Covert Affairs (TV Series)

Trompe Le Monde (2013)

Gregory Itzin: Henry Wilcox

Quotes 

• Henry Wilcox : [steering her into the lion's den, his office in Hong Kong]  I have to say, you surprised me by going dark. I didn't know you had it in you.

  Annie Walker : I was always the leap-first type.

  Henry Wilcox : But this time, without a parachute.

  Annie Walker : Oliver Lee is on a plane to D.C. With his intel, you will be tried and convicted.

  Henry Wilcox : How? I'm here.

  Annie Walker : But you're here alone.

  [he scoffs] 

  Annie Walker : Completely.

  Henry Wilcox : No, not completely. You're here with me. And it's fitting. Because... you and I are not so different.

  Annie Walker : Yes, we are.

  Henry Wilcox : It was not so long ago that we sat across from each other in that diner. And you were so excited... to see the file I had on Arthur.

  Annie Walker : Arthur's alive, by the way. Joan called from the hospital.

  Henry Wilcox : Medical intervention doesn't

  [shakes his head] 

  Henry Wilcox : guarantee survival. It didn't work out so well for Teo Braga, did it?

  Annie Walker : You went after Teo, Helen, Arthur, and Joan. You went after a pregnant woman. You've crossed every line, Henry.

  Henry Wilcox : There is... a fable in which a frog... gives a scorpion a ride across a river. Somehow, he's surprised... when the scorpion stings him.

  Annie Walker : You're the scorpion...

  [nods] 

  Annie Walker : in this scenario, I assume?

  Henry Wilcox : And to explain his actions, the scorpion simply says: "I'm a scorpion. It's my nature." You all seem to think I should be something different... But I'm not.

  Annie Walker : You're a traitor.

  Henry Wilcox : No. I'm no traitor. I'm just a man who's willing to take actions based on his convictions.

  [places pistol on table] 

  Henry Wilcox : If you say I'm a traitor,

  [shakes his head] 

  Henry Wilcox : then you must wanna kill me. There's your opportunity.

  Annie Walker : [grabs it, but only to instantly eject the magazine]  It's empty.

  Henry Wilcox : How did you know that?

  Annie Walker : Because you are a scorpion. And every word out of your mouth is a lie.

• Annie Walker : You still need me if we're gonna survive.

  Henry Wilcox : There is no 'we'. There's only me. I'm trading you to the Chinese.

• Annie Walker : [barren room]  This isn't much.

  Henry Wilcox : Isn't much of what?

  Annie Walker : Isn't much of a safe house.

  [shakes her head] 

  Annie Walker : It isn't much of a plan.

  Henry Wilcox : Comment all you want, Ms. Walker, but this modest place is where the MSS is going to torture you until you tell them everything you know. Every secret.

  [gets chair out of his way, advances on her] 

  Henry Wilcox : Every truth. They're very effective interrogators.

  Annie Walker : [scoffs]  Hmm.

  [walks away] 

• Jonathan : Oliver Lee is in the hands of the Americans.

  Henry Wilcox : And this woman is to blame. Check your sources. I'm sure they have implicated a dark-haired American woman in connection with Oliver's abduction.

  Jonathan : And what do you want in return?

  Henry Wilcox : Asylum. And protection.

  [nods] 

  Jonathan : [cold eyes as his phone camera clicks portrait of bewildered Annie's face]  I'll be right back.

  [leaves] 

  Henry Wilcox : [to Annie]  The saddest fact of all is you went dark for nothing. This audacious gambit, uh, this... brusque persona, this...

  [smirks] 

  Henry Wilcox : hair... You went all out. You gave up so much. And it simply wasn't worth it.

  [gloating:] 

  Henry Wilcox : You simply weren't cunning enough.

  Jonathan : [door opens, he returns]  You were right about her.

  [smiles] 

  Jonathan : My superiors are most thankful.

  [hands Henry his reward] 

  Jonathan : Go here. We will find a place for you.

  Henry Wilcox : Pleasure doing business.

  Jonathan : The pleasure is all mine.

  [Annie wants to say something to Henry, but gives up] 

  Henry Wilcox : I'm sure you don't believe it, but...

  [as she shakes her head:] 

  Henry Wilcox : I'm truly sorry this has to end.

  [nods] 

  Henry Wilcox : Goodbye.

  [leaves] 

  Jonathan : [to Annie]  Well, you can call me Jonathan. And your name?

  [she answers in Cantonese that her name doesn't matter] 

  Jonathan : Ah, your Cantonese is good. Please. Sit.

  [she does so] 

  Jonathan : We'll figure out your name soon enough.

  [he grins, she looks desperate]