Pop quotes from Belfast (2021)

Pop

Oh, that puts me in mind of a great wee system we had in the old days for paying the rent. The rent man would come round and collect the money for every house in the whole street, and once he had done and all the rent books were marked up to date, one of the boys would hold him up at gunpoint in the back entry and take all the money back off him, and then he'd hand it straight back to all the residents in the street, with a little commission for the service. Yeah, it was a very effective system. And the rent man was so good about it in the end that eventually they cut him in for a wee bit, too, and everybody was happy. Except for the council, I suppose.

Buddy

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.

Pop

Ah, you don't know that for sure. Women are very mysterious.

Granny

And women can smash your face in, too, mister.

Pop

Your granny's become less mysterious over the years.

Buddy

Is it 27?

Pop

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.

Buddy

Isn't that cheating?

Pop

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.

Buddy

But sure there's only one right answer.

Pop

If that were true, son, people wouldn't be blowing themselves up all over this town.

Pop

Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart.

Granny

Oh, is that what does it?

Pop

Yeah, well, you don't usually buy your wisdom with a walk in the park. Your heart has to explode.

Pop

When you've gray hair, people think your heart never skipped.

Granny

Did yours ever skip?

Pop

Aye, it danced a bloody jig every time you walked in the room.

Granny

Nah. You were full of it then, and you're full of it now.

Buddy

My ma says, if we went across the water, they wouldn't understand the way we talk.

Pop

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?

Pop

You know who you are, don't you?

Buddy

Yes, Pop.

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?

Buddy

Yes, Pop.

Pop

Belfast will still be here when you get back.

Buddy

Will you?

Pop

I'm going nowhere you won't find me.