Most-quoted character in Absence of Malice (1981): in 9 of its 15 quotes
Most scenes with: Michael Gallagher (6)
Megan Carter's lines
1 quote
Megan Carter I don't want to go to jail. But this has got to stop someplace. A lot of damage has been done. I'm responsible for a lot of it. I know that. I don't know. I keep thinking there must be some rules to tell me what I'm supposed to do now. But... maybe not. The person who told me about the Quinn investigation was not leaking it. They did not intend for it to be printed. I did that on my own. I'm scared to death of going to jail, but if I tell you, then you'll have to do something about it and someone else will be hurt. It's really very simple. I can hurt someone or not hurt someone. No rules. Just... me. I can't tell you.
Scenes with Megan Carter
8 scenes
Davidek Have we spoken with Mr. Gallagher?
Megan Carter We don't call the mafia for comment.
Davidek Please, make the attempt. If he talks, we'll include his denials to create the appearance of fairness. If he declines to speak, we can hardly be responsible for errors. If we fail to reach him, we've tried.
Megan Carter What are you telling me?
Davidek That as a matter of law, the truth is irrelevant. We have no knowledge the story is false, therefore we're absent malice. We've been both reasonable and prudent, therefore we're not negligent. We may say whatever we like about Mr. Gallagher, and he is powerless to do us harm. Democracy is served.
Megan Carter I'm a reporter! What did you expect? Don't try to make me feel guilty.
You think I had something to do with Diaz?
Megan Carter It's a distinct possibility. Why are they picking on you?
Where did that story come from? "Knowledgeable sources", you said. Now who is that? Somebody's trying to get to me. Somebody with no face and no name. You're the gofer. You listen to them, you write what they say - and then you help them hide. You say you've got a right to do that. And I got no right to know who they are.
Megan Carter I'm sorry, Gallagher. I can't help you.
Megan Carter How do you know I'm not?
Megan Carter Haven't you heard of women's lib?
Megan Carter Is that supposed to be a compliment?
Megan Carter Michael?
You don't wanna come in here. I'm warning you.
Megan Carter Michael, if I could just talk to you...
Shut up! I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear any of it! What the hell are you doing here? Details? Is that what you want? They found her naked in a tub. She didn't even want to make a mess! No water, just naked. Are you interested? You interested?
Megan Carter Yes.
She picked up a newspaper, for Christ's sake! And there it is, for everybody to see! She must have felt like ... [rips open her shirt] - just raped!
Megan Carter Stop! Michael!
Megan Carter Stop!
You know something? When you kill yourself, it's a homicide, so they do an autopsy. They'll get a knife. They start here. They're gonna split her open. Up here they use shears. Shears, for Christ's sake! Oh, goddamn you!
Megan Carter I am free every night this week but Friday.
Megan Carter Okay!
Megan Carter Would you tell me the truth, Michael? I'd just please like to know the truth.
Tell you or the whole world?
Megan Carter The truth is the truth.
No. You wanna know the truth? Ask me as a person, I'll tell you. Ask me as a reporter, I got no comment.
Megan Carter That's not fair.
Not fair to whom? Wait a minute! You don't write the truth. You write what people say. What you overhear, you eavesdrop. You don't come across truth that easy. Maybe it's just what you think, what you feel. I don't need your goddamn newspaper to decide what they're gonna do with me. Or who I am.
Megan Carter Then you tell me: Who are you?
You mean you're not sure yet?
Megan Carter No.
Well... I guess you'll just have to decide for yourself. Who I am and what you are.
Megan Carter Well, you got us all, didn't you Michael?
[shaking his head]
You got yourselves.
SW Sarah Wylie
I need to know how to describe your relationship with Gallagher. Mac said to quote you directly. You can say whatever you want.
Megan Carter Just... say we were involved.
SW Sarah Wylie
That's true, isn't it?
Megan Carter No. But it's accurate.
Other characters in Absence of Malice
