- Sofia: We all have to fall in love from time to time. To feed our daughters, and our mothers, and our sisters.
- Katya: If Mama didn't have to go out to work, then you would have to go. Then *who* would be the wicked one?
- Todd Jackson: She is the Countess Sofia Alexeyevna Belinskaya. She has everything that I wanted for this place. She has the allure, the tragedy, the weariness. She knows that history has no place for her kind anymore. She is perfect. My - my center piece.
- Todd Jackson: Why aren't you at home in your bed?
- Sofia: There's no bed for me till morning. My daughter... Sorry, I was forgetting our agreement.
- Todd Jackson: No. I told you, there is no agreement. I just said once I thought that we could get on best if we confined our friendship to within these walls. And I'd say that's worked out pretty well so far.
- Sofia: And for you to hear about my life beyond this place, I suppose it spoils your picture of me - that perfect one you have inside your head.
- [first lines]
- Grushenka: Another punishment is waiting for her. Such disgrace. Who would have thought when my son married her, she would one day bring such disgrace to his memory. Even now she's in there, putting on that powder. God's watching her. God will punish her.
- Todd Jackson: In the bar of my dreams, Mr. Matsuda, I'd have the best team of bouncers in town and in the whole of Asia. They'd be hand-picked, and they'd be well trained. Only then can you have control. See that? The bouncers are like your dials, you know. You control the mood with them. You can turn it this way or turn it that way. With a good team of bouncers, a fellow, you could conduct the place - like an orchestra.
- Matsuda: In a place like this, we should be allowed to forget the world outside - and its many difficulties. At least until the morning.
- Todd Jackson: This is Shanghai, Thomas. A person can do much as he pleases.
- Maria: You're passionate. Love sweeps you away. We're women, we can't help that.
- Todd Jackson: There comes a day when you say there are some things that you want to do in life and you'll never do them unless you take a risk. Hold everything that you have in your hand and just - take a risk.
- Sofia: If you leave here alone there are two villains over there who will follow you, hit you over head with their little, blackjack and then steal your wallet and perhaps your shoes, too. You shouldn't wear such - fine shoes when you come around here.
- Todd Jackson: The women, of course, you'd have to choose very carefully - as carefully as the bouncers. You need a - you need a kind of balance between the erotic - and the tragic. Very important to choose just - just the right women.
- Todd Jackson: I've come here to have a little flutter myself.
- Sofia: Don't worry. You'll be safe - from them and from me.
- Todd Jackson: The other important ingredient is, well, what do you call it? Sexuality? The vague promise of an intimate encounter? You have to judge it finely, though. You have to choose women with real care.
- Todd Jackson: We're not in Vermont, Thomas. Don't cluck around me like an old hen.
- Sofia: I'd accept happily if I'm - really so perfect for you. But you can't even see me. You should at least try to feel what I look like. Blind people do that, don't they?
- Sofia: I'm sorry about what happened at the café this afternoon - disturbing you like that when you're enjoying your radio.
- Sofia: Why do you have such heavy doors? You think they'll keep out the world?
- Todd Jackson: Well, that's my intention.
- Todd Jackson: Let's just leave it like this now. No questions and no answers.
- Todd Jackson: Back when we first met - you offered to let me touch your face, so I could - I could see what you looked like. You remember that?
- Sofia: Yes, I remember.
- Todd Jackson: Well, I was wondering if I could now - take you up on that offer.
- Sofia: All right. If you like.
- Katya: When you used to be a dilpomat...
- Todd Jackson: Diplomat. Dip-lo-mat. Sometimes, people will say "diplomatist."
- Sofia: How much longer do you think you can hide away in here? I grew up with people who believed in big heavy doors - just like you. But those doors weren't so strong in the end.
- Todd Jackson: Out there, what there is, Mr. Matsuda, is - is chaos. Mistrust, deceit, hatred, viciousness, and chaos. There's no broader canvas out there. Nothing a man can go and compose a pretty picture on.
- Todd Jackson: Soon your broader canvas will come and crush my little world in here. Just like it's crushing all those other little worlds right now.
- Matsuda: But that is in the nature of things.
- Matsuda: Now, sir, if you'll excuse me. I wish you every good fortune.
- Todd Jackson: Strange to think that all this time, I never knew how beautiful you were. But then, you see, I'm a blind man.
- Todd Jackson: Excuse me, gentlemen. I'm just trying to find my way.
- Sofia: As you say, we can help each other.
- Grushenka: She wants to play with those frightful Jews downstairs.
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