A.W. Merrick quotes from Deadwood

A.W. Merrick

May I say, Dan, having resumed drinking alcohol, I cannot for the life of me remember why I ever gave it up.

A.W. Merrick

Why did you strike me?

Doc Cochran

To secure your attention.

A.W. Merrick

How many memories, fond to their recollection, have their setting in that tight little dining room?

Charlie Utter

Yeah, well it's fucked now.

Seth Bullock

Anyways, we gotta open soon.

A.W. Merrick

Who would argue that the venue was the cause of these happy memories, nor the bill of fare? The bitter coffee, the rancid bacon, those stale biscuits that were tomb and grave to so many insects. No, gentlemen, it was the meandering conversation, the lingering with men of character - some of whom are walking with me now - that was such pleasure to experience, and such a joy now to recall.

Sol Star

Good of you to say, Mr. Merrick.

Charlie Utter

Yeah… back atcha, as far as… that goes.

Seth Bullock

Yeah.

A.W. Merrick

Is this true, Al?

Al Swearengen

Did he fucking confirm it to you?

A.W. Merrick

I haven't spoken to Bullock.

Al Swearengen

So, then I guess it ain't confirmed. Answer me this fucking question: why in fuck do I find out about this telegraph operator arriving tardily and by accident?

A.W. Merrick

I wasn't aware that you were owed official notification.

Al Swearengen

Merrick, you and me are allies, marching into battle together, and aren't smart-assed replies amongst allies a waste of fucking time?

Al Swearengen

Every rumor you floated in your article, Merrick, I believe is a living possibility for this camp, and I want you to fucking hear that as a compliment.

A.W. Merrick

If so, it's the first from your lips.

Al Swearengen

Because all them possibilities, called next to accomplished fact, in one fucking outgush makes people smell a rat.

A.W. Merrick

Yes, I suppose so.

Al Swearengen

These interests coming after us, Merrick, they're fucking rough. They're going after our nuts. They're hypocrite cocksuckers, and the fucking lying tactics and instruments they use to fuck people up the ass can be turned against them.

A.W. Merrick

My newspaper being such an instrument.

Al Swearengen

But scale, amount, proportion, seasoning. Drink that fucking second shot, Merrick!

A.W. Merrick

I like my fucking liquor.

Al Swearengen

A trait in you that gave me early hope.

A.W. Merrick

And thus the uncharted journey continues.

Al Swearengen

Merrick, please. As we'll be more often in each other's company, when given to utterance of that type--consider drinking.

A.W. Merrick

It was gunfire, and it came from your saloon.

Al Swearengen

Has not the press a duty, Merrick, qualifying its accounts in time of war?

A.W. Merrick

Are we at war now here in the camp? Has that fact been suppressed as well? Absent formal declaration, Al, information which affects this community is not my prerogative to disseminate. To do so is my sacred responsibility.

Al Swearengen

Whores currently disseminating a dose, for example?

A.W. Merrick

To inform within decency's limits. We've had this discussion before.

Al Swearengen

Citizens better die postulating than touch indecent ink.

A.W. Merrick

Make a list of the infected whores and account for this morning's gunfire, and I'll publish it all.

Al Swearengen

I won't, fucking Merrick, because neither's to my fucking interests.

A.W. Merrick

These last months have made me expert. It was gunfire, and it came from your saloon.

Al Swearengen

Has not the press a duty, Merrick, qualifying its accounts in time of war?

A.W. Merrick

Are we at war now here in the camp? Has that fact been suppressed as well? Absent formal declaration, Al, information which affects this community is not my prerogative to disseminate. To do so is my sacred responsibility.

Al Swearengen

Whores currently disseminating a dose, for example?

A.W. Merrick

To inform within decency's limits. We've had this discussion before.

Al Swearengen

Citizens better die postulating than touch indecent ink.

A.W. Merrick

Make a list of the infected whores and account for this morning's gunfire, and I'll publish it all.

Al Swearengen

I won't, fucking Merrick, because neither's to my fucking interests. Just as you owning a print press proves only an interest in the truth, meaning up to a fucking point, slightly more than us others maybe, but short of a fucking anointing or the shouldering of a sacred burden - unless of course the print press was gift of an angel. I'd want to be there for that hand-off myself. Maybe you should print an extra saying the speeches are on again.

A.W. Merrick

A. W. Merrick, Mr. Langrishe, publisher of "The Deadwood Pioneer."

Jack Langrishe

Ah! Accounting for the halo I see above you.

Al Swearengen

Shit blizzard's early today.

A.W. Merrick

Erm, it occurs to me Al, as you and he are so evidently well-acquainted, the decent interval that Mr. Langrishe is owed to make his domestic arrangements I might spend hearing you talk of him.

Al Swearengen

Ever wonder if you expressed yourself more directly, Merrick, you might fucking weigh less?

A.W. Merrick

I see no logic in that whatever.

Al Swearengen

I don't want to talk of Langrishe, he makes me fucking nervous.

A.W. Merrick

A. W. Merrick, Mr. Langrishe, publisher of the Deadwood Pioneer.

Jack Langrishe

Ah! Accounting for the halo I see above you.

Al Swearengen

Shit blizzard's early today.

Jack Langrishe

He takes his tone with you as a familiar.

A.W. Merrick

Oh, we're well-acquainted, Mr. Swearengen and I.

Jack Langrishe

Mmm, new friends, old campaigners.

Al Swearengen

The infrequent bloody win.

Jack Langrishe

Always superfluous, bloodshed. The deeper damage is best.

A.W. Merrick

[Reading a letter written by Sheriff Bullock] "It becomes my painful duty to inform you that Pasco Carwen was killed earlier this week. His body was found in the road. It was not mutilated in any way. His death seems to have been instantaneous as he was stabbed through the heart. Pasco's funeral occurred today and was attended by coworkers and friends who all shared the same high opinion of him. Everything was done by kind hands that was possible under the circumstances, and a Christian burial was given him. I was not personally acquainted with Mr. Carwen, save for one encounter where he demonstrated grief and deep compassion at the passing of a friend. I knew him by reputation as an earnest worker and a diligent believer in right and wrong. His memory I am sure will always be with those who knew and loved him, among whose number I imagine you as first. A letter from you, which I found in his tent, causes me to convey this sad intelligence to you." [Pause] What shall I do with this, Mr. Bullock?

Al Swearengen

What the fuck is your paper for? You publish that letter, as witness!

Blazanov

[Reading a telegram for Hearst about an order for 25 "bricks"] Do you believe, Mr. Swearengen, Mr. Hearst orders more bricks?

Al Swearengen

No. What do you believe?

Blazanov

I believe he orders more humans --

A.W. Merrick

Reinforcements.

Blazanov

[Angrily thumps the table] To do harm! [Gestures to Merrick] As we saw on our walk! Leave to die in a country strange to them, men apart from their families, working to give them support! Fuck confidentiality of communications!

Al Swearengen

Why not fuck a woman instead?

Blazanov

I hope so, eventually.