Tom Shayes quotes from Damages

Tom

Conscience is a liability, Ellen. You feel guilty, you unburden yourself, what happens? You feel better, but the people you're coming clean to? Trust me. Maintaining the illusion of loyalty is far more effective than admitting the breach.

Tom

When it comes to reading people, Patty lives and dies by instinct. The woman has the sharpest bullshit meter I've ever seen. And you're at the most difficult step. It's do or die. If you're phony with her for one second, she'll skewer you.

Ellen

Good. Phony's not my strong suit.

Tom

I'm sick of her shit.

That's right, Tomahawk, break the shackles. Take the power. Always identify your oppressor by name. So what's shit are you sick of?

Tom

Patty's.

Say it loud!

Tom

I'm sick of Patty Hewes' shit!

Patty

There’s a huge difference between being number one and being number two.

Tom

Yes, there is.

Patty

You’re a number two, Tom. That’s your talent. That’s your limit.

Tom

This is what you came here to tell me?

Tom

Have you seen her since she... let you go?

Ellen

I don't think Patty wants to see me.

Tom

Yeah, what you said was pretty...

Ellen

Stupid?

Tom

I was going to say ballsy, but, yeah, stupid... stupid works.

Ellen

A sonogram?

Tom

It's a boy.

Ellen

You're pregnant?

Tom

Yeah. Don't tell Deb, though, 'cause I'm supposed to be on the pill.

Ellen

I think kids have got a really basic sense of justice. Don't you? And then, as we get older, it just gets all screwed up.

Tom

I don't think so. I think as you get older, y-you realize that the world is unfair and that, uh, Mommy and Daddy can't make everything okay. If you want justice, you got to fight and claw and, and do whatever you have to... to get it.

Ellen

You've been working for Patty way too long.

Tom

Well, Ms. Maddox should consider this -- if she pursues this action, our only defense is to prove these murder accusations. Does she really want that aired in open court?

Claire

And I think Mr. Shayes should consider this -- if he can't prove my client was responsible, a jury is going to ram a $200 million bill up his client's ass.

Claire

[at the settlement meeting] Ten million to Mr. Kendrick's preferred charity.

Tom

Three.

Claire

Eight.

Tom

Four.

Claire

Seven.

Tom

Five.

Walter

Five is fine.

Patty

I think we have an agreement.

Walter

Always nice when cooler heads prevail.

Patty

What is the charity?

Claire

The NRA.

Patty

How long have you been with me now?

Tom

Almost eleven years.

Patty

It's time to put your name on the door.

Patty

You went to Ellen...didn't you?

Tom

I'm sorry. I wasn't getting anywhere.

Patty

Don't apologize. Why not use Ellen?

Tom

I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but I have to get going.

Ellen

Where are you heading?

Tom

To tell my wife that we've lost everything...

Tom

I'll tell Patty.

Ellen

No, don't. And if she finds out, blame it on me.

Tom

I can't do that.

Ellen

What is she gonna do, fire me?