Basic Instinct 1992 quotes, page 3

Beth

What is your problem? I'm trying to help you. Why won't you let me help you?

Nick

I don't want your help. I don't need your help.

Beth

Yes, you do. Somethin's going on. [pause] You're sleeping with her, aren't you?

Nick

What's this interest you've got in her?

Beth

My interest is in you, not her. She seduces people. She manipulates people. She'll do anything she can---

Nick

I thought you hardly knew her.

Beth

I know the type. I'm a psychologist.

Nick

That means you manipulate people TOO, Beth. You're a practicing psychologist -- you're better at it than she is.

Beth

I feel sorry for you, Nick.

Catherine

What are you researching?

Nick

A new ending to your book.

Catherine

Oh really? What's the twist?

Nick

Well, the detective falls for the wrong girl, but he doesn't die.

Catherine

So what happens to them?

Nick

They **** like minks, raise rugrats, and live happily ever after.

Catherine

It won't sell.

Nick

Why not?

Catherine

Somebody has to die.

Nick

Why?

Catherine

Somebody always does.

Dr. Lamott

I see two possibilities. One: The person who wrote this book is your murderer and acted out the killing described in ritualistic, literal detail. Two: Someone who wants to harm the writer read the book and enacted the killing described to incriminate her.

Nick

What if the writer did it? What are we dealing with?

Dr. Lamott

You're dealing with a devious, diabolical mind. You see, this book had to have been written at least six months, maybe even years before it was published, which means that the writer had to have at least planned the crime in the subconscious, back then. Now the fact that she carried it out indicates psychopathic obsessive behavior in terms not only of the killing itself but also in terms of applied advance defense mechanism.

Gus

You know, sometimes I can't tell shit from shinola, Doc. What was all that you just said?

Beth

She intended the book to be her alibi.

Dr. Lamott

Correct.

Beth

She's going to say: Do you think I'd be dumb enough to kill anyone in the exact way I described in my book? I wouldn't do that because then I'd know I'd be the suspect.

Nick

So what if it's not the writer? What if it's, uh, someone who read the book?

Dr. Lamott

You're dealing, then, with someone so obsessed that he or she is willing to kill an irrelevant and innocent victim in order to place the blame on the person who wrote that book. I'm talking about a deep-seated, obsessional hatred and an utter lack of respect for human life.

Gus

So we've got a once-in-a-lifetime, top-of-the-line, looney-tooney the way you cut it -- that's what you're saying, right, Doc?

Dr. Lamott

You're dealing with someone very dangerous and very ill.

Catherine

Tell me, Nicky. Were you frightened last night?

Nick

That's the point, wasn't it? That's what made it so good.

Catherine

You shouldn't play this game.

Nick

Why not? I like it.

Catherine

You're in over your head.

Nick

Maybe - but this is how I'll catch my killer.

Catherine

I'm not going to confess all my secrets just because I have an orgasm. You won't learn anything I don't want you to know.

Nick

Yes, I will. Then I'll nail you.

Catherine

Nah. You'll just fall in love with me.

Nick

I'm in love with you already. But I'll nail you anyway. You can put that in your book.

Roxy

If you don't leave her alone, I'll kill you.

Nick

Let me ask you something, Rocki. Man-to-man. I think she's the **** of the century. [Long pause] What do you think? How long have you been here? You like watching, don't you?

Roxy

She likes me to watch.

Nick

How did you feel when I told you Johnny Boz had died, that day at the beach?

Catherine

I felt somebody had read my book and was playing a game.

Nick

But you didn't hurt.

Catherine

No.

Nick

Because you didn't love him.

Catherine

That's right.

Nick

Even though you were **** him.

Catherine

You still get the pleasure. Didn't you ever **** anybody else while you were married, Nick?

Lt. Walker

How did you know he was married?

Catherine

Maybe I was just guessing. What difference does it make? Would you like a cigarette, Nick? [She lights a cigarette for herself]

Corelli

Do you two know each other?

Nick

No.

Catherine

No.

Lt. Walker

How did you meet Mr. Boz?

Catherine

I wanted to write a book about the murder of a retired rock and roll star. I went down to his club. I picked him up. Then I had sex with him.

Lt. Walker

You didn't feel anything for him. You just had sex with him for your book.

Catherine

In the beginning. Then I got to like what he did for me.

Gus

That's pretty cold, ain't it, lady?

Catherine

I'm a writer. I use people for what I write. Let the world beware.

Nick

How long were you dating him?

Catherine

I wasn't dating him. I was **** him.

Nick

What are you, a pro?

Catherine

No, I'm an amateur.

Nick

How long were you having sex with him?

Catherine

About a year and a half.

Nick

Were you with him last night?

Catherine

Yes.

Gus

Did you leave the club with him?

Catherine

Yes.

Nick

Did you go home with him?

Catherine

No. We had a drink at the club. We left together. He went home and I came out here.

Nick

Was there anyone with you last night?

Catherine

No, I wasn't in the mood last night.

Nick

Let me ask you something, Ms. Tramell? Are you sorry he's dead?

Catherine

Yeah. I liked **** him. Look, I don't really feel like talking anymore.

Gus

Listen lady, we can do this downtown if you want.

Catherine

So read me my rights and arrest me and then I'll go downtown. Otherwise, get the **** out of here. [A long pause] Please.

Nick

Beating that machine can't be easy.

Catherine

If I was guilty and I wanted to beat that machine, it wouldn't be hard. It wouldn't be hard at all. You took a lie detector test after you shot those two people, didn't you?

Nick

I passed.

Catherine

You see, we're both innocent, Nick. [He gives her a long, hard stare]

Nick

You seem to know an awful lot about me.

Catherine

You know an awful lot about me.

Nick

I don't know anything that's not police business.

Catherine

You know I don't wear any underwear, don't you, Nick?

Gus

It must really be somethin' -- makin' stuff up all the time.

Catherine

Yeah. It teaches you to lie.

Gus

How's that?

Catherine

You make stuff up, it has to be believable. It's called suspension of disbelief.

Gus

I like that. "Suspension of Disbelief."

Nick

What's your new book about?

Catherine

A detective. He falls for the wrong woman.

Nick

What happens?

Catherine

She kills him.