MEMES & MUSINGS .

Reminder to be kind to service workers and retail workers tomorrow (and every day)!

taken from the 1991 film, an adaptation of the 1922 novel by elizabeth von arnim. feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.

• “it seems so wonderful and it's such a miserable day.”
• “it’s not worth wasting one’s time thinking about.” 
• “i don’t suppose that means much to you. sometimes it doesn’t mean much to me, either.”
• “you look as though you wanted it as much as i do.” 
• “you look so beautiful and so sad.” 
• “if you wish for something hard enough, it happens.”  
• “but no one will know I’m there even if i am.”
• “have you ever seen things in a kind of flash before they happen?” 
• “i’m sure it must be wrong to be good for so long you become miserable.”
• “i can see you’ve been good for years, and you aren’t happy.”
• “i’ve been doing things for other people since i was a little girl, and i don’t believe i’m loved any better.” 
• “you must believe I’ve never spoken to anyone like this in my life.”
• “i don’t know what’s come over me.” 
• “you should have been there, my dear. i missed you.”
• “that’s rather a depressing thought.” 
• “god must know an awful lot. why doesn’t he do something?” 
• “there’s something immoral about all this.”
• “all i wish to do is sit in the shade and remember better times and better men.”
• “i hope you’re not in the habit of seeing dead people, however distinguished. it’s not in the best of taste.”
• “i mean, we’re not businessmen, are we? they have to distrust each other.” 
• “i want to just sit and not talk and not think.”
• “well, it’s very wearing. everyone makes demands… especially men.” 
• “you look lovely.” / “i know. thank you, name.” 
• “we could both do with a change.”
• “it really is the most extraordinary coincidence.”
• “I’m afraid it’s all settled, name. i can’t go back on my word.” 
• “do you suppose it’s all real?”
• “were you ever in your whole life so happy?”
• “i promised myself the first thing to happen in this place would be a kiss.”
• “we were going to choose the nicest room for you.”
• “we were going to make it pretty for you with lots of flowers.”
• “you shouldn’t be so independent that people have no chance to be generous.”
• “you know, i hadn’t realized you were so pretty.”
• “you’re really quite lovely.” 
• “i was just thinking about cuckoos for some reason.” 
• “i suppose you realize we’ve got to heaven.”
• “i intend to spend most of my time reading by myself.”
• “you have the most interesting habit of answering a question with the same question.”
• “if i can be left quiet for one month, forget things… i might be able to get myself straight.”
• “i’ve wasted so much time being beautiful.”
• “what she really wants is to be left alone.” 
• “soon she won’t have to try… she’ll just be herself without trying.” 
• “don’t worry about me. I’m just lying here thinking.” 
• “then i have had all the trouble of coming out here for nothing.”
• “we’ve just discovered it.” 
• “why don’t you like us being here?”
• “we just didn’t know about it, that’s all.”
• “i’ve written and told him everything.”
• “it would be mean not to share all this.”
• “the important thing is to have lots of love about.”
• “i had this obsession with justice, you see.”
• “i’d like to stay here and think.” 
• “that’s very imprudent and very improper.”
• “have you noticed how difficult it is to be improper with no men about?” 
• “it’s a good feeling, getting rid of things.”
• “i want to love name, but not necessarily spend every night with him.”
• “i haven’t felt this restless since i was a child.”
• “it’s too absurd for someone my age.”
• “i feel something is going to happen. but i won’t let it.” 
• “it’s odd how one’s mind slips sideways in a place like this.”
• “if you knew me, you’d know how strange it was.” 
• “there’s no way back.”
• “isn’t it beautiful here, name? the air is golden.”
• “you’re here. that’s the important thing.”
• “you’ve every right to be angry with me.”
• “where else would you meet such interesting people?”
• “i don’t want name worried in any way.”
• “i like him. I didn’t think i would, but i do.” 
• “all the advantages i was born with, and i’ve misused them.” 
• “i have it all. why can’t i hold onto it?”
• “you have a gift for happiness.”
• “well, it’s like coming home.”
• “i mean, well… i don’t know what i mean.”
• “i’d believe any place you lived in would be exactly like you.” 
• “isn’t it better to feel young somewhere than old everywhere?”
• “oh, good gracious, child.”
• “so you see, dear boy, you must stay here.” 
• “it’s such a pretty story.”
• “i thought you might be bored.”
• “sweetheart… i’m so glad you came.”
• “you’re right, name. it’s this place.”
• “and i’m late on your very first evening. do forgive me.” 
• “it’s a great thing to get on with one’s loving and not waste time.”
• “she sees what we can’t see because she loves him.”
• “oh, dear name, we must be friends forever and forever.”
• “i couldn’t help noticing how miserable you seemed.”
• “oh, what the devil. it’s too beautiful a night to be miserable.” 
• “all my dead friends don’t seem worth reading tonight. they always say the same things, good things, but always the same.” 
• “i’m tired of the dead. i want the living.” 
• “thank you, my dear. i was feeling a little melancholy.” 
• “it does seem that people can only be happy in pairs, all sorts of pairs.” / “then you and i will be a pair, name. we’re going to be very good friends.” 
• “the roses are in love in the rose garden.”
• “but that’s another story.”

taken from the 2023 album by noah kahan. trigger warnings for mental illness, trauma, medication, references to suicide, and the exquisite agony of life in rural new england. feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.

• how you been? 
• you settled down?
• you feelin’ right? 
• you feelin’ proud?
• you settle in to routine.
• what does it mean? 
• i’m not how you hoped.
• you’re gettin’ lost.
• scared to live, scared to die. 
• you’re feelin’ lost.

• you must’ve had yourself a change of heart.
• now i am stuck between my anger and the blame that i can’t face.
• it’s half my fault, but i just like to play the victim. 
• i’ll dream each night of some version of you that i might not have but i did not lose. 
• i thought that if i piled something good on all my bad i could cancel out the darkness i inherited from dad. 
• i miss the way you laugh.
• you once called me forever now you still can’t call me back.
• that’ll have to do.
• my other half was you.
• i hope this pain’s just passin’ through, but i doubt it. 

• how have things been?
• well, love, now that you mention it.
• i’m sayin’ too much, but you know how it gets out here.
• now i know your name, but not who you are.
• it’s all okay, there ain’t a drop of bad blood.
• you got all my love.
• if you need me, dear, i’m the same as i was.
• what i’d give to have you out of me.
• i still recall how the leather in your car feels.
• and at the end of it all, i just hope that your scars heal.
• i swear i was scared to death.
• i smiled stupid the whole way home.
• you said, ‘i’ll never let you go.’

• there was heaven in your eyes. 
• everything’s alright.
• look at me and don’t you lie.
• don’t you hold your head up high.
• for bullshit, i do not have time.
• do you lie awake restless?
• why am i so obsessive?
• this town’s the same as you left it.
• the radio is taunting me.
• i don’t get much sleep most nights.
• i’m seeing you in every dream.
• if only i could fall asleep. 
• i’ll love you when the oceans dry. 
• i was too afraid of living life in your footsteps.

• it was there when we got here, will be there when we leave.
• you won’t have to guess who they’re speakin’ about.
• i’m in the process of clearin’ out cobwebs. 
• i was takin’ the wrong meds; feels good to be sad.
• my house is just barely big enough for my family.
• my mouth was designed for my foot to fit in it.
• i promise you, darlin’.
• you won’t ever go back.
• i know that it ain’t much.
• i know that it ain’t cool.
• you don’t have to tell the other kids at school.
• someday i’m gonna be somebody people want.

• makin’ me nostalgic.
• we were kids; but that don’t make this less hard.
• if i could fly i doubt i’d even do it. 
• i’d probably get high and crash or somethin’ stupid.
• gave me your word.
• i can’t pronounce it.
• no thing so sure that i can’t learn to doubt it.

• would we survive in a horror movie?
• we trust everyone we meet.
• we’re littered with scars from our preteens.
• i wanna love you ‘til we’re food for the worms to eat.
• ‘til our fingers decompose, keep my hand in yours. 
• i know every route in this county.
• maybe that ain’t such a bad thing.
• i’ll tell you where not to speed.
• it’s been a long year.

• honey, come over.
• it’s yours if you want it.
• we’re just glad you could visit. 
• feels like i’ve been ready for you to come home for so long.
• i didn’t think to ask you where you’d gone. 
• why’d you go?
• my heart has changed and my soul has changed.
• you just asked me to hold you.
• it made you a stranger and it filled you with anger.
• my life has changed.
• the world has changed.
• don’t you find it strange that you just went ahead and carried on?
• are we all just pullin’ you down?

• darling, speak to me.
• don’t you say a word.
• you thought you were cursed?
• i’m in love with every song you’ve ever heard.
• if i could lose you, i would.
• all the time we used to have.
• the things i miss but know are never coming back. 
• no thing defines a man like love that makes him soft.

• finally found some middle ground.
• i said, ‘i’m cured.’
• i divvied up my anger into thirty separate parts.
• i’m still angry at my parents for what their parents did to them.
• it’s a start.
• but i ignore things and i move sideways ‘til i forget what i felt in the first place.
• i know there are worse ways to stay alive.
• everyone’s growing and everyone’s healthy.
• if my engine works perfect on empty, i guess i’ll drive. 
• i forgot my medication, fell into a manic high.
• now i’m sufferin’ in style.
• why is pain so damn impatient? ain’t like it’s got a place to be.
• if all my time was wasted, i don’t mind. 
• i’ll watch it go.
• it’s better to die numb than feel it all.

• the dawn isn’t here, the sun hasn’t rose.
• they got money to make and children back home.
• i worry for you, you worry for me.
• the bridges have long since been burnt. 
• i’m leavin’ this town and i’m changin’ my address.
• i know that you’ll come if you want.
• i’m losin’ myself.
• i’m seein’ my life on a screen.
• i know that you fear that i’m wicked and weary.
• i know that you’re fearin’ the end. 
• i only tell the truth when i’m sure that i’m lyin’. 

• are you bored yet?
• the weather ain’t been bad if you’re into masochistic bullshit.
• this place is such great motivation for anyone tryna move the fuck away from hibernation. 
• time moves so damn slow i swear i feel my organs failing.
• i stopped caring ‘bout a month ago, since then it’s been smooth sailing. 
• i would leave if only i could find a reason. 
• i got dreams, but i cant make myself believe them. 
• i’ll spend the rest of my life with what could have been. 
• i will die in the house that i grew up in.
• i’m homesick. 

• i don’t wanna say goodbye.
• it only falls into place when you’re fallin’ to pieces.
• you miss something that you can’t place but you can’t deny it. 
• you can’t stay here.
• it’s hard to face and it feels too ugly.
• it’s like i’m still here with you. 
• can i fix what is broken?

• for a minute, the world seems so simple.
• i am not scared of death.
• i’ve got dreams again.
• there is meanin’ on earth. 
• i feel so far from it.
• it’s all washin’ over me. 
• i’m angry again. 
• the things that i lost here, the people i knew.
• they got me surrounded for a mile or two. 
• i found a town big enough for anything i want.
• i’m not a city girl, by any means.
• it still has a lot of meaning to me.
• i grew up there. 

• you ain’t gotta tell me what it means.
• i promise to be there this time. alright? 
• you were a work of art.
• that’s the hardest part.
• i’m naming the stars in the sky after you.

• i promised to forget you.
• i ain’t takin’ any fault.
• am i half the man i used to be? i doubt it.
• forget about it, whatever.
• it’s all the same anyways.
• i ain’t proud of all the punches that i’ve thrown. 
• for the shame of being young, drunk, and alone.
• i gave your name as my emergency phone call.
• i’d die for you.
• from charmin’ to alarmin’ in seconds.
• i’ll let the pain metastasize.
• i beg you, sir, just let me call.
• let’s wait, i swear she’ll call me back.
• son, are you a danger to yourself?
• fuck that, sir.
• son, why do you do this to yourself?

• this place had a heartbeat in its day.
• nothin’ was the same.
• it just ain’t that simple, it never was.
• one day i’m gonna cut it clear.
• i’m not from around here.
• i’ll leave before the road crew’s out. 
• i’ll turn up the music and i’ll forget.
• i’m not ready to let go yet.
• i’ll just pretend i didn’t hear.
• it’s typical, i fear.
• folks just disappear.
• if i could leave, i would’ve already left.

• i thought i had something and that’s the same as having something.
• i get mad at nothing.
• i pull no punches, then feel bad for months.
• thought i was raised better, tried to fake better.
• now the weight of the world ain’t so bad.
• i saw the end, it looks just like the middle.
• i filled the hole in my head with prescription medication.
• who am i to complain?
• now the pain’s different. It still exists, it just escapes different.
• yes, i’m young and living dreams.
• i’m in love with being noticed and afraid of being seen.

• oh, you’re spiralin’ again.
• don’t you cancel any plans.
• stayed on the line with you the entire night ‘til you let it out and let it in.
• don’t let this darkness fool you.
• i’ll drive all night.
• i’ll call your mom.
• oh, dear, don’t be discouraged.
• i’ve been exactly where you are.
• if you could see yourself like this.
• you’dve never tried it.
• stayed on the line with you the entire night ‘til you told me that you had to go.
• throw a punch, fall in love, give yourself a reason.
• don’t wanna drive another mile wonderin’ if you’re breathin’.
• won’t you stay with me?

• this is good land, or at least it was.
• it takes a strong hand and a sound mind.
• it makes me smile to know when things get hard, you’ll be far from here.
• pack up your car.
• put a hand to your heart.
• say whatever you feel.
• be wherever you are.
• we ain’t angry at you, love. 
• you’re the greatest thing we’ve lost.
• the birds will still sing.
• we’ll be waiting for you, love.
• we’ll all be here forever.
• we spent so long just getting by.
• that’s the thing about survival; who the hell likes livin’ just to die?
• you told me you would make a difference.
• it won’t be by your own volition if you step foot outside this town.
• it’s all we’ve had for always.
• you’re gonna go far.
• if you wanna go far, then you gotta go far.

• let’s drive for no reason.
• you look fine in the evening.
• honey, it’s starting to storm.
• used to wish i meant anything to anywhere, to anyone.
• i’m glad i get forever to see where you end.
• i won’t be alone for the rest of my life.
• i’ll meet a girl in the heat of july.
• i’ll tell her so she knows.
• i’m broke, but i’m real rich in my head.
• when i hold her close, i might loosen my grip, but i won’t ever let her go.

taken from the 2023 novel by kiersten white. trigger warnings for unreality, trauma, religion, and cults. feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.

• “what do we say about crying?”
• “you had a lot of nightmares.”
• “at least i don’t snore?”
• “i wouldn’t mess with her / him / them.”
• “that was really kind. thank you.”
• “it’s just what i was supposed to do all along.”
• “why do you have it?”
• “don’t you remember— no, i guess you don’t.”
• “please take this as kindly as possible, but what the hell does that mean?”
• “i forgot what a dork you can be.”
• “only you could make me do this. you’re as pushy as ever.”
• “is this what prom was like?”
• “i hate missing free food.”
• “we just have to wait a little longer. you’ll see.”
• “we could go be beautiful somewhere else, instead.”
• “or your ass is mine.”
• “what is she / is he / are they doing here? i can’t deal with her / him / them, not right now. not ever.” 
• “you know how important tonight is to me.” 
• “i’ve worked a long time for this.”
• “take me with you. i can’t do this alone.”
• “wasn’t it the best?”
• “i’ve lived here my whole life.”
• “angels were everywhere, if you knew how to recognize them. if you knew how to make a deal.”
• “suffer the children, you know.”
• “not everything needs a reboot.”
• “go home and cry joylessly into your still-in-the-box transformers.” 
• “someone’s got to compensate for my terrible influence in his life / her life / your life / their lives.”
• “lol delaware isn’t a real place.”
• “what is all this talk of killing and death?”
• “you’re here now, and you’re going to fix it. you’re going to make it right. you owe us that much, don’t you?”
• “i don’t like to think about what happened; the pieces don’t make sense.”
• “guess i was wrong about not needing to sneak in our own booze. luckily, i’m always prepared.”
• “please don’t tease me.” / “i would never.” 
• “everyone will stare.” / “they’re all staring anyway.”
• “you! you broke everything!”
• “what was that?”
• “we won’t let them / him / her do this to you.”
• “whatever else she is / he is / they are, name’s a loyal friend.”
• “you need this. don’t let them know you have it.”
• “you deserve— you all deserve to know.”
• “can we get out of here?”
• “come on. we’re going to make a bonfire.”
• “i woke up in the middle of the night and it was glowing.”
• “how do you know how to do this?”
• “i can build a fire, administer basic first aid, and bullshit my way into making older people think i’m trustworthy.”
• “he / she / they / you didn’t protect me from that.” 
• “i’ve never not been a mom / dad / parent.”
• “that’s the only time i ever got to be a kid.”
• “don’t be a little shit.”
• “you never forget the lesson that they would rather destroy you than let you inconvenience them.”
• “it’s hard, and you’re doing it anyway.”
• “fucktrumpet! shitgibbon! cockwomble!”
• “be serious for once!”
• “i need to know what happened to her / him / them / you / us.”
• “anyone who was looking for you, anyone who took the trouble to find you: they’re not your friend.”
• “you have to get out of there. now.”
• “you can’t get better until you’ve hit rock bottom. you know that.”
• “what if forgetting is a gift?” 
• “i wish i could forget it.” 
• “we missed you, name.”
• “you didn’t give up, even when it got hard and a little scary. sometimes things are a little hard and scary. that’s when we need each other the most.”
• “i am losing my mind.”
• “i missed you the most.”
• “i want it back.”
• “i can’t force you to do it. but i need you to do this for me. for us.” 
• “weird vibe in here, you guys.”
• “please, come with me. nothing here is good for you.”
• “i know that sounds sad but it wasn’t.”
• “don’t look at me like i’m the one who’s being a bitch.” 
• “what the hell? how is that possible?”
• “tell me whether i saw what i think i saw.”
• “how long have you been down here?”
• “we don’t say that.” / “why not? they’re just words.”
• “so really, all words are magic. something from nothing.”
• “you were always good at words, weren’t you? good at making the others do what you wanted.”
• “i’m tired of talking.”
• “nothing is more powerful than imagination.”
• “we all chose what to remember. or what to forget.”
• “maybe it’s a deepfake.”
• “fuck me. fuck me, fuck me. fuck all of us.”
• “i’m sorry. i’m really, really sorry. i didn’t know.”
• “i’ll see what they want.”
• “name. fuckface. fuckface junior.”
• “dunno what i did, dunno how to fix it, don’t really care.” 
• “i’m going with you. we do this together.”
• “you all realize this is insane, right? this is how we die.”
• “at least i’ll go out doing what i love: being an absolute fuckwit making the worst possible choice.” / “no. being an absolute fuckwit making the worst possible choice in the best possible company.”
• “is that how it was always supposed to feel?”
• “i’m ready to break things.”
• “i never would have left you.”
• “i won’t let anything happen to you.”
• “give me my fucking friends back.”
• “tell me how to get you out of here. tell me how to fix it.”
• “i believe in you. you protected us all back then, when we didn’t even know you were doing it. let us help you now.”
• “we have to buy her / him / them / you time.”
• “we should do what we do best.”
• “it’s all still here.”
• “let’s summon a demon!”
• “this is so trippy! and stupid. i think it’s mold.”
• “it’s not better in here, name. i know it feels like it could be, but it’s not. it never was.”
• “you haven’t forgotten who you were, but you’re even better at it.”
• “name is fucking with people who don’t have his / her / their best interests at heart.”
• “that’s gotta be driving them insane to watch.”
• “i’m nothing without it. i’ve never been anything without it.”
• “you’ve always been enough by yourself. no one has ever been as loyal and smart and funny and fierce and deeply, deeply annoying as you.”
• “i want to be a person. whole. happy with just myself. but how do we do that?” / “therapy.”
• “in today’s session, i’d like to revisit the period of your childhood that was controlled by a minor deity in a pocket universe.”
• “you’re all so stupid.”
• “i love you, and i’m so proud of you.”
• “you came back for us after all, name. i always knew you would.” / “really?” / “no. but i love being wrong. i’m really good at it.”
• “he’s / she’s / they’re gone. you’ve always been good enough. you can do this alone.”
• “i would have loved you so well.”
• “you stayed.” / “i stayed.”
• “go on. i believe in you.”
• “you know what that’s like, if you let yourself remember.” 
• “it’s not perfect, but it doesn’t need to be.”

taken from the 2023 novel by kiersten white. trigger warnings for unreality, trauma, religion, and cults. feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.

• “oh, i can see it in your eyes.”
• “i’ve always known.”
• “it’s okay to ask questions. questions are how we get to know the world.”
• “safe, he / she / they’d say at the end of the day. safe, instead of good night, or i love you.”
• “yes, it’s really me.”
• “a lot of people never got closure. including us. especially us.”
• “we all worried about you, you know.”
• “i can’t believe i finally found you.”
• “name, what did you do?”
• “you don’t recognize me, do you? well, i’d never forget you, name.”
• “what the actual fuck?”
• “you’ve been here the whole time?”
• “there’s always a spot for you.”
• “i feel weirdly compelled to warn you about stranger danger.”
• “i don’t remember you, but i know you. that’s enough for me, today.”
• “i have so many more questions than i did before.”
• “it was amazing, until it wasn’t.”
• “we were all just kids.”
• “time passed different then.”
• “i’d say it’s like no time has passed but really too much has.”
• “don’t overthink it. we’re almost there.”
• “that’s so creepy. please read them all right now.”
• “i changed my mind. i don’t want to hear this.”
• “what’s fanfic?”
• “sounds like one of those nonsense inspirational facebook posts.”
• “this can’t be right.”
• “i’m giving it thirty more minutes.”
• “stay with us tonight, wherever we end up.”
• “again, i ask: what the fuck?”
• “it looks like someone put a regular house on a medieval rack and tortured the shit out of it.” / “funhouse mirror version of a house.”
• “name said we aren’t staying here, and we all know she’s / he’s / they’re in charge.”
• “it’s late and cold and none of you are wearing jackets.”
• “is it okay if i spend the night? is there room?”
• “did we all collectively dream this?”
• “how does everyone remember something that, for all intents and purposes, never existed???”
• “WHY DO I FEEL LIKE I MADE THE WHOLE THING UP”
• “don’t sit too close. you’ll burn your eyes out, remember?”
• “sorry, i’m exhausted. it’s been a long day. long year. long decade.”
• “can we figure everything out in the morning?”
• “let’s explore. up, or down? down, right? gotta be down. that’s where the bodies always are.”
• “your mom- / dad- / parent-voice is powerful.”
• “you haven’t changed at all.” / “excuse me, i’m much handsomer.”
• “shut up, dork.”
• “i can’t remember the last time i saw this many stars.”
• “i feel like i’m losing my mind.”
• “i just can’t believe you’re here. you’re really here.”
• “i felt so guilty that i lost you, i shaped my whole life around the space where you were missing.”
• “it was my job to watch out for you.”
• “i wasn’t strong enough.”
• “is it crazy that i feel closer to you than anyone else in my life?”
• “it haunts us. knowing what we had, and that we can never get it back.”
• “i never moved on. i never moved on at all.”
• “i was only age but that shit has haunted me ever since.”
• “if i had to live inside it all these years, so do you.”
• “you really don’t remember it?”
• “which question do you want me to answer?”
• “i can’t remember the last time someone made breakfast for me. that was really nice of you.”
• “i need this to work. it’s got to work.”
• “i don’t want you to go through this alone. i’ll stick with you, if you’ll have me.”
• “there’s something else going on here.”
• “hey now, that’s not fair.”
• “i guess he / she / they taught me how to survive.”
• “they loved me in a way i needed to be loved. they were always there.”
• “i don’t know what was real and what was nightmares after.”
• “to be fair, no one ever thinks i’m a p.i., which can come in handy.”
• “she deserves / he deserves / they deserve so much more.”
• “not hidden, just unnoticed.”
• “i’d say get a life, but i’m here talking to you about it, so i can’t really criticize.”
• “married a kennedy. it was that or a bush, and kennedys throw better parties.”
• “i’m trying to think what else i shouldn’t say about myself.”
• “don’t worry about it. they won’t be mad at you, and they’ll be mad at me no matter what i say.”
• “i figure, why poke a sleeping bear when you can kick it in the balls instead?”
• “my rebellious-teen phase was cut short.”
• “people think children’s lives are simple, easy, but it’s the opposite. everything that happens around them affects them, and they don’t have the power to affect any of it back.”
• “you seem really intense about a show that ended thirty years ago.”
• “your hand okay?”
• “i’ve never needed anything more in my entire life.”
• “look elsewhere, sweetie. trust me. you don’t want anything out there.”
• “the desert does have a way of wriggling into your soul.”
• “you’re small, and you’re alone, and you don’t matter. and that’s okay.”
• “go anywhere else.”
• “this doesn’t have to change anything.”
• “that’s what i want. change. it’s what i asked for.” 
• “we’re not in trouble.”
• “i should have given you a better warning.”
• “i need to go alone. but don’t leave!” / “i’d never leave you.”
• “if the cops come, we can thelma and louise it out of here.”
• “name, you didn’t do anything bad. you were just a kid.”
• “you can’t make me!”
• “well, come in, i guess.”
• “i’m afraid it’s not going to be enough.”
• “did any of us actually make it out?”
• “she / he / they didn’t ask anything of you except approval. maybe she’s / he’s / they’re still asking for that.” 
• “you sound like a fucking psycho.”
• “you can tell me if i did a good job, if people will like it.”
• “we made a deal, so we’re doing what we’re told.”
• “keep going. you’re doing great.”
• “i did everything i was supposed to, followed all the rules.”
• “i’m so sad, all the time, and i don’t know how not to be sad.” 
• “i’m the link holding everything together and it’s all just weight. it’s weight, and it never lets up, and no one else ever holds it. no one else even notices it.” 
• “i don’t understand how i can be there every moment of every single day and somehow not exist at the same time.”
• “i’m not happy, and i don’t know how to be happy.” 
• “i want this part to be over.”
• “do you have any questions for me?”
• “you were getting better.”
• “we were doing what was best for you.”
• “but you always got your way.” 
• “because he’s / she’s / they’re an idiot, that’s why.”
• “i was going to be so proud to be your mother / father / parent.” 
• “even now, they blame me.”
• “did you look for me?”
• “i need your phone.”
• “we were playing a game of hide-and-seek, but no one was seeking.”
• “what do you want to do?”
• “i like it better this way. adds character.”
• “i thought you couldn’t remember what happened.” / “i didn’t say i didn’t remember. i said it doesn’t make sense.” 
• “you’ve been through a lot.”
• “i don’t matter.”
• “all that matters is figuring out the truth.”
• “listen to me: it wasn’t your fault.”
• “i’ve always known i did something unforgivable.”
• “you still blame yourself.”
• “you were my responsibility.” 
• “it feels unfinished, doesn’t it?”
• “you want to stay?”
• “this is a celebration, not a tribunal.”
• “she says  / he says  / they say they’ll meet us there in a couple hours.”
• “oh, it’s not that bad of a joke.”
• “why are you sleeping, lazybones? there’s so much to do.”

a selection of lyrics taken from my personal gender euphoria playlist, specifically focusing on love, validation, and encouragement! feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.

• “he knew it was time, he’d made up his mind.”
• “boy, you’d better begin to get those crazy notions right out of your head.” 
• “nickname, who do you think that you are?”
• “pull yourself together, you know you should do better.”
• “this could be my last chance.”
• “you’re always dreaming.”
• “you won’t get very far.”
• “don’t you know who you are?”
• “honey, spread your wings and fly away.”
• “you’re a free man.”
• “come on, honey.”
• “he left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again.”
• “it keeps changing fast and it don’t last for long.”
• “they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun.”
• “his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear.”
• “won’t you let me go down in my dreams?”
• “ten miles behind me, and ten thousand more to go.”
• “maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep.”
• “singing works just fine for me.”
• “i’m alright, nobody worry ‘bout me.”
• “can’t you just let it be?”
• “do what you like.”
• “it’s your life.”
• “who you gonna be tonight?”
• “who is it really making up your mind?”
• “listen to your own heart beating.”
• “everybody let me be.”
• “i don’t need you to worry for me ‘cause i’m alright.”
• “i don’t want you to tell me it’s time to come home.”
• “i don’t care what you say anymore, this is my life.”
• “i still belong, don’t get me wrong.”
• “you can speak your mind, but not on my time.”
• “do you ever wonder why i feel i have to hide?”
• “others’ perceptions give me panic attacks.”
• “i’ll hide in the forest where i can be free.”
• “maybe to you it sounds a little strange.”
• “maybe i wanna be a cryptid.” 
• “be who you are.”
• “maybe my ideal body is bigfoot’s.”
• “so when i feel sad i’ll screech into the night.”
• “they think i’m a little strange.”
• “maybe my ideal body is mothman’s.” 
• “when i’m ready, i will fly us out of here.”
• “i’ll figure out a way to get us out of here.”
• “will everybody please give him a little bit of space?”
• “the stars welcome him with open arms.”
• “strangely he feels at home in this place.”
• “sing me a song, tell me your thoughts.”
• “I could listen to you all night long.”
• “tell me about the things that you love.”
• “the world simply needs more affection.”
• “i don’t care about what people think of me.”
• “we’ve got so much time to kill and so many things to see.”
• “life’s too short to worry about things that we got wrong.”
• “you don’t know what it’s like to be nothing at all.”
• “it’s nothing i can’t change.”
• “like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays.”
• “hey, that’s me, and i want you only.”
• “show a little faith, there’s magic in the night.”
• “but hey, you’re alright, and that’s alright with me.”
• “roll down the window and let the wind blow back your hair.”
• “come take my hand.”
• “hey, i know it’s late, we can make it if we run.” 
• “and i know you’re lonely for words that i ain’t spoken.”
• “tonight we’ll be free, all the promises’ll be broken.”
• “you know you can’t hold me forever.”
• “i didn’t sign up with you.”
• “this boy’s too young to be singin’ the blues.”
• “i’ve finally decided my future lies beyond the yellow brick road.”
• “give him a fire in his heart, give him a light in his eyes.”
• “give him a hand that he could lean on and a strength to call his own.” 
• “he came to turn the pages and to make a brand new start.”
• “we’ll try to carry on.”
• “what else could i do?”
• “i’m so inspired by you.” 
• “now i know that happiness goes on.”
• “the greatest miracle of all is how i need you and how you needed me too.”
• “maybe i’ve been hoping too hard but i’ve gone this far and it’s more than i hoped for.”
• “i’ll take my chances.”
• “now i know the woman that you are.”
• “you’re wonderful so far and it’s more than i hoped for.”
• “i’m so in love with you, honey.”
• “everything is gonna be alright.”
• “and now, i smile and face the girl that shares my name.”
• “just give yourself some time.”
• “that’s just growin’ up.”
• “don’t overthink it, boy.”

cabin pressure sentence starters. (2008 - 2014 radio play)

white christmas sentence starters. (1954 film)

the haunting of hill house sentence starters. (1959 novel)

three pines sentence starters. (2022 - series)

halcyon sentence starters. (2010s alt music, for all your alt kid needs)

field of dreams sentence starters. (1989 film)

garfield and friends sentence starters. (1988 - 1994 series)

non physical affection meme (request)

emotions are hard shipping meme (request)

hard-to-find hurt / comfort (parts three and four?)

a selection of some of my favorite underrepresented situations and actions for one of my favorite tropes! feel free to add + REVERSE to any of the prompts to change the situation and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.  

a selection of some of my favorite underrepresented lines and phrases for one of my favorite tropes! feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.    

• “let them go.” / “let me go.”
• “take me.” / “take me instead.”
• “don’t hurt them.” / “i’ll do anything you say.”
• “what do you want with me?”
• “where are you taking them?”
• “what did you do to them?”
• “where is receiver?”
• “give them back.”
• “get away from them!”
• “get off them!”

• “can you hear me?”
• “wake up… please, wake up.”
• “are you with me?”
• “stay awake.” / “you have to stay awake.” / “please, stay awake… please…” / “promise me you’ll stay awake.” 
• “don’t close your eyes.” / “open your eyes for me, name.”
• “there you are.”
• “just a little longer, okay?”
• “i know it hurts, i’m sorry, it’ll be over soon.”
• “shhh, it’s alright.”
• “i need you.” / “i still need you.” / “i need you to be okay.”
• “do you remember what happened?”
• “name?! name! what happened?!”
• “what did they do to you?” 
• “if they lay a finger on him/her/them/you…” 
• “if they touch a hair on his/her/their/your head…” 
• “those bastards.” / “if i ever get my hands on them…” 
• “i’m gonna get you out of here.”
• “let’s get you out of here.” / “let’s get you out of this.” 
• “we gotta get out of here.” / “it’s alright, name. we’re taking you home.”
• “can you stand?” / “can you walk?” 
• “i won’t let anything happen to you.”
• “you’re safe.”
• “it’s gonna be okay.” / “you’re gonna be okay, just hold on.” 
• “you’re hurt.” / “did they hurt you?”
• “i’ve got you.” 
• “lean on me.”
• “stay with me.”
• “i can’t lose you.” / “i’m not losing you.”
• “oh, name…” / “oh, kid…”
• “receiver? receiver, it’s me. it’s sender.”
• “i’m here.” / “i’m here. i promise.”

• "...where am i...?"
• “what happened…?”
• “i’m with you.”
• “it hurts.” / “make it stop.”
• “you came for me…” / “you came back…”
• “you found me…”
• “where were you…?”
• “i’m sorry…”
• “i was so scared.”
• “i thought you’d never find me…”
• “what are you doing here?”
• “just go. you can still make it. don’t worry about me.”

taken from the 2019 album released by sleeping at last, consisting of songs based on the nine enneagram personality types. feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.

• “hold on for a minute.”
• “i believe that we can fix this over time.”
• “let me finish.”
• “we’ll only know for certain if we try.”
• “i want to sing a song worth singing.”
• “i’ll write an anthem worth repeating.”
• “now i have learned my lesson.”
• “i’ve spent my whole life searching desperately.”
• “grace requires nothing of me.”

• “sweetheart, you look a little tired.”
• “when did you last eat?”
• “come in and make yourself right at home.”
• “stay as long as you need.”
• “tell me, is there something wrong?”
• “you can count on me.”
• “you know i’ll take my heart clean apart if it helps yours beat.”
• “let me take your coat.”
• “i will love you with every single thing i have.”
• “i will love you without any strings attached.”
• “it’s okay if you can’t catch your breath.”
• “no, i don’t want to talk about myself.”
• “tell me where it hurts.”
• “you’re good as new.”
• “i don’t even know where to start.”
• “i just want to love you.”
• “i just want to learn how, somehow, to be loved myself.”
• “and what a privilege it is to love, a great honor to hold you up.”
• “i will love you without a single string attached.”

• “maybe i’ve done enough.”
• “your golden child grew up.”
• “maybe this trophy isn’t real love.”
• “with or without it, i’m good enough.”
• “i finally see myself through the eyes of no one else.”
• “it’s so exhausting on this silver screen, where i play the role of anyone but me.”
• “i finally see myself unabridged and overwhelmed.”
• “a mess of a story i’m ashamed to tell.”
• “i only want what’s real.”
• “let my heart feel what it feels.”
• “he’s/she’s/they’re/we’re/you’re/i’m worthy of love anyway.”

• “i’m turning out the lights.”
• “remember how to see?”
• “for a moment we get to be glorious.”
• “maybe i’m hiding behind metaphor.”
• “maybe my heart needs to break to be sure.”
• “i’ve fallen in love with a ghost.”
• “i lost my balance when i needed it most.”
• “this blurry photograph is proof.”
• “it feels like truth.”
• “i’m stuck swimming in shadows.”
• “it’s been forever since i came up for air.”
• “what if we already are who we’ve been dying to become?”
• “a reflection of magnificence.”
• “(it’s) hidden in you, maybe even in me.”

• “i want to watch the universe expand.”
• “i want to break it into pieces small enough to understand.”
• “it feels like an out-of-body experience.”
• “now i can’t put my mind to rest.”
• “i can’t help but second guess.”
• “i’m hypnotized by this anomaly.”
• “such strange uncharted territory.”
• “my armor falls apart.”
• “if i could let myself be seen, even deeply known.”
• “i was already brave enough to let go.”
• “it’s hidden in heartbeats, exhales, and in the hope of open hands.”

• “i had the most vivid dream.”
• “my feet had left the ground.”
• “i was floating to heaven.”
• “i could only look down.”
• “my mind was heavy, running ragged with worst case scenarios.”
• “i woke up so worried.”
• “oh god, i’m so tired of being afraid.”
• “if i’m being honest, i’m not sure i’d know how.”
• “i wanna take shelter but i’m ready to fight.”
• “i feel a little paralyzed.”
• “maybe i’m stronger than i realize.”
• “i want to believe; no, i choose to believe.”
• “fear won’t go away, but i can keep it at bay.”
• “with a vigilant heart, i’ll push into the dark.”
• “i’ll learn to breathe deep and make peace with the stars.”
• “is it courage or faith?”
• “there will be light always waiting behind even the darkest of nights.”
• “no matter what.”
• “somehow we’ll be okay.”
• “don’t be afraid.”

• “we could try everything.”
• “i’m serious.”
• “what about danger?”
• “so what?”
• “what about risk?”
• “i’m restless for whatever comes next.”
• “how wonderful to see a smile on your face.”
• “a welcome home parade.”
• “a secret handshake.”
• “i’ll find the silver lining no matter what the price.”
• “i’m hungry for whatever comes next.”
• “let me tell you another secret of the trade.”
• “it feels like sinking when i’m standing in one place.”
• “i want to be here.”
• “i feel hope, deep in my bones.”
• “tomorrow will be beautiful.”
• “i’m ready for whatever comes next.”

• “it was like a switch was flipped.”
• “i was just a kid who grew up strong enough.”
• “god, that was so long ago.”
• “i was little, i was weak and perfectly naive.”
• “i grew up too quick.”
• “now you won’t see all that i have to lose and all i’ve lost in the fight to protect it.”
• “i won’t let you in, i swore never again.”
• “i can’t afford, no, i refuse to be rejected.”
• “i want to break these bones ‘til they’re better.”
• “you were wrong.”
• “my healing needed more than time.”
• “when i see fragile things, helpless things, broken things, i see the familiar.”
• “now i’m a broken mirror.”
• “i can’t afford to let myself be blindsided.”
• “i’m standing guard.”
• “i’m falling apart.”
• “all i want is to trust you.”
• “show me how to lay my sword down.”
• “here i am.”
• “pry me open.”
• “what do you want to know?”
• “i’m just a kid who grew up scared enough.”
• “here’s a map, here’s a shovel.”
• “here’s my achilles’ heel.”
• “i’m all in.”
• “i’m at your mercy now.”
• “i’m ready to begin.”
• “i am strong enough to let you in.”
• “for the innocent, for the vulnerable.”
• “i’ll show up at the front lines with a purpose.”
• “i’ll give all i have.”
• “i’m shattered porcelain, glued back together again.”
• “i’m invincible like i’ve never been.”

• “who am i to say what any of this means?”
• “i have been sleepwalking since i was fourteen.”
• “honestly, it’s easier to let myself forget.”
• “i’ve been less than half myself for more than half my life.”
• “wake up.”
• “fall in love again.”
• “there’s so much worth fighting for, you’ll see.”
• “it looks like empathy to understand all sides.”
• “i’m just trying to find myself through someone else’s eyes.”
• “show me what to do.”
• “how do i forgive myself for losing so much time?”
• “roll up your sleeves.”
• “remember who you are.”
• “a little at a time.”
• “it’s uncomfortable, but right.”
• “we were born to try to see each other through.”
• “to know and love ourselves and others well is the most difficult and meaningful work we’ll ever do.”

taken from the 1951 film inspired by the 1928 george gershwin composition.  feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.    

• “that’s a fascinating place.”
• “i didn’t mean to be. i’m sorry.”
• “it’s a beautiful day and i thought i could drop by.”
• “you don’t waste any time, do you?”
• “you’ve been very kind.”
• “you know what you can do for me. go out with me!”
• “if only you had half as much charm as you do persistence.”
• “what do you say?”
• “all right. you win.”
• “disappear, can’t you see i’m busy?”
• “you always call at the wrong moment.”
• “just listen to my heart go pitter-patter.”
• “let’s walk along the river.”
• “that doesn’t bother me.”
• “civilization has a natural resistence against improving itself.”
• “it might take quite a while.”
• “a moment ago, you were acting as if the police were after you!”
• “i don’t have to know. it’s your business.”
• “go ‘head, try!”
• “the night’s young.”
• “we should live dangerously!”
• “saturday night’s the big night. no work, no school, and when you get home... no money.”
• “i’d rather listen to you. i don’t like talking about myself.”
• “doesn’t everyone tell you that?”
• “honey, believe me, i’m no enemy.”
• “if i’d been around sooner, you’d know by now that you’re very pretty/handsome/beautiful.”
• “i’m not making fun with/of you.”
• “but oh, my dear, our love is here to stay.”
• “together we’re going a long, long way.”
• “wait a minute, when will i see you again?”
• “___, we have to see each other again.”
• “you’re crazy, she/he/they aren’t interested in me.”
• “all for the sake of art?”
• “what is all this?”
• “we have so little time together.”
• “can’t we have our own world and not talk about anything that happens when we’re apart?”
• “if you don’t want to talk about it, okay.”
• “let’s let it go at that.”
• “hi, kid.”
• “what’s the rush?”
• “have coffee. you have time now.”
• “what’re you so glum about?”
• “is she/he/they worthy of a starving young artist?”
• “i don’t know a thing about her/him/them.”
• “but i gotta be with her/him/them.”
• “congratulations, ___. i’m glad someone around here is happy.”
• “she’s/he’s/they’re stuck on me.”
• “there’s a girl/boy/person i’m stuck on.”
• “so far this is very ordinary.”
• “let me ask you something.”
• “have you told her/him/them you love her/him/them?” / “no, not in so many words.”
• “and you’ll see, they won’t seem important anymore.”
• “is it really that simple?”
• “’s wonderful, ‘s marvelous.”
• “‘s awful nice, ‘s paradise.”
• “i have something to tell you.”
• “d’you hear me?! i love you and everything’s gonna be alright, i just know it!”
• “it doesn’t matter what i am or not.”
• “if it means anything to you, i love you!”
• “you know some days, you look exceptionally pretty/beautiful/handsome?”
• “leave it to me, tonight’s my night.”
• “well, that sounds very romantic.”
• “are you alright, cherie?”
• “not this city. it’s too real and too beautiful. never lets you forget anything. reaches in and opens you wide and you stay that way.”
• “i thought something would happen to me, too.”
• “now what have i got left?”
• “maybe that’s enough for some, but it isn’t for me anymore.”
• “the more beautiful everything is, the more it’ll hurt without you.”
• “don’t let me leave you like this.”

taken from the 1951 film inspired by the 1928 george gershwin composition.  feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.    

• “and i’ll tell you why.”
• “all my life that’s all i ever wanted to do.”
• “just look at it.”
• “that’s where i’m billeted.”
• “here’s my street.”
• “a nicer bunch you’ll never meet.”
• “it sounds better in french.” 
• “i have a lot of good friends in ___. a lot of very good friends.”
• “that’s a pretentious way of saying i’m unemployed at the moment.”
• “i’m here on a scholarship.”
• “and you know something?”
• “i’m getting pretty homesick.”
• “i had to stop because i discovered i liked it.”
• “it’s not a pretty face, i grant you.”
• “i like ___. it’s a place where you don’t run into old friends.”
• “do you remember him/her/them?”
• “i wish he/she/they/you were still with me.”
• “you see?”
• “everybody recognizes me.”
• “i guess i haven’t changed so much after all.”
• “they’ve known me a long time.”
• “well, what’s the difference?”
• “let’s just say... i am old enough to know what to do with my young feelings.”
• “shall i come up?” / “no, i’ll be right down.”
• “don’t kiss me, you’ll spoil my makeup.”
• “you look great, ___.”
• “what’re you doing?”
• “i phoned you, but there was no answer.” / “i would’ve phoned again, but i was afraid you might be in.”
• “what are you working on?”
• “incidentally, who’s ___?”
• “that’s the second time that name has come up.”
• “she/he/they was a little girl/boy/kid then.”
• “we only became in love after she/he/they left.”
• “she’s/he’s/they’re a little young for you, isn’t she/he/they?”
• “what’s she/he/they like?”
• “she/he/they/you/i could dance all night.”
• “sounds tiresome.”
• “kind of a wild kid, huh?”
• “whatever gave you that idea?”
• “i prefer not to discuss the matter any further.”
• “be serious.”
• “don’t be silly!”
• “look, let’s start all over again, shall we?”
• “how are you today, ___?” / “i could be better, ___.”
• “i’m broke.”
• “that should be very simple.”
• “how do you do?”
• “i know you.”
• “i’ve heard you/her/him/them sing a thousand times. you’re/she’s/he’s/they’re wonderful!”
• “i need lunch money.”
• “please, allow me.”
• “no thanks.”
• “i wouldn’t lend him/her/them money if i were you.”
• “what else is there?”
• “relax, sister/brother/kiddo.”
• “why don’t you be a good little girl/boy/kid and move on?”
• “you won’t buy anything.”
• “you’re just blocking out the sunshine.”
• “i just wanted to discuss your work.”
• “i’m not interested in your opinion.”
• “if you say something nice i won’t feel better and if you don’t it’ll bother me.”
• “do you mind if i look?”
• “go ahead. you’re okay.”
• “they’re harmless enough.”
• “say, do you have a ___?”
• “don’t you like criticism?” / “who does?”
• “your guess is right on the nose.”
• “you know... i like these two.”
• “how much are they?”
• “gee, i don’t know.” / “you don’t know?”
• “offer me something.”
• “will that be satisfactory?”
• “you sure you know what you’re doing?”
• “what do you care?”
• “is it far?”
• “here’s a good place.”
• “i never thought of that.”
• “i didn’t mean to stay long.” / “don’t apologize. i wanted you to.”
• “i wish we had more time to talk.”
• “by the way... what are you going to do tonight?”
• “do you have a date?”
• “nothing formal.”
• “i got my girl/boy/babe/love, who could ask for anything more?”
• “good evening. i’m sorry i’m late.”
• “i see. it’s kind of a little joke, isn’t it?”
• “i know i need dough, but i don’t need it this badly.”
• “what’s so funny?”
• “stop defending your honor so assiduously and listen to me for a minute.”
• “i’m interested in your work and want to know you better. is that such a crime?”
• “well, it certainly is a roundabout way to do it.”
• “i want to help you.”
• “it doesn’t hurt to have somebody rooting for you, does it?” / “it’ll be the first time anybody ever did.”
• “you should get married again. you need it.”
• “everybody must have someone to come home to.”
• “let’s dance. we haven’t for years.”
• “you’re going to have trouble with that one.”
• “___! what a pleasant surprise!”
• “let’s go around the floor for old time’s sake.”
• “do you mind?”
• “you’re certainly not without your nerve!”
• “don’t get angry. this was perfectly harmless.”
• “i haven’t been able to take my eyes off you since i walked in.”
• “that was very considerate.”
• “this is the first time i’ve ever done something like this.”
• “i just had to meet you.”
• “i don’t know what kind of girl/guy/person you think i am, but i’m not!”
• “it was swell seeing you again!”
• “that was fun, wasn’t it?”

taken from the 1972 film adaptation of the 1969 broadway musical. feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.    

• “damn the man/woman/person.” / “god damn the man/woman/person.” 
• “what is that racket?” / “latest thing from europe, ___. it’s called music.”
• “well, you’ve had a whole week, man. is it done?”
• “disgusting.”
• “well, cheer up, ___. get out of the dumps. it’ll come out all right, i assure you.” 
• “now, get back to work.”
• “hello! and whose little girl/boy/child are you?”
• “what makes you think so?”
• “she/he/they is your wife/husband/partner, isn’t she/he/they?” / “well of course, she/he/they is. look at the way they fit.”
• “come along, ___.”
• “you don’t mean to say that…”
• “i mean, they’re not going to…” / “in the middle of the afternoon?” 
• “incredible!”
• “i’m very lonely, ___.” 
• “oh, now, don’t be unreasonable, ___.”
• “oh, they were fondly intended!”
• “well, now there you have me, ___.”
• “please. come to ___. please come.” 
• “I thank you for that.”
• “___, how goes it with you?”
• “do you still smell of vanilla and spring air?” 
• “what was there, ___, still is there, ___.”
• “i’ve forgotten the feel of your hand.”
• “til then, ‘til then.”
• “go ahead.” / “me?” / “your voice is more piercing.” 
• “good morrow, ___, good morrow!”
• “is it the habit in ___ to shout at ladies/gentlemen/people from the street?” / “and for men/women/people of your age, it is not only unseemly, it is unsightly!” 
• “please! i know your name(s) very well, but…”
• “it’s of no matter. your thoughts were well-taken elsewhere.”
• “well, then shall we start over again?”
• “won’t you join us?” 
• “i feel an absolute fool.”
• “well, what will people think?”
• “___ did this, and ___ did that, and ___ did some other damned thing.” 
• “tell us about yourself. we’ve heard precious little.”
• “oh, ___, you can dance!”
• “___, i want you to see some cards i’ve had printed up.”
• “ought to save everybody here a lot of time and effort.” 
• “dear sir/madam/per, you are, without any doubt, a rogue, a rascal, a villain, a thief, a scoundrel, and a mean, dirty, stinking, sniveling, sneaking, pimping, pocket-picking, thrice double-damned no-good son of a bitch.” 
• “what do you think?” / “i’ll take a dozen right now.”
• “all right, ___, enough socializing. there’s work to be done.” 
• “he/she/they never complained, but i could see the poor man/woman/thing was suffering terrible.” 
• “one foot in front of the other!”
• “i’ll take a crack at old vacant-face.” 
• “how in hell did you ever make a decision?”
• “you clot!”
• “you come into this world screaming ‘no’ and you’re determined to leave it the same way, you slimy worm!”
• “the whole world is waiting!”
• “leave me alone, ___, you’re wasting your time!” 
• “that man/woman/person would depress a hyena.”
• “why not ask them yourself? they ought to be here any minute.”
• “would you or wouldn’t you?”
• “___, are you mad?”
• “it sounds lively as hell up there.” 
• “like hell i am.”
• “what for?”
• “do you see what i see?”
• “the sun is in the sky, a breeze is blowing by.”
• “why should we risk losing?”
• “you don’t even like him/her/them.” / “that is true, he/she/they annoys me quite a lot.” 
• “why? for personal glory? for a place in history?”
• “most men/women/people with nothing would rather protect the possibility of becoming rich than face the reality of being poor.”
• “that is why they will follow us.”
• “how’d you like to try and borrow a dollar from one of them?”
• “here, son/sweetie/kid. there you go.” 
• “it’s too damn hot to work.”
• “what’s it like out there?” / “you probably know more than me.”
• “this is the last place to find out what’s going on.”
• “what’s that got to do with it?”
• “now, where’s that?”
• “come looking for me.”
• “by the red maple tree.”
• “is that you i’m hearing?”
• “it was a slaughter. a slaughter!”
• “how far have they gotten?”
• “nothing to fear.”
• “it’s a masterpiece.”
• “i wish i felt that way.” 
• “if i was ever sure of anything, i’m sure of that.” 
• “now, surely this was an oversight.”
• “i had hoped that the work would speak for itself.”
• “this is a revolution, damn it! we’re going to have to offend somebody!” 
• “you’ll give yourself an attack of apoplexy if you’re not careful.”
• “have you heard?” / “i heard.”
• “courage, ___.”
• “it won’t last much longer.”
• “these are dangerous times.”
• “be careful, ___.”
• “we might as well say so.”
• “i can’t quite make out what it is you’re talking about.”
• “why didn’t you say so?”
• “economy. always economy.”
• “there’s more to this than a filthy purse string, ___.”
• “it’s an offense against man and god/nature.”
• “for the love of god, ___, please.”
• “you’ll have to forgive them, ___.”
• “we’re wasting time.”
• “what good will it do?”
• “if there’s anything i can do for you there, let me know.”
• “we have no choice, ___.”
• “___, what are you saying?”
• “you forget yourself, sir/madam/per.”
• “what’s happened to me?”
• “___, what am i going to do?”
• “you don’t usually ask my advice.” / “yes, well, there doesn’t appear to be anyone else right now.” 
• “what is it?”
• “oh, ___. has it been any kind of a life for you?” / “i never asked for more.”
• “well, i have always been dissatisfied, i know that. but lately, i find that i reek of discontentment.”
• “it fills my throat and it floods my brain.”
• “sometimes i fear there is no longer a dream, only the discontentment.” 
• “can you really know so little about yourself?”
• “have you forgotten what you used to say to me? i haven’t.”
• “commitment, ___. commitment.”
• “do you remember?” / “yes, i remember.”
• “all for you, ___.”
• “didn’t you hear a word i said before?” / “oh, never mind about that.”
• “now, here’s what i want you to do.” / “___, i’m not even speaking to you.” 
• “you know where i stand.”
• “i’ll do whatever you say.”
• “is anybody there?”
• “does anybody care?”
• “i’m sorry if i startled you.”
• “i couldn’t sleep.”
• “you must believe that i will do what i promised to do.”
• “what is it you want, ___?” 
• “what else is there to do?”
• “little good may it do you.”
• “the question is clear.” / “most questions are clear when someone else has to decide them.” 
• “___, you’re keeping everybody waiting.”
• “i just didn’t bargain for that.” 
• “goodbye, ___.”
• “i happen to be a harvard graduate, __.”
• “and how it shall end, god only/who knows.”
• “all right, step right up.”
• “don’t miss your chance to commit treason.”
• “to hell with ___.”

taken from the 1972 film adaptation of the 1969 broadway musical. feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.    

• “there you are.”
• “didn’t you hear me call you?”
• “what do you keep coming up here for?”
• “i can just imagine.”
• “oh, good god.”
• “what in the hell are you waiting for?!”
• “sit down, ___.”
• “consider yourselves fortunate that you have ____ to abuse, for no sane man/woman/person would tolerate it!”
• “will someone shut that man/woman/person up?” / “never!”
• “a cataclysmic earthquake, i’d accept with some despair.”
• “good god, sir/madam/per, was that fair?”
• “nothing’s ever solved.” 
• “___, ___, is that you carrying on, ___?”
• “oh ___, ___, i have such a desire to knock heads together.” 
• “i’m no further along than i was when i first came here.” 
• “i know, my dearest, i know.”
• “but that’s because you make everything so complicated.”
• “and hurry home to me.”
• “what else is new?”
• “now, have you done as i asked?” / “no, ___, i have not.” / “well, why have you not?!”
• “i’m afraid we have a more urgent problem.” 
• “don’t smirk at me, you egotist, pay heed to what i say.”
• “i am, as i ever was, yours.”
• “where in hell are you?!”
• “___, i see you hiding behind that tree, it won’t do you any good!”
• “i have been looking everywhere for you, where in god’s name have you been?!”
• “it stinks.” / “as ever, the soul of tact.”
• “where were you last night when i needed you?” 
• “i have more to do than stand here listening to you quote yourself.” 
• “reconciliation, my ass.”
• “and if ____ can’t put up with you, nobody can.” 
• “you’re getting at something.” / “how can you tell?”
• “oh, ____, that’s brilliant. wasn’t that brilliant, ____?” 
• “i’ll leave tonight. why, hell, i’ll leave right now, if ya like!”
• “what makes you so sure you can do it?”
• “forward, ho!”
• “that was the most revolting display i have ever witnessed.”
• “you and your infernal obsession for deviousness.”
• “if you’ll be wanting anything at all…” 
• “there won’t be too long to wait.”
• “i’m surprised you didn’t know that.”
• “___ here is just a lad/lass/kid.”
• “you’re too late, ___. once i get them, they’re got.” 
• “oh, ___, forgive me, but how can anyone see you if you insist on standing in ___’s shadow?”
• “what are you staring at? haven’t you ever seen a great man/woman/person before?” 
• “do you have the honor to be dr/mr/mrs/mx ___?” 
• “oh, ___, i only wish ___ felt like my big toe all over.” 
• “that strutting popinjay was so damn sure of his/her/themself.”
• “sweet jesus!”
• “you’ve abused the privilege.”
• “my god, it’s hot.”
• “we are not in touch at the present time.”
• “may we hear about the weather?” 
• “sadly, i see no way of stopping them at the present time.”
• “where’s the fire, can anybody tell?”
• “___, i’m back! i’m back, ___!”  / “___, lad/lass/kid, welcome back.”
• “is it done?”
• “you would, you lousy wart.”
• “___ abstains courteously.”
• “the people are against it, and i’m for it.” 
• “i’m comin’, i’m comin’! hold your damn horses.” / “we’re waiting on you, ___.” / “well, it won’t kill you.” 
• “so it’s up to me, huh?”
• “well, i’ll tell you.”
• “in all my years, i’ve never seen, heard, nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn’t be talked about.”
• “hell yes! i’m for debating anything.” 
• “well, now, you’ve got your way at last, ___.”
• “i confess i’m almost relieved.” 
• “yes, that’s what he/she/they want. nothing less will satisfy him/her/them.” 
• “how is a man/woman/person to sleep?”
• “how is a man/woman/person to stay awake?”
• “why can’t you acknowledge what already exists?!”
• “sit down, you scurvy dog, or i’ll knock you down!”
• “i only got two hands!”
• “you refuse to understand us.”
• “for once in your life, ___, take a chance.”
• “i say the time is now. it may never come again.”
• “we will more than compensate in spirit.”
• “you…. you fribble!” 
• “are you calling me a coward?” 
• “stop it, stop it!” 
• “the enemy’s out there.”
• “but he/she/they should go home.”
• “a man/woman/person should die in his/her/their own bed.”
• “i’m here, ___.” 
• “___, do something. think.” / “i’m thinking, but nothing’s coming.”
• “excuse me. is this ___?”
• “yes, i can see that it must be.”
• “we’ve been looking for you everywhere, you see.”
• “oh, how splendid. that means we’re not too late!” 
• “i regret that i must be the bearer of unhappy tidings.”
• “why the long face?” 
• “tell me. why did they arrest the little bastard?”
• “well, haven’t i made that clear?” / “no.” / “well, i suppose i haven’t.”
• “what are you doing?!”
• “you’ve sunk us!”
• “i can see no other way.”
• “oh, for heaven’s sake, let me get through it once.”
• “ditto, ditto, et cetera, et cetera.” 
• “what in hell goes on in ____?!” 
• “they speak very fast and very loud and nobody listens to anybody else with the result that nothing ever gets done.”
• “any objections?” / “i have objections. i have lots of objections!” 
• “i don’t know, he/she/they had a funny look on his/her/their face.” / “he/she/they always does.”
• “i’m obnoxious and disliked, you know that.”
• “hell no!” 
• “i don’t know a participle from a predicate.” 
• “he’s/she’s/they’re obnoxious and disliked, did you know that?” / “i hadn’t heard.”
• “leave me alone!” 
• “magnificent.”
• “life is more than sexual combustibility!” 
• “who will make me, ___?” / “i.” / “you?” / “yes.” / “how?” / “by physical force, if necessary.” 
• “you’re obnoxious and disliked, that cannot be denied.” 
• “oh, ____, you are driving me to homicide!”
• “we may see murder yet!”

taken from the 2022 revival of the 2005 discovery channel series. shenanigans and chaos ensue. feel free to change wording and pronouns and provide context as necessary. do not add to this list.    

• You know what? I take it back. I do like to complain.
• No. We come back tonight and kill them.
• I’m kidding, of course. I almost never kill anyone.
• You just wanna do it? Right now?
• It’s all coming together... sort of. 
• It’s all in a day’s work.
• And that, my friend(s), does not suck. This, on the other hand...
• You’re not nervous, are you, ___?
• I’m not... Sure I’m nervous. Sure. Sure.
• See, I’m doing something!
• It’s like the sound of doom.
• That really is ominous, man.
• It’s not natural, is it?
• Yes. This goes against the laws of God and man. 
• I’d feel better without that iron bar up my ass, honestly.
• Sounds simple, right? It’s not.
• If it sounds difficult and complicated, it’s only because it is.
• And by a lot easier, I mean, not easy at all.
• Precision is the order of the day.
• By no pressure... there’s a lot of pressure.
• Can’t hear shit.
• I’ve not been here, no.
• I’m absolutely falling apart.
• You know, I... I just... I wouldn’t say no.
• She/he/they’ll tell you if she/he/they like you. Or if they don’t.
• Why would it blow up?
• Until you’re suddenly goin’ up like flashpaper.
• And the odds of this exploding are very low?
• But it could still happen?
• Me and you, you and me. The two of us together. In the pit.
• This is gonna be great, ___.
• Boy, that just got weird, huh?
• A lot of the time I say I got it, ___, but I don’t. 
• I’m still not ready to talk about that, man.
• I’ve hit my head lots of times over the years.
• I didn’t expect that one there.
• Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.
• That’s beyond redemption.
• See, you’re having those negative thoughts again.
• Time now to reenter the pit, a place that’s now starting to feel like home.
• There’s a futility to this, I gotta tell you.
• I can make it better, but I can’t make it good.
• It really is just a toxic bouillabaisse of human disappointment. 
• You get something done, I’ll talk to the turkey.
• Now you know what I know. 
• I’ll always make something up for you.
• You look like a rotisserie chicken right now.
• You should write travel brochures.
• I don’t have a lot of dignity left.
• Where do you go from... from this?
• I’d probably work at Starbucks or something.
• Like they’re fooling anybody.
• I know what you’re doing, Bobby Flay. Liar.
• Look at me, walking like I know where I’m going.
• Oh, I’m scandalized.
• I’ve never seen that. Impressive!
• Always looking to try something new.
• Bringing literally minutes of experience to the task at hand.
• I don’t know if I would hire you, but you didn’t break anything, so we’re good.
• This is where shit starts to get real for real.
• My sneakers are Velcro.
• Maybe there’s a reason for that.
• We call it the hibbity-flibbity.
• If you don’t mind, we’re gonna shoot the whole show here on my iPhone.
• If you took a little of the shock and awe out of your voice, it’d sound more like a compliment.
• Hakuna Matata smells like ass.
• So that you look at me and don’t immediately associate me with a cold blooded, heartless killer.
• And that’s a wrap for that guy.