Marie quotes from The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)

Fred

We spent it, babe. That's what happened. I'm sorry it's so sudden. I didn't tell you the money was almost gone because every day I kept hoping I was going to land a good job. But at last, I've got it through my thick skull that I'm not going to get one so we'll just have to forget about Jackie's Hotspot and the Blue Devil and all the rest.

Marie

Can't you get those things out of your system?

Fred

Oh sure.

Marie

Maybe that's what's holding you back. You know, the war's over. You won't get anyplace 'til you stop thinking about it. Come on, snap out of it.

Fred

When we were married, babe, the Justice of the Peace said something about 'For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse.' Remember? Well, this is the 'worse.'

Marie

Well, when do we get going on the 'better?'

Fred

Whenever I get wise to myself, I guess. Whenever I wake up and realize I'm not an officer and a gentleman anymore. I'm just another soda jerk out of a job.

Marie

Say, who is this Peggy Stephenson?

Fred

She's a girl.

Marie

I didn't think she was a kangaroo. Where did you meet her?

Fred

I told you. The night I got back when you weren't here. Al Stephenson and his wife took me home with them. She's their daughter. I'd never seen her before.

Marie

Or since?

Fred

Listen, babe, if you think you're gonna make anything out of this, you're due for a big disappointment. I just don't like to be accepting handouts when we're broke.

Marie

Well, if that's it, you'd better get used to it, because I don't see how we're gonna get much fun on your thirty two fifty a week.

Marie

What do you think I was doing all those years?

Fred

I don't know, babe, but I can guess.

Marie

Go ahead. Guess your head off. I could do some guessing myself. What were you up to in London and Paris and all those places? I've given you every chance to make something of yourself. I gave up my own job when you asked me. I gave up the best years of my life, and what have you done? You flopped! Couldn't even hold that job at the drugstore. So I'm going back to work for myself and that means I'm gonna live for myself too. And in case you don't understand English, I'm gonna get a divorce. What have you got to say to that?

Fred

Don't keep Cliff waiting.

Marie

What are you gonna do?

Fred

I'm going away.

Marie

Where?

Fred

As far away from Boone City as I can get.

Marie

That's a good idea. You'll get a good job someplace else. There are drugstores everywhere.