Frederick Horniman quotes from The Gentlemen

Welcome home, sir.

Did you miss me, Mr. Lawrence?

Terribly.

[meeting in foyer] Hello, Freddy.

[holds out arms for hug] Eddie. Edwina, Eduardo, you made it. Come to me. Well done, darling boy. Well done. Let’s hug it out. Bring it in. Hug it out. There we go. [grunts] Good to see you.

How is he?

[sighs] Shit, mate, to be honest. Yeah. [referring to their father] His goose is cooked man. Doc says tonight. Tomorrow morning maybe...

Hmm. What about you? How you doing?

To be honest, I’ve got absolutely no idea. I mean, I’m really just, you know... [exhales]

How’s Mum?

Yeah, she’s the one we need to keep an eye on. Pretty sure she’s been dipping her beak in Dad’s meds. She’s got eyes like fucking... hubcaps.

[pats Freddy on back] Right. Let’s keep it together. Okay.

[The Gospel pulls up with subordinates] Freddy, why are there two cars? They’ve brought an entire football team.

Yeah, they don’t travel light.

[gestures] Don’t be intimidated by the look of my lads. They’re good lads. Nice lads. They’re God-fearing lads.

Good afternoon, Mr. Dixon.

This your gaff, is it?

Yes.

Very, um, Versace. Very impressive. But your leccy bill must be shocking.

Sorry, what’s a... what’s a leccy bill?

I believe you know my brother, Freddy.

Oh yeah, me and Freddy know each other. [flashback of Freddy being tortured] You should repent, son. ‘Cause Jesus loves you. We are well acquainted.

Good. [to staffer] Mr. Lawrence. Please. [to John] And, uh, bring the whole choir.

Can I ask you a question, please?

Sure.

Why the fuck are we doing any of this? We could do what dad did. Five million a year for absolutely nothing. It’s a pretty good payday.

It’s not about the money. It’s about removing ourselves from a criminal organization. It’s about taking back control.

Control. So just so I’ve got this clear in my mind. In order to stop ourselves being associated with criminals, we are going to become... criminals.

[with ski mask on] We’re not criminals, Freddy. [leaves vehicle]

[Eddie and Susie pull into warehouse with Freddy tied to chair with Mercy holding a machete] You’d better have my rice. He says he’s your brother. Is this true, or is this more bullshit like the stupid voice he made?

He’s my brother. Now you have your product, you can let him go.

[scoffs] You stole from meǃ There have to be consequences.

They didn’t know what they were stealing.

[points machete] And you are?

I’m Susie Glass.

Compliments to the chef. Certain lanes for certain horses. Certain slips for certain dogs. You know how this works. You can’t just return what you stole. We have people, organizations, competition. They need to know, cause and effect. I mean, someone’s got to pay.

We understand. That’s why we brought a peace offering. [opens van back door to reveal Toni Blair] As you can tell, we’ve been misled. Now you put him in the chair instead of my brother.

I believe in, uh, biblical punishment. Hmm? [pulls off Freddy's hood]

Eddie. For the love of fuck, get– [Mercy strikes him on head]

Agh, Jesus Christ. Eye for an eye. If someone tries to steal from you, it’s enough to take off a finger.

You don’t need to take a finger. You don’t need to take anything else because, technically, I didn’t try to steal anything. Isn’t that right?

You’re right, Freddy.

If someone actually steals from you... Hmm? [tuts] I mean, the message needs to be loud and clear. Yeah?

Freddy, we’re done here. Come on.

Stay the fuck there!

All right, all right.

I-It’s not enough for justice to be done. Justice needs to be seen to be done. As a warning for those who might suffer the temptations in the future.

Freddy Horniman

If that’s directed at me, I promise you I’m not gonna be tempted in future. I promise you that.

Okay, you keep your eyes open, and you’ll learn a valuable lesson. Oh, hello. Let’s hear what he has to say, yeah? [Toni Blair's hood is pulled off] Yes?

Fuck you. You cocksucking bitch! [laughs and Mercy repeatedly attacks him with machete] Thank you for your attention.

[on boat out on lake with Jimmy] You know what it is, James? I’m angry. I’ll tell you what really champs my giblets. I should be an asset to them. They should want me around. I’m smart. I’m a smart guy. I’ve got grades. It’s... It blows my mind, man. I screw up one time... maybe a couple, two, three times, all of a sudden, I’m persona non gratis, not wanted, en voyage. It’s... it’s insane. It’s ridiculous, is what it is, James.

Freddy? Just chill out, man.

Maybe I don’t wanna chill out, James. Maybe... maybe I need to get out of here. What do you say? You and me.

I can’t, bruv. I’ve gotta meet someone. Or more like something. Something special.

You know what?

[Freddy lights a dynamite stick] Oh, whoa! What are you doing? Freddy!

I’m staying right here. [throws dynamite stick over shoulder] Oorah!

Geoff Seacombe

Do you need a hand?

I’m fine, Geoff.

Geoff Seacombe

You know you shouldn’t smoke fish with pine, don’t you?

Huh?

Geoff Seacombe

You’re planning on smoking that beautiful carp, but the resin, it poisons the flesh.

Tsk! I can’t do anything right, can I? I mean, Eddie’s off gallivanting around the country pretending to be a gangster. And I’m stuck here, alone, with this... dead fishǃ

Geoff Seacombe

Freddy. It’s a lucky man who’s happy with his place in life.

[in cannabis grow-op] Welcome to the cauldron of creativity, brother. James, would you give us the floor?

Oh, yeah, of course. [fist bumps Freddy] Relax. You got this, fam. [leaves]

That’s cool. Thanks, man.

So what’s this little project you’ve got going with Jimmy?

[chuckles] Okay, well, first of all, it’s not just a little fucking... [sighs deeply] The point is, this time, I did something extraordinary. And your bosses are gonna wanna hear about it.

All right, Freddy. I have no doubt. I just wanna temper your expectations.

That’s fine, that’s fine. Temper away. Go ahead and temper those expectations. I’m about to exceed yours.

[Freddy places potted plant on table] What exactly is that?

See, what happened was, I meet this guy. Old guy, big beard, looked like Jesus. Starts telling me about this project he’s been working on. Growing sativa marijuana seeds in the same soil as coca plants. See, what happens is, over time, the seeds start to absorb the properties from the coke plants, and, eventually, voilà! Crack weed. Or weed crack. I can’t remember which way–

I have to stop you there.

No, let me finish, okay? Look, I know... I know this sounds crazy– And scientifically impossible. Look, I appre– This shit is gonna be a fucking game changer for the business. The bottom line is, I just… I just need you to arrange a sit-down for me with Susie, okay?

What?

And... possibly also with her dad.

No.

Pleaseǃ

Circumstances have changed, all right? The Glasses can’t be trusted. They’re exploiting us.

Fuck itǃ Let’s exploit them right backǃ

They are dangerous, all right? Susie had Jethro killed.

Who the fuck is Jethro? Who... Oh, [makes headphone gesture] the... the guy with the...

Yeah, yeah.

Okay, all right. Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. Well, obviously, I mean, that is pretty bad.

The point is, Freddy, they lied to us. Susie lied to us. They have no intention of ever leaving our land.

Maybe we don’t want them to leave. Listen, Eddie, I know… I know I can be a touch unreliable at times, but I really think I’m onto something here.

You know what I think, Freddy? I think that you are an addict.

What the fuck has that–

And this is one of many indulgences that I’m gonna have to bail you out of. This is not a game, Freddy. They will kill you. They will kill me. They will kill our entire fucking family if it helps them get what they want. I’m not gonna change my mind.

[The Gospel and his men are waiting outside the manor doors] Okay. Enough’s enough. [heads to door] Guys, I love ya. It’s been nice knowing ya.

[approaches] Freddy, Freddy!

No, this is my mess, and it is time I finally fucking faced up to it.

[she and Sabrina closes door] I will not fucking let youǃ

It’s okay. It’s okay. Guys, it’s okay. Because this is nothing less than I deserve. I am a massive piece of shit. Yeah? And if those guys out there let me live, I’ll just go right back to being a piece of shit. Am I wrong? Edward, am I wrong? Exactly. But it’s okay. Because this is the one time I can do something selfless. The one chance I have to reclaim a shred of human dignity. So don’t take that away from me.

Don’t do that. Freddy, it’s not dignity. It is pain and violence and death. Now, we love you. [places hand on Freddy's jaw] And, yes, you can be a bit of a prick.

Big prick.

Big prick.

Big, old prick.

But right now, we need you. All right?

Give me the bird.

Just one pigeon, okay? Just one measly fucking pigeon, Eddie. Listen, I know what you’re gonna say. You’re gonna say you’ve got some heavy fucking hitters lined up out there. But I’ve raised some epic funds in my time.

Debts don’t count. Okay. No need to be snarky.

The point I’m trying to make is this. I have been watching you these past couple of months. Observing the way you operate and just soaking it all in, all this crime stuff–

Listen to me. All right? We’re done. No more games. No more debts. It’s over.

Oh, I get what this is. I see. You’re jealous. You want me out the way.

I think it was you who wanted me out of the way, Freddy.

Okay. Well... touché. I probably deserved that. But–

I’m taking the pigeon, Freddy.

[snatches away pigeon carrier] I’m not giving you Mitch, Ed.

You weren’t meant for this, Freddy. Neither of us were.

[chuckles] Remember that first time Dad took us deer stalking? Remember that?

[sighs] Uh, no. No, not really.

We all stalked the deer together, and then Dad let me take the shot. And I got it. I fucking got it. And he was so fucking proud. And then when we got closer... and it was still breathing... I couldn’t do it.

Well, you were just a kid, Freddy.

You were younger than me. Dad handed you the knife, and you slit that thing’s throat like it was fucking nothing.

Yeah.

[sighs and walks to Eddie] The point I’m trying to make is this, Edward. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m not... cut out for this. But you... You were fucking born for it. [hands Eddie pigeon carrier] Look after Mitch for me. [walks away]

[Sabrina and Charly visit Freddy in rehab] Oh, there he is. Little, um, baby Tim. Tim?

Tarquin.

Tarquin.

Yeah.

Fabulous, fabulous name. How's he doing?

[sighs] Ghastly, most of the time.

[chuckles] I'd love to give him a cuddle.

Yeah, of course. Yeah. Just, um, maybe when he wakes up.

Maybe he won't wake up.

Sorry?

Maybe he'll stay asleep, 'cause it's peaceful in here. 'Cause it's... Well, I find it peaceful, anyway. [seated at table with Sabrina and Charly] The good news is, I've... I've come to a realization, which I would like to tell you about. It's a big one. It might come as a little bit of a shock. [awkwardly chuckles] But, um, I have been reborn. Spiritually speaking. [sighs] Family is everything to me. I have been less than the older brother I should have been. I haven't been there for you. All those years, hoovering up lines of cоcɑіnе like a fսcking Henry the Hoover. But I wanna be there for you now. For you and... your newborn son.

Sabrina Horniman

Well, that's just-

Mummy, I failed you and Dad. I... I... I failed in my responsibilities, and, um, I realize that Dad was right to leave everything... everything to Edward. No, he was. He was right. And, um, I'm glad. [chuckles] I'm actually... I'm grateful that he did. Because that all led me here. That being said, I think that I'm ready to come home now. [gasps] If... I mean, if you guys want me to.

Sabrina Horniman

Yes!

Yeah.

Sabrina Horniman

Oh God, of courseǃ

You'll have me back?

Sabrina Horniman

We want you home.

Great.

Sabrina Horniman

We do, my darling.

Great.

Sabrina Horniman

I do think it's important not to rush into these things.

I'm not rushing. I've thought about it a lot. I've got a bag packed.

Sabrina Horniman

Yes, well, not today.

We don't have room in the car.

Sabrina Horniman

There's no room in the car.

What are you praying for, Freddy?

For guidance.

And do you feel like you have received that guidance?

I don't know, I don't know.

He is listening. I prayed to him when I lost my brother. And my prayers were answered.

Because now I've got you. You are praying for your loss, for that which was taken from you. And here I am, right by your side. For we are now brothers. And together, [places hand on Freddy's shoulder] we'll make sure we get back what's rightfully yours.