13 quotes
Accusations of Story Theft
John Shooter
You stole my story.
Mort Rainey
I'm sorry... I don't believe I know you.
John Shooter
I know that. That doesn't matter. I know you, Mr. Rainey; that's what matters. You stole my story.
Mort Rainey
You're mistaken. I don't read manuscr-
John Shooter
You read this one already. You stole it.
Mort Rainey
I can assure you that-
John Shooter
I know you can; I know that. I don't wanna be assured.
Mort Rainey
If you want to talk to someone about some grievance you may have, you can call my literary agent.
John Shooter
This is between you and me. We don't need any outsiders, Mr. Rainey; it is strictly between you and me.
Mort Rainey
All right. Look, Mr. Whoever-You-Are. I don't like being accused of plagiarism, if that is in fact what you're accusing me of. Chico, inside!
John Shooter
I don't blame you for not likin it, but you did it.
Mort Rainey
You're gonna have to leave; I have nothing more to say.
John Shooter
Yeah, I'll go. We'll talk more later.
Mort Rainey
I'm not taking that.
John Shooter
Won't do you any good to play games, Mister Rainey. This has got to be settled.
Mort Rainey
So far as I'm concerned, it is.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confronting the Consequences of Creation
Mort Rainey
What is happening to me?
John Shooter
Oh, I think you know. I think you have a real good idea.
Mort Rainey
You don't exist.
John Shooter
Me? I exist, Mr. Rainey. I exist because... you made me. You thought me up. Gave me my name. Told me everything you wanted me to do. I did them things so you didn't have to. Didn't have the stomach to do it yourself, but you knew I did. Are we done yet? We got things all cleaned up around here? What's the real reason I come for?
[''Flashbacks show Mort killing Ken Karsch and Tom Greenleaf and setting fire to his ex-wife's house, wearing Shooter's hat'']
Mort Rainey
Fix the story.
John Shooter
That's right.
Mort Rainey
Fix the ending. Got to fix the ending.
John Shooter
And how exactly do you suppose we ought to do that?
[''Shooter places his hat in Mort's hands as Amy's car pulls into the driveway'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Critique of a Writer's Professional Life
Ken Karsch
What happened? You finally nail one of your groupies at a book signing? The Omaha Barnes and Noble? That was a dick thing to say, you know? Rotten profession. I apologize.
[''Irritated, Mort reaches forward and shuts off Ken's session timer; Ken pauses'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Questioning the Source of Inspiration
John Shooter
How'd you get it? That's what I really wanna know. How the hell did a big, money-scribblin asshole like you get down to a little shitsplat town in Mississippi and steal my goddamn story?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Importance of a Story's Ending
Taglines
The most important part of a story is the ending.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Mystery of Loss and Memory
Mort Rainey
I know I can do it", Todd Downey said, helping himself to another ear of corn from the steaming bowl. "I'm sure that in time, every bit of her will be gone, and her death will be a mystery... even to me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Dangers of Unopened Windows
Taglines
Some windows should never be opened.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Divorce and Frustration in Isolation
Mort Rainey
What do you think it means, you ignorant hick? I'm in the middle of a divorce. D-I-V-O-R-C-E. Deee-vorce!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Urgent Warning: Seek Police Assistance Immediately
Sheriff Dave Newsome
You have three days. I'm not joking. No police." Anytime somebody sits down and writes "No police"... That's exactly the time that a fella should get himself over to the police.
[''Reading Shooter's note'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation and Resolution in Conflict
John Shooter
Won't do you any good to play games with me, Mr. Rainey. This has got to be settled.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Journey from Mississippi Explained
John Shooter
I suppose so. I suppose that's why I came all the way up here from Mississ'ippi.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation Leads to Fatal Consequences
John Shooter
You strike me as the type of guy who's lookin for a head he can knock off with a shovel. But what you don't understand is that if we do start to fight... this ain't gonna end, until the other one of us is dead.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Tension Between Mort and Sheriff Escalates
Mort Rainey
Glad you're here, I could use the break. I've been working lunch. I'm on a roll.
Sheriff Dave Newsome
Yeah. Listen, both you and I know what you did.
Mort Rainey
Oh.
Sheriff Dave Newsome
Maybe we don't have enough to put you away right now, but eventually... we're gonna find those bodies, we're gonna tie you to them. And you're goin away. In the meantime I'd appreciate it if you didn't come into town anymore. Makes people uncomfortable. You can do your shopping in New London. Did you hear what I said?
[''Mort is calm and unconcerned, giving no response'']
Mort Rainey
Sure. No problem. You know, the only thing that matters is the ending. That's the most important part of the story, the ending. And this one... this one's very good. This one's perfect.
[''Sheriff Newsome starts to leave'']
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.