:16:03
You see, we're gods, Pete.
:16:05
Lousy little gods who control
the lives of the people we create.
:16:09
We sit up in some heavenly place
and decide whether they live or die...
:16:13
...on the merits of what happens to them
in reel one, two, three, et cetera.
:16:18
And then we decide
if they have the right to live.
:16:21
And that's how we arrive at our ending.
:16:24
Well, that's what you say, John.
But l say l'm a swell god.
:16:28
l say they should live because of everything
they've gone through together.
:16:32
This world doesn't necessarily have to be
a hopeless and rotten place, John.
:16:37
We're not all destined and doomed to die
of radium poisoning.
:16:41
Now, l might be completely wrong...
:16:46
...but that's what makes me a swell god.
:16:48
-That makes you a flea on an elephant's ass.
-Oh, balls to your pessimism.
:16:54
You know something? You're never gonna be
a good screenwriter, and you know why?
:16:58
No, John. Why don't you tell me why?
:17:01
Because you let 85 million popcorn eaters
pull you this way and that way.
:17:05
To write a movie, you must forget
anyone's ever going to see it.
:17:08
You're gonna make damn sure
nobody sees this one.
:17:11
Well, maybe l am. But l figure
there's two ways to live in this world.
:17:15
One is you can crawl and kiss ass
and write their happy endings...
:17:19
...sign their long-term contracts and never
take a chance on anything and never fly...
:17:23
...never leave Hollywood. Save all
your goddamn money, every cent of it.
:17:27
And then when you're a healthy-looking 50,
you die of a stroke...
:17:31
...because whatever was wild in you
has eaten away the muscles of your heart.
:17:35
The other way is to let the chips
fall where they may.
:17:39
Refuse to sign their contracts and
tell off the guy who can cut your throat...
:17:44
...and flatter the little guy
who's hanging by a thread that you hold.
:17:48
John, maybe you shouldn't be
in the picture business.
:17:50
Well, maybe you're right, kid.
Maybe l shouldn't.
:17:53
Maybe l should've wandered the planet
gambling on oil wells...
:17:57
...or stolen diamonds
or pimped for maharajahs.