Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle Quotes in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)

Mayor: Warren, I've thought it over. I know what we're going to do.

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: You tell me.

Mayor: We're going to let 'em keep the goddamn subway train. Hell, we've got plenty of them; we'll never even miss it.

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: How about the 18 hostages, Al? Are we going to miss them?

Mayor: Warren, goddammit, this city hasn't got a million dollars!

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: Then you better empty out one of your Swiss bank accounts because there's no other way out.

Mayor: Don't we get even to think about it?

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: There's no time.

Mayor: All right. I still want the full picture. Get me the police commissioner, the chairman of the Transit Authority, and that putz we've got for a Comptroller.

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: They're on their way over. But it's no good running to them, Al. You're the man. The buck stops with you.

Mayor: Oh, shit!

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: God help us.

Mayor: Shit! Piss! Fuck!

Mayor: Warren, suppose the hijackers start shooting at me?

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: Will you stop? They have no reason to shoot at you.

Mayor: Why? Do you think they're from out of town?

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: Get dressed, Al. I'll do the jokes.

Mayor: [the clock's ticking, and the mayor's sitting - wrapped in a blanket, sneezing - as his deputy Mayor polls The head of NYPD, the head of the Transit Authority, and the city comptroller] All right, Al, you've heard from the '3 Wise Men'. Now, what do you say?

Mayor: What are they goin' to say, Warren?

[behind the mayor, sits his wife, nodding in agreement]

Mayor: 'They', who?

Mayor: Who? Everybody! The press, the man on the street!

Mayor's wife: He means the voters.

[the mayor sneezes, and blows his nose into a tissue]

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: You know what they'll say: The Times will support you. The News will knock you. The Post will take both sides at the sane time. The rich'll support you, likewise the blacks. The Puerto Ricans wont give a shit, so, come on, Al - stop stalling!

Mayor: And, you stop bullyin' everybody, Warren! This is supposed to be a democracy!

Mayor: Wise up, for chris' sakes! We're trying to run a city - not a god damn 'democracy'!

[the Mayor looks confused]

Mayor: Al, quit fartin' around! We've gotta pay!

Mayor's wife: [THe mayor quietly says his wife's name] Jessie?

Mayor's wife: Hmmm?

Mayor: Jessie, what do you say?

Mayor's wife: I know a million dollars sounds like a lot of money. But, just think what you're gonna get in return.

Mayor: [Al thinks for a moment] What?

Mayor's wife: 18 sure votes.

Mayor: Allright. All right. Warren? Warren; arrange for the payoff

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: Hallelujah!

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: Hallelujah! Alright, fellas, you heard him. Phil, pass the word to the bad guys that we're coughing up. Sid, what bank do we do the most business with?

Transit Authority Chairman: City National Trust. I'll give them a call.

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: I'll call. You'll take an hour trying to knock down the interest rate.

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: All right, Al. You've heard from the Three Wise Men. Now what do you say?

Mayor: What are THEY going to say, Warren?

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: "They" who?

Mayor: Who? Everybody - the press, the man on the street.

Mayor's wife: He means the voters.

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: You know what they're going to say. The Times is going to support you. The News is going to knock you. The Post will take both sides at the same time. The rich will support you, likewise the blacks, and the Puerto Ricans won't give a shit. So come on, Al, quit stalling!

Mayor: Will you stop bullying everybody, Warren? This is supposed to be a democracy!

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: Wise up, for chrissake, we're trying to run a city, not a goddamn democracy! Al, quit farting around - we've got to pay!

Mayor: Jessie, Jessie, what do you say?

Mayor's wife: I know a million dollars sounds like a lot of money. But just think what you'll get in return.

Mayor: What?

Mayor's wife: Eighteen sure votes.

Mayor: All right, all right. Warren, Warren, arrange for the payoff!

Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle: Hallelujah.