The Cigarette Smoking ManWhat is this?
This is where you pucker up and kiss my ass!
The Cigarette Smoking Man
Listen -
(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.
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
[Mulder shoves Cigarette Smoking Man against a wall in a hospital and points a gun in his face]
You wanna smoke that, or do you wanna smoke on this?
Cigarette Smoking Man
Are you giving me a choice?
I should shoot you right here, but they probably would be able to save you.
Cigarette Smoking Man
Do it, do it Agent Mulder.
Or maybe shoot a bullet through your brain so you'd be bedridden for the rest of your life.
Cigarette Smoking Man
How is she?
Cigarette Smoking Man
I've known your mother since before you were born, Fox.
[The Cigarette Smoking Man enters an isolation cell, Jeremiah Smith sits strapped in a chair, CSM lights up a cigarette and takes a seat in front of Jeremiah]
Cigarette Smoking Man
..This becomes a responsibility - [sighs lightly] - The thing that I'm now called upon to put right and put down. Certainly you expected nothing less.
JSJeremiah Smith
I'm not ashamed of my actions.
Cigarette Smoking Man
Ashamed? You're not allowed the luxury of human weakness and penitence. You're not allowed to put your indulgences ahead of the greater purpose.
JSJeremiah Smith
I no longer believe in the greater purpose.
Cigarette Smoking Man
Then your fate is just.
JSJeremiah Smith
My justice is not for you to mete out; You may have reason, you have no right. You have no means either.
Cigarette Smoking Man
[irritated] You presume to dictate duty to me? Have you any idea what the cost of your actions is? What their effect might be? Who are you to give them hope?
JSJeremiah Smith
What do you give them?
Cigarette Smoking Man
We give them happiness, and they give us authority.
JSJeremiah Smith
The authority to take away their freedom under the guise of democracy.
Cigarette Smoking Man
Men can never be free - Because they're weak, corrupt, worthless and restless.. The people believe in authority. They've grown tired of waiting for miracle and mystery. Science is their religion. No greater explanation exists for them. They must never believe any differently if the project is to go forward.
JSJeremiah Smith
At what cost to them?
Cigarette Smoking Man
The question is irrelevant, and the outcome inevitable. The date is set.
[Jeremiah Smith transforms into Deep Throat, CSM is surprised, somewhat shocked]
JSJeremiah Smith
(as Deep Throat) At what cost to them for your own selfish benefit? How many must die at your hand to preserve your stake in the project?
[CSM, still slightly rattled and uncomfortable, gets up and prepares to leave, bangs on the cell door, turns and faces Jeremiah]
Cigarette Smoking Man
I'm not impressed by your miracles or moved by your trickery. Your justice will be meted out.
JSJeremiah Smith
(as Deep Throat) By whom this time and by what tool?
[Cell door opens, CSM turns away, takes a step outside the door and then turns back to face Jeremiah]
Cigarette Smoking Man
..By those who possess the tool of your destruction.
Cigarette Smoking Man
But I've come today not to ask, but to offer. To offer you the truths that you so desperately sought - about the project, about the men who conspired to protect it...
Cigarette Smoking Man
Do you?
I spoke to one of your men.
Cigarette Smoking Man
Do you know he's not a liar?
I've seen enough to know he's not a liar, yeah.
Cigarette Smoking Man
You've seen but scant pieces of the whole.
What more can you show me?
Cigarette Smoking Man
This man you spoke to - Michael Kritschgau.. He's deceived you with beautiful lies. He's told you that everything you ever believed about the existence of extraterrestrial life is untrue.
(nods) What are you saying?
Cigarette Smoking Man
As I said, I'm offering you the chance to know the truth.
Cigarette Smoking Man
Quit the FBI. Come work for me. You can make your problems go away.
Cigarette Smoking Man
(smiles) After all I've given you?
(in disbelief) What have- What have you given me? The claim of a cure for Scully? Is she cured? You show me my sister only to take her right back? You've given me nothing.
Cigarette Smoking Man
I intend to keep my promises. I just need something from you.
You murdered my father. You killed Scully's sister. And if Scully dies, I will kill you. I don't care whose father you are, I will put you down.
Cigarette Smoking Man
Well you're certainly capable, so I've been told. I understand you have a hearing tomorrow, where you'll have to testify to these murderous impulses of yours. [Mulder walks away] ..When you reconsider, the offer still stands.
The Cigarette-Smoking Man
[Approaches Spender in a parking garage] Agent Spender.. I need to speak with you.
Cigarette-Smoking Man
Somebody who's taken an interest in you - In this case of yours.. This case I gave you.
[looks around, approaches CSM] ... What are you? CIA? NSA?
Cigarette-Smoking Man
You're a bright boy.
You said you had information.
Cigarette-Smoking Man
..Control the board. Know which men to sacrifice and when.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Cigarette-Smoking Man
Don't become part of someone else's cause or crusade. Pursue your own self-interest - Always.
You're not supposed to come here. It's what was agreed to. It's the deal you made.
Cigarette Smoking Man
I had to congratulate you. Commend how you handled things. How you handled Mulder.
Cigarette Smoking Man
You did well, son. He's on very thin ice now, you know?
Mulder will be back. As long as he lives, he won't give up.
Cigarette Smoking Man
Well, there's solutions, of course. Simple but extreme solutions. I've used these methods. They have their place. But not here.
(surprised) You've killed men?
Cigarette Smoking Man
You can kill a man but you can't kill what he stands for... Not unless you first break his spirit. That's a beautiful thing to see.
The X-Files · 847 quotes
