Tied for 8th most-quoted character in The Tale of Despereaux (2008): in 3 of its 27 quotes
Most scenes with: Despereaux (3), Lester (2), Antoinette (2)
"Once upon a time". That's great, isn't it? "Upon a time"? And they don't even tell you what time that is yet. It's like you have to find that out.
Furlough You're not supposed to read it, Despereaux. You're supposed to eat it. [hands the ripped page to Despereaux] Good. I'll come back in an hour. [Despereaux reads the page again] And no reading! It's a rule.
How was the library?
Furlough Fine.
Spoil your appetite?
No. Helped it, actually. Made me hungrier.
Did you see they're putting up, uh, a new front on the crumb shop? Quite modern, yes.
Oh, but I liked the old one. Why do they have to keep changing?
[Despereaux looks into his cup, sees a reflection of a knight fighting bandits]
Furlough You are crazy.
And she smelled so amazing, like a garden. [lies down on his bed]
Furlough Despereaux, you can't talk to a human. That is the worst thing you can do!
No, it's the best thing I ever did.
Furlough They will throw you in the dungeon. You will get eaten by rats!
It'll be worth it. They could tear at my flesh!
Furlough Oh, this is bad...
And when she held me in her hand, it was-it was so soft, like floating on a pillow.
Furlough You know what? I'm worried about you.
That's the point, Furlough. There's nothing to be afraid of.
Furlough QUIET! They'll hear you.
C'mon, just try it. Just for a second, just try being brave.
Furlough Oh...
And stop cowering!
What's going on in here? What's all this talk about princesses and br...bravery? [to Furlough, offscreen] Furlough, I wanna see you in my study right now.
Are you sure?
Furlough That's what he said.
A real human?
Furlough A princess.
But they'll... [interrupted by Lester]
This is bad. This is very bad. If they find out.. If they find out that they didn't find out... Oh, then they'll find out that it was me who... [realizes what he's saying] Oh no.
BUT THEY'LL SEND HIM TO THE DUNGEON!
Furlough Oh, he'll get eaten by rats!
No, not if we beg. If we really beg and show them that he-he's changed. That he's afraid. That he's afraid and he's turned into a mouse. And... Despereaux! [no response]
