Tom Tuttle Quotes in Volunteers (1985)

Tom Tuttle: Let's face it: you're afraid and you have a damn good reason to be. Albert Spear once said, "Fear is victory's fuel!" Oh, you spend a few years with me, pal, and we are going to turn that fear into high octane.

Tom Tuttle: I don't understand it. I explained the bridge; everything was A-Okay. Then I mentioned the teakwood we'd be using, and they went all heathen on me.

At Toon: The problem is, you're an asshole.

Tom Tuttle: All right, let's not get personal.

[pause. Realizes he should be shocked to hear a villager speaking English]

Tom Tuttle: Who said that?

Lawrence Bourne III: It should have been me.

At Toon: You're an asshole, Peace Corps guy. You can't cut down those trees. They're sacred! The spirit that guards the village lives in those trees. Don't they teach you nothing?

Lawrence Bourne III: [to Tom] He might be just a marvelous mimic.

[to At Toon]

Lawrence Bourne III: You speak English.

At Toon: As good as him. You better pick another set of trees, 'cause no one touches those, Champ.

Tom Tuttle, Lawrence Bourne III: [laughing] Champ!

Lawrence Bourne III: Who are you?

At Toon: I'm At Toon. I spent four years in American school in Bangkok. I'm the sharpest thing this village ever seen, so they sent me. Big deal, less headaches here!

Lawrence Bourne III: Astonishing.

At Toon: Believe it, Hot Rod!

John Reynolds: Bourne? Hey, I got a telegram about you.

[Reads telegram]

John Reynolds: You must have some friends in pretty high places, Bourne.

Lawrence Bourne III: Yah... Well, we do consider Washington our general store.

John Reynolds: Damndest thing I ever saw. Training waiver, vocational approval; just like that - you're officially in the Peace Corps.

Lawrence Bourne III: [Looses his cool. Cigarette drops from his mouth] HEY! John... John... John, this is ridiculous. Now, I am obviously not of Peace Corps fiber. It's not that I can't help these people, it's just that... I don't want to.

John Reynolds: You know, looking at you, I think that two years in Loon Ta might do you some good.

Tom Tuttle: [Breaks in; enthusiastically shakes John's hand] Hi! Tom Tuttle from Tacoma Washington. Where do we saddle up for Loon Ta?

Tom Tuttle: He's going, too?

Tom Tuttle: Hey! Larry!

John Reynolds: Yeah, I'll be taking y'all by chopper

Tom Tuttle: Chopper! Holy Cow! All, right, I call shotgun on this one! I got dibs on that, Larry, sorry.

[Turns to shake hands with Beth]

Tom Tuttle: Tom Tuttle, Tacoma Washington.

Beth Wexler: Hi. Beth. Are you going to Loon Ta?

Tom Tuttle: Loon Ta! Come on, I'll give you a hand.

[They go to find Beth's bags]

Lawrence Bourne III: I'm stationed with him?

[John nods]

Lawrence Bourne III: John, for what I'm about to do, you should be ashamed.

[Lawrence gets down on his knees]

Lawrence Bourne III: I'd like to go home, please. Please, can I go home? Just let me go home. Can I go home?