Road to Perdition Quotes

Michael Sullivan: He murdered Annie and Peter!

John Rooney: There are only murderers in this room! Michael! Open your eyes! This is the life we chose, the life we lead. And there is only one guarantee: none of us will see heaven.

Michael Sullivan: Michael could.

John Rooney: Then do everything that you can to see that that happens.

[Maguire has pulled out a camera]

Michael Sullivan: Is that, uh... your profession or... your pleasure?

Maguire: Both, I guess. To be paid to do what you love... ain't that the dream?

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: I couldn't do it.

Michael Sullivan: I know.

[last lines]

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: I saw then that my father's only fear was that his son would follow the same road. And that was the last time I ever held a gun. People always thought I grew up on a farm. And I guess, in a way, I did. But I lived a lifetime before that, in those six weeks on the road in the winter of 1931. When people ask me if Michael Sullivan was a good man, or if there was just no good in him at all, I always give the same answer. I just tell them... he was my father.

Connor Rooney: I can look after myself.

Frank Nitti: No, you can't! This is the point. You're a big baby who doesn't know his thumb from his dick!

[after seeing his father kill someone]

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Does Mama know?

Michael Sullivan: Your mother knows I love Mr. Rooney. When we had nothing, he gave us a home... a life... and we owe him.

[Talking to Michael Jr]

John Rooney: A man of honor always pays his debts... and keeps his word.

Mr. McDougal: Well this is a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting another deposit until the end of the month.

Michael Sullivan: Actually, I'm making a withdrawal.

[Pulls his gun]

Michael Sullivan: And I want dirty money only, everything you're holding for Capone that's off the books. Open the safe.

Mr. McDougal: You're insane. You know they'll find out who you are.

Michael Sullivan: The name's Sullivan. You want me to spell it?

[When he learns it's Mike Sullivan, the bouncer gets scared]

Michael Sullivan: You gonna frisk me?

Frank the Bouncer: Should I?

Michael Sullivan: It's a good idea.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: So when do I get my share of the money?

Michael Sullivan: Well... how much do you want?

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Two hundred dollars.

Michael Sullivan: Okay. Deal.

[Michael Jr. stops eating and thinks for awhile]

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Could I have had more?

Michael Sullivan: You'll never know.

[Sullivan is teaching his son how to drive]

Michael Sullivan: Look out for the tractor, Mike. Michael... look out for the tractor. You're coming up now. Watch out for the tractor. Watch out for the tractor! Watch out for the tractor!

[Sullivan, Jr. swerves to avoid the tractor in the nick of time]

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: We made it!

Michael Sullivan: [sarcastically] Oh, yeah, yeah. We made it.

[after Maguire tells Sullivan about his profession]

Maguire: You ever seen one?

Michael Sullivan: Yeah.

Maguire: Sorry for you. Terrible thing... but it sure makes you feel alive, don't it?

Michael Sullivan: I'll drink to that.

Betty the Waitress: So what brings you guys to the middle of nowhere?

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: We're bank robbers.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: What are you going to do?

Michael Sullivan: Just one last thing, and then it's done.

Michael Sullivan: I'd like to work for you.

Frank Nitti: [Chuckles] Well... that's very interesting.

Michael Sullivan: And in return, I'd like you to turn a blind eye to... what I have to do.

Frank Nitti: And what is that?

Michael Sullivan: Kill the man who murdered my family.

[Sullivan has a gun to Kelly's head]

Jack Kelly: Think, Mike. Don't be stupid. I'm just the messenger.

Michael Sullivan: [lowers his gun] Then give Mr. Rooney a message for me.

Jack Kelly: What is it?

[Sullivan shoots him]

Michael Sullivan: So what does the clutch do?

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: It clutches

[a knock at the door]

Alexander Rance: It's open. Top marks for speed, no marks for cookery.

[holding plate with egg]

Alexander Rance: What, may I ask, do you call this?

Michael Sullivan: Put it down.

Alexander Rance: Mr. Sullivan!

Michael Sullivan: Mr. Rance.

Alexander Rance: How did you find me?

Michael Sullivan: This is the best hotel in the area and you are so very... particular.

Alexander Rance: Yes, indeed, Mr. Sullivan.

Alexander Rance: What do you think you're going to accomplish by interfering with our business, Mr. Sullivan?

Michael Sullivan: This has nothing to do with your business.

Alexander Rance: It's all business. That's what you fail to grasp. And in business, you must have something to trade. And you, Mr. Sullivan, have nothing to trade. Especially not for anyone as valuable as Connor Rooney.

Mr. McDougal: You really trust me not to say anything?

Michael Sullivan: Always trust a bank manager.

Peter Sullivan: Why are you always smiling?

Connor Rooney: 'Cause it's all so fuckin' hysterical.

Finn McGovern: [to John Rooney] You rule this town as God rules the Earth. You give, and you take away.

[He is hustled out]

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Did you like Peter more than me?

Michael Sullivan: No. I loved you both the same.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: You were always... different with me.

Michael Sullivan: Was I?

[Sullivan thinks for a while]

Michael Sullivan: Well, I suppose it was because Peter was just... such a sweet little boy, you know? And you... you were more like me. And I... didn't want you to be.

[first lines]

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: There are many stories about Michael Sullivan. Some say he was a decent man. Some say there was no good in him at all. But I once spent 6 weeks on the road with him, in the winter of 1931. This is our story.

[Nitti is on the phone with Sullivan, giving him Connor Rooney]

Frank Nitti: I understand. But Al wants your assurance that after this, it's over.

[pauses]

Frank Nitti: The Lexington Hotel, room 1432.

Frank Nitti: [Michael Sr. is requesting a sanctioned reprisal against Conner Rooney] All these years you've been living under the protection of people who care about you, and those same people are protecting you now, including me. So, if you go ahead with this, if you open that door, you're walking through it alone, and all that loyalty, and all that trust will no longer exist for you. And Mike, you won't make it. Not on your own, and not with a little boy.

Michael Sullivan: You're protecting him already?

Frank Nitti: We're protecting our interests, Mike.

Michael Sullivan: [realizing Michael, Jr. witnessed a murder] Oh, Jesus. Michael! Are you hurt?

[Michael shakes his head]

Michael Sullivan: You saw everything?

[Michael nods]

Michael Sullivan: Oh, Jesus. You are not to speak of this to anyone. You understand? Not to anyone!

Connor Rooney: [approaching] Who's this? It's one of yours?

Michael Sullivan: He must have been hiding in the car.

Connor Rooney: Well, can he keep a secret?

Michael Sullivan: He's my son.

Peter Sullivan: What's papa's job?

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: He works for Mr. Rooney.

Peter Sullivan: Why?

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Well... papa didn't have a father, so Mr. Rooney looked after him.

Peter Sullivan: I know that, but what's his job?

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: He goes on missions for Mr. Rooney. They're very dangerous. That's why he brings his gun. Sometimes, even the President sends him on missions, 'cause papa was a war hero and all.

Peter Sullivan: You're just making that up.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: I am not!

Peter Sullivan: [quoting Connor] "It's all so fuckin' hsyterical."

Michael Sullivan: Peter, I can't come to your concert tonight. I'm working.

Peter Sullivan: Working at what?

Annie Sullivan: Putting food on your plate, young man.

Finn McGovern: You tell your father my brother never stole from him. I've checked the books. He never sold no booze to no one. Every single barrel is accounted for. Anyway, if he stole it, where's the money?

Connor Rooney: The fuck should I know? Did you check his mattress?

Finn McGovern: Or maybe you should check yours.

Connor Rooney: Look, there is something immoral here. Don't you think so, Mike? My beloved father throws your undeserving little brother the wake of his life and-and this, this is your "thank you"? What a hideous world this is.

Finn McGovern: You think you're so smart? You think we don't know? I mean, you've been spending so much time in Chicago...

[Connor takes out a pistol and shoots Finn in the head, and a machine gun battle ensues]

Michael Sullivan: What was that?

Connor Rooney: We're out of here.

Michael Sullivan: Jesus Christ, Connor, what the hell are you thinking?

Connor Rooney: [noticing an obscured figure nearby] What's that?

Annie Sullivan: [seeing John Rooney at the house] What's he doing here?

Michael Sullivan: Michael was hiding in the car when I went out last night.

Annie Sullivan: Oh, Jesus, Mike.

Michael Sullivan: I've spoken to him. It won't happen again.

John Rooney: How is Michael? Is he okay?

Michael Sullivan: I've spoken to him. He understands.

John Rooney: That's tough, seeing that for the first time. Well, you turned out. You can't protect him forever. If it wasn't this, it'd be something else.

John Rooney: Connor, is there something you would like to say about last night?

Connor Rooney: I'd like to apologize for what happened. Especially to you, Pa. Two wakes in a month...

[Chuckling]

Connor Rooney: What can I say?

John Rooney: We lost a good man last night. You think it's funny? Try again.

Connor Rooney: [Nervous pause] I-I'd like to apologize...

[John slams his hand down on the table and everyone flinches]

John Rooney: You would "like"... to apologize? Try again.

[Connor stands up slowly]

Connor Rooney: [Barely above a whisper] Gentlemen... my apologies.

Michael Sullivan: All right, you stay here. You stay out of sight.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Don't go, Pa. Don't go.

Michael Sullivan: Michael...

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Don't go!

Michael Sullivan: Tomorrow, when they find out we're gone, they're gonna come after us. I have to protect you now.

Michael Sullivan: I don't have any business with you, Mr. Kelly.

Jack Kelly: But I have business with you, Mike.

Michael Sullivan: Go ahead.

[Kelly sets a briefcase on the table]

Michael Sullivan: What is that?

Jack Kelly: $25,000. Mr. Rooney wants you to know there's more if you need it. You have friends in Ireland, Mike. Why don't you take Peter and leave?

Michael Sullivan: I can't take Peter. He's dead. So, where's Connor?

Jack Kelly: He's in hiding.

Michael Sullivan: Where?

Jack Kelly: You know I can't tell you that, Mike.

[Mike raises his gun]

Jack Kelly: You think sticking a gun to my head is gonna make any difference to me? If I tell you, I'm a dead man anyway. We both are.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Where are we going?

Michael Sullivan: To Chicago. There's a man there who runs things. I've done some work for him. We have to find out where he stands. Try to get some sleep.

Nitti's Henchman: It's nice to see you. We heard what happened. How you holding up?

Michael Sullivan: I need to talk to Mr. Nitti.

Nitti's Henchman: He's awful busy.

Michael Sullivan: I can wait.

John Rooney: God help me. What do I do?

Frank Nitti: You think objectively, and you make your choice. What would you do if Sullivan were just some guy?

John Rooney: God help me. Make it quick.

Frank Nitti: And the kid?

John Rooney: Oh, Christ, no. No.

Frank Nitti: One day, the kid becomes a man. Think he won't remember?

John Rooney: I said not the kid.

Frank Nitti: All right. I know who to call. There's a guy who's done some work for us in the past. He's gifted.

Maguire: $1,600 is my rate, Mr. Nitti, and what I make on the photographs is mine. Mm... no, never met him, but I know his work.

[jotting down Michael's name]

Maguire: He traveling alone? How old? What do I do with the kid? Mm-hmm. Uh-huh. Will do. Thank you.

Michael Sullivan: You remember your Aunt Sarah? Your mom's sister? She lives in Perdition. She'll take you in.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Where is it?

Michael Sullivan: Right by the lake. We went there once, all of us, when you were four, maybe five. It's beautiful. You remember?

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: The place with the dog.

Maguire: Slow night, huh?

Ruby the Waitress: You kidding? This is busy. What can I get you?

Maguire: You got a special?

Ruby the Waitress: Everything's special.

Maguire: Is that so?

Ruby the Waitress: Everything except the food.

Maguire: "Everything except the food"? You oughta be on the stage.

Ruby the Waitress: Don't I know it.

Michael Sullivan: When I say "get down", you get down. You don't ask questions. When I say we're stopping to eat, you stay with me. You listen to me from now on! Or you start taking care of yourself.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: I can take care of myself fine! You never wanted me along anyway. You think it's my fault this happened!

Michael Sullivan: Stop it, Michael. It was not your fault! None of this is your fault!

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Just take me to Aunt Sarah's.

Michael Sullivan: I can't take you there. Not now.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Why?

Michael Sullivan: He knows that's where we're going.

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: So what are you gonna do?

Michael Sullivan: Something I can't do alone. You have to listen to me now, okay? Or else both of us are dead. I can make Capone give up Connor. Now, there's one thing Chicago loves more than anything and that's their money. They've got it in banks all over the state. We're gonna have to find it and take it. Are you gonna help me?

Michael Sullivan, Jr.: Yes.

Michael Sullivan: Then I have to teach you something.

Connor Rooney: Where is my father?

Frank Nitti: What the fuck is this?

Connor Rooney: Why is no one talking to me?

Frank Nitti: [to his contact on the phone] Hold on.

Connor Rooney: I feel like a fucking prisoner.

Frank Nitti: I told you, you are not a prisoner. You are being protected. This is what your father wants.