Jack Robinson quotes from Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Jack

How many shots were fired?

Hugh

Uh, three. Three shots were fired in total, sir. Two in the victim and one hit Miss Fisher’s car when she was drawn outside by the gunfire.

Jack

How very unlike her.

Jack

I’m not convinced my heroic constable deserves all the credit. But as I’ve forbidden him to do your bidding, I may need to escort you home myself.

Phryne

Thank you.

Jack

I’ve had my fair share of strike action.

Phryne

What, the police strike of ’23?

Jack

Mmm. Shoulder to shoulder. A lot of good men lost their jobs. I was one of the lucky ones.

Phryne

I would have picked you as more of a fence sitter.

Jack

It’d be a tactical error to think you had me pegged just yet, Miss Fisher.

Phryne

I’m very glad to hear it.

Phryne

It was poison. I’d bet my hat on it.

Jack

[Watching Phryne put her hat on.] I’m not sure it’d suit me.

Phryne

What evidence do you have that it was me who broke into the bookshop?

Jack

An Hispano-Suiza parked outside at the time.

Phryne

If a tree falls in a forest...

Jack

You were very likely somewhere close by wielding the axe.

Phryne

Well... I didn’t break the window. That was done by a man in a black trench coat with a hat – the same man who attacked me when I tried to stop him stealing a book.

Jack

He attacked you?

Phryne

Well, I disturbed him. And he ran off with the book. I gave chase, and he took a shot at me, so I did the only thing I could in the circumstances.

Jack

You called for help?

Phryne

I stabbed him in the shoulder.

Jack

Oh.

Jack

Ah, I wondered when you'd be back.

Phryne

Did you miss me?

Jack

I never get a chance to miss you. It feels as if you're in my office every second day. To what do I owe the pleasure?

Phryne

A development in our case.

Jack

Our case?

Phryne

I expect the actors let slip about the ghost.

Jack

They did. Don’t tell me you suspect the ghost. Might be a little difficult to clap an apparition in iron.

Jack

There is one thing you didn't figure out.

Phryne

And that is?

Jack

My aversion to operetta.

Phryne

You know I like a mystery. Let me see. [She takes a moment to think.] A bad experience on the stage?

Jack

The Pirates of Penzance. [Phryne can't help but laugh.] The reviewer thought my performance as the Major General was…underwhelming.

Phryne

Why don't you let me judge for myself?

Jack

I can't remember a word of it.

Phryne

Oh what rot! Once you learn one of those patter songs, it's in there for good.

Jack

Ah, I'm more of a Shakespeare man.

Phryne

The stage is yours.

Jack

"Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale/ Her infinite variety: other women cloy/ The appetites they feed; but she makes hungry/ Where most she satisfies."

Phryne

[impressed] Perhaps a career in the theatre beckons after all, Inspector.

Jack

[smiling wryly] Think I'll stick to crime.

Jack

This is certainly a well travelled work of art.

Phryne

A little like me. Thank you for helping to retrieve it. [She unwraps the painting.] You’re blushing.

Jack

I’m a grown man, Miss Fisher. I’m not likely to blush at the sight of a little bare flesh.

Phryne

That’s what surprises me, Detective Inspector. In fact lately you’re full of surprises.

Jack

It’s all part of the job.

Phryne

Now tell me Jack, does that new furrow in your brow have anything to do with kissing me the other night?

Jack

I didn't kiss you, I was trying to protect you.

Phryne

All in the line of duty?

Jack

You were looking a gunman in the eye and I had to distract you. I'm sorry if you think I took a liberty.

Phryne

Jack. You kissed me. Let's call a spade a spade.

Jack

You kissed me back.

Phryne

And I'm not here to apologize.

Jack

Do you think you could sit in on my interviews?

Phryne

[genuinely surprised] Are you actually inviting me?

Jack

I'm happy to deal with angry wharfies and trigger-happy thugs. But I'll bow to your expertise when it comes to wayward teenage girls.

Hugh

Miss Fisher knows judo, sir?

Jack

Of course.

Jack

Any reason to think it's not an accident?

Phryne

The owner was very eager to get us out of there.

Jack

That wouldn't have anything to do with you barging in like a freight train, would it?

Phryne

I was a charming freight train.

Jack

I hope you're not asking for my help.

Phryne

[in desperation] But I am. Tell me not to place myself above the law, not to let a killer loose because I want the truth…tell me there's a greater good than my need to know.

Jack

You never listen to me anyway.

Phryne

Humor me.

Jack

You know what to do.

Phryne

Foyle can have me if he lets Jane go.

Jack

You can't go and offer yourself!

Phryne

Rhodes is the last one on Foyle's list, and he has the ring. I need to go back there.

Jack

I won't let you.

Jack

You're under arrest!

Phryne

What?!

Jack

For your own safety.

Phryne

Don't be absurd! You have no grounds for holding me.

Jack

That's it! [Jack grabs Phryne and pulls her arms behind her back.] You're officially charged with assaulting a police officer. And withholding evidence! [to Hugh] Constable, remove Miss Fisher's gun from her handbag and escort her to the lockup.

Hugh

I'm sorry, Miss. I'm sorry, Miss. I'm sorry, Miss. I'm-

Phryne

You can't do this!

Hugh

-sorry, Miss.

Not so fast!

Hugh

Janey, you're alive.

Jack

I'll never again dismiss the fashion world as frivolous. It all looks harmless enough, but you never know what lurks beneath.

Phryne

Usually lingerie.

Jack

Equally dangerous.

Phryne

And just one dress can be lethal. Night cap?

Jack

Perhaps some other time. At a less dangerous hour, in a less...lethal dress.