Quotes from The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
14 quotes
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Stacy, Drake House Leader:
And always remember, they've got the whip hand.
Colin Smith: Do you know what I'd do if I had the whip hand? I'd get all the coppers, governers, posh whores, army officers and members of parliament and I'd stick them up against this wall and let them have it 'cause that's what they'd like to do to blokes like us. Stacy, Drake House Leader: You'll learn. Colin Smith: We'll see. |
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Colin Smith:
It's not that I don't like work. It's just that I don't like the idea of slaving me guts out so the bosses can get all the profits. Seems all wrong to me.
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Colin Smith:
Running's always been a big thing in our family, especially running away from the police.
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Colin Smith:
The best thing to do is be cunning and stay where you are. I'm going to let them think they've got me house trained, but they never will, the bastards. To get me beat, they'll have to stick a rope around my neck.
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Ruxton Towers Reformatory governor:
I used to be a runner myself, quite a useful one too but a bit of a plodder.
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Ruxton Towers Reformatory governor:
It was that new lad Smith who scored that goal, wasn't it?
Mr. Jones: Right sir. Ruxton Towers Reformatory governor: He can run. Mr. Jones: He's not bad sir. Ruxton Towers Reformatory governor: He might be useful to us, we better keep an eye on him. |
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Ruxton Towers Reformatory governor:
What's your name?
Colin Smith: Smith. Chief Borstal Officer: Say "sir" when you answer the Governor. Colin Smith: [insolently] Sir Smith. Ruxton Towers Reformatory governor: That won't get you far here, lad. |
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Ruxton Towers Reformatory governor:
You don't get anywhere without effort, do you lad?
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Brown, House Master:
How do we tackle the basic aggression which these lads obviously feel?
Ruxton Towers Reformatory governor: By channelling it in the right direction. Brown, House Master: I was just wondering whether life wasn't a little more complicated than a football match. |