Life's name and for Life's sake, I say that I will use the Art for nothing but the service of that Life. I will guard growth and ease pain. I will fight to preserve what grows and lives well in its own way; and I will change no object or creature unless its growth and life, or that of the system of which it is part, are threatened. To these ends, in the practice of my Art, I will put aside fear for courage, and death for life, when it is right to do so -- till Universe's end. -The Wizard's Oath

 I am the wind that troubles the water; I am the water, and the waves; I am the shore where the waves break in rainbows; I am the sunlight that shines in the spray; I am the trees that drink in the light; I am the air of the green-things' breathing; I am the stone that the trees break asunder; I am the molten heart of the world- where will you go? To what place will you wander? ...in vale or on hilltop, still I am there...

Will you sound the sea's depth, or climb the mountain? In air or in water, still I am there; Will the earth cover you? Will the night hide you? In deep or in darkness, still I am there Will you kindle the nova? Or kill the starlight? In fire or in deathcold, still I am there- -Life's "I Am"

 "NO!" he cried from somewhere behind the trees, wild, furious, terrified. But Nita felt no fear. It was as it had been in the beginning- all of his "NOs" had never been able to stop Life's I Am.

 The Moon went out.

 (Dear Artificer,) it said in a bemused delight, (I've blown my quanta and gone to the Good Place!)

 "The one who saw the light come to be and declared a war of darkness. Though the rebellion didn't work as well as it might have, for darkness only made the light seem brighter."

 "Are you the Advisory?" Kit said. Tom's eyebrows went up. "You kids having a spelling problem?"

 "Don't be afraid to make corrections," Picchu said. "Don't be afraid to lend a hand." She fell silent, seeming to think for a moment. "And don't look down."

 Halfway out the bedroom door, realization dawned in her sister's eyes. "Maaaaa!" she yelled out the door, strangling in her own laughter. "Nita's got a boyfriend!"

 "This is not a nice place." (Nita)

 All around her trees and stones and flesh and metal burned with the power that burned her, self awareness, which death can seem to stop but can never keep from happening, no matter how hard it tries.

 Don't be afraid to make corrections!

Whether the voice came from her memory or was a last whisper from the blinding new star far above, Nita never knew. But she knew what to do. While Kit was still on the first part of the name she pulled out her pen, her best pen that Fred had saved and changed. She clicked it open. The metal still tingled against her skin, the ink at the point still glittered oddly- the same glitter as the ink with which the bright Book was written. Nita bent quickly over the Book and with the pen, in lines of light, drew from the final circle an arrow pointing upward, the way out, the symbol that said change could happen- if, only if-

 The city breathing, burning, living the life they had preserved. Ten million lives and more. If something should happen to all that life- how terrible! Nita gulped for control as she remembered Fred's word of just this morning, an eternity ago. And this was what being a wizard was about. Keeping terrible things from happening, even when it hurts. Not just power, or control of what ordinary people couldn't control, or delight in being able to make strange things happen. Those were the side effects- not the reason, the purpose.

 Nita stood still, listening to Joanne's footsteps hurrying away, a little faster every second- and slowly began to realize that she'd gotten what she asked for too- the ability to break the cycle of anger and loneliness, not necessarily for others, but at least for herself. It wouldn't even take the Speech; plain words would do it, and the magic of reaching out. It would take a long time, much longer then something simple like breaking the walls of the worlds, and it would cost more effort than even reading the Book of Night with Moon. But it would be worth it- and eventually it would work. A spell always works.

Nita went home.

 Fred started to follow, but Nita caught him in cupped hands, holding him back for a moment. ''Fred! Did we do right?''

Even here she couldn't keep the pain out of her question, the fear that she could have somehow have prevented his death. But Fred radiated a serene and wondering joy that took her breath and reassured her and filled her with wonder to match his, all at once. Go find out, he said.

 My gnaester will never be the same. (Fred)

 "You're wizards, you should know how terrible a weapon belief is, especially in the wrong hands. And how do you tell which hands are wrong?" (Fred)

 You have your own stories to write. And when it comes to that, who writes the things written in your body, your life? And who reads? (Liused)

 Do I throw money on your living room floor? (One of the koi)

 “I checked the book and it said I was missing an element.” He looked questioningly at Nita. “Maybe you’re it?” (Kit)

 “My name is Kairelikoblepharehglukumeilichepheidosd’enagouni – ” / “Ky – elik – ” Nita began. / “Fred.” Kit said quickly

 Fred hiccupped; the resulting explosion produced six black star sapphires the size of tennis balls. / “Fred here,” Tom said, “has a small problem.” / “I wish I had problems like that.” (Carl)

 “Want to buy a piece of next Thursday?” (Tom)

 “One false syllable in a spell and you may wind up in Schenectady.” (Carl) / “Is that another world?” Fred asked. / “Nearly.” Carl laughed. /

 “I wonder how much trouble you get in for busting a worldgate.” Kit muttered.

 “Anyway, you don’t have to worry, I’ll do it myself.” (Kit) / “Oh, no, you’re not,” she said. “If you’re doing it, I’m doing it, too. Whatever you’re doing…” (Nita)

 “Let me do it,” she said, not looking at Kit. (Nita) / He glanced up from the manual, stared at her. “Bull,” he said, and then looked down at the manual again. “If you’re gonna do it, I’m gonna do it.”

Deep Wizardry
Must I accept this Barren Gift?
 * -learn death, and lose my Mastery?

Then let them know whose blood and breath
 * will take the Gift and set them free:

whose is the voice and whose the mind
 * to set at naught the well-sung Game-

when finned Finality arrives
 * and calls me by my secret Name.

Not old enough to love as yet,
 * but old enough to die, indeed.

the death-fear bites my throat and heart,
 * fanged cousin to the Pale One's breed.

But past my fear lies life for all-
 * perhaps for me: and, past my dread,

past loss of Mastery and life,
 * the Sea shall yet give up Her dead!

(from the Song of the Twelve)

 Blood in the water I sing,
 * and one who shed it:

deadliest hunger I sing,
 * and one who fed it-

weaving the ancient-most tale
 * of the Sea's sending:

singing the tragedy,
 * singing the joy unending.

This is our shame-
 * this is the whole Ocean's glory:

this is the Song of the Twelve.
 * Hark to to the story!

Hearken, and bring it to pass:
 * swift, lest the sorrow

long ago laid to its rest
 * devour us tomorrow!

(from the Song of the Twelve)

 Lone Power,
 * I accept your gift:

But take my gift,
 * of equal worth;

I take Death with me,
 * out of time,:

and make of it a path,
 * a birth!

Let the teeth come-
 * as they tear me:

they tear your ancient hate
 * for aye.

So rage, proud Power,:
 * fail again,

and see my blood
 * teach death to die!

(from the Song of the Twelve as performed by The Master Shark)

 "Go ahead! Panic!" screamed Picchu from somewhere in the background. "Do it now and avoid the June rush! Fear death by water!"

 "Uh, Ed- ed'Rak-" Nita stopped short, unable remember the rest of his name as anything but the sound of gnashing teeth. "Look, can I call you Ed?"

 "Ed," she said slowly and carefully, "are you trying to say that you're planning to eat me sometime soon?"
 * "The day after tomorrow," said the Master shark in perfect calm, "if we keep to schedule."

 "I saw you disappear. Where'd'ja take them?"
 * "The Moon."
 * "Oh come on, Neets."
 * "Dairine," Kit said from the doorway. "Catch."
 * Nita glanced up, saw her sister reach up and pick something out of the air: an irregular piece of pale, grainy stone, about the size and shape of an eraser. "What is this, pumice?" There was moment of shocked silence; and then Dairine's voice scaled up to an aggrieved shriek. "You did go to the Moon! And you didn't take me! You, you-"

 "Do what the night tells you. Don't be afraid to give yourself away. And read the fine print before you sign!" (Peach)

 He would doubtless have gone on with more of the same if someone else, farther away from his end of the line, hadn't begun screaming, "Hel-LOOOOOOO! HEL-lo!" in a creaky, high-pitched voice that sounded as if Tom were keeping his insane grandmother chained up in the living room.

 Peach screamed, and Annie and Monty the sheepdogs barked irritably at the macaw, who was shouting, "Bad dog! Bad dog! Nonono!" at them--or possibly at Carl.

 "Violence! You want violence, I'll give you violence! No quarter asked or given! Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead! Don't give up the AWWWK!" (Peach)

 "And we will cause it to be well made, this Sacrifice. You, young and never loving; I, old and never loved. Such a Song the Sea will never have seen." (Ed)

 "Look out! She's on the stove. Get her--oh, Lord. There go the eggs. You little cannibal!"

High Wizardry
"I didn't do it for you 'some'; I did it for you, 'pretty much'." (Nita to wizardly partner Kit.)

 "Kit, you wanna see a disaster?" (Nita to Kit regarding her parents' attempts to set up their first computer.)

 "You know Neets, I don't often hear you think lately, but if your dad had just heard what you thought, he'd have washed your head out with soap!" (Kit)

 "Power," Nita heard her father say behind her. "Creation. Forces from before time. This is--this business is for saints, not children!"

"Even saints have to start somewhere," Carl said softly. "And it's always been the children who have saved the universe from the previous generation and remade the universe in their own image."

 "But Darth Vader's not real!" "Not here. Be glad." (Carl to Kit's mother)

 "Never think it," said the Defender, beneficent lightnings flickering about Her as other forms and other attributes came and went in glory; "never think We were made to be less than equals in the One. Someday you'll surpass Us, and still be Our equals, and both You and We will rejoice at it. But later for that. Brother, get up now and see the way home. Let them see what they have triumphed over." (The Winged Defender)

A Wizard Abroad
"Uh, Annie, your cat just went up the chimney!" (Kit)

 "What I really need right now in terms of energy is a chocolate bar," she said, "but the only thing I've got left in my pack is a cat. And I can't eat that." She made an amused face. "Too many bones." (Nita)

 "Better apologize to her before she turns you into a soggy beermat." (Johnny to Ronan)

 "Oh, I don't know. You might be good for something. Scrubbing the floors...washing the dishes..." (Kit to Nita)

 "No, I will not move your planet! What do you want to move it for? It's fine right where it is!" (Dairine)

The Wizard's Dilemma
"It counts for more when someone brings roses home if he's not also the florist!" (Mrs. Callahan)

 "Mom, I promise you, none of the 'wolves' are going to touch me. I just want to look normal. If I can't be normal, let me at least simulate the effect!" (Nita)

 She opened her eyes again to find Dairine staring at her as if she were something from Mars. Actually, Dairine had stared at things from Mars with a lot less astonishment.

 But then Kit dismissed the idea; Neets didn't wear skirts that short. And it's a shame, said some unrepentant part of his mind.

 The Pig gave him a shocked look, and then laughed out loud. "You simian-descended, equivocating, pronoun-starved little mortal twerp," it said. "Maybe the universe does favor young wizards because they haven't properly mastered the Speech's plurals yet. We really have to look into that."

 "How can I save her?" (Kit to the Pig)

 "There are occupational hazards to being a god."

 If you can't put together what you were with what you are now - so you can make up for your mistakes and not make the same ones again - then what's the point? This isn't about reversing anything. It's about going forward.

A Wizard Alone
"Virtue," he said. "The real thing. It's not some kind of cuddly teddy bear you can keep on the shelf until you need a hug. It's dangerous, which is why it makes people so nervous. Virtue has its own agenda, and believe me, it's not always yours. The word itself means strength, power. And when it gets loose, you'd better watch out."

"Something bad might happen..."

"Impossible. But possibly something painful."

 "We're expert enough to change the laws of physics temporarily... How hard can wiring be?" (Carl)

 Carl came up from the basement with a very large roll of duct tape.

"Ah," Tom said. "The substance that binds the universe together."

"We'll see," Carl said, and bent himself over sideways again.

"It's a brute force solution," Tom said. "Inelegant. The phone's right there!"

 The Lone Power's favorite tool, entropy, had already struck locally: His cornflakes had gone soggy.

 "The One has better things to do than micromanage."

 “Come on, you guys,” he said in the Speech. “All I’m asking for here is a little cooperation – ” (Kit) / “No surrender!” shouted the remote. / “Death before dishonor!” shouted the DVD player.

 "Explaining the differences of communications between you and me and you and Nita might make more trouble than it’s worth.” (Tom)

 “Let’s not get overly tangled up in details at the moment.” (Carl) / “From a man in your position, that has a hollow ring,” Tom said. / “Sure, go ahead, mock me in my torment.” (Carl)

 “It’s real basic, Mama,” Kit said. “Boy meets girl, meets thing, meets other thing. Boy loses girl, loses other thing, finds thing. Boy loses thing, gets girl, loses thing. Happily ever after...” / “‘Basic,’ you said?” (Marina) / “Old, old story, Mama. You should see some of these guys’ literature. Shakespeare would have loved it....Just imagine A Midsummer Night’s Dream with twelve extra genders...”

 “You go where you shouldn’t go,” Kit said, and couldn’t help grinning, “you find out stuff you shouldn’t find out. Like how you taste in a sweet-and-sour sauce with galingale. The universe is full of little surprises.” / “I always have the feeling that there’s a lot about this wizardry you’re not telling me,” his father said. “Sometimes it worries me. Then come times like this when I’m horribly glad about my ignorance.”

 “A symbol of innocence endlessly chased by the banality of evil.” (Carmela about the road runner) / Kit went back to his corn flakes. “I wish the evil I keep running into was a little more banal,” he muttered.

 “We could airwalk it...” (Kit)

 “Where’s my bed?!” Dairine shrieked. / “It’s on Pluto,” Nita said. “On the winter side.”

 “I wish I knew what alien force had kidnapped my sister and left this vindictive thug of a pod person in her place. Because when I find out, I’m going to hunt it down and kick however many rear ends it has from here to Alphecca!” (Dairine)

 “If you listen to them for too long,” Tom said, “you won’t be able to say anything that takes more than seventeen syllables.” / “I should send Dairine over,” Nita said. / “Even their powers have limits.”

 “It kills you, doesn’t it?” Dairine said. ”Asking me for help.” / Nita gave her sister a very slight smile. “Better it should kill me than Kit,” she said.

 “Not being alone is the best part of being a wizard!” She swallowed. “Or just being a person.” (Nita)

 “I wish Nita were here.” (Kit) / I don’t! Ponch said. ''I wouldn’t want anybody I liked to be here. And I don’t want us to be here either!''

 Kit was looking over at the Earth. “It really is the best job, isn’t it?” he said. / Nita nodded. “None better. And the company’s good, too.” / “The best,” Kit said.

Wizard's Holiday
"Fairest and Fallen-"

"Yes, yes. Greetings and Defiance! Thank you very much! I really wish you people would come up with something else to say!" (Kit and Esemeli)

 "Kit?" came his mama's voice from downstairs. "Nita?"

"Chicken!" Nita said, and was out of the room before Kit even had time to turn around.

 Dairine opened her mouth to say something, and then completely forgot what, as Sker'ret began to eat.

He ate the glass. He ate the cans. He ate the asparagus, and the peas, and the canned tomatoes, and every other foodstuff that had fallen on the floor. He slurped up every bit of liquid. And when he was done, he looked around him, and with his foreclaws, he picked up the torn-off cupboard door, which he had carefully set aside while dealing with the canned goods.

"Not the door!" Dairine yelled. Sker'ret's head turned in some alarm. "No?"

"No," Dairine said, trying hard to calm herself. "I'm sorry; that's part of the kitchen."

"Oh," Sker'ret said. "My apologies. I didn't realize." Carefully he set the door aside again, and turned his attention downward.

"No, no, no, no," Dairine said. "Leave the floor!"

 "I mean lots of people might never believe that you could ever be forgiven for what you've been... what you've done."

"That could be so," the Lone One said softly. "As there might also be those who've become a little smug, over time, about their own redemption's... enough so that they'd feel comfortable dictating to The One their own minuscule ideas about who else ought to qualify for forgiveness." It laughed, a sudden bitter sound. "And it's a fool's game, because there is no sounding The One, no grasping it." It looked, and sounded, angry, and scornful, and a little haunted... even disturbed. "All we can be sure of is that, whether we like it or not, The One means us all well, more so than we can ever comprehend. And the details of that meaning are sometimes going to be impossible for any created being to fathom... even the Powers that Be." (Kit and Esemeli)

 “Okay, Tom,” Nita’s dad said. “For the Wizardly challenged among us, this means…?”

 “Oh, hi, Kit,” her dad said. “Come on in. I can’t get used to it, the times when you walk over: I keep expecting you to just appear out of nothing in the living room, as usual.”

 “I really would be happier if Kit was with you. You two’ve been pretty good backup to each other in the past.” (Harry)

 “Just a wizardry. I’m playing with the speed of light.” (Kit) / “I thought that was supposed to be a law,” Carmela said. “You shouldn’t break laws.” / “I’m not. I’m not even bending this one,” Kit said. “Just bending space.” / “For the fun of it,” His sister said in wonder. “You make my brains bleed sometimes, you know that?” / “Not half as much as I wish I did.”

 “I’ve revised my opinion of you way upward.” (Carmela) / “That concerns me so deeply,” Kit said.

 “Try not to destroy your host civilization or anything.” (Urruah)

 “Would you normally open the door and get out of a car you were driving?” (Tom)

 “It’s not just in your world that there have been changes. I’ve had my share of them. Huge ones...which you were deeply involved in, you and your sister. ... she wouldn’t have been sent here. She wouldn’t have been the beginning of the answer to the Alaalid’s problem. Whereas you two are...unfortunately for me. They would send someone with whom I have so much history.” (The Lone Power)

 “Because this once, It had no choice but to tell the truth,” Kit said. “Not after Nita was finished with it anyway.”

 “That Binding Oath is really something,” he said, “if it makes the Lone Power help us even when It’s trying to screw us up.” (Kit)

Wizards at War
"What do your people usually wear when meeting your leaders?" (Roshaun)

"If we've got any guts at all, a real annoyed expression," Dairine said.

Three true things await discovery:
 * Darkness overspreading,
 * A commorancy underground,
 * And the moon is no dream. (one of Spot's prophecies)

 "'Mela," Nita said under her breath, "you need to stop concentrating on someone else's hottitude and get serious, okay? We are not in a safe place here."

"Yeah, okay," Carmela muttered. But she shot Nita a sly look. "See that? Hung up on my little brother as you unfortunately are, I got you to admit it. He is utterly hot."

"I am not--" Nita exhaled in exasperation. "Forget it. As for Ronan--yeah, he has his moments."

"Without a doubt," Carmela said. "And how many of his moments have you had?"

 Beware! said the peridexis's voice in her head. Don't let Its shadowy little truth overwhelm the greater one.

 "Except when the freedom is one you don't choose to grant," Memeki said, more loudly this time. She was shaking herself all over, struggling to stand stright again. "You hold our hope with one claw and take it away with her other! I may be weak and doomed soon to die, but I will die as an I, not just one more nameless scarp of shell to be thrown out into the sucking mud! No matter how little a time it lasts, I will be what all these are" -she looked around at Kit and Ponch and Nita and the others-"selves unto themselves and being what matters to each other! Such a life, even a breath's worth of it, is better than anything you've ever given me!"

Memeki was trembling again, but with passion, with determination, desperate and doomed. She took a step toward the dias, and another, her claw lifted not in that old gesture of submission, but in one more like a warrior's threat. "I will be what the Voice said I was, the Hesper. I will be the Aeon of Light, the Power that made a different choice from yours. I will be the Star that did not fall, no matter how little a time the light lasts!"

 “Neets, is it true he destroyed a whole alien culture in just ten days?” (Carmela)

 “Am I allowed to think about teleporting her to Titan and dumping her in a lake of liquid methane?” (Kit) / “No,” Nit said... “It’d upset those microbes there... the ones Dairine’s been coaching in situational ethics.” / “The thought of Dairine coaching anybody in ethics...”

 “How many are we for dinner tonight?” (Harry) / “The usual,” came the reply. “Three humans, one humanoid, one tree, one giant bug – ”

 “Kings are made no less by eating,” Roshaun said. “Rather, they ennoble what they eat.” / “Wow, who sold you that one?” Nita said. She grinned… “I think I’ll go ennoble a couple of waffles.”

 “When did you get the idea it would be cute to carve my dad’s cell-phone number on a rock in the middle of Syrtis Major? He hates it when people call me on his phone.” / Kit gave Nita a resigned look. “Sorry,” he said, “I couldn’t resist.” / “Well, resist next time!”

 “So, if you guys are going to lose your wizardry for a while...who’s going to take over for you as Seniors?” he said. “Who’s going to be running the planet?” (Kit) / Tom and Carl looked at each other, then at Nita and Kit. “You are,” they said.

 ''Hey, I need to take some more time off school. Yeah? How much? Oh, just enough to save the universe. Might be a few weeks. But no more than a few months, because everything that exists may be destroyed by then...'' (Kit)

 “I’m fine,” Kit said. “But we have to save the universe.” / ... Oh, Ponch said. Okay.

 “What is grenfelzing, exactly?” (Kit) / “It’s kind of like emmfozing,” his sister said after a moment, “but with chocolate.”

 “It is true,” Carmela said. “For silicon-based life forms, one of the chemicals in chocolate is an aphrodisiac.” / “Oh, now, wait a minute!” Kit said, and covered his eyes with one hand.

 We’re about to set a weirdness base line the likes of which the planet’s never seen. (Nita)

 “How do I look?” (Roshaun) / “Great,” she said. “Tiffany’s would want you for their front window.” (Dairine)

 “To what land of your world is such raiment native?” (Roshaun) / “Possibly Oz,” Dairine said, “but I doubt the Good Witch of the North is going to come after me for stealing her look.”

 “You are outspoken.” (Nelaid) / “Speaking truth to power,” Dairine said, “is never ‘out’.”

 “Uh, maybe there was a less tactful way I could have put that...” (Dairine)

 “You alright? Besides your injured dignity, I mean.” (Dairine)

 “There’s something odd about the primary’s flare pattern.” (Roshaun) / “Wouldn’t be surprised,” Dairine said. “I chucked a black hole into it.” / Roshaun put his eyebrows up. “Stars in your neighborhood seem to have a rough time of it.” / “If ours acts weird, talk to Nita,” Dairine said, rather annoyed. “First time it went out was on her watch.”

 “You are always hearing trouble before it happens,” Roshaun said. “Some might say it was a sign of lack of faith in the benevolence of the universe. Or of dysfunction.” / Dairine glared at him. “You keep this up, I’ll give you a dysfunction where you’ll have trouble finding it again,” she muttered.

 “Does it feel right?” Filif said (about the Nita mochteroof). He held out an arm. / Kit pinched it experimentally. “Yeah...” / “Does it smell right?” / “I wouldn’t answer that if I were you,” Nita said.

 You mean we should tell her that being hot on Ronan is actually being hot on both a cranky Celto-Goth hottie and a senior Power-That-Is who spent most of the last ten years on earth wearing a macaw costume?” (Kit) / Nita looked at him. / “Nah,” Kit said at last. “Let’s not say anything.”

 There is a high probability that the smothered reaction will interact unfavorably with the matter in the immediate vicinity. (Peridexis) / Will our shield hold? (Nita) / Yes. / Then let’s start getting unfavorable!

 “Not bad,” Sker’ret said...”We should apply to get that one named after you. ‘Callahan’s Unfavorable Instigation,’ or something like that.”

 “Forgive me if I take a moment to see where the people who were shooting at us are now.” (Nita)

 “I told Kit I wanted a magic closet! And now I’ve got one.” (Carmela)

 You have to send the stupid ones back so they can get it right the next time. (Ponch on squirrel chasing)

 “This is Memeki,” Kit said. Nita and Memeki exchanged a glance. “Yes,” Nita said slowly, “she is.”

 “Now, here I am having some quality smooch time with my favorite doggie and you’re just standing there ruining it. Bear with me while I ask one of these nice people for a spell or something to destroy you with.” She glanced around. “Filif! Would you destroy Kit for me, please? You’re such a honey. Thanks.” (Carmela)

 “It is possible to be too nosy,” she said, “even around people as perfect as Kit and me.” (Nita) Carmela looked thoughtful. “‘Perfect,’” she said experimentally. “‘Kit.’” Then she shook her head. “Sorry, Neets, one of those words is in the wrong sentence...”

 “Okay, we’re supposed to become useless, now, because we think we’re marooned, completely isolated, and totally powerless. Forgive me if I don’t feel like cooperating.” (Kit)

 “Do your poor worst!” (Roshaun)

 “You were kind of on fire there,” Kit said. / Nita rubbed her eyes. “Tell me about it,” she said. “I really need an aspirin.” / “No, I mean on fire on fire,” Kit said.

 “Your dog started making universes out of noting. This wasn’t a slight tip-off?” (the Pig) / “And not just making them,” Nita said. “Saving them.” / “Or saving one person,” Kit said. / “It’s the same thing, I’m told.”

 “I’m lying on an effing Star Wars bedspread. Will I ever be able to look myself in the eye again?” (Ronan)

 “What is it with these women? Always yelling...” (Ronan) / “They do that,” Kit said, rolling his eyes.

 “We are on errantry... and, boy, do we ever greet you.” (Tom)

A Wizard of Mars
"An oracular who predicts the future a minute late is possibly even less effective than one who gets it wrong all the time." (Tom)

 He reached down in among some of the plants, pushed broad green leaves aside, and sighed. "Guys," Tom said in the Speech, "how many times do we have to have this conversation?" He picked something up, looked at it. It was a slug. He shook his head and tossed it off to one side, into another leafy bed. "Those are your strawberries" -fling- "over there! These are my strawberries" -fling- "over here! /

Nita restrained herself, but wasn't quite ready to stop teasing Tom yet. "Isn't it weird that a Senior Wizard can talk the sky out of hitting things with lightning but can't talk a bunch of slugs out of eating his strawberries?"

Tom sighed. "Lightning's a lot easier to talk to than slugs," he said.

 "Hey," Nita said [to Doitsu the koi]. "I forgot to ask you:
 * "Wha'd you think of the mealworms?
 * Did they satisfy
 * That deep-down desire for 'yum'?" /

Doitsu eyed Nita from under the water. "The mealworms were lovely," he said. "But your scansion's execrable. 'Wha'd'?"

Nita rolled her eyes. "I'm just getting the hang of this! Cut me some slack!"

"When you can construct a haiku without apostrophes, sure," Doitsu said. "And not a moment sooner. If you're going to be an oracular, you've got standards to maintain. So get out there and make me not want to spit in your eye." /

"I'm getting trash-talked by fish," she said under her breath. "Something's wrong with this picture." (Nita)

 "Whatever. At least she'll have fun with the vampires!"

Nita shook her head. "No vampires," she said. "Some undead, yeah, and some confused Goth wannabes. But there haven't been real turn-into-a-bat-and-flap-around vampires since 1652."

"Really? What happened in 1652?"

"Some other time, okay?" (Nita and Carmela about Helena)

 Nita went over to Dairine. Under her breath she said, "You look like a Jedi knight who lost the bathrobe's belt."

Dairine rolled her eyes. "I live for your fashion bulletins."

 "I keep meaning to ask you. What is on Mars?"

"Besides a rock with your cell phone number carved on it?" Nita grinned. "We're not sure. But we're gonna find out."

"Well, all right. But don't get us invaded, now..."

"Daddy!" (Nita and her father)

 "They call them skylights," Nita said, bouncing down toward the closest of them. "Don't ask me why, but they gave them all girls' names. Dena, Chloe, Wendy, Annie, Nikki-" /

Nita nodded. "Seven of them, anyway."

"But there's another one," Carmela said. "Is that where we're going?"

Nita looked at the manual, looked at S'ree, nodded. "That's the one."

"I shall call it Louise," Carmela said, and bounced off that way as if everything were settled.

Nita made a strangled growling noise.

Repeated
"Fairest and fallen, greeting and defiance!" (a wizard's standard greeting to the Lone Power.)

 "I am on errantry, and I greet you." (a wizard's standard greeting to those they meet while on wizardry business)

 "Well met on the common journey."

 “Dai stihó, cousin.”

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Young Wizards