[Mulder is on his computer when there's a knock on the door.]
MulderIt's open.
[Scully enters with a tray with a bottle of wine, two glasses, and some cheese]
Mulder
Who cut the cheese?
(rolls eyes, explains) Since you won't be making it to the conference.
Mulder
Mmm! Par-tay!
However, I must remind you that this goes against the bureau's policy of male and female agents consorting in the same motel room while on assignment.
Mulder
Try any of that "Tailhook" crap on me, Scully, I'll kick your ass.
Mulder
I've gotta check something out.
You know, Mulder, sometimes I think some work on your communication skills wouldn't be such a bad idea.
Mulder
I'll be back soon, and we can build a tower of furniture. (grins) Okay?
[Scully shakes her head, smiles and drinks her wine]
Mulder
(about whatever monster is lurking in the forest) Maybe it can regulate its temperature. You don't know of any animal that can?
Ticks. I've heard they can halt their metabolism for up to 18 years, essentially going in to suspended animation until something warm-blooded comes along.
Mulder
That's interesting.
Mulder
Thirty years ago, the town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, was terrorized for over a year by something. Killing livestock, terrorizing the people. Witnesses described them as primitive-looking men with red, piercing eyes. Became known as the "Moth Men." I've got an X-File dating back to 1952 on it.
(dryly) What would that be filed next to? "The Cockroach that Ate Cincinnati?"
Mulder
No, "The Cockroach that Ate Cincinnati" is in the "C"s. Moth Men's over in the "M"s.
(trying to start a fire with stones) You were an Indian guide. Help me out here.
Mulder
(leaning against a log, as he's been injured) Indian guide says maybe you should run to the store and get some matches.
I would, but I left my wallet in the car. [Sits next to him, gets out her gun]
Mulder
What are you doing?
Trying to open my gun. [Takes the clip out] If I can separate the shell from the casing, maybe I can get the powder to ignite.
Mulder
Mm. And maybe it'll start raining weenies and marshmallows.
Do I detect a hint of negativity?
Mulder
No! Yes, actually. Yeah.
Mulder, you need to keep warm. Your body's still in shock.
Mulder
I was told once that the best way to regenerate body heat is to crawl naked into a sleeping bag with somebody else who was already naked. (scoots closer to her)
(grinning) Maybe if it rained sleeping bags, you'll get lucky. [Mulder looks up at Scully in surprise; she continues working on getting the bullet apart.] You ever thought seriously about dying?
Mulder
Yeah, once, when I was at the Ice Capades.
[Gives him a look, then goes back to the bullet.] When I was fighting my cancer, I was angry at the injustice of it, and its meaninglessness. Then I realized that that was a struggle - to give it meaning, to make sense of it. It's like life.
Mulder
I think nature is supremely indifferent to whether we live or die. I mean, if you're lucky, you get 75 years, if you're really lucky you get 80 years, and if you're extraordinarily lucky, you get to live 50 of those years with a decent head of hair.
(chuckles) I guess it's like Las Vegas. The house always wins. [The bullet suddenly pops open.] Oh! (sings) Ta-da!
Mulder
Go girl! [Scully gets up to pour the gunpowder from the bullet into the makeshift campfire.] Hey, who did you identify with when you were a kid - Wilma or Betty?
I identified with Betty's bustline.
Mulder
Yes! I did too.
I could never have been married to Barney though. The kids were cute.
Mulder
Yeah. But where are they today?
[Uses the rocks to strike a spark into the gunpowder, which instantly burns up and doesn't light the sticks. Looks at Mulder.] Moth Men? Really?
Mulder
Yeah. But there seem to be only two of 'em. [Scully sighs and goes back to sit next to Mulder, then puts an arm around his shoulder and starts pulling him closer.] I don't wanna wrestle!
(laughs) Get over here. I'm gonna try and keep you warm. [She pulls him over so he's curled up on her lap, her arms around him.] Sorry.
Mulder
One of us has got to stay awake, Scully.
Mulder
If you get tired, you wake me.
Mulder
Why don't you sing something?
Mulder
If you sing something, I'll know you're awake.
Mulder, you don't want me to sing. I can't carry a tune.
Mulder
It doesn't matter. Just sing anything.
(sighs; sings, out of tune) Jeremiah was a bullfrog, was a good friend of mine. Never understood a single word he said, but I helped him drink his wine.
Mulder
Chorus.
(continues singing) Joy... to the world. All the boys and girls. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea. Joy to you and me.
Why are you humoring them, Mulder?
Mulder
I'm not humoring them, Scully. This is a very serious crime.
So is perjury. So is calling out FBI. agents under false pretenses.
Mulder
For the purpose of what?
Isn't it obvious? I think what we're seeing here is an example of a culture for whom daytime talk shows and tabloid headlines have become a reality against which they measure their lives. A culture so obsessed by the media and a chance for self-dramatization that they'll do anything in order to gain a spotlight.
Mulder
I am alarmed that you would reduce these people to a cultural stereotype. Not everybody's dream is to get on Jerry Springer.
Psychologists often speak of the denial of an unthinkable evil or a misplacement of shared fears, anxieties taking the form of a hideous monster for whom the most horrific human attributes can be ascribed. What we can't possibly imagine ourselves capable of we can blame of the ogre, on the hunchback, on the lowly half-breed. Common sense alone will tell you that these legends, these unverified rumors, are ridiculous.
Mulder
But nonetheless, unverifiable and, therefore, true in the sense that they're believed to be true.
Is there anything that you don't believe in, Mulder?
Mulder
Scully, just trace the call and cut off any access that woman has to a phone! I'm heading back now.
Mulder, I'm not at the safe house.
Mulder
You're not?
We're at the Chaimbridge Mall investigating a suicide.
Mulder
(frustrated) Why isn't anybody picking up at the safehouse switchboard?!
(sighs and hangs up; turns to US Marshalls) Back in the trucks.
Mulder, a moment please? [Mulder pauses, turns around; Skinner approaches.] I just wanted to say you did a good job.
Mulder
How's that?
Nobody could've figured this out but you. You knew it was Linda Bowman and not Modell. You were way ahead of me.
Mulder
I almost killed my partner.
Mulder, despite that, you prevailed. You won her game.
Mulder
How come I feel like I lost?
Mulder
Maybe you don't know what you're looking for.
Like evidence of conjury or the black arts or shamanism, divination, Wicca or any kind of pagan or neo-pagan practice. Charms, cards, familiars, bloodstones, or hex signs or any of the ritual tableaux associated with the occult, Santeria, Voudoun, Macumba, or any high or low magic?
Mulder
Scully?
Mulder
Marry me.
I was hoping for something a little more helpful.
The X-Files · 847 quotes
