Etheline Tenenbaum I don't understand. Did you pack your bags before you got locked out?
6th most-quoted character in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001): in 15 of its 107 quotes
Most scenes with: Royal Tenenbaum (4), Margot Tenenbaum (3), Chas Tenenbaum (3)
Raleigh tells me you've been spending six hours a day locked up in here, watching television and soaking in the tub.
More lines from Etheline Tenenbaum
5 quotes Etheline Tenenbaum Etheline Tenenbaum To tell you the truth, I haven't slept with a man in eighteen years.
Etheline Tenenbaum WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!
Etheline Tenenbaum You're a bastard, Royal.
Etheline Tenenbaum Write yourself a check.
Scenes with Etheline Tenenbaum
9 scenes
You have a visitor, my darling.
Margot answers without opening the door: Who is it?.
Etheline It's me sweetie.
[Silence. A key slides from under the door to Etheline's feet. Etheline looks to Raleigh. Raleigh looks embarrassed.
INT. BATHROOM. DAY.
Margot is in the bathtub watching Planet of the Apes on her little black-and-white television set. Etheline sits on the edge of the tub with her coat in her lap.]
Etheline Raleigh says you've been spending six hours a day locked up in here watching television and soaking in the tub.
Etheline Well, I don't think that's very healthy, do you? Nor do I think it's very intelligent to keep an electric gadget on the edge of the bathtub.
I tied it to the radiator.
Etheline [Etheline examines the television set. There is a length of red twine wrapped around it and knotted to a pipe.]
Well, it can't be very good for your eyes.
Etheline [Margot turns off the television set with her foot. She looks to Etheline. Etheline smooths back Margot's wet hair.]
Chas came home.
Etheline He and Ari and Uzi are gonna stay with me for a little while.
Etheline (hesitates)
Well, I don't know exactly, but I think he's been very depressed.
Etheline (pause)
So are you what?
Ethel [Chas Tenenbaum and his sons enter his mother's house with several bags]
Chas? What's going on?
We got locked out of our apartment.
Ethel Well, did you call a locksmith?
Uh huh.
Ethel Well, I don't understand. Did you pack your bags BEFORE you got locked out?
It's not safe there.
Ethel What are you talking about?
The apartment. I have to get some new sprinklers and a back-up security system installed.
Ethel But there are no sprinklers here either.
We might have to do something about that too.
He's got them locked up in there, crunching numbers! Boys need to be out and scrapping and mixing it up!
Etheline I think that's terrible advice.
No you don't.
I'm dying, baby. I'm sick as a dog. I'll be dead in six weeks. I'm dying.
Ethel What are you talking about? What happened? Oh, my God. I'm sorry. I didn't know. What'd they say? What's the prognosis?
Take it easy, Ethel. Hold on. Hold on.
Ethel Where's the doctor? Let's get -
Wait a second. Listen. I'm not dying. But I need some time. A month. Maybe two. I want us to -
Ethel What's wrong with you?
Ethel.
Ethel Go away!
Baby. I am dying.
Ethel Are you or aren't you?
Dying? Yes.
Please! Mr. Sherman, this is a family matter.
Don't talk to him like that.
Call me Henry.
I prefer Mr. Sherman.
Ethel Call him Henry.
Why? I don't know him that well.
Ethel You've known him for ten years.
Yes, as your accountant, Mr. Sherman.
[referring to Royal]
I think he's very lonely. Lonelier than he lets on. Maybe lonelier than he even realizes.
Ethel Have you spoken to him about this?
Briefly. And he agreed that -
I'm sorry, maybe I'm a little confused here. What are you suggesting?
That he come here and stay in my room.
Are you out of your mind?
No. I'm not. Anyway I think he'd be much more comfortable here than at -
Who gives a shit?
I do.
You poor sucker. You poor, washed up papa's boy.
I never did stop loving you, by the way. Do you believe that?
Etheline Tenenbaum Not really.
Etheline Tenenbaum How long have you been a smoker?
Twenty-two years.
Etheline Tenenbaum Well, I think you should quit.
You always put raising the kids before everything else.
Etheline I tried to. Lately I'm feeling like I might not've done such a good job.
