Mr. X quotes from Eraserhead (1977)

View Quote The girls have heard this before but... 14 years ago I had an operation on my left arm here. The doctors said that I wouldn't be able to ever use it. But what the hell do they know, I said. So I rubbed it for a half hour every day. And slowly I could move it a little, and use it to turn a faucet... and pretty soon I had my arm back again. And now, I can't feel a damn thing in it. All numb! I'm afraid to cut it, you know?

View Quote Mary X: You're late, Henry.
Henry: I didn't know if you wanted me to come or not. Where have you been? You never come around anymore.

View Quote Mrs. X: It's Henry isn't it?
Henry: Yes.
[Long pause]
Mrs. X: Mary tells me you're a very nice fellow. What do you do?
Henry: Oh, I'm on vacation.
Mrs. X: What did you do?

View Quote Henry: I work at LaPelle's Factory. I'm a printer.
Mary X: Hen-Henry's very clever at printing.
Mrs. X: Yes, he sounds very clever.

View Quote Mr. X: I thought I heard a stranger. We've got chicken tonight. Strangest damn things. They're man-made. Little damn things, smaller than my fist - but they're new!...... I'm Bill.
Henry: Hello. I'm Henry.
Mrs. X: Henry's at Lappell's factory.
Mr. X: So, printin's yer business, eh? Plumbin's mine. Thirty years! I've watched this neighborhood change from pastures to the hell-hole it is now! I put every damn pipe in this town!
Mary X: Dad!..
Mrs. X: Bill...
Mr. X: People think pipes grow in their homes! Well they sure as hell don't. Look at my knees! Look at my knees!
Mrs. X: Bill...
Mr. X: Are ya hungry?
Mrs. X: Bill...

View Quote Mr. X: Well Henry, what do you know?
Henry: Oh, I don't know much of anything.

View Quote Mr. X: Mary usually does the carving but tonight since you are our guest, you could do it, Henry. All right with you?
Henry: Of course. I'd be happy to. [as the chickens begin moving] So I just, uh... I just cut them up like regular chickens?
Mr. X: Sure, just cut them up like regular chickens.
Note: this quote is sampled by Amon Tobin on Permutation (album), for the track "Like Regular Chickens".

View Quote Mrs. X: Henry, may I speak to you a minute? Over here. Did you and Mary have sexual intercourse?
Henry: [stammering] Why?
Mrs. X: Did you?
Henry: Why are you asking me this question?
Mrs. X: I have a very good reason, and now I want you to tell me.
Henry: I'm, I'm very... I love Mary!
Mrs. X: Henry, I asked you if you and Mary had sexual intercourse!
Henry: Well, I don't... I don't think that's any of your business!
Mrs. X: Henry!
Henry: I'm sorry.
Mrs. X: You're in very bad trouble if you won't cooperate... [nuzzling at his neck]
Henry: Well, I... Mary!
Mary X: [grabbing her away] Mother! [sobs]
Mrs. X: Answer me!
Henry: I'm too nervous.
Mrs. X: There's a baby. It's at the hospital.
Mary X: Mom!
Mrs. X: And you're the father.
Henry: Well that's impossible! It's only been...
Mary X: Mother, they're still not sure it is a baby!

View Quote Mary X: You wouldn't mind marrying me, would you Henry?
Henry: Well... No.

View Quote Mary X: [to the crying baby] Shut up! [Baby continues to cry] I can't take it anymore! I'm going home!
Henry: What are you talking about?
Mary X: All I need is a decent night's sleep!
Henry: Why don't you just stay home...
Mary X: I'll do what I want! And you better take good care of things while I'm gone!