D

David Swift Quotes

Actor

Memorable Quotes from David Swift

1 quote
The Day of the Jackal
Patriotism and Professionalism in Assassination Planning
Lieutenant Colonel Marc Rodin We are not terrorists, you understand. We are patriots. Our duty is to the soldiers who've died fighting in Algeria, and to the three million French citizens who have always lived there.
The Jackal And so you want to get rid of him.
Col. Rodin Speaking as a professional, do you think it's possible?
[after a pause in which he, Commandant Montclair and Andre Casson look at each other]
The Jackal It's possible. The point is getting away with it. And speaking as a professional, that's a very important consideration.
[thinks; smokes his cigarette]
Commandant Rene Montclair But in principle, you'd say it could be done?
[The Jackal nods, takes his cigarette out of his mouth.]
The Jackal Yes...with enough time and planning. It would be much more difficult than most other targets.
[thoughtfully]
Andre Casson Why more?
The Jackal Because de Gaulle has the best security service in the world. Their information is first class. You see, gentlemen, not only have your own efforts failed, but you've rather queered the pitch for everyone else.
Casson How dare you suggest that?!
The Jackal In this work, you simply can't afford to be emotional. That's why you've made so many mistakes.
Col. Rodin But if we decided to employ a professional...
The Jackal You have to employ a professional. Your organization is so riddled with informants, that nothing you decide is a secret for long. No, the job would have to be done by an outsider. The only question, that is, by who, and how much.
[He stands up and goes over to the window]
Col. Rodin Will you do it?
The Jackal Yes.
[after a pause, while he smokes]
Montclair How much?
The Jackal You must understand that this is a once in a lifetime job. Whoever does it can never work again.
[seriously; he returns to the desk]
Montclair How much do you want?
The Jackal Half a million -
Montclair What?
[in disbelief; Rodin opens his mouth to protest but is stopped by the next dialogue]
The Jackal In cash. Half in advance, and half on completion.
[he gestures and nods]
Montclair Half a million francs?
The Jackal Dollars.
[Rodin, Montclair and Casson are in disbelief]
Montclair Are you mad?
[stands up, leans over the desk at the Jackal]
The Jackal Considering you expect to get France in return, I'd have thought it a reasonable price. If you can't manage it, then there's...nothing more to be said.
[awkwardly; he walks over to the bed and picks up his coat]
Rodin We accept.
The Jackal How many people know about this?
[after a pause]
Rodin Just the four of us.
The Jackal Let's keep it that way. This job depends on absolute secrecy. No notes must be kept. If any one of you is captured, I shall feel free to call it off. I suggest you go somewhere and remain there under heavy guard until the job is done. Agreed?
[He starts to walk back to the desk]
Rodin Agreed.
The Jackal The planning will be mine. No one else will get the details, and you will hear nothing from me again. This is the name and account number of my bank in Switzerland. When I receive word that the first $250,000 has been deposited, I'll move - provided I'm ready. But I'll not be hurried or interfered with in any way.
[takes a pen out of his inside jacket pocket; takes a piece of paper from the desk; He writes something on the paper during the next dialogue; Finishes writing and straightens up; Puts his pen back in his pocket]
Rodin Agreed.
[as Montclair and Casson look to him; He passes the piece of paper to Montclair]
The Jackal Now, all I want from you is a telephone number in Paris that I could call about changes in de Gaulle's plan. But the contact mustn't know who I am, or what this is about. Send me the phone number by mail.
[Rodin nods]
Montclair I'd like to know how you expect us to find half a million dollars so quickly.
The Jackal Use your network to rob some banks.
[He walks over to the beds. Rodin and Montclair are examining him]
Rodin One last thing. What codename will you use?
[He stands up and walks over to the Jackal, as Montclair and Casson join him]
The Jackal Why not "the Jackal"?
[Thinks for a moment]
Rodin Why not? There's nothing more you want from us? From now on, you'll be completely alone.
[Looks briefly at Montclair and Casson; The Jackal smiles and walks away to the door]
The Jackal Oh, not completely. One will have the cooperation of de Gaulle. Well, he won't listen to his security service, and he's not the sort of man to stay out of the public eye, is he?
[Steps away from the door; He looks from Rodin to Casson to Montclair; They all laugh as the Jackal opens the door, showing Kawalski outside]
Rodin A pleasant journey home, Mr... Mr Jackal.
[Shakes hands with the Jackal]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.