13 quotes
The Nature of Entertainment and Suffering
Rocky Graver
That's what you were all interested in, isn't it? The show?
Robert Syverton
No, it's a contest. Isn't that what it's supposed to be? Isn't that what you advertised? A contest?
Rocky Graver
Not for them. For you maybe, but not for them. Do you think they're laying out two bits a throw just to watch you poke your head up into the sunlight or Alice look like she just stepped out of a beauty parlor? They don't give a damn whether you win or James and Ruby or Mario and Jackie or the Man in the Moon and Little Miss Muffet. They just want to see a little misery out there so they can feel a little better maybe. They're entitled to that.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Debate Over Lillian's Health in Marathon
Rocky Graver
The doctor's decision is: Lillian Kramer stays on in the marathon! The doctor's assured me Lillian just has a slight sinus headache.
Gloria Beatty
Headache. For all that quack knows she's... she's got a brain tumor.
Robert Syverton
No, I don't think so. Only I'm not exactly sure, but I think it's different with a brain tumor. Different symptoms.
Gloria Beatty
Yeah? How do you know?
Robert Syverton
I saw it in a movie. ] and ]. That's what she died of. Anita Louise. A brain tumor. But it was different. Everything just suddenly got dim for her one day until finally she couldn't see at all. She couldn't even see Richard Cromwell when she kissed him goodbye.
[[w:Anita Louise|Anita Louise; [w:Richard Cromwell|Richard Cromwell]
Gloria Beatty
Yeah? And well then she just died?
Robert Syverton
Kind of. She just drifted off listening to her favorite tune. And then she was dead.
Gloria Beatty
No pain or anything? They probably lied.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Darkly Humorous Exchange About Pain
Nurse
Can I get you something for your feet?
Gloria Beatty
How about a saw.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Comparing Human Struggles to Animal Lives
Sailor
If you think about it, cattle ain't got it much worse than us.
Gloria Beatty
They got it better. There's always somebody feeding them.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Identifying Winners and Losers in Life
Rocky Graver
I may not know a winner when I see one, but I sure as hell can spot a loser.
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Questioning Motives in a Difficult Situation
Policeman #1
Let's go.
Policeman #2
Why did you do it, kid?
Robert Syverton
She asked me to.
Policeman #2
Obliging bastard. Is that the only reason you got, kid?
[smirking]
Robert Syverton
They shoot horses, don't they?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Disillusionment with Dreams and Reality
Robert Syverton
I used to love to look at he ocean, walk by it, just sit and listen to it. Now I don't care if I ever see it again.
[standing outside looking at the ocean]
Gloria Beatty
That, or anything else.
Robert Syverton
What are you gonna do know? Try in the movies again?
Gloria Beatty
No. I'd never make it. And maybe it wouldn't make no difference, even if I did. Maybe it's just the whole damn world is like central casting: They got it all rigged before you ever show up.
Robert Syverton
I know what you mean. I know just what you mean.
Gloria Beatty
Do you?
Robert Syverton
What are you gonna do?
Gloria Beatty
I'm gonna get off this merry-go-round. I'm so sick of all sticky things.
Robert Syverton
What thing?
Gloria Beatty
Life. And don't give me no sunshine lectures!
Robert Syverton
I wasn't going to.
Gloria Beatty
Then what were you looking at me that way for?
Robert Syverton
I wasn't, I was just tryin to see you face.
Gloria Beatty
Well keep looking. And stick around for the end.
Gloria Beatty
Help me! Oh please, please!
Robert Syverton
Tell me when.
[He takes the gun]
Gloria Beatty
I'm ready.
Robert Syverton
Now?
[He holds the gun to her temple]
Gloria Beatty
Now.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Contemplating the Value of Victory
Robert Syverton
Suppose we did win? What would you do with it?
Gloria Beatty
What, what, what?
Robert Syverton
The money.
Gloria Beatty
Maybe I'd buy some good rat poison.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Endurance and Hope in a Challenging Race
Rocky Graver
Here they are again, folks! These wonderful, wonderful kids! Still struggling! Still hoping! As the clock of fate ticks away, the dance of destiny continues! The marathon goes on, and on, and on! HOW LONG CAN THEY LAST?!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Misunderstanding in a Chaotic Moment
Alice LeBlanc
Somebody screamed.
Rocky Graver
That was you, Alice.
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Illusions of Faith and Personal Sacrifice
Rocky Graver
You know somethin', Turkey? My old man never got out of the fourth grade. When it came to people, he didn't know his ass from his elbow. You know what he was? He was a faith healer. I used to travel the circuit with him. I was the one he healed. I was the shill to get the crowd set up. "Walk, my boy. When I lay my hand on you, you will walk." You will walk. Sodden old bastard. He thought it was him they believed in, but it was me.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conditions of Payment in Competition
Gloria Beatty
What is this?
Rocky Graver
Tabs on you and Robert.
Gloria Beatty
You're charging me this?
Rocky Graver
Only if you win. If you don't win, you don't pay. I'm not out to cheat anybody.
Gloria Beatty
Oh, Jesus!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Balance of Entertainment and Exploitation
Rocky Graver
I have a little notion, kids. Something that could help the show. Something that could benefit all of us and, in particular, could benefit the two of you. And at the same time give the folks out there something to get worked up about.
Gloria Beatty
What are you gonna do? Put us in cages and have them throw peanuts at us?
Rocky Graver
No, all kidding aside...
Gloria Beatty
Who's kidding?
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.