Starlight quotes from The Boys

I was Super-abled. My mom was thrilled. She took me to all the Little Miss Hero pageants, but I hated it. [groans] I mean, I can still smell the hairspray. But at the Q and A, they always asked me what my wish was, and I always said, "to save the world." And the judges just chuckled like it was cute… but it wasn't a joke to me. Since when did "hopeful" and "naïve" become the same thing? I mean, why would you get into this business if not to save the world? That's all I have ever wanted. [giggles] And that's why I've always wanted to be in The Seven.

[looks at a chair at the head of the table] That’s his, isn’t it?

The Deep

Homelander’s? Yeah… but you’ll have your own soon. [pulls chair out] Here, come on. Give it a test drive. Come on. [pause; Annie stares at the chair and doesn’t move] Oh, you–you okay?

It’s just… I used to stand in the mirror, pretending to be where I am right now.

The Deep

You know something? On my first day, I, uh… Well, I–I felt like a fraud. [Annie looks surprised] Yeah. But the good news is, everybody feels that way.

Thank you.

The Deep

And hey, we’re a team now. We’ll help each other out. I bet growing up, you had a poster of Homelander on your wall, huh?

No, actually I… I don’t know. Homelander’s so… He’s like Jesus or something. If you wanna know the truth, I actually had a poster of you.

The Deep

What? Really?

Yeah, yeah.

The Deep

Oh.

I kinda… I kinda had a schoolgirl crush on you.

The Deep

Oh, my God.

Oh, God. I hope that’s not inappropriate to say.

The Deep

No, no, no. It’s not inappropriate at all. It’s just–It’s kinda wild.

The Deep

What? I mean, you said you had a crush on me. I figured that, you know…

The Deep

Whoa, whoa, wh-wh-whoa. Hey, look. You're gorgeous. I'm not–I'm not talking about sex, just a little bit of pole-smoking. [Annie continues making her way out] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. It's just a question of how bad you wanna be in The Seven.

[beat; turns around to face the Deep] Excuse me?

The Deep

Whoa. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, hey, hey. Hey… Take it easy. Settle down. We’re just–We’re just talking. And look, I know that you’re powerful. I get it. Your powers are no joke. The thing is… I am number two around here. So, like, if I say so, you’d be out of here. Especially since you attacked me.

I what?

The Deep

Yeah, look. [gestures towards the broken screens and starts walking up to Annie] I mean, Iowa’s sweetheart–the Defender of Des Moines–just went psycho on The Deep. I mean, that… that could put you out of the business. Yeah, I mean, home to Mommy, tail tucked between your legs. Just think of all those kids. I mean, the kids… Those kids who look up to you, they’d just be shattered. That’s not what you really want, right? [brief pause] Or, we come together as a team. You and me, we just roll with the punches for, like, three minutes maybe. It’s not a big deal. And then you know what happens? All your dreams come true.

Hughie

Um, excuse me. I’m sorry, are–are you okay? [Annie looks at him] Just seemed like a tough call. [pause; Annie doesn’t say anything] Sorry. I don’t mean to bother you.

No. No, it’s okay. Uh… I’m fine. I’m just… I’m just having a bad day.

Hughie

Yeah, me too. Is it like a work thing or a life thing?

It’s a work thing. You?

Hughie

Uh, life thing.

You know how you have this image of yourself? Like, I thought I was strong, you know? Like, made of steel. A fighter. And then, I was faced with this horrible situation with this asshole, and… I just heard my mom’s voice in my head: “Keep smiling. The show must go on.” And I didn’t fight. And now, I just feel sick. Partly because I did it, but mostly because… it turns out I’m not who I thought I was. [beat] Oh! Oh, I’m… sorry. I–I didn’t mean to just dump all of that onto you.

Hughie

No, no, it’s totally fine that you dumped. Um, listen, do–do you like your job?

Oh, it’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted.

Hughie

And it’s a good job? Like, you’re not selling kids smack?

No, it’s a great job. I could help a lot of people.

Hughie

Thing is, I… used to know this girl, and we used to go skating at Rockefeller, and I'd be on the side with this death grip on the rails. She would just charge headfirst into the middle of the rink. And she wasn't… good. Like, she fell… a lot, but she was never scared. And she always used to say, “Just 'cause you fall on your ass doesn't mean you have to stay there.” So you fell on your ass, you know? That's not who you are. So who are you?

[pause; smiles and shrugs] I’m a fighter. I’m gonna fight. Yeah, I’m gonna take that son of a bitch’s head clean off his body.

Hughie

Okay. Wow, that was… Okay. Cool. Little scary, but–but cool. [brief pause] I’m–I’m Hughie, by the way.

Annie. [shakes Hughie’s hand]

The Deep

Oh, wow. What a surprise. A water crime. Fuck me running. I swear to God, they only call me when there's trouble at a dock. Or a river, or a lake, canal… a jetty. [chuckles] Fucking idiots. I could be doing so much more. But no, Vought just wants me to make my big pretty dives in the water and flash my fucking biceps for Instagram. I mean, sure, four million hits a day, but still. It's fucking demeaning. [pause; Annie is silent] What's your problem? You've had that pissy look on your face all night.

The Deep

Ooh, what? Is this about the other night again? [scoffs] Jesus Christ. [laughs] Cry me a fucking river, alright? I took my share of shit when I first got here, okay? Besides, you had a crush on me, remember?

That gives you no right–zero right–to do what you did, you pathetic asshole!

The Deep

Hey, you shut your fucking mouth.

Or what? You'll sic a grouper on me?

The Deep

I'll tell everyone you're a psycho. I'll go to Homelander.

No, you won't. See, I asked around. You're not number two around here. You're just the fish guy. Everyone thinks you're a joke. Me most of all. I cannot believe I fell for your crap.

The Deep

You stuck-up little–

You ever touch me again… [her eyes light up] I will burn your eyes out. Understand me?

Ashley

This is Seth and Evan from marketing.

Hi.

Ashley

They have some brilliant ideas on how to capitalize on all the buzz. Gentlemen?

Okay. Now, small-town Iowa girl–unexpected child prodigy–is chosen for The Seven.

Destiny knocks on the girl next door's door, and she answers, to fight for truth and justice side by side with her heroes.

The Big Apple is rough, tumble. It's got worms. Muggers and rapists and thieves, oh, my! Dorothy is not in Kansas anymore!

Or Iowa. Poor girl gets knocked around by something fierce. Kicked while she's down.

So what does she do? Does she cry in her milk? Does she quit?

No way!

She adapts! She transforms!

Embraces her feminine strengths!

Good-bye, Yellow Brick Road!

And hello, Starlight!

I can't wear that.

What?

Ashley

Why not? It's beautiful.

Seriously? It's just… It's not me.

I designed Homelander's suit. This isn't my first rodeo.

You're wrong. It's totally you. It's bold, it's brave, it's feminist.

How is that feminist?

It's empowering. It says you're confident in your own skin, and you're not afraid to show it.

Most importantly, it tells the story. Of your transformation. Of what you're going through.

How exactly do you know what I'm going through, exactly? I'm sorry. I–I appreciate the effort. I really do, but I'm fine with my old outfit.

We're not.

Excuse me?

Starlight, like I said before, this is a partnership. In a partnership, there is give and there is take.

It's my body. I have the right to choose how much of it I show.

That is true. You do. You just won't be doing it in The Seven, unless it is wrapped in that.

Hughie

This is just so weird. I mean, the other day–Was it three days ago?

Mm-hmm.

Hughie

You just seemed like… You seemed so normal, you know? And now, it's just–

Now I'm a freak.

Hughie

No. No, not–No, that's not what I meant at all. I just meant–I just wasn't getting Beyoncé vibes, but… [Annie laughs] Not that you don't have that–

I'm messing with you.

Hughie

Okay.

You know… it was really nice to talk to someone who didn't know who I was. Once you're behind the scenes, it's… it's different.

Hughie

Like how?

I don't know if they really want you to be a hero. I think they just want you to look like one.

Hughie

The other day on the bench when you were talking about how much you hated your job, you meant… you meant this job? [Annie nods] Then, um… Just quit. Just walk away. I mean, you got nothing to prove.

[beat] I should probably get back, you know, before they send a search party for me.

Hughie

Yeah, totally. Um, listen, Annie… Starlight? What do you, uh–

Annie.

Hughie

This is insane, but uh–I know you're you and everything, but if you ever just wanted to, you know, get–

Would you like my number?

Hughie

[pause] Yeah. Yeah, that's–that's, uh… That's what I was asking.

Okay.

Hughie

Do I call you, or do I just commit a crime?

Probably committing a crime would get me to you quicker.

Every single word that I say up here, I'm reading from a script. I didn't write any of these words. I don't even know if I believe in them. I mean, I believe in God. I love God so much, but… honestly, it's… it's just how goddamn certain everyone is around here. [pause; the audience gasps] I mean, tickets start at, what, 170 bucks so that these people can tell you how to get into Heaven? How do they know? How does anybody know? When the Bible was written, life expectancy was 30 years old. I mean, I'm not so sure you're supposed to take it literally. It also says that it's a sin to eat shrimp. What, if–if you're gay or if you're… Gandhi, you're going to Hell? I mean… [scoffs] And if you have sex before marriage, that's–that's not immoral. That's human. What's immoral is the guy who shoved his dick in my face.

The Deep

[watching from the Seven's meeting room] Shit.

[watching from her office] Shit.

[looks at Hughie and her mom before continuing her speech] Here's the truth. Anyone who tells you they know the answers is lying. And I know, I know, I'm supposed to be this hero-idol-symbol-whatever, but... I don't know what the hell I'm doing. I'm just as scared and confused as the rest of you. I'm done pretending, and I'm done taking any more shit. [pause] Thank you.

You fired Ashley?

It was actually a mutual decision. She wanted to explore different career paths, and um, we wished her well. So, I would like you to take this in the constructive spirit that it is intended.

Okay.

You are a selfish, arrogant child.

Wow.

Back in Iowa, I bet you watched a lot of Queen Maeve's movies, right?

I did.

She was a rebel. Didn't take anyone's shit, didn't play by the rules. That's what you wanted to be. That's what American heroes are, but it's a myth; I should know because I wrote it. The truth is dozens of people in this company spent hundreds of hours to create the thing that is you.

I never asked for that.

Then, why don't you burn the sparkly outfit and become a cop? You wanna be a superhero. You wanna be famous… but nobody's famous alone. So why don't you cut the petulant diva shit, show a little fucking gratitude, and let us do our job?

[beat] No.

I'm sorry?

I mean, I don't mean to be ungrateful, but… No red carpets, no reality TV, and no Noxzema commercials. And I want my old uniform back. I'm gonna save people.

Then, I think we may need to reconsider your position in The Seven.

And I think that firing an employee after she reported sexual assault on live TV might tank your stock price.

[taken aback] Well, I hope we can count on your discretion.

Sorry, I don't do discretion anymore. If anyone asks me who did it, I'm gonna answer honestly.

Well, it's great that you wanna tell the truth. I just don't know to whom you're referring.

Oh, I think you know. I think you've known for a long time.

[pause] Thank you so much for coming, Starlight. I have a lot to think about.

Queen Maeve

Boy, you're really milking this thing for all it's worth.

Excuse me?

Queen Maeve

This empowerment act. I mean, every time I'm on a red carpet now, they're asking me how I'm supporting Starlight. But hey, as long as you're trending, right?

I know that you might not get this, but it's not an act. I'm just trying to be honest.

Queen Maeve

Okay, yeah.

When I was younger, I read your autobiography so many times that I wore it out. I had to buy a second one. I wanted to live my life exactly like yours. Because you didn't just break all the bones in your right arm stopping that school bus from falling off of a bridge… but you also went to every kid's physical therapy afterwards just to show the world that they were heroes, too. You really stood for something. But now… I'm pretty sure that was just written by the marketing guys.

I don't remember, but my mom said that when I was born, I almost blinded the doctor. So I had powers from the start. Why?

Hughie

No. No, I'm just curious.

Mmm. Do you mind if we just… not talk about hero stuff tonight?

Hughie

Yeah, yeah. Bad day at work?

Yeah, it's an understatement. You know, there's this beach in the Bahamas where the sand is pink. Like, cotton candy pink.

Hughie

What's it called?

Pink Sands. [Hughie laughs] It's not the most creative name, but… Let's just go.

Hughie

Yeah. No, I can, uh… learn how to play the steel drum. You can get cornrows.

[chuckles] How about tonight?

Hughie

[snaps fingers] Book that ticket. [pause] Are… Are we talking about this?

I don't know. I… I just know that, for me, New York has been such an endless shit show...

…Except for you. Somehow, in the middle of it all… you found me.

Hughie? I thought that was you. [chuckles] Oh. Oh, I apologize. I didn't mean to interrupt.

No. Hi, I'm Annie.

Billy. [shakes Annie's hand] Old mate of Hughie's.

[to Hughie] Boy, you really–you have a lot of friends showing up here.

Hughie

Yeah. Seems like it.

Well, well, well.

Hughie

Butcher…

She's quite tasty up close and personal. I get what you see in her.

Hughie

That wasn't what–

I thought we had an understanding.

Hughie

We do. We do. It… It's not what–

Not what it looks like? 'Cause from where I'm sittin', it looks like you've got your tongue halfway down the opposition's throat.

Hughie

She is not the opposition. She's a good person, okay? I mean, she could help us.

Help us?

Hughie

Yeah.

And what d'you think she's gonna do when she finds out you murdered Translucent?

Queen Maeve

You know, I had someone once. We were gonna get away, start a family.

So what happened?

Queen Maeve

Well… Everyone always asks, what's our special weakness? Gamma rays? Iron daggers? Some ridiculous, stupid thing? The truth is, our weakness is the same as anyone's. It's people. The people we care about. So I say, cut them loose. For your good and for theirs. That way you're really bulletproof.

What's Compound V?

Compound V? I don't know, sweetheart. Should I?

How old was I? How old was I when you let Vought pump me full of drugs?

Annie, honestly, I don't know what you're talk–

How old, when you let them turn me into a freak?

You're not a freak! Never say that!

So it's true.

Annie...

[beat; looks on the verge of tears] Oh, my God. Oh, my God.

Did–Did Vought tell you all this?

No. No, a friend told me. How much did they pay you?

It wasn't about money.

How much?

There was no money. They–They just paid for the medical bills, that's it. I did it because they–they promised that you'd have a chance at an extraordinary life. To be strong and successful and special. I mean, who wouldn't want that for their–

You made me think that I was chosen by God!

You were! God brought Vought into our lives. He made this possible.

BULLSHIT! YOU DID! And then you controlled every single minute of it! You woke me up at 5:00 a.m. to train for those stupid pageants, and the tap dancing and the tae kwon do! I gave up every moment of my life!

I gave up every moment of my life. And I was happy to do it! This was our dream!

This was your dream! I never got a chance to choose my own dreams. No wonder I don't know who the fuck I'm supposed to be!

Queen Maeve

You want me to hold your hair back?

[groans] Don't touch… [grunts; flushes the toilet] Leave me alone, I'm not in the mood.

Queen Maeve

Not in the mood for what?

Your bottomless casual cruelty. So just make whatever shitty comment you're gonna make and then go.

Queen Maeve

Look. [turns her wrist over]

What am I supposed to be looking at?

Queen Maeve

No… my radius never healed straight. I really did break every bone in my right arm.

What?

Queen Maeve

Stopping the bus from falling. You said the marketing guys made it up. It was me: 23-year-old, bright-eyed, "ass you could bounce a quarter off of"… me. I really did want to make a difference. I really did care. I was just like you. And then, I started giving pieces of myself away and… I guess I gave away everything. [beat] So you know what? Be… Just be original. For fuck's sake. My position is already taken. Be the annoying goody two-shoes asshоlе that you are. [chuckles] One of us has to be.

Hughie

The burner phone, did you snap the SIM card?

Jesus. When was the last time you slept?

Hughie

Head down, head down. Sorry. I just... I'm wanted, and you're kinda super famous, so... Did you snap the card?

Okay, yes. Yes, I snapped the card, okay? And no one followed me down here. They can't trace my chip down here. We're okay.

Hughie

[beat] You look good.

Yeah, you... you look good, too. You look very, you know... Yeah, I'm lying. I'm sorry. You look like shit.

Hughie

I know, I know.

Where are you guys living?

Hughie

Club Med in Ibiza. [Annie laughs and smiles at him] It's been awesome. Foam parties will change your life.

[chuckles] Idiot.

Hughie

[pause] Oh. Um... Here it is.

Oh, shit. I know him.

Hughie

You do?

Yeah. I mean, not for a while, but yes. From my Capes for Christ days.

Hughie

Are you sure you can do this?

I have a choice?

Hughie

Hey, I... I saw a really great picture of you at the Teen Choice Awards with, um... What's his name, Ansel Adams?

Alden Ehrenreich. Are you stalking me on Instagram?

Hughie

No. No, of course not. Get over yourself. So did the PR people put you together or what's...?

No, he's a nice guy.

Hughie

He's an actor.

He's an actor who didn't lie to my face every day.

Hughie

Okay, yeah, I got it. Ouch.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I... Hughie, I just…

Hey… Get some sleep.

Hughie

I'll sleep when I know you're safe.

Yeah, at the, uh, Capes for Christ Bible Camp, yes, totally. Mm-hmm, that Passion play we put on?

You were the best Jesus.

I mean, no one's gonna take a nail through the hand like I can.

And Big Game was Pontius Pilate. Oh my God, those freckles. You know he wanted to make out with me?

Pontius Pilate and Mary hooking up?

Mm-hmm.

Ooh, "sacri-licious."

Yeah, we never did.

Why not? He was so cute.

Yeah, it just, it was what Ezekiel always said. And my mom, too. That God is watching over you, every second. You know, I thought that He was watching us, and I thought that He'd be upset.

Yeah, it's a, it's a messed up thing to tell a kid.

Yeah. But looking back? I should've made out with Big Game. I should've done a lot more stuff. Because... there is nothing up there. There's nobody in the sky watching over us. Not God, not Homelander. Not anybody. It's all just... lies.