Walter Skinner quotes from The X-Files

Skinner

You can't ask the truth of a man who trades in lies.

Skinner

I have handled this like I've handled everything else you've asked me to do.

Skinner

(to Cigarette Smoking Man) If anything happens to her, I will expose you! I don't care what happens to me!

Skinner

(to Scully) Yes, I am afraid. But I'm only afraid for you.

SKINNER

(voiceover) Every minute of every day we choose. Who we are. Who we forgive. Who we defend and protect. To choose a side or to walk the line. To play the middle. To straddle the fence between what is and what should be. This was the course I chose. Trying to find the delicate balance of interests that can never exist. Choosing by not choosing. Defending a center which cannot hold. So death chose for me.

Scully

But sir, the very nature of the X-Files cases often precludes orthodox investigation.

Are you suggesting that the bureau adopt separate standards for you and Agent Mulder?

Scully

No, sir.

Skinner

Are you suggesting that Agent Mulder obstructs you from proper procedure?

Scully

No, sir. If anything, I'm suggesting that these cases be reviewed with... an open mind.

Mulder

[holding up a cigarette butt] I found this in Agent Krycek's car. He doesn't smoke. Agent Krycek was the last person with Duane Barry before he died. He was also the last person to see the tram operator before he disappeared. When I got to the top of Skyland Mountain, I saw an unmarked helicopter working the area. I believe that Agent Krycek gave away the whereabouts of Duane Barry and Agent Scully to whoever he's working with.

Skinner

And who is that?

Mulder

I don't know, the military? Some covert organization within the government? Whoever it is that man who smokes those cigarettes works for.

Skinner

Why?

Mulder

Because Agent Scully got too close to whatever it is they're trying to deny. Because she had hard and damning evidence, that metallic implant in her possession. Or because her termination would prevent further involvement with me and my work.

Mulder

Who are these people who can just murder with impunity and we can't do anything about it?

Skinner

Let it go, Agent Mulder.

Mulder

Like hell.

Skinner

There's nothing you can do.

Mulder

What can you do about it?

Skinner

There's only one thing I can do, Agent Mulder. As of right now, I'm reopening the X-Files. That's what they fear the most.

Skinner

There is no police report of this incident, Agent Mulder, and there is no body. You know that.

Mulder

Since I am unfamiliar with any such incident, sir, no, how would I know that?

Skinner

Knock it off!

Mulder

How's it feel? Constant denial of everything, questions answered with a question.

Skinner

I want to know what happened, damn it.

Mulder

Him. That's what happened. CANCER MAN! He's responsible for what happened to Scully!

Skinner

How do you know that?

Mulder

It's a rumor. Who is he?

Skinner

It's not your...

Mulder

Oh, you can have it all, you can have my badge, you can have the X-Files, just tell me where he is.

Skinner

And then what? He sleeps with the fishes? We're not the mafia, Agent Mulder. I know it's easy to forget but we work for the Department of Justice.

Mulder

That's what I want.

Skinner

Agent Scully was a fine officer. More than that... I liked her. I respected her. We all know the field we play on and we all know what can happen in the course of a game. If you were unprepared for all the potentials, then you shouldn't step on the field.

Skinner

When I was eighteen, I, uh... I went to Vietnam. I wasn't drafted, Mulder, I- I enlisted in the Marine Corps the day of my eighteenth birthday. I did it on a blind faith. I did it because I believed it was the right thing to do. I don't know, maybe I still do. Three weeks into my tour, a ten-year-old North Vietnamese boy walked into camp covered with grenades and I, uh... I blew his head off from a distance of ten yards. I lost my faith. Not in my country or in myself, but in everything. There was just no point to anything anymore. One night on patrol, we were, uh... caught... and everyone- everyone fell. I mean, everyone. I looked down at my body from outside of it. I didn't recognize it at first. I watched the V.C. strip my uniform, take my weapon and I remained in this thick jungle... peaceful... unafraid... watching my- my dead friends. Watching myself. In the morning, the corpsmen arrived and put me in a body bag until... I guess they found a pulse. I woke in a Saigon hospital two weeks later. I'm afraid to look any further beyond that experience. You? You are not. Your resignation is unacceptable.

Mulder

(realizing) You. (exhales heavily) You gave me Cancer Man's location. You put your life in danger.

Skinner

Agent Mulder, every life, every day, is in danger. That's just life.

Skinner

For every step you take they're three steps ahead.

Mulder

What about you, where do you stand?

Skinner

I stand right on the line you keep crossing.

The Cigarette Smoking Man

What is this?

Skinner

This is where you pucker up and kiss my ass!

The Cigarette Smoking Man

Listen -

Skinner

(Interrupting) Now, you listen to me, you son of a bitch! This man's name is Albert Hosteen. You should remember that. Because if Agents Mulder and Scully come down with so much as a case of the flu, Albert is prepared to recite, chapter and verse, file for file, everything on your precious tape.

The Cigarette Smoking Man

It's a nice try, Skinner.

Skinner

I'm sure you're thinking Albert is an old man and there are plenty of ways you might kill him too. Which is why, in the ancient oral tradition of his people, he's told twenty other men the information on those files. So unless you kill every Navajo living in four states... that information is available with a simple phone call. (Smirks) Welcome to the wonderful world of high technology

Scully

How are you feeling?

Skinner

Like someone's been inside my stomach redecorating.

Skinner

(About Mulder's tiny office) At least he doesn't take an elevator up to get to work.

Cigarette Smoking Man

(Snarky smile) You think I'm the devil?

Cigarette Smoking Man

You wish to bargain for Agent Scully's life?

Skinner

(shouting) WHAT WILL IT TAKE?!