Judith Gopnik Quotes in A Serious Man (2009)

Judith Gopnik: We shouldn't put the kids in the middle of this, Larry.

Larry Gopnik: The kids aren't...

Judith Gopnik: I'm saying "we." I'm not pointing fingers.

Larry Gopnik: No one is playing the "blame game," Larry.

Larry Gopnik: I didn't say anyone was!

Judith Gopnik: Well let's not play He said, She said, either.

Larry Gopnik: I wasn't! I-...

Sy Ableman: Aw right, well let's just step back, and defuse the situation, I find, sometimes, if I count to ten.

[pause]

Sy Ableman: One... two... three... faw... Or silently.

[Long pause]

Judith Gopnik: Really, to keep things on an even keel, especially now, leading up to Danny's bar mitzvah...

Sy Ableman: A child's bar mitzvah, Larry!

Judith Gopnik: Sy and I think it's best if you move out of the house.

Larry Gopnik: Move out?

Sy Ableman: It makes eminent sense.

Judith Gopnik: Things can't continue as they...

Larry Gopnik: Move out! Where would I go?

Sy Ableman: Well, for instance, the Jolly Roger is quite livable. Not expensive, and the rooms are eminently habitable.

Judith Gopnik: This would allow you to visit the kids.

Sy Ableman: There's convenience in its fava. There's a pool...

Larry Gopnik: Wouldn't it make more sense for you to move in with Sy?

Judith Gopnik: [Shocked pause] Larry!

Sy Ableman: Larry, you're jesting!

Judith Gopnik: Larry, there is much to accomplish before that can happen.

Sy Ableman: Larry, Larry, Larry. I think, really, the Jolly Roger is the appropriate coss of action. It has a pool.

Judith Gopnik: Look, I didn't know any other way of breaking it to you. Except to tell you. And treat you like an adult. Is that so wrong?

Larry Gopnik: Where do I sleep?

Judith Gopnik: What?

Larry Gopnik: Arthur's on the couch!

Judith Gopnik: Look. Sy feels that we should...

Larry Gopnik: Esther is barely cold!

Judith Gopnik: Esther died three years ago. And it was a loveless marriage. Sy wants a get.

Larry Gopnik: A what?

Judith Gopnik: A ritual divorce. He says it's very important. Without a get I'm an agunah.

Larry Gopnik: A what? What are you talking about?

Judith Gopnik: You always act so surprised. I have begged you to see the Rabbi.

Judith Gopnik: You know the problems you and I have been having.

Larry Gopnik: Mm.

Judith Gopnik: Well, Sy and I have become very close. In short, I think it's time to start talking about a divorce.

Larry Gopnik: Sy Ableman?

Judith Gopnik: This is not about Sy.

Larry Gopnik: You mentioned Sy!

Judith Gopnik: Don't twist my words. We...

Larry Gopnik: A divorce-what have I done! I haven't done anything- What have I done!

Judith Gopnik: Larry, don't be a child. You haven't "done" anything. I haven't "done" anything.

Larry Gopnik: Yes! Yes! We haven't done anything! And I-I'm probably about to get tenure.

Judith Gopnik: Nevertheless, there have been problems. As you know.

Larry Gopnik: Well...

Judith Gopnik: And things have changed. And then-Sy Ableman. Sy has come into my life. And now...

Larry Gopnik: Come into your-what does that mean? You, you, you, you barely know him!

Judith Gopnik: We've known the Ablemans for fifteen years.

Larry Gopnik: Yes, but you you said we hadn't done anything!

Judith Gopnik: I haven't done anything. This is not some flashy fling. This is not about woopsy-doopsy.

Larry Gopnik: Sy Ableman!

Judith Gopnik: We shouldn't put the kids in the middle of this.

Larry Gopnik: The kids aren't...

Judith Gopnik: I'm saying "we". I'm not pointing fingers.

Sy Ableman: No one is playing the blame game, Larry.

Larry Gopnik: I didn't say anyone was.

Judith Gopnik: Well, let's not play "he said, she said", either.

Larry Gopnik: I wasn't! I...

Sy Ableman: Aw right, well let's just step back, and defuse the situation. I find, sometimes, if I count to ten...

[grasps Larry's wrists]

Sy Ableman: One... two... three... four... or silently...

[Sy counts silently]

Judith Gopnik: Really, to keep things on an even keel leading up to Danny's bar mitzvah...

Sy Ableman: Child's bar mitzvah, Larry.

Judith Gopnik: ...Sy and I think it's best if you move out of the house.

Larry Gopnik: ...Move out?

Sy Ableman: Well, it makes eminent sense.

Judith Gopnik: Things can't continue as they...

Larry Gopnik: Move out? Where would I go?

Sy Ableman: Well, for instance, the Jolly Roger is quite livable. It's not expensive, the rooms are eminently habitable...

Judith Gopnik: This would allow you to visit the kids.

Sy Ableman: It has convenience in its favor, they've got a pool...

Larry Gopnik: Wouldn't it make more sense for you to move in with Sy?

[pause]

Judith Gopnik: [stunned] Larry.

Sy Ableman: Larry... you, you *are* jesting? I think really, the Jolly Roger is the appropriate course of action.