Walter White quotes from Breaking Bad

Gus

Walter, I would like to help you if I could.

Walter

Help me how?

Gus

Well, when I first started out, I made a lot of mistakes. More than I care to admit. I wish I had someone to advise me, because this life of ours, it can overwhelm. You are a wealthy man now, and one must learn to be rich. To be poor, anyone can manage.

Walter

What advice do you have for me?

Gus

Never make the same mistake twice.

Jesse

Combo was us, man. He was one of us. Does that mean nothing?

Walter

Why didn't you go after these guys two or three months ago?

Jesse

'Cause I just found out about them.

Walter

What's to find out? It's a dispute over turf, right? I mean, how hard could it have been for you to track them down on their turf and kill them months ago? Because back then you were too busy getting high, feeling sorry. Murder is not part of your twelve-step program. This is not some amends that you have to make. What you are talking about here is pointless. This achieves nothing. It accomplishes nothing.

Jesse

If you don't see what it accomplishes, there is no way I can explain it you.

Walter

Jesse, listen to me: You are not a murderer. I am not and you are not. It's as simple as that. [Jesse gets up to leave] Jesse...

Jesse

I'm doing it... with or without you.

Skyler

Have you thought anymore about what we discussed?

Walter

"Thought anymore", meaning reconsidered? No.

Skyler

So, show me the flaw in it.

Walter

Flaws, Skyler. Flaws. Plural, not singular. Where do you want me to start?

Skyler

Hey, I don't love this situation that you put me in. However, let's just stick with what makes sense here. You took the money you won gambling invested it in the car wash you helped run. You hired your wife as a bookkeeper, because she's actually a bookkeeper. That is a story an auditor can believe. What am I missing?

Walter

You should just take this money that I give you and not look too closely at it. So if God forbid, I get caught, you maintain plausible deniability.

Skyler

Okay, my estranged husband who, when he was working made $43,000 a year, starts shoveling money at me. And when the police come, I'm supposed to say: "I never thought about it, officers. Made sense to me.” Really? That, in your mind, is plausible deniability? I'll tell you what, Walt. I'd rather have them think I'm Bonnie what's-her-name than some complete idiot.

Walter

So you're promoting caution here. [sighs] And you want a believable story. That, it seems to me, is the safest way to make the best out of a very bad situation, yes. But I'm noting a little hole in your plot, though. Why would your estranged husband be doing all this for you?

Skyler

Because he loves his family and desperately wants a reconciliation, though it may be hopeless and futile. Then again, he'd try anything.

Walter

I'm just not buying it.

Skyler

No, I think it would be better if the husband were no longer estranged. You know, maybe if he were back sleeping in his own bed.

Walter

Maybe... What if we, uh... maybe... could you get him arrested?

Saul

You want your criminal associate taken into police custody?

Walter

No, listen, I know it sounds risky, but it wouldn't be anything that would get him into real trouble, nothing that could lead back to our business. Just some minor offense.

Saul

Pinkman in jail. I dunno, I'm picturing it...

Walter

Not jail, as in jail jail. I'm talking about one of those situations when you're in an orange jumpsuit picking up litter along the highway.

Saul

That's jail.

Walter

What can I do for you?

Mike

Have a seat, Walter. I spoke to Goodman about Pinkman and this plan of yours.

Walter

And?

Mike

I'm not gonna do it.

Walter

Why?

Mike

Because it's moronic.

Walter

Saul said you've done things like this before.

Mike

That's not the moronic part.

Walter

Okay, so what's the problem?

Mike

The problem is the boss wouldn't like it.

Walter

Saul?

Mike

My boss. Your boss. This is a professional courtesy. No one knows I'm here, understand? But our employer would find out like always, and if Pinkman were arrested, he'd take it as a problem. Walt, you got a good thing going here. We all do. You want to risk it all on one junkie? Now I realize you two have a history, but this kid's been on the bubble a while now. It's a long time coming.

Walter

What is?

Mike

[chuckles] Um... I used to be a beat cop, long time ago. And I'd get called out on domestic disputes all the time, hundreds probably over the years. But there was this one guy, this one piece of shit, that I will never forget: Gordy. He looked like Bo Svenson. You remember him? Walking Tall? You don't remember?

Walter

No.

Mike

Anyway. Big boy; 270, 280. But his wife, or whatever she was, his lady, was real small. Like a bird, wrists like little branches. Anyway, my partner and I get called out there every weekend and one of us would pull her aside and say, "C'mon, tonight's the night we press charges." And this wasn't one of those 'deep down he really loves me' setups, we got a lot of those, but not this. This girl was scared. She wasn't gonna cross him no way, no how. Nothing we could do but pass her off to the EMTs, put him in the car, drive him downtown, throw him in the drunk tank. He sleeps it off, next morning out he goes, back home. But one night, my partner's out sick and it's just me. And the call comes in and it's the usual crap. Broke her nose in the shower kind of thing. So I cuff him, put him in the car and away we go. Only that night, we're driving into town, and this sideways asshole is in my backseat humming "Danny Boy". And it just rubbed me wrong. So instead of left, I go right, out into nowhere. And I kneel him down and I put my revolver in his mouth and I told him, "This is it. This is how it ends." And he's crying, going to the bathroom all over himself, swearing to God he's gonna leave her alone, screaming–much as you can with a gun in your mouth. And I told him to be quiet, that I needed to think about what I was gonna do here. And of course he got quiet. Goes still, and real quiet, like a dog waiting for dinner scraps. And we just stood there for a while: Me acting like I'm thinking things over, and Prince Charming kneeling in the dirt with shit in his pants. After a few minutes I took the gun out of his mouth and I say; "So help me if you ever touch her again I will such and such and such and such and blah-blah-blah-blah-blah".

Walter

Just... just a warning?

Mike

Hmph. Of course. Just trying to do the right thing. But two weeks later he killed her. Of course. Caved her head in with the base of a Waring blender. We got there, there was so much blood you could taste the metal. The moral of the story is, I chose a half measure when I should have gone all the way. I'll never make that mistake again. [stands up] No more half measures, Walter.

Gus

Sit down. I understand that you have a problem with two of my employees. It is true that they killed one of your associates. It is possible they acted rashly, but on the other hand there was a provocation. The man was selling on their territory. There is blame on both sides. This will go no further. It will be settled right here, right now.

Jesse

[to Walter] You told him?

Gus

[to the two dealers] Wait outside.

Gus

Listen to me. You have one friend in this room. [points to Walter] This man. Those men outside are my trusted employees, and when I learned what you intended to do... If it wasn't for this man and the respect I have for him, I would be dealing with this in a very different way. Don't look at him, you look at me. This is what happens now: My men will come back inside and you will shake their hands and you will make peace and that will be the end of this.

Jesse

No.

Walter

Jesse...

Gus

[motions for Walter to be quiet] Pardon me?

Jesse

They use kids. These assholes of yours, they got an 11-year old kid doing their killing for them. You're supposed to be some kind of reasonable business man, this is how you do business? [to Walter] You okay with this? You got anything to say here?!

Gus

Bring them back. [the two dealers come back inside] No more children. You understand? [to Jesse] And you, you keep the peace. [Jesse nods] Say it.

Jesse

Yeah. I keep the peace.

Gus

Shake hands.

Walter

[answers phone] Yeah?

Mike

Walter, you see us?

Walter

Yeah, I see you.

Mike

I'd like you to exit your vehicle and start walking toward us.

Walter

And then what? I'm gonna need some... some kind of assurance.

Mike

I assure you I could kill you from way over here if it makes you feel any better.

Mike

Walter. You’ve been busy. You wanna put your arms out to your sides for me, if you would?

Mike

You know I haven’t slept since Thursday? I was out all night cleaning up after you. I need my sleep.

Walter

You said no half measures.

Mike

Yeah? About that, it's funny how words can be so open to interpretation. Tsk. [leads Walter towards the car] You get your car fixed?

Walter

Not yet.

Mike

You’re gonna wanna get your car fixed.

Walter

Let’s see how this goes first.

Gus

Has your condition worsened?

Walter

Excuse me?

Gus

Your medical condition, has it grown worse?

Walter

Not that I know of, no.

Gus

Is there a ringing in your ears? Are you seeing bright lights or hearing voices?

Walter

I'm quite well, thank you.

Gus

No. Clearly you are not. No rational person would do as you have done. Explain yourself.

Walter

My partner was about to get himself shot. I intervened.

Gus

Some worthless junkie. For him, you intervened and put us all at risk? Some contemptible junkie who couldn't keep the peace for eight hours?

Walter

That's right, he couldn't. He was angry because those two dealers of yours had just murdered an 11-year old boy.

Gus

I heard about it. He should have let me take care of it.

Walter

Maybe. Then again maybe he thought it was you who gave the order.

Gus

[acting offended] Are you asking me if I ordered the murder of a child?

Walter

I would never ask you that.

Gus

Where is Pinkman now?

Walter

I wouldn't know. Couple of time zones away at least. Beyond that, I'd only be guessing. He has enough money to last forever. He knows he has to keep moving. You'll never find him.

Mike

I don't know, Walt. It's what I do after all.

Walter

He's out of the picture. I saved his life, I owed him that, but now he and I are done, which is exactly what you wanted, isn't it? You've always struck me as a very pragmatic man, so if I may, I would like to review options with you, of which, it seems to me, you have two. Option A: You kill me right here and now. Apparently I have made that very easy for you. You can kill me, no witnesses, and then spend the next few weeks or months tracking down Jesse Pinkman and you kill him, too. A pointless exercise, it seems to me, but that is option A.

Gus

What is option B?

Walter

I continue cooking. You and I both forget about Pinkman. We forget this ever happened. We consider this a lone hiccup in an otherwise long and fruitful business arrangement. I prefer option B.

Gus

You’d need a new assistant.

Walter

[nods] I could get right on that.

Gus

No. This time, I choose.

Walter

How you holding up?

Jesse

Mm... You?

Walter

I got my old job back. At least until they kill me and Gale takes over.

Jesse

So he's their boy, huh?

Walter

He's their boy.

Jesse

How long you think you got?

Walter

Well, he asks a lot of questions about the cooking process. I try to be as vague as possible but I got that guy Victor watching me, listening to every word I say. Maybe the only thing saving me is Gale's fastidiousness. Once he feels confident that he knows my entire method...

Jesse

So what do we do?

Walter

You know what we do.

Jesse

There's got to be some other way. Maybe it's better for you to just go the cops, alright? I mean, I can't believe I'm saying that and all, but for your family. Hey, the DEA would love you, the shit you tell them. Federal Witness Protection, that's a good deal. As for me, I'll hit the road, yo. I'll make it. We had a good run... but it's over.

Walter

Never the DEA. The cooking can't stop. That's the one thing I'm certain of–production cannot stop. Gus can't afford to. So if I'm the only chemist that he's got, then I got leverage and leverage keeps me alive, and it keeps you alive, too. I think I can see to that. If I'm the only chemist that he's got...

Jesse

I can't do it, Mr. White. Like you said, I'm not a... I can't do it.

Walter

I'll do it. I'm gonna need your help. I mean, they're watching me day and night. They never leave me alone with Gale, not for a moment. Hell, I don't even know where the man lives. He's not in the phone book, I can't find him on the Internet, I can't do it in the lab–Victor's always there. I mean, if I can just shake Victor, even an hour one night, I think then that... I may be able to... make it look like an accident.

Jesse

There's got to be some other way.

Walter

I'm all ears, but when it comes down to you and me versus him, I'm sorry–I'm truly sorry–but it's gonna be him.

Walter

Please don't do this. Mike, you don't have to do this.

Mike

Yeah, unfortunately I do, Walter. Downstairs.

Walter

I'll cook. I'll cook for free, and there won't be anymore trouble, I promise you...

Mike

No.

Walter

...Okay, if I could just talk to Gus...

Mike

No.

Walter

...I know I could make him understand...

Mike

No. Walter...

Walter

...Please if I could talk to Gus, I could convince him, okay? Just let me please, please, PLEASE let me talk to him!

Mike

SHUT UP! Shut up. I can't do it. I'm sorry.

Walter

Look, I'll give you Jesse Pinkman, okay? Like you said, he's the problem, he's always been the problem and without him, we would... and he's in town, alright? He's not in Virginia or wherever the hell you're looking for him. He's right here in Albuquerque and I can take you to him, I'll take you right to him. What do you say?

Mike

Where is he? Right now you give me an address.

Walter

I don't know, he moves around, but if you let me call him.

Walter

No, no, please! No, it's just my phone. It's just my phone. I'll call him and I'll have him meet me, okay? Okay?

Jesse

Did you do it? Mr. White? Did you do it?

Walter

No, I didn't do it. I can't now. It's gonna have to be you.

Jesse

What? No way, man!

Walter

Listen to me. You're closer than we are. You have about a 20 minute lead. They got me at the laundry and they're going to kill me...

Walter

Jesse, do it now! Do it! Do it fast! Do it, Jesse! Do it!

Son of a bitch!

Mike

Just what the hell was that exactly?

Walter

You might want to hold off.

Mike

Yeah? [cocks gun] Why?

Walter

Because your boss is gonna need me. 6353 Juan Tabo, apartment 6.

Walter

Yeah.

Walter

Gus, you do this, all you'll have left is an $8 million hole in the ground. This lab, this equipment, is useless without us, without Jesse and myself. You'll have no new product, you'll have no income. Your people out there won't be paid. Your distribution chain collapses. You'll have nothing. You kill me, you have nothing. You kill Jesse, you don't have me. You won't do this. You're too smart. You can't afford to do this. Please let...let us just go back to work. We're here. Let us work. We're ready to go to work. We'll just pick up right where we left off—

Gus

...Well? Get back to work.

Walter

How are you doing? [Jesse shrugs] You did the only thing that you could. I hope you understand that. [puts his head in his hands] God. Any thoughts on what our next move might be?

Jesse

What next move?

Walter

Our next move. Our next move, given the fact that, at the first opportunity, Gus will kill us.

Jesse

What, that wasn't an "opportunity", just now? Seemed like a pretty damn good opportunity to me.

Walter

No, no, no, no...

Jesse

Golden, I'd say.

Walter

We bought ourselves some time, yes, but... the question is, how much? He'll be looking for another chemist.

Jesse

He's not going to find another chemist.

Walter

[unconvinced] Hmm...

Jesse

Where is he going to find another chemist? It's not just about somebody being able to run a lab that big - someone he can trust, someone he knows will keep their mouth shut. Yeah, good luck with that. Bet it took him years to find Gale; bet he's sorry now.

Walter

[pause] Are you sure you—

Jesse

At least now we all understand each other. Right?

Walter

What do you mean?

Jesse

I mean, him and us. We get it. [makes a motion of slitting his throat] We’re all on the same page.

Walter

Now, what page is that?

Jesse

The one that says if I can’t kill you, you’ll sure as shit wish you were dead. [chuckles]

You know, mister, I've been providin' my services for the past thirty-odd years. You'd think in that time I'd learn better than to ask a man his business. Especially not one referred by the lawyer. But I feel the urge to ask you, we strictly talking defense here?

Walter

Yes. Absolutely, defense. Why?

'Cause if it's just personal protection, aside from a bucket of money, you'd save yourself a potential felony two-spot for carrying a weapon with a defaced serial number if you'd just buy it legally.

Walter

Yeah, but... if you did have to use it, wouldn't it still be better to use one that couldn't be traced?

This is the west, boss. New Mexico's not a retreat jurisdiction. A man steps to you intent on doing bodily harm, you got every right to plant your feet and shoot to kill. Some call it a moral right and I do include myself within that class. All this to say, I'm happy to take your money, but if you're not a convicted felon, you might best be advised to bear your arms within the confines of the law.

Walter

It's for defense. [beat] Defense. I'll take it.

Mike

[without turning around to look at Walter] You might want to learn how to tail better if you plan on making a habit of it.

Walter

May I buy you a drink? Next round when you're done.

Mike

Why not? You make a hell of a lot more than I do.

Walter

[to bartender] Another round for him and I'll have the same. No ice. [to Mike] I feel like I need to explain myself. There were some actions that I took which I want you to understand. I didn't want any of this to happen. Everything I did I did out of loyalty to my partner, and then later, of course, purely out of self-defense. I hope you can appreciate that. Just like I appreciated that... [waits for bartender to walk by] I appreciated that when you were going to kill me, you were simply following orders. I get that completely. And I harbor no ill will.

Mike

[sarcastically] There's a load off my mind.

Walter

Mike, I'm trying to tell you—

Mike

I get it. Fine. Drink up, Walter.

Walter

Hell of a last couple of weeks. Makes a man wonder exactly where he stands. [Mike rolls eyes and sighs] I mean, I cannot be alone in feeling this way. Not after what happened to Victor.

Mike

So... what's with the piece? Right hip, inside your waist band. I noticed it the other day at the lab. Now you wear it if it makes you feel better, but if push comes to shove, it's not gonna help.

Walter

Mike, do I have to come right out and say this? Now you and I, we're in the same boat.

Mike

Drink your drink.

Walter

If it happened to Victor, it can happen to you. And what the hell was that anyway? A message? He cuts a man's throat just to send a message?

Mike

You won, Walter. You got the job. Do yourself a favor and learn to take yes for an answer.

Walter

Yeah, I got the job, but for how long? Get me in a room with him. Mike, just get me in a room and I'll do the rest.

Mike

You done?

Walter

Yeah.

Mike

[putting on his jacket and stepping over Walter] Thanks for the drink.

Saul

So where were we?

Skyler

Professionalism.

Saul

Yeah, um, so the guy won't sell, he won't sell.

Skyler

I don't accept that. I don't accept that he won't sell. I think he just lacks the proper... motivation.

Saul

Motivation? Uh, as in motivation motivation? Just so we're on the same page here, you're saying we'll make him an offer he can't refuse?

Skyler

Nothing so dramatic as that, no. Motivation. Attitude adjustment.

Saul

[laughs; to Walter] This one, she's a keeper. [to Skyler] Well, I know an audit can be highly motivating. I know a gal over at Tax & Revenue, you give her ten minutes in this Bogdan fella's books, she'll have his sky raining frogs.

Skyler

No, we don't want to draw any unwanted tax attention. We don't want them looking at us after Bogdan sells.

Saul

Alright, how about an ICE raid? You know he's got illegals working over there. I mean, he just has to.

Skyler

We're not getting a bunch of poor innocent people in trouble, no.

Saul

Yeah, and also you're gonna need them after you take over. Hey, how about terrorism? "Oh, Agent Hoover I gotta tell ya, I've seen some real Islamic comings and going over there at the car wash. Yeah, I mean, guys in turbans pulling up in vans and stuff like that." Heh-heh.

Walter

Saul, Bogdan is Romanian.

Saul

Okay, well, we're just spitballin' here, so...

Saul

Look, there's always, "You gotta real nice place here. It'd be a shame if something happened to it." That angle.

Skyler

What are you talking about? Violence?

Saul

Attitude adjustment.

Skyler

Oh, no–That, no. That is not at all what I meant. We do not do that. [to Walter] That is not who we are, right?

Walter

[brief pause] Yeah, no, no, no. She's right. Look, do I need to state the obvious? I mean, there's got to be dozens of car washes in this area. Who says it has to be this one?

Skyler

I do. I say it has to.

Walter

Why?

Skyler

I just do.

Walter

God...

Saul

Well, that clears things up.

Skyler

I don't like him. Bogdan. He was condescending to me, he was rude about you, and I do not like him. Simple as that.

Saul

Hey, nobody appreciates a passionate woman more than I do, but in this business–and Walt can back me up on this–the number one rule is, "Don't take things personal."

Walter

What do you mean rude about me?

Skyler

Something along the lines of you weren't man enough to face him yourself.

Walter

What?

Skyler

That you had to send your woman to do your business for you.

Saul

[to Walter] Okay, uh, speaking as your lawyer, I'm gonna go on record and say this is a bad idea. Now I advise against—

Walter

It's this one.