Henry Collins quotes from The Gentlemen

Eddie, glad you made it.

Henry. [shakes hands]

[referring to Jack sitting at bar with Susie] Look at him. Magnificent specimen.

Depends how you define specimen. If you’re looking for a dog with six dicks, he’s your specimen.

Well, there is some truth in that. You know, Jack’s biggest problem is Jack. I worked with a lot of boys over the years, six of ’em champions. Difference is, every one of ’em, 100% commitment.

Mm. He’s 100% committed to the lifestyle. The question is, does he have his family’s ambition?

[gestures] I got us a nice table. [leads Eddie to table] I’m curious, Eddie. How did you get ringside with Susie Glass?

I was a captain in the Queen’s Dragoon Guards. My father died, I came back, and I inherited some of his... business interests.

Oh yeah? [pulls down shirt collar to reveal tattoo] Two Para.

How many tours?

Three tours of Sangin. War recalibrates a man’s philosophies, his priorities.

Indeed. [servers hands drinks] Thanks.

Slainte.

Cheers.

You and Susie straighten out that business matter?

Ah, it was a minor domestic issue. Hopefully, nothing that can’t be ironed out.

You worked with Chucky before?

I never mentioned Chucky.

Well, he wouldn’t be my first choice, if you know what I mean. He wouldn’t be my second choice either.

Do you know anyone more appropriate?

I know a lot of people, Eddie.

[to pyrotechnics engineer] No, no, no. Your timing’s off. I’ve told ya, the flames shoot up when the horns come in, all right? It’s gotta be perfect. Bang on the button.

Yes, boss.

Get it right. All right, Eddie?

Hello.

Sorry. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to things like this. Showmanship is the key thing that pulls the punters in the door.

I’ll bet. Shame about the view.

Oh yeah, magnificent, innit? I bought it during the crash. Half finished. Developer went tits up. He moonwalked off to Dubai. I nicked it, to be honest with ya. You know why?

Why?

Because I knew... I knew that deep down, no matter how long, no matter how bad things got, I knew the crowds would be back for the fight. At the end of the day, we’re just a bunch of Neanderthals.

Well, speak for yourself, Henry.

Well, when you strip it all back, that’s all that’s left. Impulse. Instinct. Survival.

Maybe you’re right. I wanted to pick up on the conversation we had the other night.

Oh yeah? What part exactly?

Don’t be coy, Henry.

How much are you looking to wash?

Fifteen million.

Hmm. You got the sign-off from Susie on this? Only in the past, when I’ve tested the water with her, she didn’t wanna mix church with state.

Don’t worry about Susie. Or Bobby.

How fast do you need it?

Two weeks.

Well, you don’t fuck about, do you?

Like you said, impulse, instinct, survival.

I’m gonna introduce you to an associate of mine. But I gotta warn ya, he’s the most boring man you’ll ever meet. Eddie, meet Thick Rick.

Pleasure to meet you.

Likewise.

Rick started out as an accountant, but he was too partial to having a flutter. Clocked up a level of debt that necessitated a sideline in creative accountancy. Gamekeeper turned poacher, you could say. Rick, tell Eddie how the magic happens.

It all begins in the betting shop at the conclusion of the fight. When the loser is determined, whoever he may be, he will suddenly discover that a multitude of bets have been placed on this unfortunate fighter…

Thing about Rick is, he actually finds all this stuff interesting. Offshore, onshore, mitigation, amortization... I’m falling asleep just talking about it. All you need to know is, he’s reliable. His commission is extremely reasonable. Blah, blah, blah. If anyone ever questioned his numbers, he’d bore them into submission with such tedious, repetitive, and dull information that they’d give up long before he would, as he’s the ultimate cure for insomnia. It’s hard to make money boring, but not so for Rick. It does mean you can put your feet up whilst he does the work and delivers you back... Fifteen million quid. Minus a very reasonable 5%, of course. Bookmakers like Rick are part of my business setup, but I have to keep them at arms’ length. Because he’s too fucking boring. Like I said, you know, for me, it’s all about the boxing. What about you, Eddie? How’s this all sounding?

Honestly, I think it sounds perfect.

[at Chucky's residence] Could you help me? Give me a hand?

Yeah.

Chucky Kubra

Ishy, hold on, hold on... Can I borrow you for a second, Eddie? Come here. Changed your fucking tune, haven’t ya?

Excuse me?

Chucky Kubra

Last time we were face to face, brother, you were looking at me like I were a fucking numpty. Isn’t that right?

That’s right.

Chucky Kubra

And as far as I can remember, you were very cynical about this operation. Is that right, Ishy?

That’s right.

Yeah, well, it’s not up to me.

Chucky Kubra

Where the fuck is this guy going? And you know what else, yeah? When I was explaining timescales to you, you had a right fucking face on, like I farted in your nan’s mouth.

Look, I don’t wanna do this. I just wanna get the fucking job done.

Chucky Kubra

Well, listen to me, yeah? We are gonna do this, and I’ll tell you what else.

What?

Chucky Kubra

You have got a void in your soul, man. Yeah? A darkness. When I was sat in Susie’s office, looking at you, thinking, “This handsome behenchod don’t believe in my corn dogs.” If you don’t believe in this fucking project, nobody can believe in this fucking project. [points] You are gonna believe in this fucking project. Get me some corn dogsǃ

What flavor?

Chucky Kubra

Any fucking flavor!

I don’t... I don’t need a corn dog. I don’t need convincing. I’m sorry, all right? Let’s just get the job done, please.

Chucky Kubra

Your vibes are fucked. Look around you. We’re alive, aren’t we? Breathe in. Breathe in the good vibes. Fuck off the bad ones. I don’t know what you’re in a rush for. Susie said, “Take your time.”

What did she say?

Chucky Kubra

She goes, “Four, five, six months. It don’t fucking matter.” Take my time, so stop rushing me.

I’ll take them into your house myself.

[holds hands to Eddie's chest] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Ease up, brother. Where are you going?

I’m not eating thatǃ

[pokes Eddie in stomach] In about ten seconds, this halal corn dog is gonna be in your bellyǃ You’re gonna eat it ’cause Chucky said eat itǃ

[places bags on Henry's desk] Five bags. Three in each.

What do you reckon?

I think it’s disgusting. Dirty as fuck.

Let’s go to work.

[on phone] I made an executive decision. [scenes of Eddie beating Ishy]

Where are you?

[in flashback] Put the bags in the fucking carǃ

Mr. Collins would like a word. He says it’s important.

This is all very ominous. Better not be an issue with my money.

Oh, no, it’s not about the money. It’s about your brother.

What about my brother? He’s about to beat ten types of shit out of an Uzbek right now.

Yeah. Well, unfortunately, that’s not how this is gonna end. It’s a shame, you know. I quite like the kid, actually. But sadly, he’s connected to a bigger picture. When I see a chance to, uh, expand my business, I can’t help myself. I jump at it.

We’re missing the fight. Maybe you could get to the point.

Fifteen million. That’s a lot of money. My understanding is that it’s from one farm in the last month alone. Well, you multiply that by 14, and you’re left with two and a half billion pound a year.

Hmm. Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you. We’re not looking for investors or partners. Once you’ve cleaned the 15, we’re good.

Oh, I’m not looking to invest. I’m taking over.

You’re a boxing promoter. And a money launderer. You wanna stay in your fucking lane.

You’re very smart, Susie. Clever. But you clearly haven’t done your homework on me. I could’ve shown you the same treatment as I’m showing your brother, but out of respect, I’m making you this offer. There are two paths available to ya. The path of least resistance... You hand over your business to me right here, right now, and you accept my offer with grace and intelligence. Then there’s the other path. Hmm, that’ll end up in a war. Starting with the obliteration of your lovely brother. I’m not gonna kill him, out of respect for you. But I am gonna hurt him so you know I’m serious.

If my brother was talking to you now, he’d say the same as me. I’ll take my chances.

Yeah, I thought you might say that. The thing about fixing fights, it’s quite interesting. You need a very special kind of fighter. A ringer. The Butcher there, he’s just that rare breed of warrior. No ego. Willing to look bad for profit. His record might be three wins in 30 fights, but all 27 of those losses are fights he’s thrown. So when he does win, the purse he’s built up is so big, it’s worth his while. Because the truth is, he’s an unstoppable monster. The ref ain’t gonna help you either. Whilst he’s a happily married father of three, his love for chop and brass means that he’ll do exactly as he’s told. So when I give the nod and it’s time for Jack to go down, and he is going down, the chances are he’ll stay down. You underestimate us at your peril.

crossed the river Rubicon with his army, he deliberately went to war with the Roman state. It was a point of no return. The problem with your offer is that it’s too late. The Rubicon’s already been crossed, Henry. You’re wrong about me not knowing you.

I know you’re no Julius Caesar, and you have no idea about the river in which you have chosen to swim. It is dark and full of terrors.

You may have a small army, but I am the state. I am the house. I am the establishment. And you are ill-equipped physically, martially, and intellectually for the fight you’ve mistakenly chosen to pick.

Your dad’s in prison, and you’re under-armed and underqualified. Take the offer, and we’ll look after you both. We’ll see how you feel tomorrow. You look after yourself.