Two friends, on gifts.

Charles: Has my parcel arrived?

Cecily: It has not. Believe me, when it does, you will know about it. I will be so excited.

Charles: But you don’t even know what it is yet.

Cecily: I assume you only ever gift great books and letters.

Charles: Not untrue.

Two friends, after New Year’s Eve.

Cecily: One day, someone will write about the grand explosion that was yesterday. Perhaps it was not so much an explosion as a type of cold war. I kissed Nino. Yves walked in and saw us. Jonathan wanted to beat Yves to a bloody pulp. Augustin pontificated about the fact that none of the others were good enough to receive the love of half the tip of my little finger. All of them confessed their undying love for me.

Alexander: Queen.

Alexander, on necessary traits.

Alexander: I’m increasingly infatuated with a lumbersexual. He’s really into metaphysics and is a licensed massage therapist. Pseudo-profundity and deft hands are the only traits I require in a man at this particular moment.

Two friends, on magic.

Cecily: Maurice likes you very much. He sends his warmest regards.

Nino: He’s lovely; your true guardian angel. He reminds me of my mother.

Cecily: I knew he’d be special when we first met. I catalysed it. I saw him order a margarita and ordered the same, because I knew that way he’d talk to me. He still thinks it was more serendipity than strategy, but who am I to sap away that rare magic?