The Grifters 1990 quotes

Doctor

Miss Dillon, I'm sorry about our little disagreement on the phone. And I'm really sorry about your son. Well, it's hard to believe that such a strapping young man is your son.

Lilly Dillon

Never mind that, just take care of him.

Doctor

He's had, he's had an internal hemorrhage. He's bleeding to death.

Lilly Dillon

Well, make it stop!

Doctor

His blood pressure's under a hundred. I don't think he's going to make it to the hospital.

Lilly Dillon

You know who I work for.

Doctor

There's just so much I can do.

Lilly Dillon

My son is going to be all right. If not, I'll have you killed.

Lilly Dillon

I was hoping we could play it straight with one another.

Roy Dillon

I guess not.

Lilly Dillon

I guess you won't be getting a straight job, either.

Roy Dillon

Not this week.

Lilly Dillon

Not ever.

Roy Dillon

It's up to me. I'm strictly short con. It's nothing but small time stuff. I can walk away from it anytime I want.

Lilly Dillon

Where have I heard that before?

Roy Dillon

Yeah, but I'm in control.

Lilly Dillon

Sure. You're only 25 years old, already you can lay down four grand without even turning a hair. Grift's like anything else, Roy. You don't stand still. You either go up or down. Usually down, sooner or later.

Roy Dillon

Well, I'll let it be a surprise, then.

Lilly Dillon

You're working some angle, and don't tell me you're not because I wrote the book!

Roy Dillon

What about you? You still handling playback money for the mob?

Lilly Dillon

That's me. That's who I am. You were never cut out for the rackets, Roy.

Roy Dillon

How come?

Lilly Dillon

You aren't tough enough.

Roy Dillon

Not as tough as you, huh?

Lilly Dillon

Get off the grift, Roy.

Roy Dillon

Why?

Lilly Dillon

You haven't got the stomach for it.

Myra Langtry

I'm Roy's friend.

Lilly Dillon

Yes. I imagine you're lots of people's friend.

Myra Langtry

Oh, of course, now that I see you in the light, you're plenty old enough to be Roy's mother.

Lilly Dillon

Aren't we all?

Roy Dillon

Play nice. Don't fight.

Myra Langtry

My God, it's your mother. It's Lilly.

Roy Dillon

What?

Myra Langtry

Sure it is. That's why you act so funny around each other.

Roy Dillon

What's that?

Myra Langtry

Oh, don't act so god-damned innocent! You and your own mother? Ugh! You like to go back where you been, huh?

Roy Dillon

Watch your mouth.

Myra Langtry

Yeah, I'm wise to you! I should have seen it before, you rotten son of a bitch. How is it, huh? How do you like it-
[Roy slaps her so hard that she falls to the floor]

Roy Dillon

Do I get any say in this?

Myra Langtry

No! Because...

Roy Dillon

That's what I say. What I say is no. We don't do partners.

Myra Langtry

What is it? What's goin' on? Why don't you wanna team up?

Roy Dillon

The best reason I can think of is that you scare the hell out of me. I have seen women like you before, baby. You're double-tough and you are sharp as a razor, and you get what you want or else; but you don't make it work forever. Sooner or later the lightning hits, and I'm not gonna be around when it hits you.

Roy Dillon

I guess I owe you my life, Lilly.

Lilly Dillon

You always did, Roy.

Roy Dillon

It's great to get away, isn't it? Take some time off. Next week, I'll be back to work.

Myra Langtry

You already went back to work.

Roy Dillon

What?

Myra Langtry

I watched you, working the tat on those sailor boys.

Roy Dillon

Working the what?

Myra Langtry

Oh, come on, Roy, the tat. What you do for a living.

Roy Dillon

I'm a salesman.

Myra Langtry

You're on the grift, same as me.

Roy Dillon

Myra, I'm not following you.

Myra Langtry

Roy, you're a short-con operator... and a good one, I think. Don't talk to me like I'm another square!

Roy Dillon

Maybe I like it where I am.

Myra Langtry

Well, maybe I don't! I had ten good years with Cole, and I want them back! I gotta have a partner! I looked and I looked and believe me, brother, I kissed a lot of **** frogs, and you're my prince!

Roy Dillon

You talk the lingo. What's your pitch?

Myra Langtry

The long end, big con.

Roy Dillon

Nobody does that single-o.

Myra Langtry

I was teamed ten years with the best in the business, Cole Langley.

Roy Dillon

I've heard the name.

Myra Langtry

It was beautiful! And getting better all the time.

Roy Dillon

Is that right?

Myra Langtry

It is, Roy. It's where you should be. What do you bring in, $300, $400 a week? We used money like that for tips!

Lilly Dillon

I gave you your life twice. I'm asking you to give me mine once.

Roy Dillon

Well, who's a boy gonna talk to if not his mother?