Ruth Fisher quotes from Six Feet Under

David

Maybe Emily Previn was autistic. I read an article once about a high-functioning autistic person who didn't need people. She just had a job designing these big cattle slaughterhouses. At night, she came home and sat in a machine that made her feel like she was being hugged. And that was all the intimacy she needed.

Nate

That's really upsetting.

Claire

I don't see why this person has to be mentally ill just because she had a life that doesn't conform to some familiar image that we have in our heads. Maybe she was living the life she wanted. The life without the hassle of other people.

Ruth

What kind of a life is that?

Ruth

So, what's new?

Brenda

Actually, I spent all night doing it with this couple from Orange County. And I have absolutely no idea why.

Ruth

Claire, are you depressed?

Claire

I'm not even going to answer that question.

Ruth

Well, whatever you're going through, I hope you don't blame me.

Ruth

I would like to go on record as saying I am in full support of you going to art school.

Claire

Consider it recorded. But I'm just taking a tour. Let's not get our panties in a wad over it.

Ruth

Clearly there's something wrong with me that you hide something like this from me, your brother and sister knew for months.

Nate

I wanted to protect you …

Ruth

You're not supposed to protect me. I'm supposed to protect you. That's what a mother does. She tries. Most of the time she fails, but how are you ever going to feel loved if you don't ever let me try?

Nate

I do. I do feel loved.

Ruth

[crying] There's just so many months I could have loved you better.

Nate

You loved me fine.

Ruth

You're everything … you're everything to me, and you don't even know it.

Nate

[crying] Oh, God, I don't wanna go. Oh, I can't do this. I can't!

Ruth

I won't let you go. I'll never let you go.

Ruth

Chickpeas give me gas.

This is an unusually gassy family!

Ruth

Oh, Arthur, hi.

Arthur

Hi Ruth. Did you have a good time stalking me this morning?

Ruth

What are you talking about?

Arthur

Oh, please. If you like following people so much, why don't you join the CIA or the Moonies? Or why don't you go to the actual fucking moon and mind your own moon business, you … freak!

Arthur

Your friendship has so much value for me. Anything more would be unprofessional.

Ruth

I know, I know.

Arthur

Please don't kiss me again.

Ruth

I never will, never.

Arthur

Friends?

Ruth

Friends. [Arthur moves forward to hug Ruth, but she kisses him. Arthur pulls away surprised and runs out of the room. Some children run into the kitchen. Ruth places a tray of snacks on the table] You'll have to help yourselves. I'm out of control.

Ruth

I care for you, Arthur. I care for your music. I care for your hankies. And I won't deny it because that would be a lie. But if you want me to leave, I will, because that's your choice. Because I choose you.

Arthur

There's something I forgot to tell you about Petrarch? He started the Renaissance. [They embrace.]

Ruth

Arthur, have you ever had sex?

Arthur

I think I have … in a sense.

Arthur

I have some kerchiefs and some undershirts to do. I hear some people call them wife-beaters, which I think is rather funny.

Ruth

There's nothing funny about beating your wife.

Ruth

I just cried all over your jacket, and you're a perfect stranger.

George

Not any more, I'm not.

Ruth

[after sex] Do you think we were too loud?

George

It's possible that we were too loud, yes.

Ruth

[about George's other son] Why have you never told me this?

George

Because he's never really been part of my life.

Ruth

If he's sending us shit in the mail, he is a part of your life!

Ruth

I want to know why your other wives left you!

George

Because they asked too many fucking questions!