Ricky Roma quotes from Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)

Ricky Roma

They say that it was so hot in downtown today, grown men were walking up to cops on street corners begging them to shoot.

Ricky Roma

You filed it, that puts me over the top; you owe me a car. I don't wanna hear any shit, John, and I don't give a shit. Lingk puts me over the top. You filed it, it went downtown, now you owe me the car. You see, because this is how we keep score, bubie.

Ricky Roma

All train compartments smell vaguely of shit. It gets so you don't mind it. That's the worst thing that I can confess. You know how long it took me to get there? A long time. When you die you're going to regret the things you don't do. You think you're ****? I'm going to tell you something: we're all ****. You think you're a thief? So what? You get befuddled by a middle-class morality? Get shut of it. Shut it out. You cheated on your wife? You did it, live with it. You **** little girls, so be it. There's an absolute morality? Maybe. And then what? If you think there is, then be that thing. Bad people go to hell? I don't think so. If you think that, act that way. A hell exists on earth? Yes. I won't live in it. That's me. You ever take a dump made you feel like you'd just slept for twelve hours?

Ricky Roma

WHAT YOU'RE HIRED FOR, is to help us... does that seem clear to you? TO HELP US, not to... ****-US-UP... to help men who are going out there to try to earn a living... You fairy. You company man.

Ricky Roma

You never open your mouth until you know what the shot is. You **** child.

Ricky Roma

You stupid **** ****. Hey, Williamson, I'm talking to you, shithead. You just cost me $6,000. Six thousand dollars, and one Cadillac. That's right. What are you going to do about it? What are you going to do about it, asshole? You're **** shit. Where did you learn your trade, you stupid **** ****, you idiot? Who ever told you that you could work with men?

Ricky Roma

Whoa, whoa, whoa...Patel?!?! Ravadahm Patel?!?! Where'd you get this from, a morgue? Aww, come, what's the point? What's the ****in' point in any case!? I gotta argue with you? I gotta knock heads with the cops? I come back, you can't even keep the contracts safe. **** this shit!

Ricky Roma

Or, I'm tellin' ya, I'm in bed the next day, she brings me cafe au lait, gives me a cigarette. My balls feel like concrete.

Ricky Roma

You ever take a dump, made you feel like you just slept for twelve hours?

Ricky Roma

I subscribe to the law of contrary public opinion: if everyone thinks one thing, then I say, bet the other way.

Ricky Roma

I've been on a hot streak. So what? The things I could learn from you.

Ricky Roma

Come on. You're eating her crumbcake.

Shelley Levene

Hmm? Oh, yeah, I'm eating her crumbcake.

Ricky Roma

How was it?

Shelley Levene

Uh, from the store.

Ricky Roma

**** her.

Ricky Roma

Patel? Ravadem Patel? How am I gonna make a livin' on these deadbeats? Where did you get this one from the morgue?

Williamson

Look I'm...

Ricky Roma

Oh come on, what's the point? What's the **** point in any case I gotta argue with you, I gotta knock heads with the cops, I'm busting my balls sell your dirt to deadbeats. [waves the lead]

Ricky Roma

Money in the mattress.

Williamson

I'm giving you three leads...

Ricky Roma

Three? I count two.

Williamson

There's three leads there.

Ricky Roma

"Patel"? **** you. **** Shiva handed this guy a million dollars, said "Sign the deal!" he wouldn't sign. And the god Vishnu too. **** you, John! You know your business, I know mine. Your business is being an asshole. I find out whose **** cousin you are, I'm going to go to him and figure out a way to have your a - **** You! I'm waiting for the new leads.

George Aaronow

When I talk to the police I get nervous.

Ricky Roma

Yes. You know who doesn't?

George Aaronow

Who?

Ricky Roma

Thieves. Always tell the truth, George; it's the easiest thing to remember.

Ricky Roma

All train compartments smell vaguely of shit. It gets so you don't mind it. That's the worse thing that I can confess. You know how long it took me to get there? A long time. When you die, you're gonna regret the things you don't do. You think you're ****? I'm gonna tell you something: we're all ****. You think you're a thief? So what? You get befuddled by a middle-class morality? Get shot of it. Shut it out. You cheat on your wife? You did it. Live with it. **** little girls? So be it. There's an absolute morality? Maybe. And then what? If you think there is, go ahead, be that thing. Bad people go to hell? I don't think so. You think that? Act that way. A hell exists on Earth? Yes. I won't live in it. That's me. Did you ever take a dump made you feel like you'd just slept for twelve hours?

James Lingk

That I—

Yes?

James

I don't know.

Or a piss? Great meals fade in reflection. Everything else gains. You know why? 'Cause it's only food. This shit we put on us keeps us going. It's only food. The great ****s you may have had, what do you remember about them?

James

What do I remember? I–

I don't know. For me? I'm saying what it is. It's probably not the orgasm. Some broad's forearm on your neck, something her eyes did. There was this sound she made. Or it's me in the uh — I'm telling you — I'm in bed. The next day she brought me café au lait, gives me a cigarette. My balls feel like concrete. Hey, what I'm saying: what is our life? Our life is looking forward, or it's looking back. That's it. That's our life. Where's the moment? And what is it we're so afraid of?

James

Loss.

What else? The bank closes. You get sick. My wife died on a plane. The stock market collapsed. What if these things happen? None of 'em. We worry anyway. Why?
...

Stocks, bonds, objects of art, real estate. What are they? An opportunity. To what? To make money? Perhaps. To lose money? Perhaps. To indulge and to learn about ourselves? Perhaps! So **** what? What isn't? They're an opportunity. That's all they are. They're an event. A guy comes to you. You make a call. You send in a card. "I have these properties I would like for you to see." What does this mean? What do you want it to mean? Do you see what I'm saying? Things happen to you. Glad I met you. I'm glad I met you, James. I want to show you something. It may mean something to you. It may not. I don't know. I don't know anymore. [takes out a brochure] What is that? Florida. Glengarry Highlands. Florida? Bullshit. And maybe that's true, and that's what I said. But look at this. [opens the brochure, with the words: 'Make Your Dreams Come True'] What is this? This is a piece of land.

Ricky Roma

: I'm going to tell you something. Your life is your own. You have a contract with your wife? You have certain things you do jointly? Bond there. And there are other things, and those things are yours, and you needn't feel ashamed. You needn't feel that you're being untrue, or that she would abandon you if she knew. This is your life.

Ricky Roma

Ho, ho, ho! "Patel"? "Ravadem Patel"? Wh—how'm I gonna make a living on these dead-beats? Where'd you get this from, a morgue?

John Williamson

Look, I'm—

Ricky

Oh come on. What's the point? What's the **** point in any case? I gotta argue with you. I gotta knock heads with the cops. I'm busting my balls selling your dirt to dead-beats! Money in the mattress! I come back, you can't even keep the contracts safe. I gotta go out and cl— [throws the cards at Williamson] **** this shit! I'm gonna go out and re-close last week's stuff.

John

No, no, no. The word from Murray is that, leave them alone. He needs a new sit. He'll go out himself.

Ricky

Murray's gonna go out?

John

Yeah. He'll be the president of the company, just come in from out of town. All right?

Ricky

Okay, okay, okay. Give me this shit. [takes the leads again]

John

I'm giving you three leads.

Ricky

Three? No, I count two.

John

There's three leads there.

Ricky

"Patel"? **** you. **** Shiva handed this guy a million dollars, told him "Sign the deal!", he wouldn't sign. And the god Vishnu too, into the bargain. **** you, John! You know your business. I know mine. Your business is being an asshole. I find out whose **** cousin you are, I'm going to go to him and figure out a way to have your ass! **** you! [throws the cards at Williamson again] I'm waiting for the new leads.