Evey Hammond quotes from V for Vendetta (2006)

Evey Hammond

"Remember, remember The fifth of November The gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason Why the gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot." But what of the man? I know his name was Guy Fawkes, and I know that, in 1605, he attempted to blow up the houses of Parliament. But who was he really? What was he like? We are told to remember the idea, not the man, because a man can fail. He can be caught. He can be killed and forgotten. But four hundred years later an idea can still change the world. I've witnessed first-hand the power of ideas. I've seen people kill in the name of them, and die defending them. But you cannot kiss an idea, cannot touch it, or hold it. Ideas do not bleed. They do not feel pain. They do not love. And it is not an idea that I miss, it is a man. A man that made me remember the fifth of November. A man that I will never forget.

Evey Hammond

Are you like a crazy person?

Evey Hammond

After V has just saved her from the Fingermen and finished his verbose introduction

Evey Hammond

God is in the rain.

Evey Hammond

A fake ID works a lot better than a Guy Fawkes mask.

Evey Hammond

No-one will ever forget that night, and what it meant to this country. But I will never forget the man, and what he meant to me.

Evey Hammond

I remember them arguing at night. Mum wanted to leave the country. Dad refused. He said if we ran away, they would win. Win, like it was a game.

Evey Hammond

Artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up.

Evey Hammond

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

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.

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.

Bonjour, mademoiselle.

Evey

What is that you're making?

We call it "Eggie in the Basket". My mum used to make them.

Evey

This is weird.

What?

Evey

The first morning I was with him, he made me eggs just like this.

Really?

Evey

I swear!

That is a strange coincidence. Although there's an obvious explanation.

Evey

There is?

Yes, Evey. I am V. At last, you know the truth. [Evey looks incredulously at Gordon] You're stunned, I know. It's hard to believe, isn't it? That beneath this wrinkled, well-fed exterior, there lies a dangerous killing machine with a fetish for Fawkesian masks. ¡Viva la revolución!

Evey

That is not funny, Gordon.

Yes, I know. I'm useless without a studio audience.

Evey

I've seen people go to jail for less than that.

Of course. He was right, wasn't he? There is something wrong with this country.

Evey

What is this all about?

I'm celebrating.

Evey

Celebrating what?

I think this could be the best show we've ever done.

Very good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Listen. We've got an extraordinary show for you tonight. You're not going to believe it. As a matter of fact, I don't think I do. Would you please give a warm welcome to our own Chancellor Adam Sutler!

No way!

It can't be!

We threw out the censor-approved script, and shot a new one I wrote this morning.

Evey

Oh, my god.

Chancellor, Chancellor, Chancellor. I understand you've been under tremendous strain lately since the beginning of this whole terrorism business, and we thought it would be a nice idea to try and help you relax. Girls?

Ah! Warm milk. There's nothing better.

I understand you enjoy a glass every night, Chancellor.

Since I was a boy. [The real Sutler is shown sitting in his bunker while watching, holding a glass of milk] But you're wrong, Mr Deitrich. The terrorist was never a serious concern.

Oh, really?

It's him!

Chancellor, Chancellor, are you saying that he's not still alive and active?

The terrorist has been neutralised.

Oh, my God, Chancellor, look! The terrorist!

The terrorist! [The camera pans to the fake V among the musicians, scraping a washboard] Get him! [Sutler walks toward the fake V, but having been shoe-laced, stumbles.]

Oh, dear!

At last! And now, for all the world to see!

It's him!

Fake V/Sutler

Unhand me! I am your chancellor!

How dare you! I am the chancellor!

Fake V/Sutler

Imposter! [the two fake Sutlers tackle each other in a farcical fight. Gordon makes a funny act of sympathy before they get back up.] Soldiers! That man is the terrorist!

I order you to shoot that traitor!

Fake V/Sutler

Liar!

Faker!

Fake V/Sutler

Fraud!

Ready...

Fake V/Sutler

Aim...

FIRE!
[The soldiers shoot both fake Sutlers. The curtain closes, the entire public is left laughing and as Gordon bows down to the clapping audience, another fake V sneaks in from the cyclorama, snickering as he holds a cigar. The real Sutler shatters the glass of milk in his hand as he watches]

What are they going to do, fine us? Big deal. We've got the most-watched show on air! Well, you're my agent, that's what I pay you for. Protect me! [hangs up] I should have hired him years ago to be my mother.

Evey

You're mad!

Either that or I wasn't breast-fed.

Evey

Is everything a joke to you, Gordon?

Only the things that matter.

Evey

What if they come after you?

I'll tell you what's going to happen. I'll have to make some kind of apology and do some boring fund-raiser, but in the meantime, our ratings will go through the roof. It'll be fine! Trust me.

Do you know why you're here, Evey Hammond?

Evey

No. Please...

You've been formally charged with three counts of murder, the bombing of government property, conspiracy to commit terrorism, treason, and sedition — the penalty for which is death by firing squad. You have one chance, and only one chance, to save your life. You must tell us the identity or whereabouts of code name V. If your information leads to his capture, you will be released from this facility immediately. Do you understand what I'm telling you? You can return to your life, Ms Hammond. All you have to do is co-operate. Process her.

I am instructed to inform you that you have been convicted by special tribunal and that unless you are ready to offer your co-operation, you are to be executed. Do you understand what I'm telling you?

Evey

Yes.

Are you ready to co-operate?

Evey

No.

Very well. Escort Ms Hammond back to her cell. Arrange a detail of six men and take her out behind the chemical sheds and shoot her.

It's time.

Evey

I'm ready.

Look, all they want is one little piece of information. Just give them something, anything.

Evey

Thank you, but I'd rather die behind the chemical sheds.

Then you have no fear anymore. You're completely free.

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.