— Don't you ever get tired of reading that book?
— No.
— Well, what's in it, anyway?
— Things.
— Oh, for Christ's sake!
— It is called Talmon. It contains the words of our great teacher, Shismar.
— I suppose you have to know the Drac language to read it, right?
— It would help.
— So teach me the Drac language.
— It is not for you, Davidge.
— Shismar is too good for us humans, is that it?
— Not too good for humans, but too good for you.
— Now you're a judge of character.
— Do you not remember what you say about Shismar?
— Well, maybe you forgot what you said about Mickey Mouse!
— That was wrong. I did not mean it.
— I didn't mean what I said about Shismar, either.
— Tell me about Zammis.
— Zammis?
— Yeah. What kind of a name is Zammis?
— There are five names in a Drac's lineage. I am Sheegan. Before me was Gathic. And before Gathic was Islane.
— Come on. Keep talking.
— Before Islane was Tighe. Before Tighe was Zammis.
— Up there. Look!
— One day I must stand with Zammis... before the holy council on Dracon... and recite our lineage... so that Zammis may join... the society of all Dracs.