Speed Quotes
A young cop must prevent a bomb exploding aboard a city bus by keeping its speed above 50 mph.
Howard Payne: [Payne wrestles with Jack for a deadman-switch detonator on top of a runaway subway train] I'm smarter than you, Jack! I'm smarter! I'm smarter!
[Jack sees a hanging light approaching and forces Payne into its path. Payne looks up and screams before the light decapitates him]
Jack: [grabbing the detonator before Payne's body falls away] Yeah? Well, I'm TALLER!
[Jack sees a hanging light approaching and forces Payne into its path. Payne looks up and screams before the light decapitates him]
Jack: [grabbing the detonator before Payne's body falls away] Yeah? Well, I'm TALLER!
Stephens: First time in LA.
Annie: Oh no, I live here.
Stephens: No, mine. Oh that's just funny, you heard me wrong. Nah, I'm sight-seeing.
Annie: Oh, really?
Stephens: Yeah. I hate to use the word 'tourist,' but it's not like I can hide it...
Annie: Not really.
Stephens: [sigh] Did you know it took me three hours to get here from the airport? I got so lost. LA's one big place, but I guess you don't notice, seeing as you live here. I'm such a yokel. There, I said it!
Annie: Oh jeez. You know what? I got gum on my seat, GUM!
[sits on a different bus seat nearer the front]
Annie: Oh no, I live here.
Stephens: No, mine. Oh that's just funny, you heard me wrong. Nah, I'm sight-seeing.
Annie: Oh, really?
Stephens: Yeah. I hate to use the word 'tourist,' but it's not like I can hide it...
Annie: Not really.
Stephens: [sigh] Did you know it took me three hours to get here from the airport? I got so lost. LA's one big place, but I guess you don't notice, seeing as you live here. I'm such a yokel. There, I said it!
Annie: Oh jeez. You know what? I got gum on my seat, GUM!
[sits on a different bus seat nearer the front]
Jack: Harry! Tell me good news, man.
Howard Payne: Oh, I'm sorry, Jack. He didn't make it.
Jack: You FUCK!
Howard Payne: It was the watch that led him to me, wasn't it? Huh? It seemed a little hammy to me to build a bomb out of my precious retirement gift, but, you know, I figured a sign that said "Howard Payne" would be pushing it.
Jack: I'm gonna rip your fucking spine out, I swear to God.
Howard Payne: Oh, I'm sorry, Jack. He didn't make it.
Jack: You FUCK!
Howard Payne: It was the watch that led him to me, wasn't it? Huh? It seemed a little hammy to me to build a bomb out of my precious retirement gift, but, you know, I figured a sign that said "Howard Payne" would be pushing it.
Jack: I'm gonna rip your fucking spine out, I swear to God.
Jack: Was it good for you?
Harry Temple: It was great for me.
Jack: Elevator dropped.
Harry Temple: Oh, that's good to know.
[both sit down]
Jack: Is your watch slow?
Harry Temple: No, no, he jumped the gun. We had three minutes left.
Jack: Why's he do that? He's losing his three million.
Harry Temple: I don't know maybe he couldn't hold his wad long enough. It's a common problem among middle-aged men. So I'm told.
Jack: [gets up; realizing] He's here.
Harry Temple: He could have blown that thing from Pacoima!
Jack: No, he knew we were up to something. He's close by.
Harry Temple: He's not gonna corner himself in a building. We evacuated anyways.
[Jack looks disappointed]
Harry Temple: Alright. He'd wanna be here but he'd wanna stay mobile. Right?
[Jack nods]
Harry Temple: The elevators.
Jack: The passenger cars were stopped. They checked em out.
Harry Temple: What about the freight elevators?
Harry Temple: It was great for me.
Jack: Elevator dropped.
Harry Temple: Oh, that's good to know.
[both sit down]
Jack: Is your watch slow?
Harry Temple: No, no, he jumped the gun. We had three minutes left.
Jack: Why's he do that? He's losing his three million.
Harry Temple: I don't know maybe he couldn't hold his wad long enough. It's a common problem among middle-aged men. So I'm told.
Jack: [gets up; realizing] He's here.
Harry Temple: He could have blown that thing from Pacoima!
Jack: No, he knew we were up to something. He's close by.
Harry Temple: He's not gonna corner himself in a building. We evacuated anyways.
[Jack looks disappointed]
Harry Temple: Alright. He'd wanna be here but he'd wanna stay mobile. Right?
[Jack nods]
Harry Temple: The elevators.
Jack: The passenger cars were stopped. They checked em out.
Harry Temple: What about the freight elevators?
Jack: [answering phone] Harry! Tell me good news man.
Howard Payne: Oh, I'm sorry Jack. He didn't make it.
Jack: [realizes; slight pause] Fuck!
Howard Payne: It was the watch that lead him to me, wasn't it? It seemed a little hammy to me, to build a bomb out of my precious retirement gift. But you know, I figured a sign that said "Howard Payne" would be pushing it.
Jack: I'm gonna rip your fucking spine out, I swear to God.
Howard Payne: You're gonna do exactly as you're told! Jack, we both know he was the brains of your particular operation. You can't beat me, you're gonna pay me every dollar. Otherwise, you, the wildcat, and every innocent person on that bus, are gonna end up just like your friend. You paying attention? Jack, you listening to me? Jack? Jack!
Jack: Yeah...
Howard Payne: Good! Now you tell them that the drop point is Pershing Square. You drop the bags and leave. I don't show until all your people are gone. It's getting on to 11 AM, Jack, and I think it's gonna be a very pretty day.
[laughs nefariously]
Howard Payne: [hangs up; Jack flips out]
Annie: Jack stop it! We're really scared and we need you right now. I can't do this by myself! Jack, please?
Jack: [chuckles] We're gonna die.
Annie: No we're not. We got this far alright?
[Jack looks at Annie's jacket]
Jack: I'll be damned. You go to the University of Arizona?
Annie: Yeah, so?
Jack: Good football team.
Annie: Yeah? I guess so, I wouldn't know.
Jack: Arizona Wildcats.
Annie: Right...
Jack: He can see you.
Annie: What?
Jack: He can see you. Just keep looking straight ahead.
Jack: [Jack looks around; finds the camera] He called you a Wildcat before. I didn't even pick up on it. Bastard's got a camera right in your face. He can see the whole bus. He's been playing me from minute one.
Annie: Well, he can see me but can he hear me?
Jack: Doesn't look like it he's just watching you.
Howard Payne: Oh, I'm sorry Jack. He didn't make it.
Jack: [realizes; slight pause] Fuck!
Howard Payne: It was the watch that lead him to me, wasn't it? It seemed a little hammy to me, to build a bomb out of my precious retirement gift. But you know, I figured a sign that said "Howard Payne" would be pushing it.
Jack: I'm gonna rip your fucking spine out, I swear to God.
Howard Payne: You're gonna do exactly as you're told! Jack, we both know he was the brains of your particular operation. You can't beat me, you're gonna pay me every dollar. Otherwise, you, the wildcat, and every innocent person on that bus, are gonna end up just like your friend. You paying attention? Jack, you listening to me? Jack? Jack!
Jack: Yeah...
Howard Payne: Good! Now you tell them that the drop point is Pershing Square. You drop the bags and leave. I don't show until all your people are gone. It's getting on to 11 AM, Jack, and I think it's gonna be a very pretty day.
[laughs nefariously]
Howard Payne: [hangs up; Jack flips out]
Annie: Jack stop it! We're really scared and we need you right now. I can't do this by myself! Jack, please?
Jack: [chuckles] We're gonna die.
Annie: No we're not. We got this far alright?
[Jack looks at Annie's jacket]
Jack: I'll be damned. You go to the University of Arizona?
Annie: Yeah, so?
Jack: Good football team.
Annie: Yeah? I guess so, I wouldn't know.
Jack: Arizona Wildcats.
Annie: Right...
Jack: He can see you.
Annie: What?
Jack: He can see you. Just keep looking straight ahead.
Jack: [Jack looks around; finds the camera] He called you a Wildcat before. I didn't even pick up on it. Bastard's got a camera right in your face. He can see the whole bus. He's been playing me from minute one.
Annie: Well, he can see me but can he hear me?
Jack: Doesn't look like it he's just watching you.
Howard Payne: You think I wouldn't have been prepared? Two years I spent setting up that elevator job, two years I invested in it. You couldn't understand the kind of commitment that I have. You ruined a man's life's work and you think you can walk away? You got blinders on to the world! But I got your attention now, didn't I Jack?
Jack: [distressed] Why didn't you just come after me?
Howard Payne: No this is about ME! This is about my money, this is about money DUE ME! Which I WILL collect! 3.7 Million dollars! It's my nest egg, Jack, at my age you have to think ahead.
Jack: [angry] When I find you...
Howard Payne: [cuts him off] Pop quiz, hotshot. There's a bomb on a bus. Once the bus goes 50 miles an hour, the bomb is armed. If it drops below 50, it blows up. What do you do? What do you do?
Jack: I'd want to know what bus it was...
Howard Payne: You think I'm going to tell you that?
Jack: Yes.
Howard Payne: Aha, very good. There are rules, Jack, and I want you to get this right. NO ONE goes off the bus. If you try to take any passengers off the bus, I will detonate it. I want my money by 11AM.
Jack: We can't pull that kind of money in time!
Howard Payne: [shouting] FOCUS, JACK! Your concern is the bus. And don't try to call. The radio's down. Now, the number of the bus is 2525, it's running downtown from Venice. It's at the corner of Ocean Park & Main.
[Jack takes off for his car as sirens from approaching fire engines can be heard]
Jack: [distressed] Why didn't you just come after me?
Howard Payne: No this is about ME! This is about my money, this is about money DUE ME! Which I WILL collect! 3.7 Million dollars! It's my nest egg, Jack, at my age you have to think ahead.
Jack: [angry] When I find you...
Howard Payne: [cuts him off] Pop quiz, hotshot. There's a bomb on a bus. Once the bus goes 50 miles an hour, the bomb is armed. If it drops below 50, it blows up. What do you do? What do you do?
Jack: I'd want to know what bus it was...
Howard Payne: You think I'm going to tell you that?
Jack: Yes.
Howard Payne: Aha, very good. There are rules, Jack, and I want you to get this right. NO ONE goes off the bus. If you try to take any passengers off the bus, I will detonate it. I want my money by 11AM.
Jack: We can't pull that kind of money in time!
Howard Payne: [shouting] FOCUS, JACK! Your concern is the bus. And don't try to call. The radio's down. Now, the number of the bus is 2525, it's running downtown from Venice. It's at the corner of Ocean Park & Main.
[Jack takes off for his car as sirens from approaching fire engines can be heard]
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: Alright gentlemen, what we have here is 13 passengers in a express elevator. Below floor 30. Bomber's already taken out cables, bomber wants $3 million or he blows the emergency brakes.
Harry Temple: What's our clock?
Norwood: He gave one hour. That leaves us twenty-three minutes exactly.
Swat Cop: Anything else that will keep this elevator from falling?
Jack: Yeah, the basement.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: The city would like to avoid that event, Officer Traven.
Harry Temple: We can't just unload the passengers?
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: This is an express elevator gentlemen. The only way in or out is through access panels. Bomber's also wired the hatch to trigger the bomb, which seats him in the crazy-but-not-stupid section.
Jack: Sir, Harry volunteers to examine the device.
Harry Temple: Yeah, right.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: Fine. The two of you check it out.
Norwood: The nearest access panel is on the thirty-second floor in the lobby.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: I want reports only, we're in a holding patern. Worthy, Briggs, I want you to secure base area, no one in or out. Everyone else, I want you to confirm building evac. Move!
Jack: [to Harry] Looks like we're walking.
Harry Temple: What's our clock?
Norwood: He gave one hour. That leaves us twenty-three minutes exactly.
Swat Cop: Anything else that will keep this elevator from falling?
Jack: Yeah, the basement.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: The city would like to avoid that event, Officer Traven.
Harry Temple: We can't just unload the passengers?
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: This is an express elevator gentlemen. The only way in or out is through access panels. Bomber's also wired the hatch to trigger the bomb, which seats him in the crazy-but-not-stupid section.
Jack: Sir, Harry volunteers to examine the device.
Harry Temple: Yeah, right.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: Fine. The two of you check it out.
Norwood: The nearest access panel is on the thirty-second floor in the lobby.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: I want reports only, we're in a holding patern. Worthy, Briggs, I want you to secure base area, no one in or out. Everyone else, I want you to confirm building evac. Move!
Jack: [to Harry] Looks like we're walking.
Howard Payne: What do you think, Jack? You think you pick up all the bus driver's teeth they'll give you another medal?
Jack: Jeez...
Howard Payne: You think I wouldn't have been prepared? Two years I spent, setting up that elevator job. Two years I invested myself in it. You couldn't understand the kind of commitment I have. You ruined a man's life's work and you think you can walk away? You got blinders on to the world! But I got your attention now, didn't I Jack?
Jack: Why didn't you just come after me?
Howard Payne: Now this is about my money. This is about money due me. Which I collect. $3.7 million. It's my nest egg, Jack - at my age you gotta think ahead.
Jack: When I find you...
Howard Payne: Oh, quiz hot shot. There's a bomb on a bus, once the bus goes 50mp/h, the bomb is armed. If it drops below 50, it blows up. What do you do? What do you do?
Jack: I'd wanna know what bus it was...
Howard Payne: You think I'm gonna tell you that?
Jack: Yes.
Howard Payne: Aha, very good. There are rules, Jack, and I want you to get this right. No one goes off the bus. You try to take any passengers off the bus, I will detonate it. I want my money by 11 A.M.
Jack: We can't pull that kind of money in time!
Howard Payne: Focus, Jack! Your concern is the bus. And don't try to call. The radio's down. Now, the number of the bus is 2525, it's running downtown from Venice. It's at the corner of Ocean Park & Main.
Jack: Jeez...
Howard Payne: You think I wouldn't have been prepared? Two years I spent, setting up that elevator job. Two years I invested myself in it. You couldn't understand the kind of commitment I have. You ruined a man's life's work and you think you can walk away? You got blinders on to the world! But I got your attention now, didn't I Jack?
Jack: Why didn't you just come after me?
Howard Payne: Now this is about my money. This is about money due me. Which I collect. $3.7 million. It's my nest egg, Jack - at my age you gotta think ahead.
Jack: When I find you...
Howard Payne: Oh, quiz hot shot. There's a bomb on a bus, once the bus goes 50mp/h, the bomb is armed. If it drops below 50, it blows up. What do you do? What do you do?
Jack: I'd wanna know what bus it was...
Howard Payne: You think I'm gonna tell you that?
Jack: Yes.
Howard Payne: Aha, very good. There are rules, Jack, and I want you to get this right. No one goes off the bus. You try to take any passengers off the bus, I will detonate it. I want my money by 11 A.M.
Jack: We can't pull that kind of money in time!
Howard Payne: Focus, Jack! Your concern is the bus. And don't try to call. The radio's down. Now, the number of the bus is 2525, it's running downtown from Venice. It's at the corner of Ocean Park & Main.
Harry Temple: What do you think?
Jack: You're the expert, I just work here.
Harry Temple: Looks pretty solid.
Jack: Anyone we know?
Harry Temple: I don't recognize the work, but he's pro.
[checks watch]
Harry Temple: Oh, he's cutting it close.
Jack: I don't like it.
Harry Temple: What's to like? Mac said we hold, so we hold.
[Jack begins looking around; Harry thinks]
Harry Temple: Alright, pop quiz. Airport, gunman with a hostage. He's using her for cover. He's almost to a plane. You're one hundred feet away.
[Jack doesn't respond]
Harry Temple: Jack?
Jack: Shoot the hostage.
Harry Temple: What?
Jack: Take her out of the equation. Go for the good wound and he can't get to the plane with her. Clear shot.
Harry Temple: You're deeply nuts, you know that? "Shoot the hostage."
[chuckles]
Jack: Harry, this is wrong. He's gonna blow it anyway.
Harry Temple: Why?
Jack: I don't know, gut feeling.
Harry Temple: Yeah, well, right now Mac outranks your gut. So we sit.
Jack: How much you think that elevator weights?
Harry Temple: Jack, come on!
Jack: Maybe we can do something about those hostages.
Harry Temple: We're not gonna shoot em right?
Jack: You're the expert, I just work here.
Harry Temple: Looks pretty solid.
Jack: Anyone we know?
Harry Temple: I don't recognize the work, but he's pro.
[checks watch]
Harry Temple: Oh, he's cutting it close.
Jack: I don't like it.
Harry Temple: What's to like? Mac said we hold, so we hold.
[Jack begins looking around; Harry thinks]
Harry Temple: Alright, pop quiz. Airport, gunman with a hostage. He's using her for cover. He's almost to a plane. You're one hundred feet away.
[Jack doesn't respond]
Harry Temple: Jack?
Jack: Shoot the hostage.
Harry Temple: What?
Jack: Take her out of the equation. Go for the good wound and he can't get to the plane with her. Clear shot.
Harry Temple: You're deeply nuts, you know that? "Shoot the hostage."
[chuckles]
Jack: Harry, this is wrong. He's gonna blow it anyway.
Harry Temple: Why?
Jack: I don't know, gut feeling.
Harry Temple: Yeah, well, right now Mac outranks your gut. So we sit.
Jack: How much you think that elevator weights?
Harry Temple: Jack, come on!
Jack: Maybe we can do something about those hostages.
Harry Temple: We're not gonna shoot em right?
[the bus has just entered LAX]
SWAT Driver: He's just entered the airport.
SWAT Officer: The airport? There's thousands of people there.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: All right! That's my boy Jack! We should be able to circle the runways and buy us some time. The choppers can't fly in there; it's restricted air space.
SWAT Driver: He's headed for the end of the field.
SWAT Officer: That must be Bravo Tango, an emergency runway.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: Yeah, let's hope it's built. Let's move!
SWAT Driver: He's just entered the airport.
SWAT Officer: The airport? There's thousands of people there.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: All right! That's my boy Jack! We should be able to circle the runways and buy us some time. The choppers can't fly in there; it's restricted air space.
SWAT Driver: He's headed for the end of the field.
SWAT Officer: That must be Bravo Tango, an emergency runway.
Lt. Herb "Mac" McMahon: Yeah, let's hope it's built. Let's move!
Jack: Yeah?
Howard Payne: I think we have trust, but it looks on TV like you're trying to get those passengers off the bus.
Jack: Look, you've got to let me have one.
Howard Payne: We went over the rules.
Jack: As an act of faith. We have an injured man here. The driver's been shot.
Howard Payne: Jack, tell me that you haven't been shooting the passengers. I thought it was customary for a police officer to shoot the bad guys.
Jack: This man has no time.
Howard Payne: No one gets off!
Jack: It'll grease the wheels with the money men if you show some charity. There's still gonna be plenty of us to kill.
Howard Payne: OK, son, you can try and unload the driver. You tell that wildcat behind the wheel not to slow down, though, or he won't even get a chance to bleed to death. And, Jack, don't slip.
Howard Payne: I think we have trust, but it looks on TV like you're trying to get those passengers off the bus.
Jack: Look, you've got to let me have one.
Howard Payne: We went over the rules.
Jack: As an act of faith. We have an injured man here. The driver's been shot.
Howard Payne: Jack, tell me that you haven't been shooting the passengers. I thought it was customary for a police officer to shoot the bad guys.
Jack: This man has no time.
Howard Payne: No one gets off!
Jack: It'll grease the wheels with the money men if you show some charity. There's still gonna be plenty of us to kill.
Howard Payne: OK, son, you can try and unload the driver. You tell that wildcat behind the wheel not to slow down, though, or he won't even get a chance to bleed to death. And, Jack, don't slip.
[first lines]
Workman: Hey, this area's restricted.
Howard Payne: Oh, hi. Yeah, I know. They called me down here. Some of this wiring got screwed up.
Workman: Nobody called it down to me. I'm going to have to see a work order.
Howard Payne: Yeah, just a second. There you are.
[stabs workman in the ear with a screwdriver]
Howard Payne: Nothing personal.
Workman: Hey, this area's restricted.
Howard Payne: Oh, hi. Yeah, I know. They called me down here. Some of this wiring got screwed up.
Workman: Nobody called it down to me. I'm going to have to see a work order.
Howard Payne: Yeah, just a second. There you are.
[stabs workman in the ear with a screwdriver]
Howard Payne: Nothing personal.
