The Sting (1973) - Quotes

The Cost of Winning and Losses

Henry: You beat him, kid.

Hooker: You were right, Henry. It's not enough... But it's close.

Henry: You're not gonna stick around for your share?

Hooker: Nah, I'd only blow it.

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Betting Mix-Up in Horse Race

Doyle: I put it all on Lucky Dan- half a million dollars to win.

Kid: To win? I said place! "Place it on Lucky D-" That horse is gonna run second!

Doyle: [runs horrified to the betting booth] There's been a mistake! I want my money back!

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Unexpected Invitations and Social Expectations

Hooker: I, ah...thought you might wanna come out for a while. Maybe have a drink or somethin'.

Loretta: You move right along, don't ya.

Hooker: I don't mean nothin by it. I just don't know many regular girls, that's all.

Loretta: And you expect me to come out, just like that.

Hooker: If I expected somethin', I wouldn't be still standin out here in the hall.

Loretta: I don't even know you.

Hooker: You know me. I'm just like you. It's two in the morning and I don't know nobody.

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Uncertainty in the Face of Danger

Henry: Is Lonnegan after you too?

Hooker: I don't know. I ain't seen anybody.

Henry: You never do, kid.

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Perceptions of Strength in Uncertain Times

Hooker: [watching Lonnegan] He's not as tough as he thinks.

Henry: Neither are we.

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Searching for a Missing Person

Billie: Who told you this guy was in here?

Lt. Snyder: Nobody, I just know what kind of woman he likes. Going to check all the joy houses till I find him.

Billie: Oh, well maybe I could help you, if you tell me his name.

Lt. Snyder: I doubt it. Which way are the rooms?

Billie: Right through there. But I wouldn't go in there if I were you.

Lt. Snyder: What you are going to do, call the cops?

Billie: I don't have to. You'd be busting in on the Chief of Police just up the hall.

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Trust and Threats in Deception

Hooker: I gave him the breakdown, just like you said.

Henry: And?

Hooker: It's good. He threatened to kill me.

Henry: Hell, kid, they don't do that, you know you're not getting to em.

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Negotiating Terms for a Con Job

Kid Twist: Now how do you want to work this? Flat rate or percentage?

Benny Garfield: Who's the mark?

Kid: Doyle Lonnegan.

Benny: [short pause] Flat rate.

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Challenges in Assembling a Mob After Loss

Hooker: Can you get a mob together?

Henry: After what happened to Luther, I don't think I can get more than two, three hundred guys.

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Uncertainty About Future Travel Plans

Hooker: Hey, where's June?

Loretta: She quit. I'm filling in for a couple of days, till I can get a train outta here.

Hooker: Yeah? Where ya going?

Loretta: I don't know. Depends on which train I get on.

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Confronting Cheating in a High-Stakes Game

Floyd: Doyle, I KNOW I gave him four THREES. He had to make a SWITCH. We can't let him get away with that.

Doyle: What was I supposed to do - call him for cheating better than me, in front of the others?

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Confrontation Over Identity and Consequences

Henry: Tough luck, Lonnehan. But that's what you get for playing with your head up your ass!

Doyle: The name's Lonnegan, DOYLE Lonnegan! You're gonna remember that, Mr. Shaw, or you're gonna get yourself another game.

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Drinking Strategy in a Con Game

Hooker: What're you doin'?!

Henry: Always drink gin with the mark, son. He can't tell if y cut it!

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Ambition and Inquiry in the Con Game

Hooker: Listen, Gondorff! Am I gonna learn the big con or not?

Henry: What's your hurry?

Hooker: I want to play for Lonnegan.

Henry: You know anything about the guy?

Hooker: [after he calms down] Yeah! He croaked Luther! Anything else I gotta know? All right. He runs a numbers racket on the south side. He owns a packing house. A few banks.

Henry: Yeah, and half the politicians in New York and Chicago. Not a fix in this world is gonna cool him out if he blows on you.

Hooker: I'll get him anyway.

Henry: Why?

Hooker: Cause I don't know enough about killin to kill him.

Henry: You can't do it alone, you know. It takes a mob of guys like you and enough money to make them look good.

Hooker: I know plenty of guys.

Henry: It's not like playing winos in the street. You can't outrun Lonnegan.

Hooker: I never played for no winos.

Henry: You gotta keep his con even after you take his money. He can't know you took him.

Hooker: You're scared of him.

Henry: Right down to my socks, buster! You're talkin about a guy who'd kill a grifter over a chunk of money that wouldn't support him for two days!

Learning from Experience in Unconventional Ways

Henry: [drunk] Glad to meet you, kid - you're a real horse's ass.

Hooker: Luther said I could learn from you. I already know how to drink.

Communication Breakdown in a Tense Moment

Henry: [drunk] Turn it off.

Hooker: Are you sober?

Henry: [drunk] Turn it off.

Risky Decisions in a High-Stakes Environment

Luther: How much did you lose?

Hooker: [winces] All of it.

Luther: In one damn night? What are you spraying money around like that for? You could've been nailed.

Hooker: I checked the place first. There were no dicks in there.

Luther: But you're a con man! And you blew it like a pimp!

Managing Expectations in a Tense Situation

FBI Agent Polk: [to Snyder] Sit down and shut up, will ya? Try not to live up to all my expectations.

Clarification of Understanding

Doyle Lonnegan: [Repeated line] You follow?

Threats in the World of Crime

Doyle Lonnegan: You see that fella in the red sweater over there? His name's Donnie McCoy. Works a few of the protection rackets for Cunnaro when he's waiting for something better to happen. Donnie and I have known each other since we were six. Take a good look at that face, Floyd. Because if he ever finds out I can be beat by one lousy grifter, I'll have to kill him and every other hood who wants to muscle in on my Chicago operation.