Legasov and Khomyuk in “Unfinished Business”

Legasov

Are you alright?

Khomyuk

They didn't hurt me. They let a pregnant woman in with -- oh, it doesn't matter. They were stupid. I was stupid. Dyatlov won't talk to me. Akimov, yes, Toptunov, yes, but... Valery, Akimov... his face was gone.

Legasov

You want to stop?

Khomyuk

Is that a choice I even have?

Legasov

Do you think the fuel will actually melt through the concrete pad?

Khomyuk

I don't know. A forty-percent chance, maybe.

Legasov

I said fifty. [chuckles] Either way, the numbers mean the same thing: "Maybe". Maybe the core will melt through to the groundwater. Maybe the miners I've told to dig under the reactor will save millions of lives. Maybe I'm killing them for nothing. I don't want to do this anymore. I want to stop. But I can't. I don't think you have a choice any more than I do. I think, despite the stupidity, the lies, even this, you are compelled. The problem has been assigned, and you will stop at nothing until you find an answer. Because that is who you are.

Khomyuk

A lunatic, then.

Legasov

A scientist.