Vanessa Ives quotes from Penny Dreadful

Vanessa

Do you believe there is a demimonde, Mr. Chandler? A half world between what we know and what we fear? A place in the shadows, rarely seen, but deeply felt. Do you believe that?

Ethan

Yes.

Vanessa

That's where we were last night, where some unfortunate souls are cursed to live always. If you believe in curses, that is.

Vanessa

"If this belief from heaven be sent, if such be nature's holy plan... "

Victor

"Have I not reason to lament... "

"What man has made of man."

Dorian

It was more of a... random invitation.

Vanessa

Do you get many of those?

Dorian

Entirely.

Vanessa

You could say "no."

Dorian

I never say "no."

Vanessa

I wasn't skeptical about the room.

Dorian

What then? Shall I guess?

Vanessa

Have on, Mr. Gray.

Dorian

You do not belong here. Even less than I. You are not frivolous. Your eye is careful and appraising. This is not a careful room, although there is much to appraise. That can divert you for only so long. You do not like it here. You are closed to it. Yet... you're the only woman in this house not wearing gloves. Your hands want to touch, but your head wants to appraise. Your heart is torn between the two. You were skeptical because you thought... This was going to be a wasted evening, but now you're not so sure.

Dorian

What does it say to you?

Vanessa

Touch me with your finger, softly.

Vanessa

Is it poisonous?

Dorian

Like all beautiful things, I hope so.

Vanessa

Leave the mad larks to the boys, Sir Malcolm.

Victor

Oh, not me, just him. I'm bloodless.

Vanessa

The essence of your appeal, Doctor.

Vanessa

You don't miss your home?

Ethan

Landscape's nice. Legal system less so.

Vanessa

His name is Ariel. The most challenging bit is the eyes. They're glass, of course, so by nature are dead and dull. But that wouldn't do for my great predator. So I put mirrors behind the glass eyes, so they would spark. You see?

It's like they're alive.

Vanessa

They are. I would put mirrors behind the entire world if I could.

Vanessa

You have very clean hands.

Victor

Yes, I suppose so.

Vanessa

Do you value cleanliness?

Victor

I suppose I do.

Vanessa

That's why you're a virgin. [Victor looks startled] Or maybe not. Who can tell about such things, such hidden things. Such secrets we all have, don't we, Doctor? [pretends to almost bite his thumb] There's a line from Shelley that haunts me, a single line from "Adonais". I can't seem to get it out of my head. "No more let life divide what death can join together." [Victor stands, shuddering] Your clean hands are trembling. Are you afraid?

Victor

N-Not of you.

Vanessa

You think you know a greater demon? Tell me of him. Or shall I tell you? [Victor walks to his bag] Is the examination over?

Victor

It has not yet begun. [leaves the room]

Sir Malcolm

[about Mina] If I can save her, I will. If I cannot, I will end her suffering.

Vanessa

And will that bring you peace?

Sir Malcolm

Don't be naive. It doesn't suit you.

Ethan

Mina's dead, the creature's dead. We lost.

Vanessa

That was only a battle. Do you think the dark forces that converge on our heads can be vanquished so easily? Do you honestly believe you can escape them?

Ethan

And the other ones? The ones inside us?

Vanessa

Inside me you mean?

Ethan

No, that's not what I mean.

Vanessa

Is this what it is to go mad. Your darkest fears made manifest before your eyes.

Sir Malcolm

You're not a neurotic, Vanessa.

Vanessa

Then tell me where am I to find peace! Not even my prayers are safe! Do you know what that's like?

Sir Malcolm

No. But I understand the fear of twisting things that move at night.

Vanessa

Tell me I deserve peace.

Sir Malcolm

I'm a poor minister for that, Vanessa. That's not been my life. But this I do know. I'll not leave your side. Wherever we walk, we walk together.

John Clare

Is it not this, Ms. Ives? The glory of life surmounts the fear of death. Good Christians fear Hellfire, so to avoid it they are kind to their fellow man. Good pagans do not have this fear, so they can be who they are. Good or ill, as their nature dictates. We have no fear of God, so we are accountable to no one but each other.

Vanessa

That's a profound responsibility.

Why you want to learn the art? [spreading out tarot cards]

Vanessa

To find out what I am.

And if the answer you don't like?

Vanessa

Better to know.

Not really. Look that them. What do they say to you?

Vanessa

[looks down at the cards] Nothing.

[hits Vanessa on the head] I said look at them.