The Sting (1973)

Robert Earl Jones: Luther Coleman

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Quotes 

• Johnny Hooker : Luther! Good God, we're millionaires!

  Luther : Jesus! Did you know he was that loaded?

  Johnny Hooker : Hell no. I just cut into him. I woulda settled for pawning one of them shoes.

• Luther : You're late. Where have you been?

  Johnny Hooker : I had a couple of appointments.

  Luther : How much did you lose?

  Johnny Hooker : [winces]  All of it.

  Luther : In one goddamn night? What are you spraying money around like that for? You could've been nailed.

  Johnny Hooker : Ah, I checked the place first. There were no dicks in there.

  Luther : But you're a con man! And you blew it like a pimp! I didn't teach you to be no pimp.

• Luther : [asking for help to make a payment drop]  You won't have no trouble. There's $5,000 there. And here's 100 bucks for you.

  Mottola : Okay, old man. I'll make your drop for you. And don't worry, you can trust me.

  Johnny Hooker : [starting to leave, Mottola puts the envelope in the inner pocket of his jacket]  Hey. Hey! If those goons decide to search you, you ain't gonna get far carrying it there.

  Luther : What'll we do?

  Johnny Hooker : You got a bag or something? How about a handkerchief?

  Luther : [holding one out]  Here's a handkerchief!

  Johnny Hooker : Here. Give it to me. Give me the money.

  Luther : Just hurry, will you?

  Johnny Hooker : [putting the money in the handkerchief]  You got any more? Better give it all to me if you want to keep it.

  Luther : [Mottola hands over his own money he has to deliver]  They think I've been holding out on them. My wife got sick, and I had to pay the bill. I wasn't holding out on 'em.

  Johnny Hooker : [folding the handkerchief up, he sticks it down the front of his pants]  Stuff it down your pants here. Like that. Got it?

  Mottola : Uh-huh. Yeah.

  Luther : Hurry, will you?

  Johnny Hooker : [handing the handkerchief back]  Ain't a tough guy in the world that's gonna frisk you there.

• Johnny Hooker : Are you nuts, carrying a wad around like that in a neighborhood like this? No wonder you got hit.

  Luther : Thanks, I'm obliged to you. But I got to get going.

  Johnny Hooker : [he tries to stand up]  You ain't goin' nowhere on this leg. Let me see.

  Luther : I gotta... got to run some slots down in West Bend for a mob here. I got a little behind in the payoffs. So they figure I been holding out on them. They gave me until 4:00 to come up with the cash. If they don't get it, I'm dead.

  Johnny Hooker : It don't look good, Gramps. It's almost 4:00 now.

  Luther : I'll give you and your friend 100 bucks to deliver it for me.

  Johnny Hooker : I don't know. That mug that hit you is mad enough at me already. What if he's waiting around a corner waiting with some friends?

  Luther : He won't know you're carrying it. Come on. You've got to help me out.

  Johnny Hooker : Hey, I'm sorry, pal. I'm gonna maybe help you get fixed up, get to a doctor, but I ain't about to walk into no knife for you.

  Luther : How about you? All you got to do is put it in the door slot. I'll give you the whole 100.

  Johnny Hooker : Hey, what makes you think you can trust him? He didn't do shit.

  Mottola : Hey, butt out, chicken liver. I gave him back the wallet, didn't I?

• Luther : I got an old friend in Chicago named Henry Gondorff. I want you to look him up. There ain't a better inside man alive. He'll teach you all you got to know.

  Johnny Hooker : To hell with that. I want to work with you, Luther.

  Luther : I'm out, Johnny.

• Johnny Hooker : What the hell's eating you? I've blown money before.

  Luther : No class grifter would've done it, that's all.

  Johnny Hooker : You think my play is bad?

  Luther : I think you're the best. I wouldn't be getting out otherwise.

  Johnny Hooker : What the hell are you talking about?

  Luther : I'm getting too old for this racket. You hang on too long and you start embarrassing yourself.

  Johnny Hooker : We just took off today on the biggest score we've ever had.

  Luther : It's nothing compared to what you could be makin' on the big con.

  Johnny Hooker : But you played the big con. You told me yourself it was some dumb game for mama's boys and flakes.

  Luther : [with a chuckle]  Hell, I never played no big con. I hung around and picked up a few things. Ain't no rich boys gonna trust a hungry nigger enough to be conned. But I tell you, I've been looking for this one all my life, Johnny. Now I have a chance to step out when I'm ahead.

  Johnny Hooker : Come on! What would you do with yourself?

  Luther : Oh, I have a brother down in K.C., runs a freigh outlet. I can go halfsies with him. It ain't too exciting, but it's mostly legal.