Number Six[to the new Number Two, firmly shaking his hand so he can't leave] Yes, and so the great day is nearly over. Went off rather well, I thought. Better than planned. And now you can look forward to your own retirement. And I'm sure they'll arrange something equally suitable for you when the day comes.
[Number Six and Number Two both look up as the helicopter carrying the retiring Number Two flies away -- Number Six releases his hand]
Number Six
Be seeing you. ...Won't I?
[ Number Six meets the first Number Two ]
At last! Delighted to see you!
[the heavy automatic steel doors close behind Number Six]
Come in, come in! Do sit down.
[Number Two presses a button; a hatch slides open and a chair rises from the floor]
[laughing] I'm sorry; I can never resist that. I hope you don't mind a working breakfast.
[Number Two presses another button; the butler enters with a breakfast cart ]
Number Six
Tea.
Number Six
Either. With lemon.
[the butler, already apprised of his preferences, places a lemon wheel in his tea]
One or two eggs with your bacon?
Number Six
Two?
[the butler removes the cover from the plate, revealing bacon with two fried eggs]
[the butler exits]
Help yourself to toast. ...I suppose you're wondering what you're doing here.
Number Six
It had crossed my mind. [slams the toast cover down] What's it all about?
[another chair rises from the floor beside Number Six]
Sit down and I'll tell you. It's a question of your resignation.
Number Six
...Go on.
The information in your head is priceless. I don't think you realize what a valuable property you've become. A man like you is worth a great deal on the open market.
Number Six
Who brought me here?
I know how you feel, believe me. And they have taken quite a liberty.
Number Six
Who are "They?"
A lot of people are curious about what lies behind your resignation. You had a brilliant career, your record is impeccable. They want to know why you suddenly left.
Number Six
What people?
Now, personally, I believe your story; I do think it was a matter of principle. But, uh... What I think doesn't really count, does it? One has to be sure about these things.
Number Six
And that gives you the right to poke your nose into my private business!?
Now, please. It's my job to check your motives.
Number Six
I've been checked!
Of course, but when a man knows as much as you do, a double-check does no harm. A few details may have been missed.
Number Six
I don't know who you are... or who you work for... And I don't care. I'm leaving.
[Number Six moves to the exit. The doors start to open, but then slam shut in his face.]
Number Six
I've nothing to say. Is that clear? Absolutely nothing.
Now be reasonable, old boy. It's just a matter of time. Sooner or later you'll tell me. Sooner or later you'll want to. Let's make a deal. You cooperate, tell us what we want to know and this can be a very nice place. You may even be given a position of authority.
Number Six
I will not make any deals with you. I've resigned. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed, or numbered! My life is my own!
Number Six
Yes. You won't hold me.
[After Cobb's suicide, Number Six storms into Number Two's office, only to find someone different sitting there:]
Number Six
Get him!
NNNew Number Two
I have taken his place. I am the new Number Two.
Number Six
Get Number One!
NNNew Number Two
As far as you're concerned, I'm in charge. What can I do for you?
Number Six
Cobb.
NNNew Number Two
What we do here has to be done. It's the law of survival; it's either them or us.
Number Six
You imprison people? Steal their minds? Destroy them?
NNNew Number Two
Depends on whose side you're on, doesn't it?
Number Six
I'm on our side.
NNNew Number Two
But we have to find out where your sympathies lie.
Number Six
You know where they lie!
NNNew Number Two
[reading from Number Six's file] "Subject shows great enthusiasm for his work. He is utterly devoted and loyal." Is this a man that suddenly walks out?
Number Six
And I didn't walk out... I resigned!
NNNew Number Two
People change, exactly. So do loyalties.
Number Six
Not mine.
NNNew Number Two
All very commendable. But let's be practical; I'm interested in facts. Your only chance to get out of here is to give them to me. And if you don't give them, I'll take them. It's up to you. Think about it.
[Number Six turns to leave]
NNNew Number Two
Good day, Number Six.
Number Six
Number what?
NNNew Number Two
Six. For official purposes, everyone has a number. Yours is number six.
Number Six
I am not a number. I am a person.
NNNew Number Two
Six of one, half a dozen of another. Good day!
[offering coffee] I can never remember. One lump or two?
Number Six
It's in the file.
Yes, as a matter of fact, yes. But it would save time if you just answered.
Number Six
Why? You running out of time?
[Number Two annoyedly consults the file]
"Does not take sugar." Frightened of putting on weight?
Number Six
No. Nor of being reduced.
Oh, that's excellent! I am glad you're here. You really are a model.
Number Six
But I don't run on clockwork.
You will, my dear chap. You will.
Do you still think you can escape, Number Six?
Number Six
I'm going to do better than that.
Number Six
Going to escape, and come back.
Number Six
Escape, come back, wipe this place off the face of the Earth, obliterate it, and you with it.
I'll do a deal with you, Number Six. You tell me one thing, and I'll release you. Why did you resign?
Number Six
Release me? From the Village?
[Number Six walks to the sealed doors of Number Two's office]
Now that's really all we want to know. That's not too much to ask, is it?
[Number Six lightly knocks on the doors, as if prompting them to open]
If you insist on staying here, I do hope you make some attempt to settle down. Try to take part in community life. This exhibition that's coming up, for example. Wait a minute...
[Number Two flips through Number Six's file]
There! "At the age of fifteen, top of his class in woodwork." That's the sort of thing! I mean, join in!
Number Six
I'll make you a handle for this door?
[Number Two laughs as the doors open, then angrily shouts:]
[The doors close]
Number Six
Has it ever occurred to you that you are just as much a prisoner as I am?
Oh! My dear chap, of course--I know too much. We're both lifers. I am definitely an optimist. That's why it doesn't matter who Number One is. It doesn't matter which "side" runs the Village.
Number Six
It's run by one side or the other.
Oh, certainly. But both sides are becoming identical. What in fact has been created: An international community -- a perfect blueprint for world order. When the sides facing each other suddenly realize that they're looking into a mirror, they will see that this is the pattern for the future.
Number Six
The whole Earth... As the Village?
That is my hope. What's yours?
Number Six
I'd like to be the first man on the moon.
The Prisoner · 91 quotes
