David SwiftQuotes

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: [after a pause in which he, Commandant Montclair and Andre Casson look at each other] Speaking as a professional, do you think it's possible?

The Jackal: [thinks; smokes his cigarette] It's possible. The point is getting away with it. And speaking as a professional, that's a very important consideration.

Commandant Rene Montclair: [The Jackal nods, takes his cigarette out of his mouth.] But in principle, you'd say it could be done?

The Jackal: [thoughtfully] Yes...with enough time and planning. It would be much more difficult than most other targets.

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: [He stands up and goes over to the window] 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.

Col. Rodin: Will you do it?

The Jackal: [after a pause, while he smokes] Yes.

Montclair: How much?

The Jackal: [seriously; he returns to the desk] You must understand that this is a once in a lifetime job. Whoever does it can never work again.

Montclair: How much do you want?

The Jackal: Half a million -

Montclair: [in disbelief; Rodin opens his mouth to protest but is stopped by the next dialogue] What?

The Jackal: [he gestures and nods] In cash. Half in advance, and half on completion.

Montclair: Half a million francs?

The Jackal: [Rodin, Montclair and Casson are in disbelief] Dollars.

Montclair: [stands up, leans over the desk at the Jackal] Are you mad?

The Jackal: [awkwardly; he walks over to the bed and picks up his coat] 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.

Rodin: We accept.

The Jackal: [after a pause] How many people know about this?

Rodin: Just the four of us.

The Jackal: [He starts to walk back to the desk] 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?

Rodin: Agreed.

The Jackal: [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] 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.

Rodin: [as Montclair and Casson look to him; He passes the piece of paper to Montclair] Agreed.

The Jackal: [Rodin nods] 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.

Montclair: I'd like to know how you expect us to find half a million dollars so quickly.

The Jackal: [He walks over to the beds. Rodin and Montclair are examining him] Use your network to rob some banks.

Rodin: [He stands up and walks over to the Jackal, as Montclair and Casson join him] One last thing. What codename will you use?

The Jackal: [Thinks for a moment] Why not "the Jackal"?

Rodin: [Looks briefly at Montclair and Casson; The Jackal smiles and walks away to the door] Why not? There's nothing more you want from us? From now on, you'll be completely alone.

The Jackal: [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] 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?

Rodin: [Shakes hands with the Jackal] A pleasant journey home, Mr... Mr Jackal.