V quotes from V for Vendetta (2006)

V

V: Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! (carves the letter V in sign with his sword) The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. (Laughs wheezily) Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.

V

V's Introduction To Evey

V

V: Good evening, London. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of everyday routine, the security of the familiar, the tranquillity of repetition, the totality of television. I enjoy them as much as any bloke. But in the spirit of commemoration, whereupon important events of the past, usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful bloody struggle, are celebrated with a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly no longer remembered, by taking some time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat. There are, of course, those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns will soon be on their way. Why? Because while the truncheon may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression. And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission. How did this happen? Who's to blame? Well, certainly, there are those who are more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable. But again, truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror. I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn't be? War, terror, disease. They were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic, you turned to the now high chancellor, Adam Sutler. He promised you order, he promised you peace, and all he demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent. Last night, I sought to end that silence. Last night, I destroyed the Old Bailey to remind this country of what it has forgotten. More than four hundred years ago, a great citizen wished to embed the fifth of November forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words; they are perspectives. So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this government remain unknown to you, then I would suggest that you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked. But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me, one year from tonight, outside the gates of Parliament, and together we shall give them a fifth of November that shall never, ever be forgotten.

V

V's Speech To England

V

V: Our story begins, as these stories often do, with a young, up-and-coming politician. He's a deeply religious man and a member of the Conservative Party. He's completely single-minded and has no regard for the political process. The more power he attains, the more obvious his zealotry and the more aggressive his supporters become. Eventually, his party launches a special project in the name of "national security". At first, it's believed to be a search for biological weapons and is pursued without regard to its cost. However, the true goal of this project is power, complete and total hegemonic domination. The project, however, ends violently; but the efforts of those involved are not in vain, for a new ability to wage war is born from the blood of one of the victims. Imagine a virus, the most terrifying virus you can, and then imagine that you, and you alone, have the cure. But if your ultimate goal is power, how best to use such a weapon? It's at this point in our story that along comes a spider. He is a man seemingly without a conscience, for whom the ends always justify the means, and it is he who suggests that their target should not be an enemy of the country but rather the country itself. Three targets are chosen to maximise the effect of the attack: a school, a tube station, and a water treatment plant. Several hundred die within the first few weeks. Fueled by the media, fear and panic spread quickly, fracturing and dividing the country until, at last, the true goal comes into view. Before the St Mary's crisis, no-one would have predicted the results of the election that year. No-one. And then, not long after the election, lo and behold, a miracle. Some believe it was the work of God himself, but it was a pharmaceutical company controlled by certain party members that made them all obscenely rich. A year later, several extremists are tried, found guilty, and executed, while a memorial is built to canonise their victims. But the end result, the true genius of the plan, was the fear. Fear became the ultimate tool of this government, and through it, our politician was ultimately appointed to the newly-created position of high chancellor. The rest, as they say, is history.

V

V's story to Inspector Finch, disguised as William Rookwood

V

By the power of truth, I while living have conquered the universe.

V

There is a face beneath this mask, but it's not me. I'm no more that face than I am the muscles beneath it, or the bones beneath them.

There are no coincidences, Delia. Only the illusion of coincidence.
Those caught tonight in violation of curfew will be considered in league with our enemy and prosecuted as a terrorist without leniency or exception.
I suddenly had this feeling that everything was connected. It was like I could see the whole thing; one long chain of events that stretched back to before Larkhill. I felt like I could see everything that had happened, and everything that was going to happen…
With so much chaos, someone will do something stupid. And when they do, things will turn nasty. And then, Sutler will be forced do the only thing he knows how to do. At which point, all V needs to do is keep his word. And then...
What you have are bullets and the hopes that when your guns are empty, I'm no longer standing. Because if I am, you'll all be dead before you've reloaded.

V

I can assure you, I mean you no harm.

Evey

Who are you?

V

Who? Who is but the form, following the function of what, and what I am is a man in a mask.

Evey

Well, I can see that.

V

Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation, I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.

Evey

Oh, right.

V

But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace sobriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona.
V: Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valourous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! (carves V in sign with sword) The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. (Laughs wheezily) Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to meet you and you may call me V.

Evey

Are you like a crazy person?

V

I am quite sure they will say so. But to whom may I ask am I speaking?

Evey

I'm Evey.

V

Evey? E-V — of course you are.

Evey

What do you mean by that?

V

It means I, like God, do not play with dice, and do not believe in coincidence. Are you hurt?

Evey

What is this place?

V

It's my home. I call it the Shadow Gallery.

Evey

It's beautiful...where did you get all this stuff?

V

Oh, here and there. Most of it from the vaults of the Ministry of Objectionable Materials.

Evey

You stole them?

V

Oh, heavens, no. Stealing implies ownership. You can't steal from the censor; I merely reclaimed them.

Evey

God, if they ever find this place...

V

I suspect if they do find this place, a few bits of art will be the least of my worries.

Evey

You mean, after what you've done? God, what have I done? I Maced that detective. Why did I do that?

V

You did what you thought was right.

Evey

No. I shouldn't have done that. I must have been out of my mind.

V

Is that what you really think, or what they would want you to think?

Evey

I think I should go.

V

May I ask where?

Evey

Home. I have to go home.

V

You said they were looking for you. If they know where you work, they certainly know where you live.

Evey

I have friends. I could stay with them.

V

I'm afraid that won't work either. Now, you have to understand, Evey. I don't want this for either of us, but I couldn't see any other way. You were unconscious, and I had to make a decision. If I had left you there, right now, you'd be in one of Creedy's interrogation cells. They'd imprison you, torture you, and, in all probability, kill you in the pursuit of finding me. After what you did, I couldn't let that happen, so I picked you up and carried you to the only place I knew you'd be safe: here, to my home.

Evey

I won't tell anyone, I swear. You know you can trust me.

V

I'm sorry, but I can't take that risk.

Evey

But I don't even know where this is. We could be anywhere.

V

You know it's underground. You know the colour of the stone. That'd be enough for a clever man.

Evey

What are you saying? That I have to stay here?

V

Only until I'm done. After the 5th, I no longer think it'll matter.

Evey

You mean, a year from now? I have to stay here for a year?

V

Sorry, Evey. I didn't know what else to do.

Evey

You should have left me alone! WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?!

Evey

V?

V

Ah. Bonjour, mademoiselle.

Evey

I just wanted to apologise for my reaction last night. [V just nods] I understand what you did for me, and I wanted you to know I am grateful. [turns attention to V's scarred hands] Your hands!

V

Yes. [puts gloves back on] There. That's better. I hope I didn't put you off your appetite.

Evey

No, please. It's just — are you all right?

V

Oh, yes, yes. Yes, I'm fine.

Evey

Can I ask what happened?

V

There was a fire. A long time ago. Ancient history for some. Not really very good table conversation. Now, would you care for a cup of tea with your egg?

Evey

Yes, thank you. I'm starving, actually.

V

Have a seat.

Evey

Mmm. It's delicious!

V

Mmm. Good.

Evey

God, I haven't had real butter since I was a little girl. Where did you get it?

V

A government supply train on its way to Chancellor Sutler.

Evey

You stole this from Chancellor Sutler!?

V

Yes.

Evey

You're insane!

Evey

Can I ask about what you said on the telly?

V

Yes.

Evey

Did you mean it?

V

Every word.

Evey

You really think that blowing up parliament is going to make this country a better place?

V

There's no certainty, only opportunity.

Evey

I think you can be pretty certain that if anyone does show up, Creedy will black-bag everyone of them.

V

People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

Evey

And you are going to make that happen by blowing up a building?

V

The building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by the people. Alone, a symbol is meaningless, but with enough people, blowing up a building can change the world.

Evey

I wish I believed that was possible, but every time I've seen the world change it's always been for the worse.

V

Good evening, Commander Prothero.

Prothero

How did you get in here?

V

Don't worry; I've made sure our reunion won't be disturbed by any pesky late-night phone calls, Commander.

Prothero

Stop that! Why do you keep calling me that?

V

That was your title, remember? When we first met, all those years ago. You wore a uniform in those days.

Prothero

You. It is you!

V

The ghost of Christmas past.

Evey

V, yesterday I couldn't find my ID. You didn't take it, did you?

V

Would you prefer a lie or the truth?

Evey

Did you have anything to do with that?

V

Yes, I killed him.

Evey

You? Oh, God!

V

You're upset.

Evey

I'm upset? You just said you killed Lewis Prothero!

V

I might have killed the Fingermen who attacked you, but I heard no objection then.

Evey

What?

V

Violence can be used for good.

Evey

What are you talking about?

V

Justice.

Evey

Oh... I see.

V

There's no courtroom in this country for men like Prothero.

Evey

And are you going to kill more people?

V

Yes.

Evey

My father was a writer. You would've liked him. He used to say that artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up.

V

A man after my own heart.

Evey

Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici...

V

"By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe".

Evey

Personal motto?

V

From Faust.

Evey

That's about trying to cheat the devil, isn't it?

V

It is.

Delia

It's you, isn't it? You've come to kill me.

V

Yes.

Delia

Thank God...

Delia

After what happened, after what they did, I thought about killing myself. But I knew that one day you'd come for me. I didn't know what they were going to do. I swear to you. Read my journal.

V

What they did was only possible because of you.

Delia

Oppenheimer was able to change more than the course of a war. He changed the entire course of human history. Is it wrong to hold on to that kind of hope?

V

I've not come for what you hoped to do. I've come for what you did.

Delia

It's funny. I was given one of your roses today. I wasn't sure you were the terrorist until I saw it. What a strange coincidence that I should be given one today.

V

There are no coincidences, Delia. Only the illusion of coincidence. I have another rose [takes one out], and this one is for you. [hands it to her]

Delia

Are you going to kill me now?

V

I killed you ten minutes ago. [holds up a small hypodermic needle] While you slept.

Delia

Is there any pain?

V

No.

Delia

Thank you. [pauses briefly] Is it meaningless to apologise?

V

Never.

Delia

I'm so sorry.

V

Hello, Evey.

Evey

..You...it was you...

V

Yeah.

Evey

That wasn't real... Is Gordon — ?

V

I'm sorry, but Mr Deitrich's dead. I thought they'd arrest him, but when they found a Qur'an in his house, they had him executed.

Evey

Oh, God.

V

Fortunately, I got to you before they did.

Evey

You got to me? You did this to me... You cut my hair... You tortured me... You tortured me! Why?

V

You said you wanted to live without fear. I wish there would have been an easier way, but there wasn't.

Evey

Oh, my God!

V

I know you may never forgive me, but nor will you ever understand how hard it was for me to do what I did. Every day, I saw in myself everything you see in me now. Every day, I wanted to end it. But each time you refused to give in, I knew I couldn't.

Evey

You're sick! You're evil!

V

You could have ended it, Evey. You could have given in, but you didn't. Why?

Evey

Leave me alone! I HATE YOU!

V

THAT'S IT! See, at first, I thought it was hate, too. Hate was all I knew. It built my world, imprisoned me, taught me how to eat, how to drink, how to breathe! I thought I'd die with all the hate in my veins. But then something happened. It happened to me, just as it happened to you.

Evey

SHUT UP! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR LIES!

V

Your own father said that artists use lies to tell the truth. Yes, I created a lie, but because you believed it, you found something true about yourself.

Evey

No...

V

What was true in that cell is just as true now. What you felt in there has nothing to do with me.

Evey

I CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING ANYMORE!

V

Don't run from it, Evey. You've been running all your life.

Evey

I can't... can't breathe... Asthma... When I was little... [collapses while V catches her]

V

Listen to me, Evey. This may be the most important moment of your life. Commit to it. They took your parents from you. They took your brother from you. They put you in a cell and took everything they could take except your life. And you believed that was all there was, didn't you? The only thing you had left was your life, but it wasn't, was it?

Evey

Oh... please...

V

You found something else. In that cell, you found something that mattered more to you than life. Because when they threatened to kill you unless you gave them what they wanted... you told them you'd rather die. You faced your death, Evey. You were calm. You were still. Try to feel now what you felt then.

V

What was done to me was monstrous!

Evey

Then they created a monster.

V

That's close enough, inspector. [activates a debugger]

Finch

We're not wired.

V

I'm sorry, but a man in my position survives by taking every precaution.

Finch

You've information for us?

V

No, you already have the information. All the names and dates are inside your head. What you want, what you really need, is a story.

Finch

A story can be true or false.

V

I leave such judgments to you, inspector.

Finch

Can you prove any of this?

V

Why do you think I'm still alive?

Finch

Right. We'd like to take you into protective custody, Mr Rookwood.

V

Oh, I'm sure you would. But if you want that recording, you'll do what I tell you to do. Put Creedy under 24-hour surveillance. When I feel safe that he can't pick his nose without you knowing, I'll contact you again. Until then, cheerio.

Finch

Rookwood. Why didn't you come forward before? What were you waiting for?

V

Well, for you, inspector. I needed you.