- [explaining why he didn't express his unhappiness with the CIA in a more acceptable manner]
- Christopher Boyce: It wouldn't have made a difference. I freely chose my response to this absurd world. If given the opportunity, I would have been more vigorous.
- [on the Russians]
- Christopher Boyce: They're just as paranoid and dangerous as we are. I don't know why I ever thought any differently.
- [to his politically conservative father, while watching the Watergate hearings]
- Christopher Boyce: Can't you admit that just once, I was right about something?
- Christopher Boyce: I know a few things about predatory behavior. And what was once a legitimate intelligence gathering agency is now being misused to prey on weaker governments.
- [Alex, a KGB agent, informs Christopher and Dalton that they are not patriots, but paid traitors]
- Alex: The moment you accepted money, you became professionals. It's just beginning.
- Daulton Lee: Let me ask you now. These, these clothing. Would this be considered formal clothing for your country? Is this the average garb?
- Nigerian diplomat: It's, er, garbage.
- Larry Rogers: The Black World is a code name for a family of covert surveillance satellites - conceived by the Defense Department, manufactured and maintained by RTX, and used primarily by a company you may have heard of - in Langley, Virginia.
- Christopher Boyce: Central Intelligence.
- Gene: You're gonna love it here, Chris. Nobody can mess with you here. Nobody's got clearance to get in. Not even Security.
- Daulton Lee: I don't know who my friends are! I don't know who to trust! I don't know who to trust! Don't throw me to the wolves! Don't throw me to the wolves!
- Larry Rogers: You're not to discuss any aspect of your job with non-cleared RTX employees... Not with your girlfriend. Not with your parents. Not with your dog. Not in the men's room, not over lunch. Not in your sleep. Nowhere. Are we clear so far?
- Christopher Boyce: I think somebody might've made a mistake. Is this the black vault?
- Laurie: No, but you're getting warm.
- Daulton Lee: How much are they paying you or is that a big secret?
- Christopher Boyce: Uh, 140 a week, before taxes.
- Daulton Lee: Do you know what I'm offering you? Do you know what I make?
- Christopher Boyce: Ten times that.
- Daulton Lee: Easy. It's about to double. I'm this far away from a truly amazing connection.
- Gene: I'm serious, man! You make it obvious! You make a statement. You fuck with us, you accept the consequences. Anything less than that is a waste of time and the taxpayers' money!
- Gene: Why didn't you tell me your old man was FBI?
- Christopher Boyce: Well, cause he isn't any more.
- Gene: Once FBI, always FBI.
- Daulton Lee: Okay, I swear to God! No money, then that's it. You'll never see me again. All right, from now on I do my business with the Chinese. They'll pay!
- Mr. Charlie Boyce: My golly! Will you look at this! Where did you get this? You can't buy these in the United States. Where'd you get it son?
- Christopher Boyce: Peking!
- Mr. Charlie Boyce: Huh? Oh, come on!
- Christopher Boyce: Every day I get these misrouted cables - the CIA's secret mail. Details of covert action that have *nothing* to do with national security. Manipulations of foreign press, political parties, whole economies. I mean, it's incredible. I had no idea the extent of the lie, the level of deception.
- Alex: Christopher, we're not unalike, you and I. I, too, have had my doubts. I know what it does to a person. I know what you're feeling.
- Christopher Boyce: What are you talking about? I'm not a professional like you. This isn't a career for me. It was impulsive. I never expected it to go on as long as it has. I'm not like you. You have no idea what I'm feeling. You want a mole in the CIA, you find somebody else.
- Christopher Boyce: I've never been an agent for the KGB. I work for no one but myself. I belong to no political organisations other than the Democratic Party.
- Alex: Physical descriptions of each. Height, weight and so on. Their home addresses if you know them. And maybe some details about their families. Drinking habits, religious habits. Sexual deviations and so on.
- F.B.I. Interrogator: You understand by turning over US secrets to the Soviet Union you're putting every man, woman, and child in this country in jeopardy.
- Christopher Boyce: They're already in jeopardy.
- Mr. Charlie Boyce: I don't think anybody should do anything to influence this case in any way. Let him be judged.
- Mr. Charlie Boyce: Two of my boys came home today from school - bloody. Teacher just stood around and watched some kids beat 'em up. Do you know what they called them? Do you know what they called my sons? Communists.
- Christopher Boyce: I appreciate fear. The chance to face it. There's nothing more exhilarating than confronting your fears.