Patti Levin[to Laurie] I brought her here, too. Just over a year ago. Gladys sat right there where you're sittin' right now. I don't know how, but she somehow got word that her son had died. Did she ever tell you she had a son?
[Laurie writes "No"]
Patti Levin
It was over in Yemen, I think. His helicopter just crashed or some such, and as you can imagine, she did not take it very well. She questioned her commitment, she became distracted, and she began to feel again. And there was a lot of mopin' and cryin' around the house, and then it started to happen out in the open. So I brought her here, I fed her, and I invited her to speak her troubles out loud. I gave her every opportunity to talk. She never spoke one word, never broke, just like you. So I'm going to tell you what I told her. I understand the pull. I understand. It's your family. It's your past. I understand that going back to them feels comfortable and easy because the alternative, what we do, is very, very hard. But there can't be any doubt, Laurie because doubt is fire! And fire is gonna burn you up until you are but ash!
Patti Levin
Well, Kevin, that is a kind offer. Take me home, give a polite little beep as you drive off, but you should know that I have every intention of reporting you to the actual authorities. I will tell them that I was abducted off the street, and I will identify my attackers. And they will take your job, and then they will take your child. You want to undo this, but I simply cannot allow that, so You're just going to have to batten down the hatches and finish what you started here, my friend. Now get me a fuckin' cigarette!
Patti Levin
Boy are you fucked.
Patti Levin
You're wondering if I have a sense of debt to you for saving my life. Maybe, I'll change my mind about decimating yours?
Patti Levin
No, I won't. Oh, it's a pickle- can't let me go, won't let me die. Oh what to do, Kevin, what to fucking do?
Patti Levin
I want you to understand.
Patti Levin
Ever think about the fourteenth? The fourteenth of October? The great vanishing, the Sudden Departure, the clusterfuck of the modern era. When's the last time you really thought about it?
Patti Levin
Me, I think about it every fuckin' waking moment. I mean come on, what else is there to think about?
So you know where they went- what happened?
Patti Levin
It doesn't matter what happened! But the difference between you and me is that I accept that it did. And while you push it aside, while you ignore it, we strip ourselves of everything that distracts us from it. We strip away the colorful diversions that keep us from remembering. We strip away attachment, fear, and love, and hatred, and anger, until we are... erased. Until we are a blank slate. We are living reminders of what you try so desperately to forget. And we are ready. And we are waiting. Because it's not gonna' be long now.
Now I know why you don't fuckin' talk. I've gotta' hand it to you Patti that is such an impressive line of fuckin' bullshit.
Patti Levin
Well Laurie obviously disagrees with you.
Laurie didn't join you to become a living fucking reminder.
Patti Levin
Then why did she?
Patti Levin
Oh, you think she came to us because of you? Because of what you did with your dirty dick? Yes, Kevin, there was a time when I told Laurie everything. And then there was a time when she told me everything. But she came to me because I could offer her something that you could not: purpose. That's all any of us want now, every single one of us. Not answers, not love- just a reason to exist. Something to live for. Something to die for.
Did Gladys have a purpose?
Patti Levin
Ah, you remember her name!
Of course I remember her fucking name.
Patti Levin
Well Kevin, that was the point! That woman was brutally murdered- death by a hundred stones- and now, she can't be forgotten.
Patti Levin
[pause] She was okay with it. And when Laurie's time comes she will be okay with it too. And it's coming. So soon. And you are all ready, all you need is just a little push.
Patti Levin
Oh Kevin, you can't kill me, you don't have the fuckin' balls. I want you to commit. I want you to finish what you started. I want you to go all the way. I want you to say you understand.
Patti Levin
What happened! What's happening. To me. To you. Oh vanity of Sleep, Hope, Dream, endless Desire, the Horses of Disaster plunge through the heavy clay: Beloved, let your eyes half close and your heart beat over my heart, and you hair fall over my breast, Drowning love's lonely hour in deep twilight of rest, And hiding their tossing manes, and tumultuous feet. Kevin? Kevin. Kevin Garvey. You don't have to hide from me.
[stares a moment] You're going home. [kneels and starts cutting her loose] You're not gonna' tell anyone what I did to you. Because I'll fuckin' tell them. Lose my fuckin' job, so fuckin' be it. But I am not gonna' lose my mind listening to the words coming out of your fucking mouth. No, Patti. No. I don't understand you.
Patti Levin
[picks up a piece of broken glass as Kevin walks toward the door to leave] Kevin!
[he turns to face her]
Patti Levin
You do understand.
[Patti stabs herself in the neck, blood pouring down her body as she collapses]
Oh Jesus! Oh God! [rushes to Patti and lowers her to the floor, removing the shard from her neck] What the fuck did you do? What the fuck did you do?
Patti Levin
You understand...
The Leftovers · 32 quotes
