Yep. Just finished that one a couple days ago.
This isn’t the first line because the first paragraph would be too easy. This is the first line of the second paragraph.
My old man taught me two things: “Mind own business” and “Always cut cards.”
Ellis – more teases:
It’s from an author’s first story, which appeared in an obscure SF magazine that quickly folded. The story was so striking (and the author’s name a pseudonym) that everyone wondered who he was; it was five years before anyone was able to track him down. His second story was nearly as groundbreaking. The story never appeared in any Nebula anthology, though, and the final line was just as memorable as the first: “Parizianski.” 
Aw, the syntax gives it away. That’s Heinlein, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.
What was the real first line? I seem to recall something about the computers “whispering among themselves,” or something like that.
Martian Chronicles by Bradbury. Here’s some more
“The drought had lasted now for ten million years, and the reign of the terrible lizards had long since ended.”
“A squat grey building of only thirty-four stories. Over the main entrance the words, CENTRAL LONDON HATCHERY AND CONDITIONING CENTRE, and, in a shield, the World State’s motto, COMMUNITY, IDENTITY, STABILITY.”
“A merry little surge of electricity piped by automatic alarm from the mood organ beside his bed awakened Rick Deckard”
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Emustrangler *
**
Just from the name Deckard, I would assume that was Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Well, that’s Brave New World by Huxley.
You a sadist? I remembered that Martel was a “Scanner,” which gave me enough info to figure out the rest. Being sadistic myself, I’ll leave it for other people if they care to go from there.
Now I’ve got to try to remember what anthology I read it in.
-ellis
“Sithspawn!”
The real first line is:
“I see in Lunaya Pravda that Luna City Council has passed on first reading a bill to examine, license, inspect-and tax- public food vendors operating inside municipal pressure. I see also is to be mass meeting tonight to organize “Sons of Revolution” talk-talk.”
The line about the computers whispering and about Mike is after the first line I posted.
The “scanner” gave it away for me. “Scanners Live in Vain” by Cordwainer Smith. Smith was the pen name of Dr. Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger. He was an expert in Oriental (and Western) cultures and could speak at least 6 languages. He was the godson of Sun Yat Sen, founder of the Chinese Republic.
Here’s one no one’s gotten so far:
“A curious custom,” said the Barbarian, “to cut off your king’s head every five years. I wonder your throne finds any takers.”
Zev Steinhardt
The Goblin Tower, I think it’s L Sprague de Camp
That is correct!!
Zev Steinhardt
“He was a hundred and seventy days dying and not yet dead.” is from the greatest sci-fi novel ever written, “The Stars My destination”, by Alfred Bester.
“Pinlighting was a hell of a way to earn a living.” is from a Cordwainer Smith short story. I remember the last line was on the order of “But where would he ever find a woman to compare to (his cat partner)?”
I have read a lot of SF, and I have to say I agree, Rocketeer.
D’oh! I should have known that one. A great tale. One that I should read again fairly soon, if it weren’t for all the other great stories mentioned in these threads that I haven’t yet read. I really should just unplug my computer and TV for 6 months and dedicate my time to reading.