Absence of Malice (1981)
Paul Newman: Michael Colin Gallagher
Photos
Quotes
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James J. Wells : I tell you something, you're a smart fellow. Don't get too smart. I'm pretty smart myself.
Michael Gallagher : Everybody in the room is smart. Everybody's just doing their job - and Teresa Perrone's dead. Who do I see about that?
James J. Wells : Ain't nobody to see. I wish there was. You're excused now, sir.
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Megan Carter : I am free every night this week but Friday.
Michael Gallagher : How about Friday?
Megan Carter : Okay!
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Michael Gallagher : Why aren't you married?
Megan Carter : How do you know I'm not?
Michael Gallagher : I don't see a ring.
Megan Carter : Haven't you heard of women's lib?
Michael Gallagher : Most of them are ugly.
Megan Carter : Is that supposed to be a compliment?
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Michael Gallagher : [tersely] I'm Michael Gallagher. I want to know where this story came from.
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Megan Carter : Michael?
Michael Gallagher : You don't wanna come in here. I'm warning you.
Megan Carter : Michael, if I could just talk to you...
Michael Gallagher : Shut up! I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear any of it! What the hell are you doing here? Details? Is that what you want? They found her naked in a tub. She didn't even want to make a mess! No water, just naked. Are you interested? You interested?
Megan Carter : Yes.
Michael Gallagher : She picked up a newspaper, for Christ's sake! And there it is, for everybody to see! She must have felt like...
[rips open her shirt]
Michael Gallagher : - just raped!
Megan Carter : [screams] Stop! Michael!
Michael Gallagher : She must have...
Megan Carter : Stop!
Michael Gallagher : You know something? When you kill yourself, it's a homicide, so they do an autopsy. They'll get a knife. They start here. They're gonna split her open. Up here they use shears. Shears, for Christ's sake! Oh, goddamn you!
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Michael Gallagher : Waiter? Check.
Megan Carter : Oh, no, no, no. I'll pay. Unless you think that would make you impotent.
Michael Gallagher : You got some mouth.
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Megan Carter : Are you gonna follow me?
Michael Gallagher : Uh, not tonight.
Megan Carter : You said you wanted me to know you fast. You're not interested?
Michael Gallagher : Maybe I'd like to think it was my idea.
Megan Carter : I'd like that too. Gallagher, I'm 34 years old. I don't need courting.
Michael Gallagher : I'm from the Stone Age. I guess I do.
Megan Carter : I'll send you a dozen roses.
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Michael Gallagher : You say somebody's guilty and everybody believes you. You say he's innocent, and no one cares.
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Megan Carter : He's an investment banker.
Michael Gallagher : My old man did that too.
Megan Carter : You're kidding.
Michael Gallagher : Only it was called "loan-sharking." There must be a difference., 'cause my old man did time for it.
Megan Carter : Oh, mine just hasn't been caught yet.
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Michael Gallagher : It's a nice joint. Free nuts.
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Michael Gallagher : Couldn't you - stop scribbling for a second and just - put down your goddamn ballpoint pen - and just see her? Didn't you - didn't you like her?
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Michael Gallagher : You want to know the truth? You want to ask me as a person, I'll tell ya. You ask me as a reporter, I got no comment.
Megan Carter : That's not fair.
Michael Gallagher : Not fair to who? Wait a minute! You don't write the truth. You write what people say. What you overhear. You eavesdrop. You don't come across truth that easy. I mean, maybe its just what you think - what you feel.
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Michael Gallagher : Things are not what they seem, Megan. Not always. You oughta know that.
Megan Carter : They usually are.
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Megan Carter : Did you do anything wrong to get it?
Michael Gallagher : What's "wrong"?
Megan Carter : You know what wrong is!
Michael Gallagher : That's right. I do.
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Megan Carter : How'd you know I'd print it?
Michael Gallagher : It's news, isn't it?
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Michael Gallagher : Daytime, bananas; after midnight, booze.
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Michael Gallagher : Are you getting a little crocked?
Megan Carter : You want me to?
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Michael Gallagher : Maybe see ya one of these days.
Megan Carter : I'd like that.
Michael Gallagher : Not against the rules?
Megan Carter : I'd like it anyway.
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Megan Carter : Would you tell me the truth, Michael? I'd just please like to know the truth.
Michael Gallagher : Tell you - or the whole world?
Megan Carter : What's the difference? The truth is the truth.