She never sees me. She's always doing her bloody homework. If she were a wee bit more stupid like me, we'd be sitting together by now.
Belfast (2021) · 26 quotes
Most-quoted character in Belfast (2021): in 13 of its 26 quotes
Most scenes with: Pop (5), Pa (3), Granny (2)
Every night, before I go to sleep, when I say my prayers, I ask God if He could fix it so that when I wake up in the morning, I'm the best footballer in the world. And then I also ask another thing as well. That when I grow up .. Can I marry Katherine? Even if she loves Ronnie Boyd. But she could still see 'im. But she'd marry me. That's what I want.
More lines from Buddy
1 quoteScenes with Buddy
11 scenesWas that our side that done all that to them Catholic houses in our street, Daddy?
There is no our side and their side in our street. Or there didn't used to be, anyway. It's all bloody religion. That's the problem.
Then why are you sending us to church?
Because your granny'd kill me if I didn't.
I've had too much God for one day.
Your granny says you can never have too much God, you might need him before too long.
She looks at me sometimes, but we're not allowed to talk in the class, so I can't say anything. And then when we go out to the playground, she always goes off with the other girls. Anyways, I think she loves that other fella.
Ah, you don't know that for sure. Women are very mysterious.
And women can smash your face in, too, mister.
Your granny's become less mysterious over the years.
Daddy, do you think me and that wee girl have a future?
Well, why the heck not?
You know she's Catholic?
That wee girl can be a practicing Hindu, or a Southern Baptist, or a vegetarian Antichrist, but if she's kind, and she's fair and you two respect each other, she and her people are welcome in our house any day of the week. Agreed?
Is it 27?
That's close enough. And now just make sure your numbers aren't very clear to read. She might give you the benefit of the doubt if your seven looks like a one with a fancy tail, right? The same with a two and a six. Right? Keep her guessing. That means you'll have two or three horses in every race.
Isn't that cheating?
No, well, I'd call it spread betting. And if it gets you moved up by one seat to bask in the light of her glory, then you're off to the races.
But sure there's only one right answer.
If that were true, son, people wouldn't be blowing themselves up all over this town.
They can just come up to you when you're not expecting it and ask you, Are you Protestant or Catholic? But it's a trick question, you see, 'cause they don't tell you what they are. And what do you say then to not get a dig in the gob?
I'm a Catholic?
Wrong. That's exactly what they think you will say. They think you're trying to bluff them. But you have to double-bluff them.
How?
You say, I'm a Protestant.
But I am a Protestant.
That's the point!
We're going to the pictures. He's taking us to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
What in the name of God is that?
It's a flying car.
Oh, God, I've heard it all.
It goes over a cliff, and you nearly fall out of your seat. Do you want to come? It'll be company for you till my Pop's home.
If God had wanted me to see flying cars, I'd have been born with blinking wings. You love your films, don't you? I was a great one for the pictures when I was your age. I used to think you could climb right inside the screen and visit all those strange places you saw. Like that one in that film. What was that, uh...? Uh, Lost Horizons. Did you ever see that?
No. What was the name of the place, Granny?
Shangri-La. That's what they called it.
Did you ever go there?
There were no roads to Shangri-La from our part of Belfast.
My ma says, if we went across the water, they wouldn't understand the way we talk.
That shouldn't be a problem, son. I've been married to your granny for 50 years. I've never understood a word she's said. And if they can't understand you, then they're not listening, and that's their problem. You know, when I was in Leicester, they said the same thing about me. You know, so I put on a different bloody accent every day just to annoy them. They never knew who I was. But I did, and that's the only one who needs to know. You know who you are, don't you?
You know who you are, don't you?
Yes, Pop.
You're Buddy from Belfast 15, where everybody knows you and your pop looks out for you and your mummy looks out for you, your daddy looks out for you, your granny looks out for you, your brother looks out for you, and the whole family looks out for you. And wherever you go and whatever you become, that'll always be the truth. And that thought will keep you safe. It'll keep you happy... Will you remember that for me?
Yes, Pop.
Belfast will still be here when you get back.
Will you?
I'm going nowhere you won't find me.
Be good. And if you can't be good...
Be careful!