Deke Thornton [about Mapache]
He's a killer for Huerta who calls himself a general. He's been fighting Villa - and losing. But with enough guns, he can become a power in northern Mexico. My guess is, Pike will try to get them for him.
Played by Robert Ryan 
The Wild Bunch (1969) · 49 quotes
The Wild Bunch (1969) · 49 quotes
3rd most-quoted character in The Wild Bunch (1969): in 11 of its 49 quotes
Most scenes with: Coffer (3)
Tell me, Mr. Harrigan...how does it feel, getting paid for it? How does it feel to sit back and hire your killin', with the law's arms around you? How does it feel to be so god damn right?
More lines from Deke Thornton
4 quotes Deke Thornton Deke Thornton [to Harrigan]
I need 20 trained men, not recruits. And not this gutter trash you've given me.
Deke Thornton You think Pike and old Sykes haven't been watchin' us. They know what this is all about - and what do I have? Nothin' but you egg-suckin', chicken-stealing gutter trash, with not even sixty rounds between you. We're after men, and I wish to God I was with them. The next time you make a mistake, I'm gonna ride off and let you die.
Deke Thornton What I like and what I need are two different things.
Scenes with Deke Thornton
6 scenes
Harrigan You stupid damn fools. Why did you shoot this employee and let the others get away?
Thornton The next time you better plan your massacre more carefully or I'll start with you!
Harrigan Why didn't you kill Pike when you had the chance?
Thornton Tell me, Mr. Harrigan. How does it feel gettin' paid for it? Gettin' paid to sit back and hire your killin's with the law's arms around you? How does it feel to be so god-damned right?
Harrigan Good.
Thornton You dirty son-of-a-bitch!
Harrigan You've got thirty days to get Pike, or thirty days back to Yuma. You're my Judas goat, Mr. Thornton. I want all of them back here, head down over a saddle.
I can nail him.
Thornton I said wait.
T.C. What if they slip out the back?
It's covered, ya two-bit, redneck peckerwood.
You rode with, uh, Pike. What kind of man are we up against?
Thornton The best. He never got caught.
From here on, it's Mexico, Mr. Thornton.
Thornton What's the closest town of any size?
Agua Verde.
Thornton What's in Agua Verde?
Mexicans. What else? The headquarters for regulars, fightin' against Villa. Mapache territory.
I didn't expect to find you here.
Thornton Why not? I sent 'em back; that's all I said I'd do.
They didn't get very far.
Thornton I figured.
What are your plans?
Thornton Drift around down here. Try to stay out of jail.
Well, me and the boys here, we got some work to do. You wanna come along? It ain't like it used to be, but, uh, it'll do.
