Hope Floats (1998)

Michael Paré: Bill Pruitt

Quotes 

• Birdee Pruitt : I would have stayed with you forever. I would have turned myself inside out for you.

  Bill Pruitt : Birdee, I wouldn't have let you! People grow. They change. They have to!

  Birdee Pruitt : You think that I don't know that? I know that I'm not what I once was. I know that! But I haven't changed so much, that I would go and lie to someone that I love. God, I would walk through fire before I'd let them feel like they were nothing! And I would never break up anybody's home. Because I am not a quitter. I care about my family! I may not be the same person, but then again, neither are you. You're sad, you're weak, and you're... shorter. If you want to know the truth.

  Bill Pruitt : I'm in love with Connie. And this is my chance for a fresh start, and I'm taking it, I'm sorry!

  Birdee Pruitt : Then you should take it. If that's how you feel then you should take it. You and Connie deserve each other. You were lucky to have me. But you know what? I think I already got the best part of you. And she's standing right out there, and she's waiting for me. I don't know... what's left just doesn't look so good anymore. So why'd you come back? You want my permission? You want my... condolences? Why did you come back?

  Bill Pruitt : Well, I didn't want to do this to you now, Birdee, but I want a divorce.

• Bill Pruitt : [Bill is leaving the Calvert house, Bernice is following him with her bag... he takes her wrist]  Bernice, what do you think you're doing?

  Bernice Pruitt : I'm going with you.

  Bill Pruitt : Honey, that's impossible.

  Bernice Pruitt : But I'm going with you.

  Bill Pruitt : No, you've got to stay here with your mama. Birdee, you gonna help me out here?

  [Birdee is silent] 

  Bernice Pruitt : You told me you wanted me with you, remember?

  Bill Pruitt : Listen, honey. I've gotta go. Now don't do this to yourself, OK? Don't make a scene. Now go on back inside, go ahead.

  [Bernice defiantly follows him to his car, where he opens the trunk. She throws his bag in with his, he takes hers out and puts in on the ground] 

  Bernice Pruitt : Stop it, daddy!

  Bill Pruitt : Bernice, you know I'd take you with me if I could.

  Bernice Pruitt : You can!

  Bill Pruitt : Try to understand, baby. Connie and I, we need this time to ourselves, to try and make a go of it. Then I'll come back for you. I promise, I promise, I promise!

  [Birdee looks on; fighting tears] 

  Bill Pruitt : Now go on inside, please!

  Bernice Pruitt : You want me! You wrote it in your letter!

  [crying] 

  Bernice Pruitt : Please, let me in! YOU WANT ME!

  Bill Pruitt : [tearfully]  I'll always want you, Bernice. You're my little princess! But your mama, she needs you... and you need her!

  Bernice Pruitt : [wailing]  No I don't! I need you!

  [sobbing continues] 

  Bill Pruitt : I love you, Princess... I gotta go!

  [blows horn and drives off] 

  Bernice Pruitt : NO! NOOOO! DADDY! PLEASE COME BACK! TAKE ME WITH YOU! NOOO! DADDY!

  [Bernice is sobbing hysterically by this time, Birdee picks her up and carries her into the house] 

  Bernice Pruitt : I WANT MY DADDY!