A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014) - Quotes

Confrontation of Fear and Indifference

Ray: What the fuck is the matter with you, man? Why aren't you afraid?

Matthew Scudder: I don't know. Maybe I don't care if you shoot me or not. Or maybe there's a high-powered rifle pointed at your head.

Ray: I could still kill you.

Matthew Scudder: I'm right here. In some ways you'd be doing me a big favor.

Ray: Nah... I think I'll just fade into the shadows.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Judgment and Recognition in Confrontation

Matthew Scudder: I already know what you look like, Ray.

Ray: [beat] What do you know?

Matthew Scudder: I know you're a genetic fuck-up, who, if I'd met on the street 10 years ago, I'd have thrown you out of a fucking window.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

The Courage to Speak the Truth

Ray: The dog's name is Watson.

Matthew Scudder: Watson. And the other dog? The one before?

Ray: [beat] She couldn't tell me what breed the other dog was. She was young when it died. They had it put to sleep, she said. It's a silly term for it, don't you think? I mean, you're gonna kill something you ought to have the courage to say that that's what you're doing. You're not talking, you still there?

Matthew Scudder: I'm here.

Ray: I gather it was a mongrel. So many of us are.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Gun Safety and Responsibility in Conversation

Matthew Scudder: [TJ does so] Point it at me, like you're gonna shoot me. Go ahead. Come on. That the way you hold a gun?

TJ: That's the way I hold it, yeah.

Matthew Scudder: You know how to jack the clip? Empty it? Clean it?

Matthew Scudder: But the gun's still not empty. You know that, right? You know there's still a round left in the chamber here? Now put it back together.

Matthew Scudder: Caress it. Rub it. Like it's part of you. Feels good, doesn't it?

TJ: Word! It's all oily and whatnot.

Matthew Scudder: Turn off the safety. Now cock it. Now put it to your temple and pull the fucking trigger.

TJ: What?

Matthew Scudder: You heard me. Shoot yourself in the head. Might as well get it over with now. Because you walk around with a gun, sooner or later it's gonna happen anyway. No rewind, no going out for popcorn and coming back to the show. It's just you with that gun in your hand, stupid look on your face, and your hash all over the wall. Take it easy now, TJ.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Revealing Traits in Character Interactions

Jonas Loogen: What was it I said gave me away?

Matthew Scudder: Everything. You're a weirdo, Jonas.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Confrontation Over Violence and Consequences

Matthew Scudder: So what? You gonna stab me now with that big fucking knife?

Jonas Loogen: It's gonna bother me too, for a long time. I know it will.

Matthew Scudder: How much is it gonna bother you if I take that knife away and stick it in your neck?

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

The Struggle of Morality and Necessity

Kenny Kristo: [on Scudder's police career] Nah, the corruption got to you, huh?

Matthew Scudder: Not really. It would have been hard to support my family without it.

Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.

Unlicensed Detective's Favor Exchange Explained

Kenny Kristo: So you're a private detective, is that right?

Matthew Scudder: Unlicensed.

Kenny Kristo: What's that mean?

Matthew Scudder: It means that sometimes I do favors for people and sometimes in return, they give me gifts.

Consequences of Negotiation in Dark Situations

Ray: There were special circumstances regarding Mrs. Kristo. Her husband tried to haggle. He sliced the price. And we in turn... Well, you can finish that thought for yourself, can't you?

New Player Enters the Scene

Ray: I understand we have a new player in the game.

Fear Misplaced in Society's Perception

Ray: People are afraid of all the wrong things.

The Importance of Keeping Promises

Ray: A deal's a deal. No take-backsies!

Confronting Fear and the Cost of Money

Matthew Scudder: You want your money, or do you want to be looking behind you for the rest of your worthless fucking life?

Calculated Violence and Its Consequences

Matthew Scudder: Whoever it was who took your wife, didn't just pick your name out of a hat. They'd been following her, know her schedule. They've done this before and they're going to do this again.