Tom Yates quotes from House of Cards

Tom Yates

[about the America Works book] I think it may be the best thing I've written in years. It could also be utter and complete shit. But when I can't tell the difference, it's usually a good sign.

Tom Yates

Saying nothing says a lot sometimes.

Tom Yates

[to Frank about his marriage] Everything okay between you two?

Frank Underwood

You bet. [pause] Well, they've been better. [pause] No, it's not okay.

Edward Meechum

You'd better not fuck him over.

Tom Yates

Excuse me?

Edward Meechum

With what you're writing.

Tom Yates

I don't intend to.

Edward Meechum

The part about being foolish.

Tom Yates

Were you eavesdropping?

Edward Meechum

He's not foolish.

Tom Yates

That wasn't my point.

Edward Meechum

I wouldn't take a bullet for a man who was.

Frank Underwood

Are we friends?

Tom Yates

We can pretend to be.

Claire Underwood

I was thinking...

Tom Yates

About what? Mrs. Underwood?

Claire Underwood

Jumping.

Tom Yates

Jumping?

Claire Underwood

You ever have that feeling? In conversation?

Tom Yates

Which feeling?

Claire Underwood

On a bridge, you look over and... step back...

Tom Yates

Do you need me to get someone?

Claire Underwood

He proposed, and I said, 7 years. If it's still good, another 7. If not... every 7 years. I don't hate campaigning. What I hate is... how much I need... of...

Tom Yates

How much you need each other.

Claire Underwood

I didn't jump. I didn't step back. I... [faints]

Claire Underwood

There's a lot more to Francis and me than what you wrote.

Tom Yates

Maybe so, but I never got a chance to ask.

Claire Underwood

Then ask. Whatever you want.

Tom Yates

Why aren't you with him in Iowa?

Claire Underwood

[pause] I'm headed there tomorrow.

Tom Yates

You see? I ask a question, and neither of you answer. It's tiresome constantly swinging a sledgehammer at the facade, just to get a glimpse beneath the cracks.

Claire Underwood

Tell me what you see.

Tom Yates

Somebody who's lost. But I don't know, maybe it's all for the best. I'd rather imagine who you might be than who you actually are. Good luck, Claire.

You changed everything we wrote.

Tom Yates

There was no imagination to it, no rhythm.

We've been writing their speeches since we took office. We know what we're doing.

Tom Yates

Do you want it to be good, or do you want it to be yours?

Tom Yates

Is it true, what Hammerschmidt wrote?

Claire Underwood

No.

Tom Yates

That's the first time you've lied to me... since you stopped lying to me.

Tom Yates

I serve at the pleasure of the president.

And the First Lady.

Tom Yates

[warily] The Democratic vice presidential candidate. Her too.

But you write speeches for both of them.

Tom Yates

Most often for Mrs. Underwood.

[quoting Yates] "Articulating what's on her mind and in her heart".

Tom Yates

Mmm-hmm. I'm just a mouthpiece.

Has she put you in charge of any other parts?

Tom Yates

Wow. You're still an asshole, man. Good luck with the alimony.

Tom Yates

What's my role?

Claire Underwood

What?

Tom Yates

What am I to you, anyway? Or you, to me? I mean, are you my girlfriend? And when you win does that make me, like, First Boyfriend? First Concubine?

Tom Yates

How's the president doing?

Claire Underwood

He's acting like he's still 30 years old. We both are.

Tom Yates

Is that good or bad?

Claire Underwood

That depends on if we win or lose.

Claire Underwood

What's the worst thing you've ever done?

Tom Yates

It's hard to pick.

Claire Underwood

I'm serious.

Tom Yates

So am I. [pause] Pretending to love someone when I didn't. In a way, that was the worst.

Claire Underwood

Did the person know?

Tom Yates

[shakes his head] She pretended not to know. But she knew. It was awful for her, but I paid for that mistake, too. These types of things, they take a toll.

Claire Underwood

It's strange how some choices mean nothing, and others govern the rest of your life. We've done some terrible things.

Tom Yates

You don't have to tell me.

Claire Underwood

Francis killed Zoe Barnes.

Tom Yates

Claire...

Claire Underwood

Francis killed Peter. And so many more are going to die.

Tom Yates

Stop. [kisses her] You don't scare me.

Claire Underwood

I should.