Law & Order (TV Series)

Scoundrels (1994)

Sam Waterston: Executive ADA Jack McCoy

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Quotes 

• Willard Tappan : You know, they're talking about privatizing the park. A subway token to enter or $30 a year. Trump thinks he can run it at a profit.

  Jack McCoy : That's fascinating. We're here to...

  Willard Tappan : You're here because you have a problem. I'm talking to you because I have a problem.

  Jack McCoy : We'll prove that you hid that money, Mr. Tappan. That'll prolong your study of institutional dining.

  Willard Tappan : Yes, that's my problem. Meanwhile, Mr. Curren, your murderer, will go free.

  Jack McCoy : If you hadn't stolen his money, that murder would never have taken place.

  Willard Tappan : I concede your point. If things were different, they wouldn't be the same. Look, I know that you've been asking about a conversation I may have had with Mr. Curren, a conversation I may not be able to recall.

  Jack McCoy : I saw your testimony to the House Banking Committee. You couldn't seem to recall the answers to more than 200 questions.

  Willard Tappan : My memory is dreadful. Especially when I'm anxious about the future.

  Jack McCoy : What do you want?

  Willard Tappan : No prosecution on fraud.

  Jack McCoy : We'll take your money.

  Willard Tappan : You'll take it anyway.

• Jack McCoy : You hoped Curren would kill him. To end the blackmail.

  Willard Tappan : Heavens to Betsy. What a dreadful idea.

• Jack McCoy : [cross-examining]  How many people have you swindled, Mr Tappan?

  Willard Tappan : None.

  Jack McCoy : How many people have you been **convicted** of swindling?

  Willard Tappan : Fourteen thousand.

  Jack McCoy : Fourteen thousand people, lied to when they bought bonds in North River Savings and Loan?

  Edward St. John : Objection: argumentative.

  Jack McCoy : Addresses credibility.

  Judge Herman Mooney : Overruled.

  Jack McCoy : Why should anyone believe anything you tell them now, since you've been convicted of lying fourteen thousand times?

• D.A. Adam Schiff : [discussing McCoy's cross-examination of Tappan]  You didn't make this guy blink.

  Jack McCoy : It doesn't matter. Willard Tappan will be convicted.

  D.A. Adam Schiff : Right. After the judge reminds the jury that he's not on trial for anything he did in the past and orders them to put it out of their mind.

  Jack McCoy : Adam, you haven't been in a courtroom in a long time.

  D.A. Adam Schiff : What the hell is that supposed to mean?

  Jack McCoy : You didn't see their eyes. When they get into that jury room, the only thing they'll remember is the fourteen thousand lies.

• A.D.A. Claire Kincaid : [after Tappan has been convicted]  Did you know we had it?

  Jack McCoy : Well, between Curren and Tappan, who's a jury gonna believe?

  A.D.A. Claire Kincaid : Who do **you** believe?

  [McCoy shrugs] 

  A.D.A. Claire Kincaid : Me, too. Curren's story was awfully convenient.

  Jack McCoy : But under our original theory Tappan is still guilty of murder: he manipulated Curren.

  A.D.A. Claire Kincaid : Jack, we made it sound like he hired Curren. If you didn't believe that, but let it go on to strengthen our case...

  Jack McCoy : Heavens to Betsy, Claire, what a dreadful idea!

  [cut to closing credits] 

• Jack McCoy : Curren pulled the trigger. If he doesn't testify against Willard Tappan, Willard Tappan will testify against him

  Sally Bell : That's blackmail! You would go that low?

  Jack McCoy : Don't you know me by now, Sally?

  John Curren : I'll do it, to get Tappan.

  A.D.A. Claire Kincaid : [after the meeting]  So what was that all about?

  Jack McCoy : What was what all about?

  A.D.A. Claire Kincaid : Don't you know me by now?

  Jack McCoy : Oh -- Sally!

  A.D.A. Claire Kincaid : Yeah, Sally. Miss Bell... our opposing counsel?

  Jack McCoy : [knowingly]  She was my assistant.

• Jack McCoy : Tappan is responsible for that murder.

  A.D.A. Claire Kincaid : Morally, not legally. We can't arrest him.

  Jack McCoy : I'm a DA -- I can arrest anybody!

• Jack McCoy : Get off your soapbox, Sally, you're blocking the view!