Scenes with Londo Mollari 57
[G'Kar has been taken prisoner by the Centauri, tortured, and now languishes in an underground cell. Londo Mollari steps in to visit him, asking for his help in removing the emperor. Just before he leaves, G'Kar rebuts.]
You didn't ask the price…for my cooperation.
Londo Mollari[incredulous] You are not exactly in a position to bargain, G'Kar.
Neither are you. You want my help…for the sake of your people. I will give it…for the sake of my own. If I remove the monster from your throne, you will remove the monster…from my world. Leave Narn! Set my world free! Promise me this, and I will do as you ask.
[Mollari thinks about this for a moment, then realizes he has no choice and agrees.]
Mollari
You have my word.
[He is let out of the cell by the guard, allowing the bright light to stream in from outside. G'Kar lies back against the wall of his cell, basking in the glow, joyful tears in his eyes.]
Londo Mollari
Great Maker! Your eye! Cartagia?
My eye offended him. Doesn't matter. I can see things now that were invisible to me before. An empty eye sees through to an empty heart.[N]
[After G'Kar breaks free from his chains and starts a riot]
CCartagia
Completely irresponsible! The chains weren't properly secured, I can't have it getting out. They'll have to be killed!
Londo
Majesty—
CCartagia
All of them, killed! Incompetent behavior! Absolutely incompetent!
Londo
Be quiet!
CCartagia
"Quiet"?! [strikes Londo, making him drop Vir Cotto's poisoned needle] You would tell the stars to darken on a whim?! What, would you tear down the mountains because their height offends you?! Who are you?! [seizes Londo] Where were you?! Where were you when my destiny was written in those stars? Where were you when the gods themselves shined down upon me? Huh? You dare to speak to me?! No, you can burn. You can burn with Centauri Prime. You can burn with the rest. Burn with the cities, burn with the temples, burn with all of them!
[Cartagia throws Londo away and turns—only to have Vir run him through with the needle.]
CCartagia
No! [grabs Vir, but starts to weaken as Londo holds him up] I was to be a god, you understand…a god…
[After the assassination, Londo finds Vir drowning his sorrows.]
[slurring] I was toasting Emperor Cartagia. And since he wasn't here, I drank for him. And then, I couldn't be rude, so I had to drink with him. And so first it was me drinking for him—[drinks] and then him drinking for me—[drinks again] and then I kinda got into this kinda cycle. And then, here comes Cartagia, his glass broke, and—maybe it was my glass. Would you like some? Because you know what, I think this is Cartagia's glass after all, so it would be quite appropriate, don't you think?
Londo
You're drunk.
Absolut—positive—oh, you betcha. I figured it always worked for you, Londo. Let me—lemme ask you something. [puts a hand on Londo's shoulder and leans in] How much more before I can look in the mirror and not see myself? Because I keep looking and I'm always there. And right now I don't want to see me.
Londo
[pulling away] You're behaving like a fool! You did what was necessary. You saved the lives of millions of our people. He had to be stopped. He—
[anguished] Don't you understand? I've never done anything like this before! I close my eyes and I always see his face! [crying, he sits on a couch] Don't you know that all I ever wanted was…was a good job, small title, nothing fancy. A wife I could love, maybe even one who could actually love someone like me. I never wanted to be here. I never wanted to know the things that I know, or to do…to do the things that I've done.
Londo
I know. I know, Vir. I never wanted you in that hole. I never wanted you to… I remember when you first arrived on Babylon 5. You were so…full of life, innocent. I was not kind to you. I treated you poorly. I think that I did that because I was envious of you. Envious that you had come so far and were still innocent in your way. You still believed. I, on the other hand… I cannot tell you that your pain will ever go away. I cannot tell you that you will ever forget his face. I can only tell you that it was necessary. You may have helped to save our people. You did a hard thing. But you still have your heart, and your heart is a good one. You would not be in such great pain otherwise. It means there is still hope for you. And for that, I find I still envy you.
Londo
Your ships are very impressive in the air, or in space, but at this moment, they are on the ground.
Right. They're on the ground. But they can sense an approaching ship miles away. So what're you gonna do, Mollari, huh? Blow up the island?
Londo
Actually...now that you mention it...
[he produces a small remote detonator]
[Londo blows up the island]
[Londo has the Morden's two Shadow protectors shot dead]
Londo
I'll have to have that painted over, I suppose.
Londo
On any other day, Mr. Morden, you would be wrong. Today? Today is a very different day. One last time: remove your ships!
No. You don't frighten me, Mollari. You try to attack our forces, you'll lose.
Londo
Yes, your ships are very impressive in the air, or in space. But at this moment, they are on the ground.
Right. They're on the ground. But they can sense an approaching ship miles away. So what're you gonna do, Mollari, huh? Blow up the island?
Londo
Actually…now that you mention it… [he produces a small remote detonator]
[Londo blows up the island]
Londo
I had most of our people evacuated from Celini during the night. A few stayed, to maintain the illusion of our presence. They knew what was being asked of them. I would have preferred another way, hoped that you would be reasonable, but... [to his guards] Take him to a cell. Keep him there.
[as he is dragged away] You just made a mistake, Londo! Even if my associates lose this war, they have allies! They'll make sure Centauri Prime pays the price for what you've done here today!
Londo
What I have done? Oh, Mr. Morden, I have not even started with you yet...
[Zack is showing some new security guards the ropes at Customs.]
When you come on duty always check this display. This is where you get your details on who to hold, and who to let through. Anything unusual gets flagged.
[Londo walks through the gate.]
Londo Mollari
And would I fall under the category of unusual, Mr. Allen?
Well! I didn't think we'd be seeing you again any time soon, ambassador.
Londo
Yes, I could tell, from the look of unvarnished joy on your face when I came aboard. Perhaps you would like to take a seat before you are overcome with ecstasy?
No thanks, I'm fine. So what happened, they get tired of you back home?
Londo
Tired? No, don't be absurd. Why, the Emperor himself said I would only be allowed to leave over his dead body. I thought, "Well, how strange. Mr. Allan said I would only be allowed back onto Babylon 5 over his dead body." With my busy schedule I'm afraid I can only accommodate so many requests. I'm sorry, Mr. Allan, but I'm afraid you'll simply have to wait your turn! [he leaves]
The only reason that guy is still alive is that half the time I don't know what the hell he's talking about. The other half, I wish I didn't. But that's why it's important to check in on customs on a regular basis. [Bester now appears behind him, surrounded by three security guards.] You never know who's gonna walk in that–
Just a guess, Mr. Allan, but I'd suggest the word you're looking for is "door". Now, please notify the Captain that I'm here. I need to meet with him and the rest of the Command staff ASAP. I assume my usual quarters in the brig are available? I've grown so attached to the place.
For you, Mr. Bester? Always.
[Bester and his security escort move on.]
[sighs] You ever have one of those days?
Londo Mollari
When I said my quarters were cold, I did not mean, 'Oh, I think it's a little chilly in here, perhaps I'll throw a blanket on the bed.' No, I said it was cold, as in 'Oh, my left arm has snapped off like an icicle and shattered on the floor!' This is highly inappropriate, Captain!
[smirking] You're right. There are several other parts of your body I'd much rather see snapped off.
[Londo and G'Kar watch the ISN report on the new Interstellar Alliance.]
Londo Mollari
So, how does it feel to make history, hmm?
You do not make history. You can only hope to survive it.
[Londo and G'Kar's arrive on Babylon 5 during a celebration.]
Londo Mollari
So Doctor...who died?
[confused] What are you talking about?
Londo Mollari
Among my people this is how we celebrate state funerals. Our marriage ceremonies are solemn, sober. Moments of reflection...also regret, disagreement, argument and mutual recrimination. Once you know it can't get any worse you can sit back and enjoy the marriage. But to start with something like this? No, it is a very bad sign for the future.
[Franklin and Garabaldi walk off.]
Londo Mollari
Perhaps it is something I said?
Perhaps it is everything you say.
[G'Kar and Delenn are discussing how he can best help the Alliance. They turn to the topic of Londo's return to Centauri Prime.]
He should have a bodyguard assigned to him at all times while he is there. Someone we can rely on, someone, uh… someone we can trust. Someone strong… strong enough to…
[He looks down to see Delenn eyeing him, excitedly.]
...
The Alliance is about learning to overcome our distrust and form a new community. Can you think of a better symbol?
No, and I'm trying. Believe me.
...
You would naturally have to accompany him on all state business and be there to guard him. In the palace. In the Royal Court.
[brightens] A Narn in the Centauri Royal Court? [laughs] It is a curiously satisfying image, Delenn!
...
[Later, Delenn meets with Londo Mollari just before he and G'Kar leave.]
Londo Mollari
[worried] G'Kar? You've assigned G'Kar as my bodyguard?
Yes. I think your generosity in working with him will be an excellent symbol of unity for all the other races who could join the Alliance.
Londo
A symbol…
Londo
And you tried this line on G'Kar?
Londo
And did it work?
Londo
[swears] Great Maker!
Londo Mollari
He [a Narn] seems very glad to see you.
Yes, but we weren't gone that long. Less than a month.
Londo Mollari
Well, there you have the key to your popularity: your absence. Go away for a month and they bow. Go away for six months and they'll tear the place apart when you come back. Perhaps you should go away and never come back again. Then your popularity will be so overwhelming it would blacken the stars.
Londo Mollari
I have always said this about you: nothing so improves your company like the lack of it. ... Perhaps you can make some money from this: ten credits for you not to be there for an hour, a hundred credits for you not to be there for the day. And for you not to be there for the rest of your life, well, they could never afford it.
[Vir walks into Londo's quarters]
Londo Mollari
Something I can do for you, Vir?
[Vir walks past Londo and grabs a sword off of the wall without slowing down]
No, I just need to borrow this for a minute. I'll be right back.
[Vir is attacking a Drazi merchant/spy in public]
Londo
I promoted him. Now, now he is ready to be the ambassador for the Centauri.
CMCentauri Minister
Is that why you brought it [G'Kar] along?
Londo Mollari
No, he is still here as my bodyguard, that's all. Where I go, he goes.
CMCentauri Minister
My condolences.
Thank you. It's a burden, but I've come to accept it.
Babylon 5 · 626 quotes
