Palmer quotes from Burn After Reading (2008)

In fact, we're moving you out of Sigint entirely.

Just no discussion? Just, you're out?

Well, we're having the discussion now. Look, um, Oz. This doesn't have to be unpleasant. Uh...

Palmer, with all due respect. What the **** are you talking about? [looks at Olsen] And why is Olsen here?

Uh, look, Ozzie, look...

What the **** is this?! I know it's not my work.

Ozzie...

I'm a great **** analyst.

Okay, Ozzie...

Is - is it my...

Ozzie, things have not been going well, as you know.

You have a drinking problem.

I have a drinking problem?

This is an assault. I have a drinking problem? **** you, Peck. You're a Mormon!

Ozzie...

Next to you, we all have a drinking problem! What the **** is this! Whose ass didn't I kiss! Huh?! Let's be honest!

Okay, uh...

I mean, let us be **** honest. This is a crucifixion! This is political! And don't tell me it's not! [opens the door] "I have a drinking problem." [leaves]

Jesus **** Christ.

Yeah.

What did we learn, Palmer?

I don't know sir.

I don't **** know either. I guess we learned not to do it again.

Yes, sir.

I'm **** if I know what we did.

Yes sir, it's, uh... hard to say.

Palmer? What's up?

Ah, not quite certain, sir, but it's...messy.

Kalima 2 tells us they have computer files from an ex-analyst of mine, Osbourne Cox.

Kalima 2...?

Our man in the Russian embassy.

Hmm.

They were brought in to them by a woman--

The Russians?

Yeah. It was, ah, brought in by a woman named Linda Litzke, an associate of a guy named Harry Pfarrer. Her picture's in the file, with Pfarrer's.

The Russians?

And this, uh, analyst--ex-analyst--uh...

Cox.

Yeah. What's his clearance level?

Three.

...okay. No biggie.

Just...for now, just keep an eye on everyone, see what they do.

Yes sir. And we'll interface with the FBI on this, ah, dead body.

No, no! God, no! We don't want those idiots bumbling around in this! Burn the body. Get rid of it. And, uh, keep an eye on everyone...see what they do. Report back to me, when, uh...I dunno. When it makes sense.

Where is the Treasury guy, Pfarrer?

Right now?

Right now.

Um, he is in a detention room in Washington Dulles.

Why?

He was trying to board a flight to Venezuela. We had his name on a hot list, ah, CBP pulled him in. Um...don't know why he was trying to go to Venezuela.

...you don't know?

No, sir.

We have no extradition with Venezuela.

...oh. So what should we do with him?

****'s sake, put him on the next flight to Venezuela!

Well, um, this analyst--Cox--was attacking the gym guy. Um, it was in broad daylight, on the street, and our man did not know what to do, felt he had to step in.

...yes?

He, um, he shot the analyst. He shot Cox.

Good.

Great! Is he dead?

No sir, he's in a coma.

Um, they don't think he's gonna make it. They--they--they don't think--they're pretty sure that he has no, ah, no brain function.

Okay. Okay. If he wakes up, we'll worry about it then.

Um, there is--

What?

Um--

What?

There is the woman, the gym woman, Linda Litzke--

Oh, ****, yeah! God! Where is she?

Oh, we picked her up, we, we have her.

"We have her"? To-to-to do what with?

She says she'll, uh, "play ball", if we pay for, um, some--I know this sounds odd--some surgeries that she wants. Cosmetic surgery. She says she'll sit on everything.

How much?

There were several procedures, altogether they--

Pay it.