Hob GadlingLook, I've seen death. I lost half my village to the Black Death. I fought under Buckingham in Burgundy. It's not like I don't know what death is. Death is … stupid.
BBarmate
You're a fool, Hob.
Hob Gadling
Nobody has to die. The only reason people die is … is 'cause everyone does it. You all just go along with it. But not me. I've made up my mind. I'm not going to die.
BBarmate
[amidst general laughter] Hobs, death comes for every man.
Hob Gadling
You don't know that. I might get lucky. There's always a first time. There's so much to do, so many things to see. Women to swive. Ale to drink. People to drink with.
Why would any sensible creature crave an eternity of this?
I could grant him his wish.
Do that, and he will be begging for death within a century, I assure you.
This will prove very interesting.
BBarmate
What will you do with all that life?
Hob Gadling
I'll find better friends than you, I can tell you that.
Are you gonna tell him, or should I?
Very well, little brother. Very well.
Did I hear you say you have no intention of ever dying?
Hob Gadling
Uh, yeah. Yeah, that's right.
Then you must tell me what it's like. Let us meet here again, Robert Gadling, in this tavern of the White Horse in 100 years.
BBarmate
[amidst general laughter] A hundred years and I'm Pope Urban.
Hob Gadling
Don't mind them. A hundred years' time, on this day? [Dream nods] I will see you in the year of our Lord 1489, then. [Dream leaves].
BBarmate
Who was that, then, Hobsie?
Hob Gadling
Haven't a clue. But tell you what, I'll ask him in 100 years' time.
[100 years later, 1489 in The White Horse Tavern]
Hob Gadling
[sitting across from him] How did you know … that I'd still be here? Who are you? A wizard? A … saint? … A demon? [fearfully] Have I made a bargain with the devil?
Hob Gadling
[puzzled] Then why aren't I dead long since? Is this some kind of game?
Hob Gadling
But why? Who are you? Why are you here?
I'm here because I'm interested.
Hob Gadling
In me?
Hob Gadling
What do I have to do?
Nothing. You live your life as you choose. Then on this day, every 100 years, we will meet.
Hob Gadling
[1789 in The White Horse Tavern] That lad, Will Shakespeare. He turned out to be a half-decent playwright after all. You made some kind of deal with him, didn't you?
Hob Gadling
What kind of deal? His soul?
Hob Gadling
Four hundred years now, I've been meeting you here and there is so much I still don't know. Who are you? Truly? What's your name?
JLady Johanna
I might ask both of you that same question, gentlemen.
Please, please, do not trouble yourselves to rise. These are Michael and Tobias. Smugglers by trade. Although, they're only too glad to augment their earnings by slitting throats. If you move, they'll slit yours.
They tell of a tale in these London parts, that the Devil and the Wandering Jew meet once every century in a tavern. Two years past, sewn into the shirt of a dead man, I found this. [sets down a drawing of them made at their last meeting]
Hob Gadling
Is that meant to be me? Oh, I look terrible. You look worse.
JLady Johanna
You return to this pub every 100 years, striking bargains with men, sharing gifts, immortality, which you will now share with me. … Well, have you nothing to say?
Hob Gadling
And I'm not Jewish.
JLady Johanna
Fie. … What manner of creatures are you then?
Hob Gadling
Who wants to know?
JLady Johanna
I'm Lady Johanna Constantine. You will both follow me, sirs. My coach is without. I can see there is so much you can tell me. So much I can learn.
Hob Gadling
[1889 in The White Horse Tavern] You knew Lady Johanna. You know Lushing Lou. You know everyone, don't you?
I saw her again, you know.
Hob Gadling
Who? Lady Johanna?
She undertook a task for me — and succeeded admirably, I might add.
Hob Gadling
That might be the only thing I've learned after 500 years. People are almost always better than you think they are. Not me, though. Still the same as ever.
I think perhaps you've changed.
Hob Gadling
Well, I may have learnt a bit from my mistakes. But, — doesn't seem to stop me from making them. I think it's you that's changed.
Hob Gadling
I think I know why we still meet here, century after century. It's not because you want to see whether or not I'm ready to seek death. I don't think I'll ever seek death. By now, you know that about me. So, I think you're here for something else.
Hob Gadling
Friendship. I think you're lonely.
Hob Gadling
No, look, I'm not saying …
You … dare suggest one such as I might need your companionship?
Hob Gadling
Yes. Yes, I do.
[Morpheus stands angrilly] Then I shall take my leave of you and prove you wrong. [leaves]
Hob Gadling
[rushes out door, shouting to him] I'll tell you what, I'll be here in 100 years' time. If you're here then too, it'll be because we're friends. No other reason, right? …Fuck!
Hob Gadling
[1989 in The White Horse Tavern] Whiskey, please.
BBartender
Uh, you'll have to be more specific. We got a menu now.
Hob Gadling
Oh. … What's the oldest you got?
BBartender
Well, I've got a Glen Grant, old enough to be your father.
Hob Gadling
[smiles] I'm older than I look.
BBartender
You waiting for someone?
Hob Gadling
I think I've been stood up. We had a fight. Last time we were here.
Hob Gadling
It was my fault. Wish I could say I was drunk at the time, but I was just an idiot.
BBartender
I've seen plenty of friends get in fights in pubs. Even more of them laugh about it together later.
Hob Gadling
Maybe in another 100 years.
BBartender
Ah.… You'll have to have found a new pub by then. This place has been sold to make room for new flats. [Hob looks stunned] The borough council are trying to stop them, but if you've got enough money in this country, you can do whatever you bloody want. Pour you another one? While you wait?
Hob Gadling
Please.
[fade to Morpheus standing outside gated area around the abandoned White Horse Tavern, and sees a spray painted arrow pointing to "The New Inn"]
Hob Gadling
[looking up from paperwork he is doing in "The New Inn", he sees Morpheus has just come in and smiles] You're late.
[smiles] It seems I owe you an apology. I've always heard it impolite to keep one's friends waiting.
The Sandman · 41 quotes
