Jacob and Richard in “Ab Aeterno”

That man who told you to kill me believes it is in every person's nature to sin. I bring people here to prove him wrong.

So you were the one who brought my ship here?

Yes,

And there were other people here before me?

Yes, many.

What happened to them?

They're all dead.

If you brought them here, why didn't you help them?

Because I wanted them to help themselves. To know the difference between right and wrong without me having to tell them. It's all meaningless if I have to force them do anything. Why should I have to step in?

But if you don't he [The Man in Black] will.

[Pauses, taken aback] Do you want a job?

A job? Doing what?

Well if I don't want to step in, maybe you could do it for me. You could be my, my representative, an intermediary to me and the people I bring to the Island.

What would I get in return?

You tell me...

I want my wife back.

I can't do that.

Can you absolve me of my sins?

I can't do that either.

Then I never want to die...I want to live forever.

[Smiles, lays a hand on his shoulder] Now that, that I can do.