Renton quotes from Trainspotting (1996)

Renton

Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a **** big television, Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players, and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol and dental insurance. Choose fixed-interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisure wear and matching luggage. Choose a three piece suite on hire purchase in a range of **** fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who the **** you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing spirit-crushing game shows, stuffing **** junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pissing your last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, ****-up brats you have spawned to replace yourself. Choose your future. Choose life . . . But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life: I chose something else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?

Renton

People think it's all about misery and desperation and death and all that shite, which is not to be ignored. But what they forget is the pleasure of it. Otherwise we wouldn't do it. After all, we're not **** stupid. At least, we're not that **** stupid. Take the best orgasm you ever had, multiply it by a thousand and you're still nowhere near it. When you're on junk you have only one worry: scoring. When you're off it you are suddenly obliged to worry about all sorts of other shite. Got no money: can't get pished. Got money: drinking too much. Can't get a bird: no chance of a ride. Got a bird: too much hassle. You have to worry about bills, about food, about some football team that never **** wins, about human relationships and all the things that really don't matter when you've got a sincere and truthful junk habit.

Renton

Yes, I can. The truth -- well, the truth is that I've had a long-standing problem with heroin addiction. I've been known to sniff it, smoke it, swallow it, stick it up my arse and inject it into my veins. I've been trying to combat this addiction, but unless you count social security scams and shoplifting, I haven't had a regular job in years. I feel it's important to mention this.

Renton

Young Renton noticed the haste with which the successful in the sexual sphere, as in all others, segregated themselves from the failures.

Renton

At, or around this time, Spud, Sick Boy and I made a healthy, informed, democratic decision to get back on heroin as soon as possible.

Renton

No thank you. I'll proceed directly to the intravenous injection of hard drugs please.

Renton

There was no such thing as society and even if there was, I most certainly had nothing to do with it. (Himself quoting Margaret Thatcher, from Women's Own magazine, October 31 1987.)

Renton

We called him Mother Superior on account of the length of his habit.

Renton

Begbie didn't do drugs either. He just did people. That's what he got off on; his own sensory addiction.

Renton

Swanney taught us to adore and respect the National Health Service, for it was the source of much of our gear. We stole drugs. We stole prescriptions or bought them, sold them, swapped them, forged them, photocopied them. Or traded drugs with cancer victims, alcoholics, old-age pensioners, AIDS patients, epileptics, and bored housewives.

Renton

Thank you, your honor. With God's help I'll conquer this terrible affliction.

Renton

I fantasize about a massive, pristine convenience. Brilliant gold taps, virginal white marble, a seat carved from ebony, a cistern full of Chanel Number 5, and a flunky handing me pieces of raw silk toilet roll. But under the circumstances I'll settle for anywhere.

Renton

One thousand years from now there'll be no guys and no girls, just wankers. Sounds great to me.

Renton

The downside of coming off junk was I knew I would need to mix with my friends again in a state of full consciousness. It was awful. They reminded me so much of myself, I could hardly bear to look at them.

Renton

Living like this, is a full-time business.

Renton

It seems, however, I really am the luckiest guy in the world. Several years of addiction right in the middle of an epidemic, surrounded by the living dead. But not me. I'm negative. It's official. And once the pain goes away, that's when the real battle starts. Depression, boredom . . . You feel so **** low, you want to **** top yourself.

Renton

Heroin makes you constipated. The heroin from my last hit was fading, and the suppositories had yet to melt. [moans loudly, doubles over] I'm no longer constipated.

Renton

Now I've justified this to myself in all sorts of ways. It wasn't a big deal, just a minor betrayal. Or we'd outgrown each other, you know, that sort of thing. But let's face it, I ripped them off - my so called mates. But Begbie, I couldn't give a shit about him. And Sick Boy, well he'd done the same to me, if he'd only thought of it first. And Spud, well okay, I felt sorry for Spud - he never hurt anybody. So why did I do it? I could offer a million answers - all false. The truth is that I'm a bad person. But, that's gonna change - I'm going to change. This is the last of that sort of thing. Now I'm cleaning up and I'm moving on, going straight and choosing life. I'm looking forward to it already. I'm gonna be just like you. The job, the family, the **** big television. The washing machine, the car, the compact disc and electric tin opener, good health, low cholesterol, dental insurance, mortgage, starter home, leisure wear, luggage, three piece suite, DIY, game shows, junk food, children, walks in the park, nine to five, good at golf, washing the car, choice of sweaters, family Christmas, indexed pension, tax exemption, clearing gutters, getting by, looking ahead to the day you die.

Renton

Relinquishing junk, stage one: preparation. For this you will need: one room which you will not leave. Soothing music. Tomato soup, ten tins of. Mushroom soup, eight tins of, for consumption cold. Ice cream, vanilla, large tub of. Magnesia, milk of, one bottle. Paracetamol. Mouthwash. Vitamins. Mineral water. Lucozade. Pornography. One mattress, one bucket for urine, one for feces, and one for vomitus. One television, and one bottle of Valium, which I've already procured from my mother who is, in her own domestic and socially acceptable way, also a drug addict. And now I'm ready. All I need is one final hit to soothe the pain while Valium takes effect.

Renton

I don't feel the sickness yet, but it's in the post. That's for sure. I'm in the junkie limbo at the moment. Too ill to sleep. Too tired to stay awake, but the sickness is on its way. Sweat, chills, nausea. Pain and craving. A need like nothing else I've ever known will soon take hold of me. It's on its way.

Renton

One thousand years from now, there won't be any guys and there won't be any girls, just wankers. Sounds all right to me.

Renton

It looks easy this, but it's not. Looks like a doss, like a soft option. But living like this, it's a full-time business.

Renton

Our only response was to keep on going and **** everything. Pile misery upon misery, heap it up on a spoon and dissolve it with a drop of bile. Then squirt it into a stinking, purulent vein, and do it all over again. Keep on going, getting up, going out, robbing, stealing, **** people over. Propelling ourselves with longing towards the day that it would all go wrong. Because no matter how much you stash or how much you steal, you'll never have enough. No matter how often you go out and rob and **** people over, you always need to get up and do it all over again.

Renton

Since I was on remand, they've had me on this programme. The state-sponsored addiction. Three sickly sweet doses of methadone a day instead of smack. But it's never enough. And at the moment, it's nowhere near enough. I took all three this morning, and now I've got 18 hours to go till my next shot, and the sweat on my back is like a layer of frost. I need to visit the mother-superior for one hit. One **** hit to get us over this long, hard day.

Begbie

Look, I'm not a **** buftie, and that's the end of it!

Well, let's face it, it could've been wonderful.

Begbie

**** listen to me, you piece of junkie shit. A joke's a **** joke. You mention that again, and I'll cut you up! [he pins the knife to the wall, close to Renton's midsection]

What's on the menu this evening, Sir?

Your favorite dish.

Excellent.

Your usual table, Sir.

Oh, why thank you.

Would Sir care to pay for his bill in advance?

No. Stick it on my tab.

Ah, regret to inform, sir, credit limit was reached and breached quite some time ago.

Oh, well in that case...

Ah, hard currency! Thank you, Sir! Can't be too careful these days! Would Sir care for a starter of some garlic bread perhaps?

No, thank you. I will proceed directly to the intravenous injection of hard drugs, please.

Gonna get it right this time. Gonna get it sorted out, get off it for good.

Swanney

I've heard that one before.

The Sick Boy method.

Swanney

Well, it nearly worked for him, hey.

Well, he's always been lacking in moral fiber.

Swanney

He knows a lot about Sean Connery.

That's hardly a substitute.

Sick Boy

Do you shee the beasht? Have you got it in your shights?

Clear enough, Missh Moneypenny! This should preshent no shignificant problemsh!

Sick Boy

For a vegetarian, Rents, you're a ****in' EVIL shot!

Renton

This was typical of Mikey Forrester. In the normal run of things, I would have nothing to do with the ****. But this was not the normal run of things.

Renton

What the **** are these?!

Mikey Forrester

Opium suppositories. Ideal for your purposes. Slow release. Bring you down gradually. Custom **** designed for your needs.

Renton

I want a **** hit!

Mikey Forrester

That's all I've got, matey. Take it or leave it.

Mikey Forrester

Aye, you feel better the now right?

Renton

Oh, yeah, for all the good they've done me, I might as well have stuck them up my arse!

Renton

Good luck, Spud.

Spud

Cheers, cowboy.

Renton

Now remember, if they think you're not trying, you're in trouble, right? First hint of that, and they'll be onto the D.H.S.S., "This **** is not trying." And your giro's ****in' finished, right?

Spud

Right.

Renton

But, then again, try too hard--

Spud

You might get the ****in' job. [Chuckles]

Renton

Exactly.

Spud

Nightmare.

Renton

It's a tightrope, Spud. It's a ****in' tightrope.

Spud

See, I just get pure shy with the interviewer cats. I get all nervous. I can't answer any of their questions, like I'm a footballer... and I get nerves on the big occasion, man.

Renton

Try some of this, Spud. [Produces a folded up paper of a stimulant powder]

Spud

Yeah, a little dab of speed is just the ticket, mate.
...

Spud

No, I went Craignewton. I just put down Royal Edinburgh College to help get the job. There's too much discrimination in this town, they're both schools, right? We're all in this together. And I wanted to put across the general idea, rather than the details. Like people get all hung up on details. Like which school did I go to? How many grades did I get? Could be like six. Could be none. It's not important. What is important is that I am, yes?

Mr. Murphy, do you mean that you lied on your application?

Spud

No. Well, yes. Only to get my foot in the door. Showing initiative and that like.

But you were referred here by the Department of Employment. There was no need for you to get your "foot in the door," as you put it.

Spud

Yeah, cool. Whatever you say. Sorry. You're the man, the dude in the chair. I am merely here-- Like, well, obviously, I'm here like, but--

Mr. Murphy, what exactly attracts you to the leisure industry?

Spud

In a word... [Glances at wall, then back at them] pleasure. Like, my pleasure in other people's leisure.

Do you see yourself as having any weaknesses?

Spud

Oh, yes, 'cause, like, I'm a bit of a perfectionist, actually! Yes, I am. See, for me, it's got to be the best, or it's nothing at all. Like things get a bit dodgy, I just cannot be bothered. But, hey, I'm getting good vibes about this interview thing today though, man. Seems to me like it's going pretty well, eh?

Thank you, Mr. Murphy.

We'll let you know.

Spud

The pleasure was mine, man.

Renton

Spud had done well. I was proud of him.

Spud

Thanks. Ooh, sorry.

Renton

He **** up good and proper. You had to hand it to Spud.

Renton

Excuse me, excuse me. I don't mean to harass you, but I was very impressed with the capable and stylish manner in which you dealt with that situation. I was thinking to myself, now this girl's special.

Diane

Thanks.

Renton

What's your name?

Diane

Diane.

Renton

Where are you going, Diane?

Diane

I'm going home.

Renton

Where's that?

Diane

It's where I live.

Renton

Great.

Diane

What?

Renton

I'll come back with you if you like, but I'm not promising anything.

Diane

Do you find that this approach usually works? Or, let me guess, you've never tried it before. In fact, you don't normally approach girls, am I right? The truth is that you're a quiet, sensitive type. But if I'm prepared to take a chance, I might just get to know the inner you: witty, adventurous, passionate, loving, loyal... Taxi! ...a little bit crazy, a little bit bad. But, hey, don't us girls just love that?

Renton

Eh?

Diane

Well... what's wrong, boy? Cat got your tongue? [enters taxicab]

Renton

I left something...

You getting in or not, pal?
[Renton gets into taxicab]

Dealer

So, how much would you like for this?

Begbie

20,000.

Dealer

Well, I don't think it's worth more than 15.

Renton

This was a real drag to him. He didn't need to negotiate. I mean, what the **** were we going to do if he didn't buy it? Sell it on the streets? **** that.

Begbie

Well... 19.

Dealer

Terribly sorry, I can't go to 19.

Begbie

Well, ****in' 16, then.

Dealer

Okay. "Well, ****in' 16" it is, then.

Mrs. Renton

We'll help you son. You'll stay here with us, till you get better. We're gonna beat this together.

Renton

Maybe I-- Maybe I should go back to the clinic?

Mrs. Renton

No. No clinics, no methadone. That only made you worse, you said so yourself. You lied to us son, your own mother and father!

Renton

You could bring us some jellies.

Mrs. Renton

No! You're worse coming off that than you are with the heroin. Nothing at all.

Mr. Renton

It's a clean break this time.

Mrs. Renton

You're staying here, where we can keep an eye on you.

Renton

I appreciate what you're trying to do. I really do, but I just need one more score like. Just bring me one more hit. I need one more **** hit! You ****!

Begbie

Well, that's a good **** laugh, ain't it? You sweat that shite out of your system, 'cause I'll come back and it's still here, I'll **** kick it out. Okay?

Diane

Dear Mark, I'm glad you've found a job and somewhere to live. School is fine at the moment. I'm not pregnant, but thanks for asking. Your friend Sick Boy asked me last week if I would like to work for him, but I told him where to go. I met Spud, who sends his regards, or at least I think that's what he said. No one seen Tommy for ages, and finally, Francis Begbie has been on television a lot this week, as he is wanted by the police, in connection with an armed robbery in a jewellers in Corstorphine. Take care. Yours with love, Diane.

Diane

Francis Begbie.

Renton

Oh no.

Begbie

Armed robbery? What? With a replica? I mean, how can it be an armed robbery with a **** replica? **** scandal. And the gear? Look! Supposed to be **** solid silver, it's **** garbage. There's young couples investing their hopes in that stuff and all.

Renton

It's a scandal, Franco.

Begbie

Too **** right that is!

Begbie

And I don't want any pot noodles, by the way. I'm **** Lee Marvin (i.e. starving).

Renton

Getting out much, Tommy?

Tommy

No.

Renton

Following the game at all?

Tommy

No.

Renton

Nah, me neither, really.

Tommy

Did you take the test?

Renton

Aye.

Tommy

Clear?

Renton

Aye.

Tommy

That's nice.

Renton

I'm sorry, Tommy.

Tommy

Got any gear on you?

Renton

No, I'm clean, man.

Tommy

Well, sub us then, mate. I'm expecting a rent check.

Tommy

Thanks, Mark.

Renton

No bother. No bother. None at all. Not for me, anyway. Still, it's easy to be philosophical when other poor **** with shite for blood.

Renton

What do you want?

Diane

Are you clean?

Renton

Yes!

Diane

Is that a promise, then?

Renton

Yes it is, as a matter of fact!

Diane

Calm down, I'm only asking. Is that hash I can smell?

Renton

No.

Diane

I wouldn't mind a bit if it is.

Renton

Well, it isn't.

Diane

Smells like it.

Renton

You're too young.

Diane

I'm too young for what?

Diane

You're not getting any younger, Mark. The world is changing. Music's changing, even drugs are changing. You can't stay here all day dreaming about heroin and Ziggy Pop.

Renton

It's Iggy Pop.

Diane

Whatever. I mean, the guy is dead anyway.

Renton

Iggy Pop is not dead. He toured last year. Tommy went to see him.

Diane

The point is, you've got to find something new.

Renton

She was right, I had to find something new. There was only one thing for it.