Mike Ehrmantraut quotes from Breaking Bad

Mike

[regarding Walt's new business proposal] Thanks, but no thanks.

Walter

[beat] Mike, I know you don't care for me. We've had our issues, you and I. But, I would suggest that you leave emotion out of this decision.

Mike

I am. You... are trouble. [leans forward] I'm sorry the kid doesn't see it, but I sure as hell do. You are a time bomb, tick-tick-ticking. And I have no intention of being around for the boom.

Saul

Ira and his guys are good. I mean, they know how to keep their mouth shut. And if you buy them, they're gonna stay bought, you can check into them yourself, if you like.

Mike

I will, if it comes to that. So... do we take a vote?

Walter

Why?

Mike

Alright, Lydia. My friends here don't know you like I do, so they are very kindly giving you one last chance. [pulls out a notepad] There's your script. Study it. In about 30 seconds, I'm gonna dial Agent Schrader on your line here. You're gonna pass along this information, then we'll see what we see. Now here are the rules: If you yell for help, try to give the man some kind of coded message or otherwise tip him off, I am gonna pull out my pistol and shoot you in the head. Same goes for panicking, breaking down into tears–remember how you like to do that–if it happens this time, I am going to pull my pistol out and I am going to shoot you in the head. [sees Lydia look at Walter and Jesse] Look at me, not at them. Lydia, look at me. [Lydia turns to Mike] If you make Schrader suspicious–in any way, any way at all–tell me what's gonna happen next.

Lydia

You'll pull out your gun and shoot me.

Mike

And where will I shoot you?

Lydia

In the head.

Mike

In the head, that's right. It's a pistol, not a gun. I'm expecting precision here. [turns to Jesse] We up and running?

Jesse

[nervously] Yeah, um... computer's set.

Mike

Okay, Lydia, if you ever needed to give the performance of a lifetime, it's now. [sets the cell phone down] You're up.

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.

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.