Most-quoted character in Notes on a Scandal (2006): in 13 of its 15 quotes
Most scenes with: Sheba Hart (6), Richard Hart (2)
People languish for years with partners who are clearly from another planet. We want so much to believe that we've found our other. It takes courage to recognise the real as opposed to the convenient. We want so much to believe that we've found our other. Takes courage to recognize the real as opposed to the convenient. When I was young I had such a vision of myself. I dreamed I'd be someone to be reckoned with, you know, in the world. But one learns one's scale. I've such a dread of ending my days alone. But recently, I've allowed myself to think that I may not be. Am I wrong?
Barbara Covett And then I realised my fury had blinded me. There was a magnificent opportunity here. With stealth, I might secure the prize long-term, forever in my debt. I could gain everything by doing nothing.
Barbara Covett As my mother would have said, the boy done her like a kipper. She has nowhere to turn but trusty old Bar. She mopes and mourns for her pubescent paramour, but she knows my interventions have saved her life. And she is sweetly grateful. Her betrayal hurt me more than I dare show. But I will forgive her and heal myself in private. She's worth it, this one. She's the one I've waited for. She's beginning to understand that her dalliance with Master Connolly was a consequence of her dead marriage. It's a sham, fueled only by the memory of former glories. I mean, the wonderful thing about Polly- Whereas we are going through the fire forging our friendship with a stronger bond each day. In fact, we are now entering a delicate new phase. We are silently and stealthily negotiating the terms of a life lived together. Now more than ever we are bound by the secrets we share.
Barbara Covett Judas had the grace to hang himself. But only according to Matthew the most sentimental of the Apostles. Is this the last night of her old life? I wonder how long my messenger will take. Thank you. People like Sheba think they know what it is to be lonely. But of the drip, drip of the long-haul, no-end-in-sight solitude, they know nothing. What it's like to construct an entire weekend around a visit to the launderette. Or to be so chronically untouched that the accidental brush of a bus conductor's hand sends a jolt of longing straight to your groin. Of this, Sheba and her like have no clue.
Barbara Covett This last month has been the most delicious time of my life. Of course we have had our ups and downs. The pressure is intense when two women share their lives. But, oh, but what marvelous intensity it is! Circumstances are not always ideal. The swinish press, the stringent bail terms, meetings with lawyers and so on. But all things considered, we're coping admirably. In fact, gold stars abundant. The cuckold permits her to see their children once a week. Thee are usually tears and fits of teenage tantrums, too. In time she'll recognise she's just not the mothering kind, and then Barbara will be there to comfort her. Nurse, beloved friend and wise counsel.
Barbara Covett People trust me with their secrets. But who do I trust with mine? You, only you.
Barbara Covett Here come the local pubescent proles. The future plumbers, shop assistants, and doubtless the odd terrorist too. In the old days, we confiscated cigarettes and wank mags. Now it's knives and crack cocaine. And they call it progress.
Barbara Covett Well, that's when you should've stopped it.
I did! I told him I wouldn't teach him any more. But he refused to accept it, he just kept coming back. It began to feel like our secret, and well, secrets can be... seductive.
Excuse me. Could one of you tell me what's going on? Is this some kind of coven?
Barbara Covett I can explain perfectly. Would you like me to?
No. It's just that Barbara's had some very bad news about her cat.
My condolences. Poor, poor pussy. Can I have my wife back, please?
Barbara Covett I don't like your tone.
Why is she always here? What kind of **** spell has she cast on you?
What you say about me, about Richard - you're not fit to shine his shoes. And Ben, and Polly, that I'd be happier without them. Why did you do it? [slaps Barbara] Because I didn't help you collect your cat? [slaps Barbara again] You've cost me my family!
Barbara Covett No, no, take some responsibility! I gave you EXACTLY what you wanted! You'd still be stuck in that marriage without me.
What?
Barbara Covett You can't accept it yet, but...
You think I wanted to be here with you?
Barbara Covett You need me, I'm your friend!
You put me in prison, I could get TWO years!
Barbara Covett They'll fly by! I'll visit you every week! We've so much life to live together!
You think this is a love affair? A relationship? What, sticky gold stars, and - and a strand of my hair? And a receipt from Pizza Express? It's a flat in the Archway Road and you think you're Virginia frigging Woolf! And where did you get my hair? Did you pluck it from the bath with some special **** tweezers?
Barbara Covett You know it's rude to read a person's diary, it's private!
We're not companions! We're not friends! You don't even like me!
Barbara Covett That's not true, I only have tender feelings for you, only love!
You're barking, **** mad. You don't know how to love. You have never, your whole life. Me, Jennifer Dodd. You're nothing but waste and disappointment! You bitter old virgin. You're lonely for a reason. They loathed you at school, all of them. I was the idiot who bothered, but only because no one told me you're a **** vampire! So what is it, Bar? You want to roll around the floor like lovers? You want to **** me, Barbara?
Barbara Covett Please don't diminish our...
Our WHAT? What?
Barbara Covett Give it back. I know you! Selfish and vain, you think you have a divine right! You don't belong in the world, you belong here! You big baby!
When you started teaching, didn't you want to give them a real education to help overcome... the poverty of their backgrounds?
Barbara Covett Oh yes, of course. But one soon learns that teaching is crowd control. We're a branch of the social services.
Sue Hodge Console yourself with the gems. That's when it's satisfying. Then you can make a real difference.
Barbara Covett The rest is just cattle-prod and pray.
I hadn't been pursued like this for years... I knew it was wrong, and immoral, and completely ridiculous, but, I don't know. I just allowed it to happen.
Barbara Covett The boy is fifteen!
But he's quite mature for his age!
Barbara Covett By the time I took my seat in the Gods, the opera was well into its final act.
You're his teacher!
And you were mine! I'm not justifying. I'm not trying to justify it...
You are so full of shit! It's totally different. You were twenty!
He's sixteen in May. He's not some innocent...
Of course he's innocent! He's **** fifteen! Are you insane? If you meant to destroy us, why not do it with an adult? That's the convention, it's worked for centuries!
It wasn't about us, it...
Why?
I ju-ju-just wanted him...
WHY?
I don't know!
