A character in The Prisoner
Number Two
The Prisoner · 91 quotes
2nd most-quoted character in The Prisoner: in 41 of its 91 quotes
Most scenes with: Number Six (30)
[After reading in his file that Number Six doesn't take sugar with his tea, he performatively drops in three sugar cubes, irritating Number Two]
Don't worry, Number Six. You'll be cured. I'll see to it. No more nightmares. If you have so much as a bad dream, you will come… whimpering… to tell it to me! Whimpering.
What's that Number Six doing? Always walking. Irritating man. Doesn't he ever get tired?!
By the time we finish with him, he won't know whether he's Number Six or the cube root of infinity.
[about Number Six] That one wouldn't drop his guard with his own grandmother!
[Number Six begins to violently come out of his hypnotic trance and attack Number Two. The Butler knocks him unconscious, and he and Number Two begin to re-hypnotize Six.]
I'm beginning to like him.
New allegiances. Such is the price of fame.... and failure. Dear me, how sad. My Lords, Ladies and Gentleman, a most extraordinary thing happened to me on my way here. It has been my lot in the past to wield a not inconsiderable power. Nay, I have had the ear of statesmen, kings and princes of many lands. Governments have been swayed, policies defined and revolutions nipped in the bud at a word from me in the right place, and at a propitious time. Not surprising therefore, that this community should find a use for me. Not altogether by accident that one day I should be abducted, and wake up here amongst you. What is deplorable is that I resisted for so short a time. A fine tribute to your methods. I wish to thank you for recognition of my talent, which placed me in a position of power, second only... to One.
[ 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 ]
Tea or coffee?
Tea.
Indian or China?
Either. With lemon.
[the butler, already apprised of his preferences, places a lemon wheel in his tea]
One or two eggs with your bacon?
Two?
[the butler removes the cover from the plate, revealing bacon with two fried eggs]
That will be all.
[the butler exits]
Help yourself to toast. ...I suppose you're wondering what you're doing here.
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.
...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.
Who brought me here?
I know how you feel, believe me. And they have taken quite a liberty.
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.
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.
And that gives you the right to poke your nose into my private business!?
Now, please. It's my job to check your motives.
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.
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.]
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.
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!
Is it?
Yes. You won't hold me.
Won't we?
Quite a beautiful place, really, isn't it? Almost like a world on its own.
I shall miss it when I'm gone.
Oh, it will grow on you.
[about Number Six] He can make even the act of putting on his dressing gown appear as a gesture of defiance.
There are methods we haven't used yet, of course.
I want him with a whole heart, body and soul.
He'll crack.
Perhaps... One tiny piece at a time? I don't want a man of fragments! Fascinating.
He doesn't even bend a little.
That's why he'll break. He only needs one small thing. If he will answer one simple question, the rest will follow: why did he resign?
[offering coffee] I can never remember. One lump or two?
It's in the file.
Yes, as a matter of fact, yes. But it would save time if you just answered.
Why? You running out of time?
[Number Two annoyedly consults the file]
"Does not take sugar." Frightened of putting on weight?
No. Nor of being reduced.
Oh, that's excellent! I am glad you're here. You really are a model.
But I don't run on clockwork.
You will, my dear chap. You will.
Do you still think you can escape, Number Six?
I'm going to do better than that.
Oh?
Going to escape, and come back.
...Come back?
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?
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!
I'll make you a handle for this door?
[Number Two laughs as the doors open, then angrily shouts:]
You'll be back!
[The doors close]
...Whimpering.
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.
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.
The whole Earth... As the Village?
That is my hope. What's yours?
I'd like to be the first man on the moon.
[viewing Number Six's thoughts] Extraordinary. How very single-minded.
He's not conventional.
I sometimes think he's not human.
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