Quotes

Dialogue

The Ghost: [At a restaurant] But you realize I know nothing about politics? Rick Ricardelli: You voted for him, didn't you? The Ghost: Adam Lang? Of course I did. Rick Ricardelli: Everyone voted for him. He wasn't a politician, he was a craze. The Ghost: Well, there you go. Rick Ricardelli: Look, it's a new ghostwriter he needs, not another goddamn politico. He was paid $10 million for these memoirs, but rumor has it the manuscript's a crock of shit. Rhinehart's lending him his house at the ocean so they can fix it, and the pressure must have gotten to McAra. Pathologist said his blood was, like, three parts booze. The Ghost: You mean he drowned by accident? Rick Ricardelli: Accident, suicide, who cares? It was the book that killed him. The Ghost: Well, that's encouraging. [Rick dryly chuckles] Who is this McAra? Should I have heard of him? Rick Ricardelli: Yeah. He was some kind of aide to Lang when he was Prime Minister, so don't admit that you haven't. He was with him for years. The

Dialogue

The Ghost: [Sees Roy at metal detectors at Rhinehart Inc. entrance] Roy. [Getting wanded and frisked]] Who're you expecting to bomb you, Random House? Roy Quigley: We're publishing Lang's memoirs. That's enough to make us a target, apparently. The Ghost: [Gets his effects back] Thank you. [In elevator] How many have you seen? Roy Quigley: Five. You're the last. I must be honest. I don't think you're the right man for this assignment. The Ghost: Then it's a good job it's not your decision, Roy. Roy Quigley: John Maddox, chief executive of Rhinehart, New York. The Ghost: [Shakes hand] Sir. Roy Quigley: Sidney Kroll, Mr. Lang's Washington attorney. The Ghost: [Shakes hand] Mr. Kroll. Roy Quigley: And Nick Ricardelli I believe you know. The Ghost: [Rick puts hand on The Ghost's back and guides him to couch] All right, Rick. John Maddox: All right, I gather from Rick you're aware of the situation? Perhaps you can enlighten us and tell us what exactly you're gonna bring to this project. The

Dialogue

Roy Quigley: [To The Ghost out in street trying to flag down taxi] There's something not quite right about this project. The Ghost: What? Me, you mean? Roy Quigley: Obviously you. And McAra. Suicide? He didn't strike me as the suicidal type. The Ghost: Always nice to see you, Roy. Roy Quigley: Good luck.

Dialogue

The Ghost: [Answers phone] Yeah? Rick Ricardelli: Congratulations! The Ghost: On what? Rick Ricardelli: On having me as your agent. The Ghost: Yeah, I can hardly believe my luck. Rick Ricardelli: Are you packed? The Ghost: I just got mugged. Rick Ricardelli: Shit! Are you okay? The Ghost: Yeah, all they took was the manuscript that Sidney Kroll gave me. Rick Ricardelli: What? Why? The Ghost: I don't know. You tell me. Rick Ricardelli: Are you hurt? The Ghost: No, I'm fine. I think they must have followed me from Rhinehart's. Rick Ricardelli: Why would they do that? The Ghost: Well, maybe they thought I had Lang's book. I knew this whole thing was a bad idea. Rick Ricardelli: You're still okay to fly tonight, right? The Ghost: For God's sake, Rick, I'm in shock. Rick Ricardelli: Well, here's another shock for you. For one month's work on a manuscript that's already written, Rhinehart Inc. Is willing to pay you $250,000, plus expenses. Window seat or aisle?

Dialogue

Sky News Newscaster: Islam has issued a statement claiming responsibility. We hope to bring you more on that later in the bulletin. Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Adam Lang is back in the news tonight. According to leaked documents, Mr. Lang authorized the illegal use of British special forces to seize four suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists in Pakistan and then hand them over for interrogation by the CIA. The men, Nasir Ashraf, Marwat Sayed, Salim Khan and Faruk Ahmed, all British citizens, were seized in the Pakistani city of Peshawar five years ago. All four were allegedly transferred out of the country to a secret location and tortured. Mr. Ashraf is reported to have died under interrogation. Such an operation would have been illegal under... Rick Ricardelli: [The Ghost calls him] Yeah? The Ghost: Where are you? Rick Ricardelli: Heathrow, like you. Waiting for my flight to New York. The Ghost: Can you see the news? Rick Ricardelli: The Lang story? Yeah, I'm watching it now. Th

Dialogue

Ruth Lang: Who are you? The Ghost: I'm your ghost. Adam Lang: Right... Ruth Lang: Don't worry, he isn't always such a jerk.

Dialogue

Amelia: [After mixing drink] All right. He's ready for you. [Walking upstairs leading The Ghost] How's your hotel? Quiet? The Ghost: Monastic. Amelia: That's nice. No distractions. Adam Lang: [Amelia hands him drink] Thanks, love. [To The Ghost] Hi, man. You ready to start? The Ghost: Absolutely. [Amelia produces box on desk, opens it to reveal manuscript and holds up USB stick] Is the manuscript loaded on this? Amelia: It is. The Ghost: Can I have it? Amelia: I'm sorry, that would be a security risk. The Ghost: You mean I've got to retype the whole manuscript? Adam Lang: Have you really got my entire book on that little thing? Amelia: We can get 100 books on it, Adam. And it can be copied in a flash. That's the trouble. Adam Lang: Amazing. You know the worst thing about my life? You get so out of touch. Everything's done for you. You don't drive, you don't carry money. If I need cash, I have to borrow it from the protection boys. This is the kind of details we need in the memoirs. I c

Dialogue

The Ghost: [Walks into Amelia's office handing over audio recorder] Could you transcribe this as quickly as possible, please? Amelia Bly: Of course. The Ghost: [Assistant takes audio recorder] Thanks. Amelia Bly: How's it going? The Ghost: [Beaming] Pretty well. He keeps calling me 'man'! Amelia Bly: He always does that when he can't remember someone's name. There are sandwiches in the kitchen.

Dialogue

Ruth Lang: [Opens door to shine light on The Ghost in bed] Are you awake? The Ghost: Well, I am now. Ruth Lang: I'm sorry. The Ghost: It's all right. Hang on. What time is it? Ruth Lang: I don't know. I called Adam. The Ghost: And? Ruth Lang: Can I come in? [Sits on bed] The day before Mike died, he and Adam had a terrible row. I've never told anyone this before, not even the police. The Ghost: What about? The Ghost: And what did he say? The Ghost: [Puts arm on her shoulders] It's all right. Everything'll be all right. Ruth Lang: [Buries face in between The Ghost's face and shoulder] I'm scared. I've never been scared in my life before, but I am now. The Ghost: Your hair's all wet, you're drenched. Let me get you a towel. [Goes to bathroom and whispers in mirror] Bad idea. Ruth Lang: [Lying in bed] Do you mind? The Ghost: Course not. [Climbs in bed with Ruth crawling over him]

Dialogue

Ruth Lang: [Ghost gets out of bed in morning] The modesty of the morning after? The Ghost: I'm sorry. I thought you were asleep. Ruth Lang: You mean you thought I'd be gone? [Reading] You've taken out the family tree. He's very proud of the Langs. The Ghost: You know, if you want a family tree, go to a garden center. Ruth Lang: Why have you underlined my name every time? The Ghost: I was surprised there wasn't more about you. Ruth Lang: Why? I'm just the wife. The Ghost: Yeah, even so. You ought not to be written out of history. Ruth Lang: Why not? Most women are. The Ghost: Then I'll reinstate you. I'll put in all the occasions that he's forgotten. Ruth Lang: How kind. Like the boss's secretary that remembers his wife's birthday for him? The Ghost: Something like that. But then, like you say, I'm not a proper writer. Ruth Lang: What are you planning to do? The Ghost: Leave. Ruth Lang: It's not necessary, as far as I'm concerned. The Ghost: I'm afraid it is, as far as I am. Ruth Lang:

Dialogue

The Ghost: You wouldn't happen to know if there are any flights leaving the airport tonight, would you? Motel Receptionist: Not unless you've got your own private jet. The Ghost: Ah, I lent it to my butler. Motel Receptionist: Haha, oh you Brits!

Dialogue

The Ghost: Hello? Ruth Lang: You're alive. The Ghost: Yeah, just about. Ruth Lang: I've been worried sick. The police called to say they'd found the car on the ferry. Again! The Ghost: I'm so sorry. I parked it, and then, and then I got off the boat. Ruth Lang: What the hell were you doing on the mainland, anyway? The Ghost: I drove to New York. Ruth Lang: Why? The Ghost: I needed to see John Maddox. Ruth Lang: And where are you now? The Ghost: I'm still at the ferry terminal. I missed the last crossing. Ruth Lang: You really are bloody hopeless! I just had Adam on the phone, trying to get hold of you. He's flying back tonight. He sounds in a right state. The Ghost: You didn't tell him about us, did you? God's sake, Ruth! Ruth Lang: I've got to go. I'll call you back.

Dialogue

The Ghost: Who is it? Frank: Mr. Rycart sent me. The Ghost: Hold on. Frank: Just gonna do a quick check, if you don't mind. Get your stuff together. We're leaving. The Ghost: [Richard searches luggage bag] Hey! That's private! Frank: [To Richard in vehicle] He's clean. Richard: Thanks, Frank. Sorry about that. Please, get in. The Ghost: [Riding in vehicle] You thought it was a trap? Richard: It crossed my mind. You do work for Lang. The Ghost: Yeah, for three days. I hardly know the guy. Richard: Who does? I worked for him for 15 years, till he fired me, and I still can't fathom him. The Ghost: Yeah, his wife said more or less the same. Richard: There you go. If someone as sharp as Ruth can't get him, what hope do we have? Tough day? The Ghost: Yeah, you could say that. Richard: You have the book? The Ghost: Yeah. Frank: He's got it. Richard: [At diner with The Ghost with Frank watching from aside] Before we go any further, I wonder if I might take a look at that book. The Ghost: No. B

Dialogue

Demonstrators: Go home! Here comes the killer! Prosecute for torture! Reporters: Over here, Mr. Lang! Mr. Lang, will you live in America?! Mr. Lang, will you take American citizenship? Adam Lang: [Walking to vehicle to The Ghost] When we get back to the house, we need to have a meeting- [Adam is assassinated] Staff: Oh, my God! Murderer! Firing from the roof! [Assassin is executed] Let me go to him! No! No! Move, move, move!

Dialogue

Enforcement officer: How long had you known Mr. Lang? The Ghost: Couple of days. Enforcement officer: In what capacity? The Ghost: I was his ghost. His ghostwriter. Enforcement officer: [Produces photo of assassin] Do you recognize this man? The Ghost: He was one of the protestors. His son was killed in Iraq. Enforcement officer: Did you ever speak with him? The Ghost: He was in the bar one night in the hotel where I was staying. Enforcement officer: But did you speak with him? The Ghost: He asked me if I knew where Adam Lang was staying on the island. I told him that I didn't. Enforcement officer: Did you report this conversation? The Ghost: Sorry? Enforcement officer: Did you report this conversation to Mr. Lang's protection team? The Ghost: No. Enforcement officer: What was Mr. Lang's demeanor this evening? The Ghost: He was... He was fine. He seemed fine. Enforcement officer: One witness said she thought she heard Mr. Lang shouting at you. The Ghost: No. Enforcement officer: We're

Dialogue

TV Newscaster: Like a fallen soldier, Adam Lang went home today, home to a shocked and grieving nation. Not just his family, but friends and political opponents joined in tribute. TV Richard: A great colleague and a true patriot. We had our disagreements, but we always stayed friends. My heart goes out to Ruth and the family. [Knock on door] And I would like to say Adam will be... [The Ghost turns off TV] The Ghost: Who is it? [Opens door] Rick: Congratulations! The Ghost: On what now? Rick: Still having me as your agent. [Pokes The Ghost's face with his passport] The Ghost: Hmm? Rick: They don't need you anymore. You're free to go. [Pulls open drapes and The Ghost sits on bed] You ready to get back to work? The Ghost: I don't think I can, Rick. I'm sorry. Not after all this. Rick: Don't be a jerk. This is a hot book now. It's Adam Lang's voice from the grave. The guy, he's a hero. The Ghost: I just want to go home. Rick: You can. Go. Go home. And finish the book from London. The Ghost

Dialogue

Amelia Bly: Here we are. The Ghost: Oh, here we are. Amelia Bly: I'm sorry. I think I'm over it, and then suddenly I realize I'm not. The Ghost: Are you sure this is all right? Amelia Bly: Of course. My invitation said plus one. The Ghost: Only I wondered if you might've wanted to bring your husband. Amelia Bly: That didn't work out. I hadn't appreciated quite how bored he was with being my plus one. The Ghost: Shall we go in? Amelia Bly: Yeah. Amelia Bly, plus one. [To attendant when entering book launch party] Thank you. The Ghost: That was a bit of a turn-up, for the books, you calling me. Amelia Bly: I heard you weren't invited, and I thought you should be here. The Ghost: Ghosts are never invited to the launch party, as a rule. We're an embarrassment. Like a mistress at a wedding. Amelia Bly: Sorry. I brought you a present. The Ghost: Thank you. That's very funny. Amelia Bly: I thought, seeing as you were so keen to hold onto it, you might like it as a souvenir. Between you and me

Dialogue

The Ghost: Did you ever want to be a proper politician in your own right? Ruth Lang: Of course, didn't you want to be a proper writer?

Dialogue

Amelia Bly: Are you ill? The Ghost: No, I'm aging. This place is Shangri-La in reverse.

Dialogue

The Ghost: I'd never guess you smoked. Amelia Bly: I only allow myself one. In times of great stress or contentment. The Ghost: Which is this? Amelia Bly: Very funny.

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Island Ferry Attendant: Single or return? The Ghost: Return. I hope.

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The Ghost: It's my first time in a private jet. Amelia Bly: Let's hope it's not your last.

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Ruth Lang: I suppose even ghosts must have feelings. The Ghost: We are sensitive spirits.