Walter White quotes from Breaking Bad

Walter

Gus Fring is dead, and he was the threat. He was the danger.

Skyler

I thought you were the danger.

Skyler

There's blood on my hands, too.

Walter

What blood? Beneke?

Skyler

He's in the hospital because of me...

Walter

No.

Skyler

...because of what I did.

Walter

Skyler, you can't beat yourself up over this thing. Please. You didn't set out to hurt anybody. You made a mistake and things got out of control. But you did what you had to do to protect your family. And I'm sorry, but that doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you a human being.

Skyler

Stop it, Walt. Just stop. I don't need to hear any of your bullshit rationales. I'm in it now. I'm compromised. But I won't–I will not–have my children living in a house where dealing drugs and hurting people and killing people is shrugged off as "shit happens!" We're back at it? Fine. But the kids stay away, and that's that.

Walter

"That's that?" That's what?

Skyler

I got them out of this house.

Walter

To a sleepover at their aunt and uncle's? They spend a day or two, Junior stays up late watching movies, and then what happens?

Skyler

We'll see.

Walter

No, I'll tell you what happens. They come home, to this house, to their parents who love them–

Skyler

No. I will not let our business endanger them.

Walter

How many times do I have to say that they are not in–

Skyler

I said no. I swear to God, I won't have them back here.

Walter

[pause] What are you going to do to stop it?

Skyler

Whatever it takes. Everything in my power.

Walter

Like what? I mean specifically. What is your next move?

Skyler

My next move is, maybe I hurt myself. Make it clear we need more time. Let Hank and Marie see we're still struggling.

Walter

No, more like you're still struggling. So maybe next time, I have you committed, put you in some inpatient facility while I take care of the kids myself. Is that what you want?

Skyler

So then maybe I show up with bruises on my neck. Give myself a black eye. Say that you beat me when you found out about my lover.

Walter

I see. So you involve Ted. Ah, well, that'll be fun, bringing the police up to speed on all of that. But not as much as telling your sixteen-year-old son that his father is a wife-beater. Also not a very good plan. What else you got?

Skyler

I could send Junior away to school.

Walter

Oh. Now here's the conversation: "So honey, I know you've only got one year left in high school, but I would love it so much if you would drop everything, leave all your friends behind, and go to boarding school in Arizona." Do you have any other ideas? Because I'm not hearing a solution to your problem. How are you going to save our kids from this "terrible" environment?

Skyler

I...

Walter

What are you going to do? What, are you going to run off to France? Are you going to close the curtains, change the locks? This is a joke. Come on, Skyler! You want to take me on? You want to take away my children? What’s the plan?

Skyler

I don’t know! This is the best I could come up with, okay? I–I will count every minute that the kids are away from here–away from you–as a victory. But you're right. It's a bad plan. I don't have any of your magic, Walt. I don't know what to do. I'm a coward. I–I can't go to the police, I can't stop laundering your money, I can't keep you out of this house, I can’t even keep you out of my bed. All I can do is wait. That's it, that's the only good option. Hold on. Bide my time. And wait.

Walter

Wait for what? What are you waiting for?

Skyler

For the cancer to come back.

Todd

You mind if I ask you a question?

Walter

No, go ahead.

Todd

Well, I get why we want the tank for the methylamine, but why this other one for the water?

Walter

Well, Jesse, it's your idea, you want to fill him in?

Jesse

It's all about the weight, yo.

Jesse

Boosting methylamine from a train is, like, a major rap. The point is, no one other than us can ever know that this robbery went down. Nobody. You got it?

Todd

Yeah. Absolutely.

Walter

Are you sure?

Todd

Yes, sir.

Skyler

Flynn? Flynn, open the door. Just come out and talk to me.

Walter Jr.

[through door] I'm staying. That's all I have to say.

What's going on?

Skyler

You got what you wanted, that's what. Congratulations.

It's me. Open up. [pause] Come on, Junior. I'm not going to ask twice.

Walter Jr.

What?

You know what.

Walter Jr.

Are you seriously kicking me out of my own house? Are you seriously doing that?

We're not kicking you out of anywhere, son. We love you, and this is your house as much as it is ours. But your mom and I need some time alone, and you know that. We explained that to you.

Walter Jr.

You haven't explained jack shit! You want me out? Explain to me why! Why do I have to go to Uncle Hank's? Give me the exact reason, or I'm not going anywhere!

This is not going to be a debate.

Walter Jr.

What's going on? Why can't anybody tell me anything? I want one good reason!

Because we're your parents and you are our child. That's reason enough. Now please, do as I ask. Now.

Skyler

I won't change my mind about you ever.

Walter

I don't accept that. You're my wife.

Skyler

I'm not your wife. I'm your hostage. But since you insist on keeping me imprisoned, I'll make you deal. I will launder your money. I'll keep your secrets. But the kids will stay at Hank and Marie's where they have a chance of being safe.

Walter

I think you've seen too many movies. [sighs] Our children are not in danger.

Skyler

Just a couple of days ago, you told me that a man held a gun to your head. You said it like it was a point of pride. There's nothing you can say that'll convince me there won't come a day that somebody will come knocking on that door looking to harm you or me or all of us. And when that day comes, the children cannot be here. You agree to that, and I will be whatever kind of partner you want me to be.

Walter

Have you heard of a company called Gray Matter? Well, I cofounded it in grad school with a couple of friends. Actually, I was the one who named it. And back then, it just, oh, small time. We had a couple of patents pending, but nothing Earth-shattering. Of course, we all knew the potential. Hell, we were gonna take the world by storm. And then, well, something happened between the three of us. I'm not going to go into detail, but for personal reasons I decided to leave the company. And I sold my share to my two partners. I took a buyout for $5,000. Now at the time, it was a lot of money for me. Care to guess what that company is worth now?

Jesse

Millions?

Walter

Billions. With a B. $2.16 billion as of last Friday. I look it up every week. And I sold my share, my potential, for $5,000. I sold my kids' birthright for a few months' rent.

Jesse

This isn't the same thing.

Walter

Jesse, you asked me if I was in the meth business or the money business. Neither. I'm in the empire business.

Jesse

Is a meth empire really something to be that proud of?

Jesse

Mmmm, these are great green beans, Mrs. White. I like that you got the slivered almonds going. My mom always made 'em like that. You put lemon in there too?

Skyler

They are from the deli at Albertsons.

Jesse

Oh... Oh, well, uh... Well–you know–good, uh, good work on your shopping then, because these are choice. I eat a lot of frozen stuff. It's usually pretty bad. I mean, the pictures are always so awesome, you know? It's like, "Hell, yeah, I'm stoked for this lasagna!" And then you nuke it, and the cheese gets all scabby on top and it's like you're eating a scab. I mean, seriously, what's that about? It's like, yo, whatever happened to truth in advertising? You know? [pause; Walter and Skyler do not respond] So, hey, uh, how's business? The car wash? Mr. White said it's going really well. Says, like, you're, uh, a great manager.

Skyler

He did, huh?

Jesse

Yeah, he says you've got it running like–like a machine. Like, well-oiled. Yeah.

Skyler

What else did he tell you about me?

Jesse

Oh, you know, just good stuff. Just really–you know–really good, good stuff. We don't really talk that much about–you know–personal things.

Skyler

[to Walter] Did you also tell him about my affair?

Skyler

May I please be excused? [leaves the table with a large glass of wine]

Walter

You know, my kids are gone.

Jesse

Thank God.

Walter

No, I don't mean they're out for the night. They're gone. They're staying at my in-laws; she made me kick my own kids out of the house. She told me... that she was counting the days until my cancer came back. My wife is waiting for me to die. This business is all I have left now. It's all I have... and you want to take it away from me.

Mike

Might as well get comfortable. This deal is going down tomorrow. It's happening and there's nothing you can do to stop it. Got it?

Walter

Uh-huh. So it's okay for you to steal my—

Mike

To insure that, you and I are going to spend the rest of the night together in this office, like it's my birthday.

Walter

Mike!

Mike

When the deal is done, you'll get your money. I guarantee that.

Walter

Mike, let me cook it! I'll double your five and you still walk!

Mike

You know, I have never seen anybody work so hard not to get $5 million.

Walter

Mike, you need to listen to me.

Mike

No. Walter, the last thing I need to do is listen to you. Now sit down.

Mike

[sees that the methylamine is gone] Where is he?

Jesse

Mike.

Mike

[shoving Jesse] Get out of my way. [draws a gun on Walter] You sit down.

Jesse

Mike, Mike, hold on! Mr. White's got an idea!

Mike

[holding the gun at Walter's temple] I am going to count to three.

Jesse

Mike, I'm serious!

Mike

One... two...

Jesse

It's a great idea! Look, you get your $5 million, we both do, and he gets his methylamine. Alright? Just hear him out!

Mike

[pause] Is that true, Walter?

Walter

Everybody wins.

Jesse

Mr. White. Can we just take a second and talk about all this?

Walter

Yeah, yeah, sure. Yeah.

Jesse

Um...

Walter

Uh, look, you know what I think we need to talk about? Doubling down.

Jesse

Doubling down?

Walter

Mm-hmm. Cooking a hundred pounds a week, not fifty. As in, starting a new lab–a lab that you'll run. A cook all of your own. Why not? You deserve it. You're every bit as good as me. Well, what do you think?

Jesse

Mr. White, uh, I think that nothing has changed for me. I just want to get my money and get out.

Walter

Jesse, this... what we do... being the best at something is a very rare thing. You don't just toss something like that away. And what? You want to squander that potential–your potential? Why? To do what?

Jesse

I don't know.

Walter

Think. To do what, Jesse?

Jesse

I don't know. I'll figure it out, alright?

Walter

Look at you. What have you got in your life? Nothing. Nobody. Oh wait, yes–video games and go-carts. Oh, and when you get tired of that, what then? Huh? And how soon will you start using again? Look, I know how upset you are about what happened to this boy. I am just as upset as you are.

Jesse

Are you? Really?

Walter

How can you say that to me? Jesus! I mean, I'm the one who's the father here! What, do I gonna curl up in a ball in tears in front of you? Do I have to lock myself in a room and get high to prove it to you?! What happened to that boy was a tragedy and it tears me up inside! But because it happened, what, am I supposed to just lie down and die with him? It's done! It makes me sick that it happened, just like everyone else who has died in our wake. What Todd did... you and I have done things that are just as bad.

Jesse

Yeah.

Walter

All the people that we've killed: Gale... and the rest. If you believe that there's a Hell–I don't know if you're into that–but we're already pretty much going there, right? But I'm not gonna lie down until I get there.

Jesse

What, just because I don't want to cook meth any more, I'm lying down? How many more people are gonna die 'cause of us?

Walter

No one. None. Now that we're in control, no one else gets hurt.

Jesse

You keep saying that and it's bullshit every time! Always! You know what? I'm done, okay? You just give me my money and you and I... we're done.

Walter

[fiddles with his apron] Hm... Okay. Mmm. Why? Why do you want this money?

Jesse

Because it's mine? It's my cut?

Walter

But isn't it filthy blood money? I mean, you're so pure; you have such emotional depth. No, no, no, no, no, you shouldn't touch that dirty money. I'll save you from that, Jesse. Come on. You want it, you want it just as much as I want it, and it's not wrong to want it. Okay? So stay, and work with me, and you can make ten times–twenty times–as much.

Jesse

...Whatever, man. You don't wanna pay me? I don't care.

Walter

Yes, you do.

Jesse

It's on you, alright? [starts walking out] I'm done.

Walter

No, you're not. You're not done. You're not leaving, because if you leave you get nothing! [Jesse shuts the door behind him] Do you understand me?! Nothing! JESSE!

Mike

Hello, Walter.

Walter

Before I hand this over, I need something from you.

Mike

And what's that?

Walter

The names of your nine men.

Mike

[scoffs] Why? You're never gonna pay 'em off. What's the point?

Walter

The point is, Mike, it affects me. It affects Jesse too, and we deserve to know.

Mike

The only thing left to do now is leave town, you understand?

Walter

"Leave town." Wow. Yeah, I just can't up and leave like you, Mike. I've got a family. I got people who depend on me.

Mike

Yeah.

Mike

Goodbye, Walter. [begins to walk away]

Walter

You're welcome!

Mike

I'm sorry, what?

Walter

I want those names, Mike. You owe me that much.

Mike

I don't owe you a damn thing. All of this–falling apart like this–is on you!

Walter

Wow. Wow. Oh, that's some kind of logic right there, Mike. You screw up, get yourself followed by the DEA and now suddenly this is all my fault? Why don't you walk me through this, Mike?

Mike

We had a good thing, you stupid son of a bitch! We had Fring, we had a lab, we had everything we needed, and it all ran like clockwork...

Walter

Oh, my God...

Mike

You could have shut your mouth, cooked, and made as much money as you ever needed! It was perfect! But no! You just had to blow it up! You, and your pride and your ego! You just had to be the man! If you'd done your job, known your place, we’d all be fine right now!

Walter

I just... I just realized that Lydia has the names. I can get 'em from her. I'm sorry, Mike. This... this whole thing could have been avoided—

Mike

Shut the fuck up... and let me die in peace.

Jesse

So what's the story? Did you get to Mike?

Walter

Mm-hmm.

Jesse

He get out safe?

Walter

He's gone.

Jesse

Alright. So what about those nine guys? They got no reason not to talk now. So what do we do?

Walter

"We?" Who's we? There is no we anymore. I'm the only vote left. And I'll handle it.

Walter

So?

Lydia

Maybe we should order something. Do you want a coffee or something?

Walter

Not just now.

Lydia

I think this will play better if you order something.

Walter

I think this will play just fine. I'm not thirsty. So let's take a look at the list. [pause] Lydia, I've come all this way. You do have the list?

Lydia

Yes, I have it.

Walter

Good.

Lydia

It's just not written down.

Walter

And why is that?

Lydia

It's in my head. Safer there.

Walter

I see. Then I suggest you pick up a pen.

Lydia

Not just yet.

Walter

It was my understanding that attending to these nine names was precisely what you wanted.

Lydia

Ten names now. Ten. Counting the lawyer.

Walter

Yes, ten, counting the lawyer. So... what? Am I not tying up loose ends for our mutual benefit?

Lydia

You are tying up loose ends, and I don't want to be one of them. Once I give you that list, I've served my purpose, and then maybe I'm just one more person who knows too much.

Walter

So you put that list in my hands, and in your mind, I immediately just murder you? Just right here, in this restaurant...

Lydia

No. Not right here, of course.

Walter

...Right here in this public place, immediately?

Lydia

It's not what I—

Walter

Listen, Lydia. You made me promise on my children's lives that I guarantee your safety.

Lydia

From Mike. You guaranteed that I'd be safe from Mike. There's no way he'd ever go for this, you getting rid of his guys. You wouldn't be doing this–the names–if Mike were still a factor.

Lydia

Yeah. That's what I thought.