Scenes with Gus Fring 28
[Lalo meets with Gus in his office]
GusNow, what may I do for you, Señor...
Salamanca. Eduardo Salamanca, but you can call me Lalo... and you're Gustavo Fring. I've been an admirer of yours for many years. You have how many of these restaurants?
Gus
Seven.
Seven. And starting from nothing. It's incredible.
Gus
What may I do for you?
I come here on behalf of my entire family, to give you our deepest thanks.
Gus
Well, for what?
For what? For saving Don Hector's life. I just visited him. You know, seeing a man like that: can't speak, can barely move, I wanted to weep... but it could have been worse. Varga tells me that while everybody else was picking their asses, you rushed to him, struck him in the chest and brought him back.
Gus
It was a simple instinct.
But still, with all the history between you two... what you did was a gesture of peace. At least, that's how we see it.
Gus
I'm very pleased to hear that.
[pause] And here we are, getting along. [leans in, begins speaking in Spanish] You ever think, maybe Don Eladio is one shrewd bastard? Hm? Maybe he likes the bad blood between us? He sits by his pool, baking in the sun, giving orders...but your trucks move the products, and Salamanca muscle keeps everyone in line.
Gus
[also in Spanish] I don't consider that there's bad blood.
[in English] Really? Still, if we were to get along too well... I'm sure Eladio wouldn't like that, would he?
Gus
[takes a deep breath] I am satisfied with the current arrangement.
...I'm just shitting you! You would be crazy to go up against Eladio. [stares at Gus] Look, I'm gonna be in town for a while, so uh- y'know, we'll talk some more! We owe you. If you need a favor, I'm your man.
Gus
[shakes Lalo's hand] Same, naturally.
Oh, and I'll be back for that chicken, eh? It's too tasty to stay away from.
[Gus frowns when he leaves. Lalo walks to his car with Nacho]
[pause] You say you pick up six keys a week?
He's got a chicken farm way out of town.
[Mike calls Gus after picking up Werner]
Gus
Yes?
Gus
Where are you now?
Out by an old raceway off 55, about eight miles north of San Ysidro.
Gus
Where was he?
Place called Dulce Vega Hot Springs up in Jemez. It's gotta be where his wife is headed. [pause] Something else.
Gus
Yes?
When I found him, he was on the phone with an interested party pretending to be one of your guys.
Gus
...What did he tell them?
Gus
You're certain?
Yes... you have any idea who it was?
Gus
[sighs] I do.
Alright, I'll bring him in now.
Gus
No. Keep him there. Wait.
[pause] I'd go another way.
Gus
That, I know.
[pause] Let it be a mistake!
Gus
This discussion serves no purpose. Wait where you are.
[Mike looks at Werner]
Gus
...Are you sure?
[Gus hangs up. Mike takes a deep breath]
[Mike meets with Gus underneath the laundromat after sending the German construction crew back home]
Gus
Well?
Last of them got on a plane for Zurich an hour ago. No problem.
Gus
Will they do as they have been told?
You're asking my opinion?
Gus
I am.
They know the consequences.
Gus
And the laundry?
The entrances to the side have been sealed. Nobody's gonna stumble on it.
Gus
As long as Lalo Salamanca is on this side of the border, we cannot continue as we were.
Gus
No, this is not it. Once Salamanca is dealt with–and he will be dealt with–construction will resume. Until then, you will continue to be paid.
You're gonna pay me to do nothing?
Gus
Call it a retainer.
Gus
Yes.
What happened in Frankfurt?
Gus
The attorneys spent a full day with his wife. She accepted the facts as presented. As per your suggestion, a construction accident. The funeral was yesterday, and of course, she has been compensated.
Gus
I... would choose my next words...very carefully if I were you.
[beat] You keep your goddamn retainer.
[Mike receives a visit from Gus at the ranch where he was kept for several days]
Gus
You look much better. I am glad.
So I'm here... to see what a big heart you have. Is that the idea? You throw money at these people, they bow low.
Gus
As far as the people here are concerned, I am the doctor's friend, and nothing more.
They have no idea you financed the whole place?
Gus
I prefer it that way.
The anonymous benefactor. Oh, that must make you feel pretty good. And is that supposed to balance the scales? Make up for everything else you do?
Gus
It makes up for nothing. I am what I am.
[beat] What is this place?
Gus
Call it... a memorial.
To what? [pause] I already told you what you can do with your money. You seem like a guy who can take a hint. So what are we doing?
Gus
It seems to me that you are at a crossroads. You can continue as you are... drinking, estranged from your family, brawling with street hoods. We both know how that ends.
Gus
You have another choice.
Mmm... work for you as a button man.
Gus
I am in a war. I need a soldier.
So, I'm gonna work for one drug dealer killing other drug dealers. That's your idea of a choice?
Gus
You know better. You have met them. You know what they are.
Meaning the Salamancas? And you are so very different from them?
Gus
Yes. I am different.
Gus
Because I believe that you understand.
Gus
Revenge.
[Nacho sees Mike during his meeting with Gus, but pretends to not recognize him]
You're Michael? The gringo Lalo had a bug up his ass about? If Hector or the Cousins ever find out about this...
They're not gonna find out.
Gus
Get on with it.
Lalo's using his CI connection. He's having Domingo call the DEA to rat out your dealers - times they're slinging, locations. Your guys are gonna get swept up.
Gus
[to Victor] Promote low-level dealers, or find new ones. Let them get arrested. Protect our people.
Gus
What else?
He talks about a lot of things. Um... Hitting your supply trucks, going after your restaurants, getting your customers sick... Cutting off power, busting open pipes. He's gonna chip away at your business until the bosses down south don't think you're worth the trouble.
Gus
[pause; looks at Mike, who nods] From now on, you report to this man. He needs you, you do not hesitate. Act.
[Later, after Gus and Victor leave, Mike is about to get in his car before he notices Nacho walking up to him]
I'm guessing there's something you wanna get off your chest.
[pause] You know who you're working for, right? The shit that this guy does... They shot me. Left me bleeding out in the desert, all... part of some plan.
I don't know what to tell you. I warned you.
I warned you, when you started going after Hector Salamanca, there'd be others to worry about. You made a choice. You got in with both eyes open.
My father didn't. He's got a gun to my father's head. If I don't do what he says...
Look. First things first, we take care of Lalo. Then, we'll talk.
Gus
You look well.
PPeter
Well... I don't feel well. Maybe things will improve now that you're here. Lydia tells me Salamanca is in jail. This means you can continue construction?
Gus
[pause] Eduardo Salamanca has been arrested for murder. However, even from jail, he creates... issues.
PPeter
What kind of issues?
Gus
He ordered his men to burn down one of my restaurants.
You're kidding. He's in jail, and he can still do that?
Gus
I'm afraid so.
I know it's not exactly my area of expertise, but don't people get killed in prison all the time? I mean, shanked... and shived, and whatnot.
Gus
If anything happens to Salamanca on this side of the border, the cartel will assume that it was my doing. It would mean war. A war, for which we are unprepared.
PPeter
My God. This nightmare never ends!
[to Gus] He's concerned about the money.
PPeter
Concerned?! 4,800,000 euros! It's a miracle I haven't been caught! Last year, the auditors came this close. One of them–a woman–I think she knew.
Gus
Peter...
PPeter
At first, it was a year. Then, it was two. Then, three. And now you are telling me how long?! I can't! I can't! They will catch me, and then it is over!
Gus
Peter.
Gus
Peter.
PPeter
Gustavo, please! I can't.
Gus
Listen to me.
Gus
Listen to me! [pause] Do you remember Santiago? The two of us, our backs to the wall? I will never forget what you did. You are still the same man. You will do what is necessary. Stay strong, my friend. We've come so far. We are so very close.
There's one other thing we should discuss: Nacho Varga. He wants out. He's done everything we asked, he held up his end. I think it's time we cut him loose.
Gus
I see no reason to give up an asset.
Once Salamanca's dealt with, we have no use for Varga. He's the only guy they have running things up here. He disappears, the Salamanca operation falls apart.
Gus
[pause] Varga stays. Better to control the opposition without their knowledge.
You have a gun to his father's head. That doesn't sit with me. You want to keep Varga for the long run... I don't think fear is a great motivator.
Gus
A dog who bites every owner he's had can only be disciplined with a firm hand, or... put down.
Gus
Well?
He went over the border and kept going. Looks to be heading for his place in Chihuahua. He should be there in a few hours.
Gus
Good.
There's a wrinkle. He took Varga with him.
Gus
Why?
If he thought Varga was working for you, he'd have killed him on the spot. If I had to guess, I'd say Varga's up for a promotion.
Gus
Can you communicate with Varga?
Salamanca's place is in the middle of nowhere. Landlines and sat phones only.
Gus
A technical issue.
The way things stand, he's gonna get caught in the crossfire. I'm thinking we should find a way to pull him out of there.
Gus
[pause] And tip our hand?
He's earned some consideration.
Gus
Does Varga know there is going to be an assassination?
No one's told him, but he can make a pretty damn good guess.
Gus
Perhaps... there is a way to make use of this situation. The men I've chosen for this are highly skilled. They're the best in their business. But the one thing they do not have... is a man on the inside.
[Mike, Gus, and Tyrus gather in the office trailer at the Los Pollos Hermanos chicken farm to discuss the aftermath of the attempted hit on Lalo Salamanca.]
Gus
Tell me again about the sicario who made the final report.
TTyrus
He was already wounded when he talked to our cutout. Federales found him dead at the scene. But they got Salamanca.
Gus
The mercenaries are dead. To a man. And yet their mission was a success?
It has been known to happen. Now you go down there and get Varga, bring him home safe. There's ways to do it on the quiet.
[Gus and Tyrus both stare at him]
[long pause; scoffs] ...Unless you already have something in the works.
[Tyrus turns and exits the trailer. Mike and Gus speak alone]
Gus
Speak your mind.
Loyalty goes both ways. Varga's done everything you asked him.
Gus
He wasn't given a choice.
Maybe so, but he played a tough game. And he played it on the square.
Gus
...And?
When all is said and done, the kid deserves your respect.
Gus
He has it. Is there more you wish to say?
[After a few moments pass, Mike exits the trailer]
[Gus and Juan Bolsa visit Hector at Casa Tranquila to send their condolences, still believing that Lalo is dead. The dialogue is in Spanish.]
He wishes to make amends. At least hear him out.
Gus
Don Hector. It's no secret that I did not see eye to eye with your nephew. And while the friction between your family and myself did not start with him, today I am reminded we are all Eladio's men. No matter our disagreements, a strike against one is a strike against all. I hope you will accept my condolences and my support as you navigate this terrible loss.
Gustavo speaks the truth. In this matter, he and I both stand shoulder to shoulder behind the Salamanca family. We are still looking for the traitor, Ignacio Varga. [places hand on Hector's shoulder] We will find him. And then your family will have justice.
[Hector slowly reaches his hand out to Gus. As Gus holds his hand, he notices a change of expression on Hector's face and stares at him. Cut to outside the nursing home.]
[to Gus in English] We'll be in touch.
[Gus calls Mike on his cell phone after Juan drives away]
Gus
Lalo Salamanca lives.
TTyrus
They found the truck, but no sign of Varga. Salamancas have all eyes looking for him, including the federales. Still not picking up his cell, so nobody got a lock on it. Now as for Lalo, still missing. As far as everybody in the cartel is concerned, top to bottom, Lalo is dead.
May I offer a thought? [pause; to Gus] If Salamanca was coming straight for you, he'd be here already. We've got guys watching anywhere he might turn up this side of Mexico. Wire taps on any phone he might call. There is not a whiff of him. Now, my guess is he's smart enough to know it's not in the Salamanca family interest to take you out without a reason the bosses can get behind. So, the odds are he's searching for Varga. Finds him alive, gets him to talk. [pause; Gus remains silent] Varga's alone in foreign territory, no one he can trust. The kid's smart, but he's not gonna last. [Gus stands up] He's gonna get caught.
[Gus accidentally knocks a glass over and kneels down to pick up the shards from the floor]
Gus
Continue.
The best way to handle this: I take four of our best guys, cross the border and track Varga down. Let me find him, bring him back before the Salamancas sweep him up. It's our only play.
[After cleaning up the broken glass, Gus throws it away and looks out a nearby window]
Gus
[beat; in Spanish] Varga's father. Bring him here.
No. You're not doing that. [locks the door after Tyrus gets his gun out] You don't understand. That's not happening.
TTyrus
[walks up to Mike and aims gun at him] Just say the word.
Whatever happens next... it's not gonna go down the way you think it is.
[Mike stares at Tyrus, who cocks his gun and waits for Mike to make a move.]
[beat; hears cell phone vibrating] It's him.
TTyrus
Bullshit. I've been calling Varga for hours. He hasn't picked up once.
He's been trying to get me since he left the Salamancas. [opens phone] You want me to answer it?
[Tyrus turns to Gus, who nods. Mike answers the phone and speaks to Nacho]
Yeah. [pause] Yeah. ...Not my call. [pause] That's up to you. [to Gus] He wants to talk to you.
[Nacho calls Mike at an auto repair shop in Mexico while on the run from the Cousins]
You knew. You knew that I was going to Mexico to die, that I was never supposed to make it out of that motel. And you let it happen.
Is that bastard with you? Put him on.
Hmm. [to Gus] He wants to talk to you.
Gus
[takes cell phone from Mike; to Nacho] Yes.
You are screwed. [pause] You want the cartel to blame me for Lalo. But if they catch me, and make me talk? Ooh... That is not good for you, is it? Even if I disappear, everyone's gonna smell your stink all over it. The only way that this works for you is with me dead. [beat] Alright. Whatever bullshit way you want the story to go, I will make it go. But... I need one thing.
Gus
Yes?
My dad. I need to know that he will be safe.
Gus
If you are true to your word, there will be no reason for anyone to harm your father.
You are not the one that I need to hear it from.
[Gus puts the phone on speaker so Mike can speak to Nacho]
Your dad's gonna be okay.
Because anyone who goes after him is gonna have to come through me.
[After growing restless over Lalo's whereabouts, Gus calls Victor and asks him to speak to Kim about Lalo]
Gus
Why did Lalo send you?
Answer him. [points behind him]
[pause] He didn't want to send me. Not at first. He wanted to send my husband... but my husband talked him out of it because he wanted to get me out of there.
Gus
He... talked Lalo out of it?
That's right. [pause] Now that I've told you everything I know, please tell me. Tell me who—
[Gus hangs up the phone and looks at his bodyguards]
Gus
Come with me. Both of you.
[Lalo records another video message for Don Eladio while holding Gus at gunpoint at the laundromat. The dialogue is in Spanish.]
Don Eladio, look who we have here. The one and only Gustavo Fring. [chuckles] And wearing body armor! Too bad they don't make armor for your head, eh? Now we're gonna take a little walk and show you around. Vamanos. [clicks tongue] Don, I would've liked it if we didn't have to rush this so much. We could sit by your pool... strip this snake's skin off, inch by inch. Take our time, have some fun. But he shows up now... who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth?
[Gus stops in front of a large washing machine.]
A big machine hides a big secret. We have about... thirteen minutes until his bald gringo gets here with the cavalry, so Gustavo is going to have to give us the nickel tour. [beat; shoots Gus in the chest] Like I was saying, Gustavo is going to show us around.
[Gus walks around and pushes a button, which opens the secret passage to the underground meth lab]
Ha! Magnificent! I had a bathtub that did this, but... credit where credit is due, this is better. [laughs] Hijo de puta.
[Gus leads Lalo down a ladder and turns on the lights]
[chuckles; in English] Okay. Drumroll, please. D-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r... Ta-da! [laughs] Cadenza de wow, no? [in Spanish] Don Eladio, I've heard some stories about this place. It took a bunch of German engineers ten months to build all of this. They used two hundred pounds of high explosive. Dug out 120,000 cubic meters of dirt and rock. And all... without disturbing the laundry up there. In the middle of a city with a million people! That's pretty badass, right?
[Gus trips and falls to the ground when Lalo pushes the pistol against his back]
One moment, Don. [puts the camcorder between his teeth as he switches the magazines of his pistol] Think of the laboratory you could put here, Don Eladio. Eh? How much meth you could make... that was his plan. Cut you out to become boss. And now here we are, in this big hole! [cackles] Gustavo thought he was building an empire, but all he built himself was a tomb.
Gus
You can't kill me.
Gus
I haven't told that fat pig Eladio what I think of him yet.
Hoo-hoo! Perfect! You've got one minute.
Gus
Eladio... you greasy, bloated pimp. You talk of honor. But you have none. A pack of stray dogs fighting for scraps has more honor. Jackals. That's all you are! No vision. No patience. No thought. Stupid and impulsive! That is how I did all this. You couldn't see it, couldn't even conceive of it. And you Salamancas... you're the worst vermin of all. You say you believe in "blood for blood" but you only understand blood for money! You're whores! [in English] I understand blood for blood. Hector? Yeah, I kept him alive. Kept him broken. I will save him to the last. Before he dies, he will know... I buried every one of you.
[sniggers] Big talk. You done?
Gus
No. Not yet.
[Gus meets with Don Eladio, Juan Bolsa, and the Salamancas late at night. The dialogue is in Spanish.]
EEladio
Don Hector has made a very serious accusation.
[One of the Cousins hands a letter to Don Juan]
These are Don Hector's words, dictated to Leonel and Marco, letter by letter. "The assault on my nephew's hacienda failed. Lalo fought the assassins and won. The day after the attack, Lalo called me. I heard the truth from his own lips. It was Fring who sent the mercenaries, not the Peruvians. We kept Lalo's survival a secret. My nephew was about to take his revenge on the traitor, face-to-face. Instead, he disappeared. It is the chicken man's doing. Don Eladio, look into Fring's eyes. There you will see the truth. The chicken man hates you. He is our enemy. He plots against us. I demand blood for blood."
[Juan folds the letter and sits back down]
Gus
[pause] I have no response.
Gustavo, you must speak. Have you no defense?
Gus
With all due respect, I don't believe this merits a response.
EEladio
[to the Cousins] Did you witness these phone calls from Lalo? [Leonel and Marco shake their heads] I was told you saw Lalo's body.
EEladio
[to Juan] Didn't the federales check the teeth?
Yes, Don Eladio. My brother tells me the dental records matched.
EEladio
And that rat, Varga... What did he say before he died?
He said he was in the pay of the Peruvians, Los Odios. We know he took their money, we found bank statements.
EEladio
[beat; looks at his watch] Well... It's late. Don Hector... Since you've come a long way, tonight you sleep in my bed. [Hector angrily rings his bell repeatedly in protest] No, I insist. No arguing. I'm giving you my room. Very comfortable. And who knows? Maybe a couple of the girls will come to visit! [pause; Hector continues ringing his bell] Please. [Leonel and Marco carry Hector by his wheelchair and leave] Good night, Hector. Sleep well. [to Gus] I'd invite you to stay as well, Gustavo, but... I don't want my breakfast ruined by all the... [mocks Hector ringing his bell and laughs] Ay-yay-yay. [beat] The peace must be kept. What do you suggest?
Gus
I wouldn't presume.
EEladio
The South Valley will stay Salamanca territory. And the rest of the North, that'll be for you to manage. Working under Bolsa.
Gus
[rises with Eladio out of his chair] Thank you. Your trust means everything, Don Eladio.
EEladio
Bueno. Gustavo... [long pause] When I looked into your eyes... Hate. A little bit's okay. As long as you never forget who's boss.
Better Call Saul · 283 quotes
