Rosemary quotes from The Sandman

John Dee

I think lying is maybe the worst thing you can do to another person. I'm living proof of that.

Rosemary

I'm sure your mom loved you and was proud of you.

John Dee

She did forgive me in the end.

Rosemary

For what?

John Dee

Stealing from her.

Rosemary

What did you steal?

John Dee

A ruby. Unlike no other. Like nothing you've ever seen. She had me arrested, of course. And thrown in prison.

Rosemary

For stealing the ruby?

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.

Rosemary

You murdered people?

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?

Rosemary

I do.

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?

Rosemary

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.

Rosemary

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.

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?

Rosemary

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.

Rosemary

I wanna go home.

John Dee

You're a good person, Rosemary. Unfortunately, good people seldom survive in this world.

Rosemary

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.

Rosemary

Don't you need it?

John Dee

No. I have my ruby. … The ruby makes dreams come true. … And I'm going to use it to save the world.