John Dee[as the carnage in the world and the diner increases] I offered you a world where you could be yourselves without having to suffer for it, but it seems you enjoy your suffering.
And if that is your truth, then perhaps your suffering will set you free.
The truth is a cleansing fire which burns away the lies we've told each other and the lies we've told ourselves.
So that love and hate, pleasure and pain can all be expressed without shame.
Where there is no good or bad there is only the truth.
John Dee
I think lying is maybe the worst thing you can do to another person. I'm living proof of that.
I'm sure your mom loved you and was proud of you.
John Dee
She did forgive me in the end.
John Dee
Stealing from her.
John Dee
A ruby. Unlike no other. Like nothing you've ever seen. She had me arrested, of course. And thrown in prison.
John Dee
And arson. And murder. General mayhem. Among other things. You see, the problem with having this ruby was that everyone was always trying to take it from me. And so, I just did what I had to do.
John Dee
They weren't good people. Not like you and Susie.
John Dee
I admit that in the past I may have done some things that are morally … ambiguous. But it taught me about human nature and the secret of real understanding and compassion. Do you want to know what it is?
John Dee
This is going to sound rather odd, but the secret to having compassion for people is knowing that they are fundamentally selfish. And I say this without judgement. It's how human beings are built. It's how we're made. But if you know that going in, if you understand that we are operating out of the biological congenital selfishness, then life begins to make a lot more sense. Are you all right?
Uh, sorry. The phone slipped. You were saying?
John Dee
I … I was saying, knowing that people are selfish sets you free from having to take their actions, their lies, personally. People lie because they're selfish. They lie because they are human.
They lie because they're scared. People will say anything. Do anything to keep from being hurt. That's what I think, anyway.
John Dee
You're very good, Rosemary.
I don't know what you mean.
John Dee
I mean I experience people as basically selfish and you experience them as afraid. Which they are, we all are. You're absolutely right. And good. Thank you.
John Dee
What are you still doing here?
I know I'm gonna regret this but … Do you need a ride somewhere?
John Dee
Do you really want me to get back into that truck? The truth. No lies.
John Dee
You're a good person, Rosemary. Unfortunately, good people seldom survive in this world.
Just don't hurt Susie, please. I don't care what happens to me but …
John Dee
[holds up his amulet of protection] Here. Take it. Wear it. From now on, no one will be able to hurt you. Not even me. There's no need to be afraid or tell a lie ever again.
John Dee
No. I have my ruby. … The ruby makes dreams come true. … And I'm going to use it to save the world.
[after John Dee takes a seat in the Diner] Best seat in the house. How are you doing today?
John Dee
How am I doing? … Well … I'm feeling better than I have for quite some time. Thank you.
Mmm. I could use some of that. What's your secret?
John Dee
Shall I tell you the truth?
Well, honesty is the best policy.
John Dee
That's what they say, isn't it? Well, I hope it's true. This … [holds up Dream's Ruby] is my secret.
John Dee
It makes dreams come true.
I bet it does. And what are you dreaming about? New house? New job?
John Dee
A new world. A more honest one.
That is the dream, isn't it? Well, can I get you a cup of coffee while we wait for our dream to come true?
John Dee
Please. But we won't be waiting for long.
Then I better hurry up and get you that coffee.
John Dee
Why did you lie?
I don't know. I … I guess I was just trying to be … I just wanted to make you feel … I wanted you to like me.
John Dee
I do like you. I like this version of you much better, don't you? Isn't it a relief to tell the truth for once? Don't you wish we could live in a world where we could say what we actually think?
John Dee
Well, it starts with us, Bette, you and I. We're going to change the world. Make a more honest one.
MBMark Brewer
[after the death of Gary Flertcher] You all saw, he tried to choke me. … I would never do anything to hurt anyone. I would never. That's not who I am.
I don't think it is you.… I think it's him. [gazing at John Dee] You said you were gonna change the world. I didn't believe you.
John Dee
All I did was take away the lies. You all did the rest. You did what you wanted to.
John Dee
You didn't want to be seen, or touched, or loved?
MBMark Brewer
I didn't wanna kill anyone.
John Dee
Yes, you did. Or you wouldn't have done it. Kate wanted to kill him too.
KFKate Fletcher
I did not.
John Dee
You don't have to pretend anymore. You can have what you want.
[still surviving, amidst the carnage in the Diner] How is this a better world?
John Dee
You're still seeing it with your eyes. You need to close them. Embrace the darkness. [she is driven to stab her eyes, and dies]
HHecate
[suddenly appearing in flashes, sometimes as the 3 dead women in the diner] I see the future.
John Dee
Then tell me. Tell me my future.
HHecate
You come from dust. You walk the dust. You go back to dust.
John Dee
That's everyone's future. Tell me my future.
HHecate
There is no future for you, John Dee. It is bound by walls and guards and the sour smell of madness. And then the skein of your life is cut, son of your mother.
John Dee
No. Look again. Tell me my future.
HHecate
You have stolen some of the power of Dreams. You will take all of it. You will crush the Dream Lord's life in your hands.
John Dee
[after Morpheus enters the Diner] Hello. I'm John. I'm glad you're here. The power has gone out. So there's no TV, and no one left to talk to.
What is it you think you're doing?
John Dee
Saving the world from its lies.
The ruby wasn't made for that.
John Dee
Oh … you're The Sandman. My mother was right. She said you'd be coming for it.
You must return it to me so that I can repair the damage you have done.
John Dee
I'm not giving it to you, it's mine.
It is harming you, John, and your world.
John Dee
It's revealing the truth. … This is the truth of mankind.
No. … You're wrong. This is the truth of mankind. [shows normal exchanges of polite pleasantries in the diner]
John Dee
They're lying to themselves. … It's all lies.
Not lies, John. Dreams. … Kate dreams of running away, where no one will find her. … Garry dreams of proving his father was wrong about him. … Bette dreams of creating something that matters to people. Their dreams inspired them. … Their dreams kept them alive. … But if you rob them of their dreams, if you take away their hope, then … yes, … this is the truth of mankind. [returns to scenes of the dead lying in the diner] … The ruby is hurting you, John. It has too much of my power within it. It stole more when I tried to use it.
John Dee
Then perhaps if I use it to steal the rest of your powers, I will be the King of Dreams.
If you'd rob a Dream Lord of his power, you shall do so in his realm. … In dreams.
[as his palace burns away] You must stop. It is not too late to save yourself.
John Dee
Oh, you think it's me that needs saving?
Your father stole the ruby from me and cursed you with it.
John Dee
You mean he blessed me with it. [he begins using the ruby to absorb more of Dream's power] Your reign ended when my father captured you. Your kingdom is my birthright. Your power resides within me. How does it feel to know I hold your life in my hands?
You're hurting the dreamers.
John Dee
Well, it's time they woke up! Your life and your lies end now. [crushes the Ruby] I did it. … I killed him. … I won.
[revealed as holding John in the palm of his hand] Thank you, John.
John Dee
But I killed you.
You destroyed the ruby and released the power inside it. I would never have thought of that. I'd forgotten just how much of myself I had placed in the jewel.
John Dee
Are you going to kill me?
I could. … Perhaps I will. … But the dream stone was not made for mortals. And it came to you through no fault of your own. … So, no, John. I will not kill you. [returns John to Arkham Asylum] Sleep well, John.
[amidst the carnage of the streets] All the damage the ruby did, can you undo it?
The ruby didn't do this. John merely used it to reveal wounds that were hidden, but never healed. Tomorrow, the rebuilding will begin. In this realm and in mine. But tonight at least … humanity will sleep in peace.
DDesire
[As Morpheus walks down the street] I'm watching you, big brother.
The Sandman · 41 quotes
