- Lucas: I hope you ain't going to blow up my boat, Mr. Johnson. Like my wife, she's not much but she's all I have.
- Helen Dobson: It's nice to get away, lie in the sun, be like other people.
- Prof. Clete Ferguson: Strange talk coming from a dedicated scientist. Have you forgotten your mission in life? I'll be leaving soon. I'm gonna miss you.
- Helen Dobson: You know sometimes I wonder how I ever got started on all this. Science, fish, ichthyology, where will it all lead me? As a person I mean. Most of the kids I went to undergraduate school with are already married and have children.
- Prof. Clete Ferguson: Is that what you want?
- Helen Dobson: I don't know... I just don't know.
- Prof. Clete Ferguson: But surely you must...
- Helen Dobson: But what do you want?
- Prof. Clete Ferguson: Well it's different with me. I'm a man, I don't have to make a choice.
- Helen Dobson: But I do?
- Prof. Clete Ferguson: It's tough on you gals, I'm not saying it's right or wrong, it's just a fact.
- Helen Dobson: Doesn't seem right.
- Prof. Clete Ferguson: But you haven't told me what you want, what you want most have you? I'd like to know before I leave. You've become important to me.
- Helen Dobson: Very?
- Prof. Clete Ferguson: Uh-huh.