[Mike brings a German engineer, Werner Ziegler, to the laundromat as part of his job for Gus. Werner, who has a bag over his head, curses in German as he is transported in the van with Mike.]
WernerI'm going to throw up!
I suggest you don't. Hold on. We're almost there.
[They eventually arrive at the laundromat where Gus' meth lab will be built underground. Mike gives Werner, who is still carsick from the ride to Albuquerque, some water.]
Werner
Better. [coughs] Pardon. I take the dramamine, but it doesn't help.
[Werner looks at a washing machine on the other side of the room]
Werner
Over there?
[Werner inspects the equipment and takes notes while speaking to himself in German.]
Werner
Before I can begin excavation, I must support the existing structure to avoid a cave-in. Normally, this would involve a piling rig, working from above. But there can be no activity visible from the surface, hmm? [Mike says nothing] So I must construct secant walls of CFA piles, working completely underground. Next, I must somehow place I-beams across the top of the secant walls to support the floor and the machinery. Only now can I fully excavate. I will need to move... perhaps 1,700 cubic meters of dirt. That means trucking out about 200 loads. Going this deep, we will surely hit rock, which means... blasting. [sighs] I will need schematics of utility in the area.
Werner
Once the space is fully cleared, I can waterproof, then fabricate casts for the retaining walls and pour concrete. We would need, uh... [chuckles] about 150 cubic meters. This is just the beginning. And all this in complete secrecy? [beat; Mike stares at Werner] Judging from the sounds I heard, I assume we are not far from a town. This is also not... optimal. [Mike continues staring at Werner] A project like this... many, many things can go wrong.
[Gus enters the room. Werner exchanges looks with Mike before facing Gus.]
Werner
Dangerous, difficult... and very, very expensive. Not quite impossible.
Gustavo Fring. [in German] A pleasure to make your acquaintance.
[Gus and Werner shake hands]
[Mike comes up to Werner after the crew's night off]
Werner
Everyone seems much improved! This "R&R" was a good idea, Michael. [chuckles, looks around] Something the matter? [Mike hands him the coaster he sketched on] This? Oh, don't be concerned, I said nothing! Men at a bar, talking to make talk, and look: no details, no scale at all. Could be a skyscraper, could be a box for shoes. [beat] I said nothing about the construction that would not be true for thousands of others. By now, they have forgotten me entirely.
[sounding skeptical] "They forgot". The German national in the middle of Albuquerque, talking about pouring hundreds of tons of concrete at a secret underground location?
Werner
Eh, you're right. I'm sorry, Michael, I had too much beer... and I may have said more than I should have.
Listen to me. Carefully. The man we're working for is very serious; think about the precautions we take to keep everything that goes on here quiet. Think about how much money you're making. Think about what happens if something goes wrong. Do you understand what I am saying to you?
Werner
...I do understand. And I'm sorry to cause any problem. You have my word. Nothing like this will happen again.
Okay. [takes the coaster] Let's get you to work.
[Mike has taken Werner to the outskirts of Albuquerque to await Werner's execution under Gus' orders, but has volunteered to kill Werner himself]
I want to know your end game. What'd you think was going to happen?
Werner
I thought that I would come back, and my friend, Michael, would be very, very angry... but, in time, he would understand and forgive.
Werner
Oh, Michael, look, I know I've made trouble for you and I'm very sorry for the damage I caused. I will repair what I broke with my own hands, but please. Margarethe w-will land any minute. Soon, she will be at the hotel, please. Take me back there. Let us be together for a little, huh? Let her see me and know that everything is okay. [Mike says nothing; pause] Ah, please, Michael. I go back now, I go back in the morning, what difference can it make?
[wavering] It's not going to happen.
Werner
Let me speak to Mr. Fring. I'll explain everything. I will make him understand.
You're not gonna talk to Fring.
Werner
Oh, please. I know if I–
Werner, nothing you're going to say or do is going to make anyone trust you again.
[Werner pauses. He looks around and realizes what is going to happen]
Werner
I will go home. I will never breathe a word of this. Ever. The money? I'll give all of it back. I will tell no one, I s-swear. It will be as if... none of this ever happened. Please, Michael. You know I will keep silent. You know it. Please!
[pause] Does your wife have a cell phone with her?
Werner
Yes...
I need you to call her now. [checks watch] She landed an hour ago.
Werner
But she knows nothing!
And you need to keep it that way. She's being followed!
[Werner finishes a phone call with his wife, sending her back home in an attempt to spare her from Gus]
Werner
She was very angry, but yes. She will go home. Michael... if she doesn't hear a word from me, she will ask questions. She will go to the police.
There'll be a story. An accident. Lawyers will visit, German lawyers. All her questions will be answered.
Werner
This you swear?
Werner
And my men?
They're going home. They'll be okay, they're trusted.
Werner
[pause] Is there no other way truly? [Mike says nothing; beat] There are so many stars visible in New Mexico. I will walk out there... to get a better look.
[As Werner walks away, Mike follows him from a distance. Mike takes his loaded gun, and shoots Werner in the back of the head, killing him]
Better Call Saul · 283 quotes
