Opening Lines

IO9.com's Great Opening Sentences from Science Fiction

Of course, now that I'm looking at this list, I can't think of any of my own favorites.

Vintage funny

Before I was a librarian, I was a circulation clerk. I just remembered the following conversation with a patron:

Me: You have a fine on your card of $x.xx. Would you like to take care of that today?
Lady: Really? What was that for?
Me: Um... *checks* Stop Procrastinating Now.
Both: *look at each other*
Lady: *starts laughing*
Me: I'm glad you laughed first!

Mr. Subject report (overheard)

Pictures books about The Byrds, Metallica, The Doors, The Beach Boys, and/or The Beatles.

Update (also overheard): He just called for the book that the movie How to Make an American Quilt was based on. Hint: Same title.

Mr. Subject report (firsthand)

Mr. Subject: Do you have any books about... um, Oregon?
Me: Sure, are you looking for the history of Oregon, or...?
Mr. Subject: I want a mystery.
Me: A mystery set in Oregon?
Mr. Subject: Yeah.

Solution: Multnomah County Library's list of novels set in Portland

Mr. Subject report (overheard)

"Do you have any books on furniture, like couches?"

How do I

Lady: I need to look up some stuff on the computer.
*We both glance at the sign that says COMPUTER SIGN-IN AT CHECKOUT DESK*
Me: You can do that at the checkout desk.
Lady: How do I do that?
(Turn 180 degrees, put one foot in front of the other, and walk to the checkout desk!)
Me: Just show them your library card, and they'll give you a computer pass.
Lady: Cool! *walks to circ desk*