I have no mouth and I must scream

"There’s no point in acting surprised about it. All the planning charts and demolition orders have been on display at your local planning department in Alpha Centauri for 50 of your Earth years, so you’ve had plenty of time to lodge any formal complaint and it’s far too late to start making a fuss about it now. … What do you mean you’ve never been to Alpha Centauri? Oh, for heaven’s sake, mankind, it’s only four light years away, you know. I’m sorry, but if you can’t be bothered to take an interest in local affairs, that’s your own lookout. Energize the demolition beams.”

"As I drifted further and further down it became increasingly hard to move. All I could see when I closed my eyes was a faint, glowing yellow hoop slowly approaching me. If I kept my mind on it I could drift all the way through the middle of the hoop, without losing my concentration. This really felt like an achievement to me. In my mind I built myself an imaginary trophy cabinet, and awarded myself a small keepsake for each time I drifted through the circlet. 'Well done' I thought. Well done indeed."