The Ghost quotes from The Ghost Writer (2010)

The Ghost

Who are you expecting to bomb you, Random House?

The Ghost

Use it? I think we should open the whole book like this. "I went into politics out of love, not love for a party or an ideology, but out of love for a woman."

The Ghost

Your hair's all wet, you're drenched. Let me get you a towel. [Goes to bathroom and whispers in mirror] Bad idea.

The Ghost

It's all right. Everything'll be all right.

The Ghost

Forty thousand years of human language, and there's no word to describe our relationship. It was doomed.

The Ghost

"Langs are Scottish folk originally and proud of it. Our name is a derivation of 'long', the Old English word for tall, and it is from North of the border that my forefathers hail." Fu...ck.

The Ghost

Well all the words are there, they're just in the wrong order.

The Ghost

Some peace protesters are trying to kill me!

The Ghost

Oh, God.

The Ghost

But you realize I know nothing about politics?

Rick Ricardelli

You voted for him, didn't you?

The Ghost

Adam Lang? Of course I did.

Rick Ricardelli

Everyone voted for him. He wasn't a politician, he was a craze.

The Ghost

Well, there you go.

Rick Ricardelli

Look, it's a new ghostwriter he needs, not another goddamn politico. He was paid $10 million for these memoirs, but rumor has it the manuscript's a crock of shit. Rhinehart's lending him his house at the ocean so they can fix it, and the pressure must have gotten to McAra. Pathologist said his blood was, like, three parts booze.

The Ghost

You mean he drowned by accident?

Rick Ricardelli

Accident, suicide, who cares? It was the book that killed him.

The Ghost

Well, that's encouraging. [Rick dryly chuckles] Who is this McAra? Should I have heard of him?

Rick Ricardelli

Yeah. He was some kind of aide to Lang when he was Prime Minister, so don't admit that you haven't. He was with him for years.

The Ghost

I don't know, Rick.

Rick Ricardelli

This is a great opportunity for you. Plus the money is good. Kids won't starve.

The Ghost

I don't have any kids.

Rick Ricardelli

I do.

The Ghost

Roy. [Getting wanded and frisked]] Who're you expecting to bomb you, Random House?

We're publishing Lang's memoirs. That's enough to make us a target, apparently.

The Ghost

Thank you. [In elevator] How many have you seen?

Five. You're the last. I must be honest. I don't think you're the right man for this assignment.

The Ghost

Then it's a good job it's not your decision, Roy.

John Maddox, chief executive of Rhinehart, New York.

The Ghost

Sir.

Sidney Kroll, Mr. Lang's Washington attorney.

The Ghost

Mr. Kroll.

And Nick Ricardelli I believe you know.

The Ghost

All right, Rick.

John Maddox

All right, I gather from Rick you're aware of the situation? Perhaps you can enlighten us and tell us what exactly you're gonna bring to this project.

The Ghost

Nothing. No, I'm not gonna pretend to be someone I'm not. You have my CV.

His last effort was the autobiography of a magician, I Came, I Sawed, I Conquered.

Rick Ricardelli

Yeah, and it went straight to number one, so...

The Ghost

After you turned it down, Roy. Look, I don't read political memoirs. Who does? And I gather you've spent $10 million on this book. How much of that are you gonna see back? Two? Three? It's bad news for your shareholders. And it's worse news for your client, Mr. Kroll. Adam Lang, he wants a place in history, not in the remainder tables.

Oh, please!

The Ghost

It's because I know nothing about politics that I'll ask the questions that get right to the heart of who Adam Lang is. And that is what sells autobiographies. Heart.

Rick Ricardelli

Wow! That's nicely done.

What utter balls!

John Maddox

You think so?

John, of course. Adam Lang's a world historical figure. His autobiography is gonna be a world-publishing event.

John Maddox

Yeah, well, I got warehouses filled with world-publishing events waiting to be pulped.

Sid?

Adam is obviously still very upset by what happened to Mike McAra. He was irreplaceable. Irreplaceable, and yet he has to be replaced. Adam can certainly appreciate the benefits of trying someone different. In the end, it's about chemistry. Do you work out, maybe?

The Ghost

Not really.

That's a pity. Adam likes to work out.

Actually, I know a good writer on the Guardian who uses a gym.

Rick Ricardelli

Okay, maybe we could just run over the publishing schedule, yeah?

John Maddox

We need to wrap this up in a month.

The Ghost

A month?

John Maddox

Yes.

The Ghost

You want the book in a month?

We already have a first draft.

John Maddox

Yeah, well, it needs a lot of work. That's why I like your résumé here. You're fast, and you deliver.

Rick Ricardelli

You name it, he ghosts it.

John Maddox

And you're a Brit. The ghost should be a Brit. [Mimics English accent] To get the jolly old tone right, right? [Rick chuckles]

Do you have any family commitments?

The Ghost

No, I have no family. Why?

Adam is locked into a US lecture tour, also a fundraising program for the Adam Lang Foundation.

Rick Ricardelli

It's a month in the States. That's okay.

The Ghost

Couldn't I bring the manuscript back here to work on?

I'm afraid not. It's in a secure environment in Marty Rhinehart's own house. Only a few people are allowed to handle it.

Sounds more like a bomb than a book. I will need to see it myself at some point. I am supposed to be editing it. Yeah, in theory.

John Maddox

Actually, we need to talk about that. How soon can you get over there?

The Ghost

As soon as you want.

Rick Ricardelli

He'll fly tonight.

The Ghost

Rick.

Rick Ricardelli

It's okay.

John Maddox

Okay, you're in.

The Ghost

Oh!

John Maddox

Congratulations.

The Ghost

Thank you. Thanks.

John Maddox

Rick.

The Ghost

Thank you.

Actually, I have something here you might want to look at.

The Ghost

Is that... Is that...

No, no, no, this isn't Adam's book. No, it's another client of mine. Yeah, perhaps you can let me know what you think.

The Ghost

Sure.

Okay, if you're gonna get that evening flight, we'd better talk contracts with Rick here. [To dazed Roy] Wanna show our friend to the door? [Raises voice] Would you?! Roy?! [Roy comes to]

Rick Ricardelli

Call you in an hour, buddy.

John Maddox

Hey! Remember... [Pats chest saying in English accent] Heart.

There's something not quite right about this project.

The Ghost

What? Me, you mean?

Obviously you. And McAra. Suicide? He didn't strike me as the suicidal type.

The Ghost

Always nice to see you, Roy.

Good luck.

The Ghost

Yeah?

Rick Ricardelli

Congratulations!

The Ghost

On what?

Rick Ricardelli

On having me as your agent.

The Ghost

Yeah, I can hardly believe my luck.

Rick Ricardelli

Are you packed?

The Ghost

I just got mugged.

Rick Ricardelli

Shit! Are you okay?

The Ghost

Yeah, all they took was the manuscript that Sidney Kroll gave me.

Rick Ricardelli

What? Why?

The Ghost

I don't know. You tell me.

Rick Ricardelli

Are you hurt?

The Ghost

No, I'm fine. I think they must have followed me from Rhinehart's.

Rick Ricardelli

Why would they do that?

The Ghost

Well, maybe they thought I had Lang's book. I knew this whole thing was a bad idea.

Rick Ricardelli

You're still okay to fly tonight, right?

The Ghost

For God's sake, Rick, I'm in shock.

Rick Ricardelli

Well, here's another shock for you. For one month's work on a manuscript that's already written, Rhinehart Inc. Is willing to pay you $250,000, plus expenses. Window seat or aisle?

Islam has issued a statement claiming responsibility. We hope to bring you more on that later in the bulletin. Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Adam Lang is back in the news tonight. According to leaked documents, Mr. Lang authorized the illegal use of British special forces to seize four suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists in Pakistan and then hand them over for interrogation by the CIA. The men, Nasir Ashraf, Marwat Sayed, Salim Khan and Faruk Ahmed, all British citizens, were seized in the Pakistani city of Peshawar five years ago. All four were allegedly transferred out of the country to a secret location and tortured. Mr. Ashraf is reported to have died under interrogation. Such an operation would have been illegal under...

Rick Ricardelli

Yeah?

The Ghost

Where are you?

Rick Ricardelli

Heathrow, like you. Waiting for my flight to New York.

The Ghost

Can you see the news?

Rick Ricardelli

The Lang story? Yeah, I'm watching it now.

The Ghost

What have you gotten me into?

Rick Ricardelli

I got you into a quarter of a million bucks, pal, that's what I got you into. They're calling my flight. I gotta go.

The Ghost

Listen, I just realized Sidney Kroll could have given me that manuscript deliberately so it would look like I was carrying Lang's book.

Rick Ricardelli

Why the hell would he do that?

The Ghost

I don't know. To use me as a tethered goat?

Rick Ricardelli

Get some sleep on the plane. You're sounding weird. "A tethered goat." I'll call you next week.

...and long-term psychological trauma. In other words, torture.

Ruth Lang

Who are you?

The Ghost

I'm your ghost.

Adam Lang

Right...

Ruth Lang

Don't worry, he isn't always such a jerk.

Amelia

All right. He's ready for you. [Walking upstairs leading The Ghost] How's your hotel? Quiet?

The Ghost

Monastic.

Amelia

That's nice. No distractions.

Adam Lang

Thanks, love. [To The Ghost] Hi, man. You ready to start?

The Ghost

Absolutely. [Amelia produces box on desk, opens it to reveal manuscript and holds up USB stick] Is the manuscript loaded on this?

Amelia

It is.

The Ghost

Can I have it?

Amelia

I'm sorry, that would be a security risk.

The Ghost

You mean I've got to retype the whole manuscript?

Adam Lang

Have you really got my entire book on that little thing?

Amelia

We can get 100 books on it, Adam. And it can be copied in a flash. That's the trouble.

Adam Lang

Amazing. You know the worst thing about my life? You get so out of touch. Everything's done for you. You don't drive, you don't carry money. If I need cash, I have to borrow it from the protection boys. This is the kind of details we need in the memoirs. I couldn't put that in. People would think I was a complete idiot.

The Ghost

No, not at all. No, this shows what it's like being Prime Minister. That's exactly what the readers want to know. How does it feel to run a country? How does it feel to be so cut off? How does it feel to be so hated?

Adam Lang

Thanks a lot.

The Ghost

And so loved.

Adam Lang

Amelia, what do you think?

Amelia

I think I should leave you two alone.

Adam Lang

So, how do we go about this?

The Ghost

I interview you. I turn your answers into prose. Here and there, I'll add linking passages, imitating your voice.

Adam Lang

Okay. You heard about Mike?

The Ghost

Yes. I'm sorry.

Adam Lang

We should put in something nice about him. I think his mother would like that.

The Ghost

Of course.

Adam Lang

Well, um, the first thing that struck me was, you became such a successful politician precisely because you didn't appear to be a politician. It's certainly not something I wanted to do when I was younger. I thought most student politicians were complete nerds.

The Ghost

Well, I'm with you there. So, what turned you on to politics?

Adam Lang

Turned me on, indeed. Let's see, I was 23, something like that, a couple of years out of Cambridge. And I remember it was a Sunday afternoon, it was raining. I was still in bed. And someone starts knocking at the door. And, you know, I'd been out the night before and had a few drinks and what have you. So, I get the pillow and I put it over my head, and it starts up again. Knock, knock, knock, knock! And I get up, I'm swearing, I go to the door and there's this girl. She's soaking wet, but she just launches into this speech about the local elections. And that's it. I'm in love.

The Ghost

And this is Ruth?

Adam Lang

This is Ruth. And the only way I can see her again is to join the party and hand out leaflets.

The Ghost

This is great.

Adam Lang

You want to use this?

The Ghost

Use it? I think we should open the whole book like this. "I went into politics out of love, not love for a party or an ideology, but out of love for a woman."

The Ghost

Could you transcribe this as quickly as possible, please?

Amelia Bly

Of course.

The Ghost

Thanks.

Amelia Bly

How's it going?

The Ghost

Pretty well. He keeps calling me 'man'!

Amelia Bly

He always does that when he can't remember someone's name. There are sandwiches in the kitchen.

Ruth Lang

Are you awake?

The Ghost

Well, I am now.

Ruth Lang

I'm sorry.

The Ghost

It's all right. Hang on. What time is it?

Ruth Lang

I don't know. I called Adam.

The Ghost

And?

Ruth Lang

Can I come in? [Sits on bed] The day before Mike died, he and Adam had a terrible row. I've never told anyone this before, not even the police.

The Ghost

What about?
Ruth Lang I don't know. But it was furious. They never spoke again. When I asked Adam about it, he refused to discuss it. After what you just said, I felt I should ask him again.

The Ghost

And what did he say?
Ruth Lang He was having dinner with the Vice President. That bloody Bly woman wouldn't even give him the phone. Oh, God. Oh, dear God. What's he got himself mixed up in? [Starts to sob]

The Ghost

It's all right. Everything'll be all right.

Ruth Lang

I'm scared. I've never been scared in my life before, but I am now.

The Ghost

Your hair's all wet, you're drenched. Let me get you a towel. [Goes to bathroom and whispers in mirror] Bad idea.

Ruth Lang

Do you mind?

The Ghost

Course not. [Climbs in bed with Ruth crawling over him]

Ruth Lang

The modesty of the morning after?

The Ghost

I'm sorry. I thought you were asleep.

Ruth Lang

You mean you thought I'd be gone? [Reading] You've taken out the family tree. He's very proud of the Langs.

The Ghost

You know, if you want a family tree, go to a garden center.

Ruth Lang

Why have you underlined my name every time?

The Ghost

I was surprised there wasn't more about you.

Ruth Lang

Why? I'm just the wife.

The Ghost

Yeah, even so. You ought not to be written out of history.

Ruth Lang

Why not? Most women are.

The Ghost

Then I'll reinstate you. I'll put in all the occasions that he's forgotten.

Ruth Lang

How kind. Like the boss's secretary that remembers his wife's birthday for him?

The Ghost

Something like that. But then, like you say, I'm not a proper writer.

Ruth Lang

What are you planning to do?

The Ghost

Leave.

Ruth Lang

It's not necessary, as far as I'm concerned.

The Ghost

I'm afraid it is, as far as I am.

Ruth Lang

Where will you go?

The Ghost

Back to the hotel. Look, I'm sorry. I should never have stayed in a client's house. It always ends up with...

Ruth Lang

With you screwing the client's wife?

The Ghost

No, not always. But it does make it hard to maintain a professional distance.

Ruth Lang

And the thing we discussed last night? What do you propose to do about that?

The Ghost

That's none of my business.

Ruth Lang

Well, you can't just ignore it.

The Ghost

Look, I'm his ghostwriter. I'm not an investigative reporter. What are you gonna do about it?

Ruth Lang

Perhaps I'll write my own memoirs. Ex-Prime Minister's Wife Tells All.

The Ghost

Well, if you ever decide to do that, give me a call.

Ruth Lang

You think I need someone like you to produce my book? I don't want to be in his bloody memoirs. He's on his own. I'll get a divorce. And she can do the prison visits. [Storms out door and slams door]

The Ghost

You wouldn't happen to know if there are any flights leaving the airport tonight, would you?

Not unless you've got your own private jet.

The Ghost

Ah, I lent it to my butler.

Haha, oh you Brits!

The Ghost

Hello?

Ruth Lang

You're alive.

The Ghost

Yeah, just about.

Ruth Lang

I've been worried sick. The police called to say they'd found the car on the ferry. Again!

The Ghost

I'm so sorry. I parked it, and then, and then I got off the boat.

Ruth Lang

What the hell were you doing on the mainland, anyway?

The Ghost

I drove to New York.

Ruth Lang

Why?

The Ghost

I needed to see John Maddox.

Ruth Lang

And where are you now?

The Ghost

I'm still at the ferry terminal. I missed the last crossing.

Ruth Lang

You really are bloody hopeless! I just had Adam on the phone, trying to get hold of you. He's flying back tonight. He sounds in a right state.

The Ghost

You didn't tell him about us, did you? God's sake, Ruth!

Ruth Lang

I've got to go. I'll call you back.

The Ghost

Who is it?

Mr. Rycart sent me.

The Ghost

Hold on.

Just gonna do a quick check, if you don't mind. Get your stuff together. We're leaving.

The Ghost

Hey! That's private!

He's clean.

Thanks, Frank. Sorry about that. Please, get in.

The Ghost

You thought it was a trap?

It crossed my mind. You do work for Lang.

The Ghost

Yeah, for three days. I hardly know the guy.

Who does? I worked for him for 15 years, till he fired me, and I still can't fathom him.

The Ghost

Yeah, his wife said more or less the same.

There you go. If someone as sharp as Ruth can't get him, what hope do we have? Tough day?

The Ghost

Yeah, you could say that.

You have the book?

The Ghost

Yeah.

He's got it.
...

Before we go any further, I wonder if I might take a look at that book.

The Ghost

No. Before we go any further, there's a few things I'd like to know first. Such as, why did Mike McAra have your number?

Okay. Sure. He was helping me.

The Ghost

McAra? How?

Mike found the documents linking Lang to the torture flights.

The Ghost

What? It was McAra who gave you the documents?

Yeah, Mike McAra. The loyalest of the loyal.

The Ghost

But why?

He didn't like discovering he was working for a war criminal. Would you? Oh, I forgot. You are. The book?

The Ghost

Well, don't tell me you're gonna read it now.

Not all of it. Just the beginning. There's something very important about it.

The Ghost

Yeah. It's the cure for insomnia.
...

Mike said he'd discovered something new. It's the last time he called me. He said it explained everything that had gone wrong when we were in government.

The Ghost

What was it?

He wouldn't say over the phone. He just kept saying if anything happened to him, the truth was in Lang's memoirs. "It's all there in the beginning."

The Ghost

The beginning? Then he means Cambridge. [Rummages for photo and displays it]

What the hell's this?

The Ghost

That is Lang, and that is Paul Emmett.

Emmett? The Arcadia guy. So what?

The Ghost

On the day that Mike McAra died, he drove up to see Emmett, and I think he was murdered on his way home.

What?

The Ghost

I went to see Emmett today, and two guys followed me from his house. That's why I called you. At the time that this photograph was taken, Paul Emmett was an officer in the CIA.

Emmett?

The Ghost

Foreign Resources Division.

Oh, my God. You realize how important this is, don't you? This explains why Lang went into politics. Everyone knows he didn't have a political thought in his pretty little head. This is why he rose so quickly, with a little help from his friends.

The Ghost

Well, do you think it's possible...

Okay, a quiz for you. Name one decision Lang made in 10 years as Prime Minister which wasn't in the interests of the USA. Well, come on, it's not a trick question. Iraq, Middle East policy, Star Wars defense, buying American nuclear missiles, support of terrorist rendition. The sacking of any minister Washington didn't like, including yours truly. McAra was right. This explains everything.

The Ghost

It's Amelia Bly.

Answer it.

The Ghost

Hello, Amelia.

Amelia Bly

Good evening. I have Adam for you.

The Ghost

Lang.

Adam Lang

We're coming to get you.

The Ghost

What?

Adam Lang

Ruth tells me you're stuck at the ferry terminal. We've just taken off from New York. Pilot says we can stop by and pick you up.

The Ghost

Really? There's no need.

Adam Lang

We've got a book to write, remember?

The Ghost

Hold on a sec, Adam. He said he wants to pick me up in his private jet.

Say yes.

The Ghost

What if it's a trap?

If you refuse, he'll get suspicious. Tell him yes.

The Ghost

That'd be great, Adam. Yeah, thanks.

Adam Lang

I'll get to the airport. See you there.
...

The Ghost

He sounds worried. I really don't think this is a good idea.

You have no choice.

The Ghost

Emmett must have told Lang that I'd been to see him.

The Ghost

So, what's he gonna do about it? Dump you in the ocean?

The Ghost

Well, it happened before!

Which means it can't happen again. He can't drown two ghostwriters, for God's sake. You're not kittens.

The Ghost

All this is just theory. We don't have any proof.

You'll get us the proof.

The Ghost

Me?

You're his ghostwriter. Presumably, he lets you tape him.

The Ghost

I use discs, actually. Discs, tapes.

You've got to confront him with this. Record his reaction. Even if he denies it, it's something.

The Ghost

I'm in a tricky position here. I signed a confidentiality agreement.

It's a bit late for that. It means the discs are his property. The court can subpoena them.

The Ghost

And what if I don't record any discs?

Then you'll be subpoenaed and forced to repeat this whole story.

The Ghost

Then I'll deny it.

Then I'll give them this. Frank is recording every word. Aren't you, Frank? Oh! Come on! Don't look so shocked. What did you expect? That I'd come into a meeting with a man working for Lang without taking any precautions? Except you're not working for Lang anymore. You're working for the good guys.

The Ghost

You know all this is pointless, don't you? In the end, he'll just retire over here with his CIA pension, and he'll tell you and the bloody war crimes court to go and **** yourselves.
...

Good evening, sir. Hatherton welcomes you aboard.

The Ghost

Thank you. It's my first time in a private jet.

Well, let's hope it's not your last.

Adam Lang

Hi, man. Take your seat.

The Ghost

Thanks.

Adam Lang

Hey, bring my ghost a Calvados.

Yes, sir.

The Ghost

Do you mind?

Adam Lang

Leave it off for now. Ruth said you were in New York to see Maddox.

The Ghost

That's right.

Adam Lang

How was he?

The Ghost

He was fine. Full of energy?

Adam Lang

You know John.

The Ghost

Yes, I do know John. As a matter of fact, I was just with him.

Adam Lang

You never saw him today, did you?

The Ghost

No.

Adam Lang

Do you have something to tell me?

The Ghost

I went to see Emmett.

Adam Lang

That windbag! Why?

The Ghost

I know about you and Emmett.

Adam Lang

Me and Emmett?

The Ghost

I know that he was your...

Adam Lang

My?

The Ghost

...handler, if that's what they're called.

Adam Lang

My handler?

The Ghost

Yeah, that he was your handler in the CIA.

Adam Lang

Oh, my God. You're serious, aren't you?

The Ghost

When McAra found this, he went to Boston to show it to Emmett, and he died on the way home, and I think he was murdered.

Adam Lang

I think you've had a few too many of those already.

The Ghost

It was McAra who believed that Emmett told you to go into politics in the first place.

Adam Lang

Emmett? I barely knew the man.

The Ghost

And that story of yours about why you joined the party and Ruth and the canvassing, well, the dates don't fit.

Adam Lang

I got the dates wrong. Big deal!

The Ghost

Then when he found this photograph, and he heard the rumors about Emmett being in the CIA...

Adam Lang

Rumors?

The Ghost

It's on the Internet.

Adam Lang

I've never heard such utter balls in my entire life. Mike would never have believed such crap. He was too clever. Too loyal. Mike betrayed you to Rycart. How do you know that?

The Ghost

He told me.

Adam Lang

Rycart? He's lying.

The Ghost

This phone number on the back of the photograph, it's Rycart's. The handwriting, that's McAra's.

Adam Lang

Mike. Mike, Mike.

The Ghost

And you knew he was disillusioned. You had a big row with him just before he died.

Adam Lang

Yes, I know, but he never mentioned this. This is just... This is grotesque. I've never taken orders from anyone. Whatever I did, I did because I believed it was right.

The Ghost

What, even supporting illegal kidnapping for torture?

Adam Lang

Oh, for God's sake, spare me the bleeding-heart bullshit! Do you know what I'd do if I was in power again? I'd have two queues at airports. One for flights where we'd done no background checks, infringed on no one's civil bloody liberties, used no intelligence gained by torture. And on the other flight, we'd do everything we possibly could to make it perfectly safe. And then we'd see which plane the Rycarts of this world would put their bloody kids on! And you can put that in the book! [Assistant staff stare at them]

How long had you known Mr. Lang?

The Ghost

Couple of days.

In what capacity?

The Ghost

I was his ghost. His ghostwriter.

Do you recognize this man?

The Ghost

He was one of the protestors. His son was killed in Iraq.

Did you ever speak with him?

The Ghost

He was in the bar one night in the hotel where I was staying.

But did you speak with him?

The Ghost

He asked me if I knew where Adam Lang was staying on the island. I told him that I didn't.

Did you report this conversation?

The Ghost

Sorry?

Did you report this conversation to Mr. Lang's protection team?

The Ghost

No.

What was Mr. Lang's demeanor this evening?

The Ghost

He was... He was fine. He seemed fine.

One witness said she thought she heard Mr. Lang shouting at you.

The Ghost

No.

We're gonna need your passport.

The Ghost

Why?

A serious crime was just committed in US territory, and you're the key witness. We need to keep you close.

Like a fallen soldier, Adam Lang went home today, home to a shocked and grieving nation. Not just his family, but friends and political opponents joined in tribute.

A great colleague and a true patriot. We had our disagreements, but we always stayed friends. My heart goes out to Ruth and the family. [Knock on door] And I would like to say Adam will be... [The Ghost turns off TV]

The Ghost

Who is it? [Opens door]

Rick

Congratulations!

The Ghost

On what now?

Rick

Still having me as your agent. [Pokes The Ghost's face with his passport]

The Ghost

Hmm?

Rick

They don't need you anymore. You're free to go. [Pulls open drapes and The Ghost sits on bed] You ready to get back to work?

The Ghost

I don't think I can, Rick. I'm sorry. Not after all this.

Rick

Don't be a jerk. This is a hot book now. It's Adam Lang's voice from the grave. The guy, he's a hero.

The Ghost

I just want to go home.

Rick

You can. Go. Go home. And finish the book from London.

The Ghost

I don't know, Rick.

Amelia Bly

Here we are.

The Ghost

Oh, here we are.

Amelia Bly

I'm sorry. I think I'm over it, and then suddenly I realize I'm not.

The Ghost

Are you sure this is all right?

Amelia Bly

Of course. My invitation said plus one.

The Ghost

Only I wondered if you might've wanted to bring your husband.

Amelia Bly

That didn't work out. I hadn't appreciated quite how bored he was with being my plus one.

The Ghost

Shall we go in?

Amelia Bly

Yeah. Amelia Bly, plus one. [To attendant when entering book launch party] Thank you.

The Ghost

That was a bit of a turn-up, for the books, you calling me.

Amelia Bly

I heard you weren't invited, and I thought you should be here.

The Ghost

Ghosts are never invited to the launch party, as a rule. We're an embarrassment. Like a mistress at a wedding.

Amelia Bly

Sorry. I brought you a present.

The Ghost

Thank you. That's very funny.

Amelia Bly

I thought, seeing as you were so keen to hold onto it, you might like it as a souvenir. Between you and me, it wasn't us, it was the Americans. They thought the book was a potential threat to national security.

The Ghost

But there's nothing in it.

Amelia Bly

Something about the beginnings. I think that's what I heard.

The Ghost

The beginning?

Amelia Bly

No, beginnings. The beginnings.

The Ghost

Beginnings? [Has a moment of epiphany]

Amelia Bly

You all right?

The Ghost

Do you know that man? The one who's speaking to Ruth.

Amelia Bly

Paul Emmett?

The Ghost

What's he doing here?

Amelia Bly

Well, he was Ruth's tutor at Harvard when she was a Fulbright scholar. Why shouldn't he be here?

The Ghost

Do you mind if I have that back a second?

The Ghost

Did you ever want to be a proper politician in your own right?

Ruth Lang

Of course, didn't you want to be a proper writer?

Amelia Bly

Are you ill?

The Ghost

No, I'm aging. This place is Shangri-La in reverse.

The Ghost

I'd never guess you smoked.

Amelia Bly

I only allow myself one. In times of great stress or contentment.

The Ghost

Which is this?

Amelia Bly

Very funny.

Single or return?

The Ghost

Return. I hope.

The Ghost

It's my first time in a private jet.

Amelia Bly

Let's hope it's not your last.

Ruth Lang

I suppose even ghosts must have feelings.

The Ghost

We are sensitive spirits.