Clive Park Quotes in A Serious Man (2009)

Larry Gopnik: We had, I think, a good talk, the other day, but you left something that...

Clive Park: I didn't leave it.

Larry Gopnik: Well - you don't even know what I was going to say.

Clive Park: I didn't leave anything. I'm not missing anything. I know where everything is.

Larry Gopnik: Well... then, Clive, where did this come from? This is here, isn't it?

Clive Park: Yes, sir. That is there.

Larry Gopnik: This is not nothing, this is something.

Clive Park: Yes sir. That is something.

[a beat]

Clive Park: What is it?

Larry Gopnik: You know what it is! You know what it is! I believe. And you know I can't keep it, Clive.

Clive Park: Of course, sir.

Larry Gopnik: I'll have to pass it on to Professor Finkle, along with my suspicions about where it came from. Actions have consequences.

Clive Park: Yes. Often.

Larry Gopnik: Always! Actions always have consequences! In this office, actions have consequences!

Clive Park: Yes sir.

Larry Gopnik: Not just physics. Morally.

Clive Park: Yes.

Larry Gopnik: And we both know about your actions.

Clive Park: No sir. I know about my actions.

Larry Gopnik: I can interpret, Clive. I know what you meant me to understand.

Clive Park: Meer sir my sir.

Larry Gopnik: Meer sir my sir?

Clive Park: [Careful enunciation] Mere... surmise. Sir. Very uncertain.

Larry Gopnik: So, uh, what can I do for you?

Clive Park: Uh, Dr. Gopnik, I believe the results of physics mid-term were unjust.

Larry Gopnik: Uh-huh, how so?

Clive Park: I received an unsatisfactory grade. In fact: F, the failing grade.

Larry Gopnik: Uh, yes. You failed the mid-term. That's accurate.

Clive Park: Yes, but this is not just. I was unaware to be examined on the mathematics.

Larry Gopnik: Well, you can't do physics without mathematics, really, can you?

Clive Park: If I receive failing grade I lose my scholarship, and feel shame. I understand the physics. I understand the dead cat.

Larry Gopnik: You understand the dead cat? But... you... you can't really understand the physics without understanding the math. The math tells how it really works. That's the real thing; the stories I give you in class are just illustrative; they're like, fables, say, to help give you a picture. An imperfect model. I mean - even I don't understand the dead cat. The math is how it really works.

Clive Park: Very difficult... very difficult...

Larry Gopnik: Well, I... I'm sorry, but I... what do you propose?

Clive Park: Passing grade.

Larry Gopnik: No no, I...

Clive Park: Or perhaps I can take the mid-term again. Now I know it covers mathematics.

Larry Gopnik: Well, the other students wouldn't like that, would they, if one student gets to retake the test till he gets a grade he likes?

Clive Park: Secret test.

Larry Gopnik: No, I'm afraid...

Clive Park: Hush-hush.

Larry Gopnik: No, that's just not workable. I'm afraid we'll just have to bite the bullet on this thing, Clive, and...

Clive Park: Very troubling... very troubling...