William Sylvester

"Eighteen months ago the first evidence of intelligent life off the Earth was discovered."

"Except for a single very powerful radio emission aimed at Jupiter the four-million year old black monolith has remained completely inert. Its origin and purpose are still a total mystery."

Dr. Floyd: "What's that? Chicken?"
Dr. Michaels: "Something like that. Tastes the same anyway."

"I'm sorry, I'm simply not at liberty to say."

Dr. Floyd: "Don't suppose you have any idea what the damn thing is, huh?"
Dr. Halvorsen: "Wish to hell we did."

Elena: "Oh, we're going home. We have just spent three months calibrating the new antennae at Tchalinko... And what about you?"
Dr. Floyd: "I'm just on my way up to Clavius."

"Now I'm sure you're all aware of the extremely grave potential for cultural shock and social disorientation contained in this present situation, if the facts were prematurely and suddenly made public without adequate preparation and conditioning."

"You guys have really come up with something."