- Sam: I admit we knew we'd get in trouble. That part's true. We knew people would be worried, and we still ran away, anyway. But something also happened, which we didn't do on purpose. When we first met each other, something happened to us.
- Captain Sharp: That's very eloquent. I can't argue against anything you're saying. But then again, I don't have to, 'cause you're 12 years old. Look, let's face it, you're probably a much more intelligent person than I am. In fact, I guarantee it. But even smart kids stick they're finger in electrical sockets sometimes. It takes time to figure things out. It's been proven by history. All mankind makes mistakes. It's our job to try to protect you from making the dangerous ones, if we can. We want a slug?
- [offering him beer]
- Sam: [pours out his milk and holds his glass up to be filled]
- Captain Sharp: What's your rush? You've got your whole life in front of yourself. Ahead of you, I mean.
- Sam: Maybe so. Anyway, you're a bachelor.
- Captain Sharp: So are you.
- Sam: That's true. Did you love someone ever?
- Captain Sharp: Yes, I did.
- Sam: What happened?
- Captain Sharp: She didn't love me back.
- Sam: Ah.
- Captain Sharp: I'm sorry for your loss. Anyway, that's what you're supposed to say.
- [pours him some more beer]
- Laura Bishop: Walt, where the hell are you?
- Walt Bishop: Right here. Why are you cursing at me?
- Laura Bishop: Does it concern you that your daughter's just run away from home?
- Walt Bishop: That's a loaded question.
- Laura Bishop: Come down and read this!
- Suzy: These are my books. I like stories with magic powers in them. Either in kingdoms on Earth or on foreign planets. Usually I prefer a girl hero, but not always.
- Sam: It's not an accomplishment badge; I inherited it from my mother. It's not meant for a male to wear, but I don't give a damn.
- Sam: [in letter] Dear Suzy, I accidentally built a fire while I was sleepwalking. I have no memory of this, but my foster parents think I am lying.
- Mrs. Billingsley: [fighting doghouse conflagration with fire extinguisher]
- Cousin Ben: [walking briskly] Is this him?
- Sam: Field Mate Sam Shakusky, Troop 55, resigned.
- Cousin Ben: [dramatically] He's hot. Almost too hot. What's in the can?
- Redford: $76, but it's mostly in nickels.
- Cousin Ben: Give it to me.
- [to Sam]
- Cousin Ben: Your badge in seamanship?
- Sam: Yes, sir.
- Cousin Ben: Good. There's a cold water crabber moored off Broken Rock. The skipper owes me an IOU. We'll see if he can take you on as a claw cracker. It won't be an easy life, but it's better than shock therapy.
- Sam: Thank you, sir. By the way, where's the chapel tent?
- Cousin Ben: Back there, but the padre's home with the mumps. Why do you ask?
- Sam: I want to bring my wife.
- Cousin Ben: [stopping abruptly]
- Suzy: But we're not married yet.
- Cousin Ben: You his girl?
- Suzy: Yeah.
- Cousin Ben: Technically, I'm a civil law scrivener. I'm authorized to declare births, deaths, and marriages. You're kind of young. You got a license?
- Sam, Suzy: No.
- Cousin Ben: I can't offer you a legally binding union. It won't hold up in the state, the county, or frankly, any courtroom in the world, due to your age, lack of a license, and failure to get parental consent. But the ritual does carry a very important moral weight within yourselves. You can't enter into the contract lightly. Look into my eyes. Do you love each other?
- Suzy: Yes, we do.
- Cousin Ben: Think about what I'm saying. Are you sure you're ready for this?
- Suzy: Yes, we are.
- Cousin Ben: [to nobody in particular] They're not listening to me. Let me rephrase it.
- Suzy: We're in a hurry.
- Cousin Ben: Are you chewing gum? Spit out the gum, sister. In fact, everybody.
- [collecting up spit out gum]
- Cousin Ben: I don't like the snappy attitude. This is the most important decision you've made in your lives. Now go over by the trampoline and talk it through before you give me another quick answer...
- Laura Bishop: We women are more emotional...
- Suzy: I hate you.
- Laura Bishop: Don't say "hate".
- Suzy: Why not? I mean it.
- Laura Bishop: You think you mean it, in this moment. You're trying to hurt me.
- Suzy: Exactly.
- Walt Bishop: Be advised, the two of you will never see each other again. Those were your last words. Do you understand?
- Suzy: I'd be careful if I were you. One of these days, somebody's gonna get pushed too far. And who knows what they're capable of?
- Walt Bishop: Is that a threat?
- Suzy: It's a warning.
- Lionel: You're a traitor to our family.
- Suzy: Good! I want to be.
- Sam: Wait. Just in case this is a suicide or they capture us and we never see each other again anymore, I just want to say: Thank you for marrying me. I'm glad I got to know you, Suzy.
- Laura Bishop: I'm sorry, Walt.
- Walt Bishop: It's not your fault.
- [pause]
- Walt Bishop: Which injuries are you apologizing for, specifically?
- Laura Bishop: Specifically? Whichever ones still hurt.
- Walt Bishop: Half of those were self-inflicted.
- [staring at ceiling, storm rages outside]
- Walt Bishop: I hope the roof flies off, and I get sucked up into space. You'll be better off without me.
- Laura Bishop: Stop feeling sorry for yourself.
- Walt Bishop: Why?
- Laura Bishop: [sighing] We're all they've got, Walt.
- Walt Bishop: That's not enough.
- Social Services: [to Scout Master Ward and Captain Sharp] You two are the most appallingly incompetent custodial guardians Social Services has ever had the misfortune to encounter in a TWENTY-SEVEN year career!
- Scout Master Ward: Skotak, what's all this lumber for?
- Skotak: We're building a treehouse.
- Scout Master Ward: Where?
- Skotak: Right here.
- [all look up at treehouse perched ridiculously high on a tall swaying tree]
- Scout Master Ward: That's not a safe altitude. Why is it up so high? If someone falls from there, that's a guaranteed death.
- Skotak: Well, where would you have built it?
- Scout Master Ward: Lower.
- Suzy: I know what you do with that sad, dumb policeman.
- Laura Bishop: [long shocked stare] He's not dumb... But I guess he is kind of sad.
- Walt Bishop: Holy Christ, what am I looking at here?
- Laura Bishop: He does watercolors. Mostly landscapes but a few nudes.
- Walt Bishop: Did she sit for this?
- Lazy-Eye: What's your real job, sir?
- Scout Master Ward: I'm a math teacher.
- Lazy-Eye: What grade?
- Scout Master Ward: Eighth.
- Lazy-Eye: Do you need a PhD for that?
- Scout Master Ward: Lazy-Eye, no, but you know what? We're actually in the middle of something here, in case you didn't notice. One of our scouts is missing and that's a crisis. Anybody else? Redford.
- Redford: What if he resists?
- Scout Master Ward: Who?
- Redford: Shakusky, are we allowed to use force on him?
- Scout Master Ward: No, you're not. This is a non-violent rescue operation. Your mission is to find him, not to hurt him, under any circumstances. Am I making myself understood?
- Scout Master Ward: I'm gonna change my answer, in fact. This is real my job. Scout Master, Troop 55. I'm a math teacher on the side.
- Walt Bishop: Why can't you control your scouts?
- Scout Master Ward: I'm trying.
- Walt Bishop: [Mr. Bishop throws shoe at Scout Master Ward]
- Laura Bishop: Poor Suzy. Why is everything so hard for you?
- Suzy: We're in love. We just want to be together. What's wrong with that?