The Conversation
written by Francis Ford Coppola
(Harry Caul dreams of trailing after the doomed Ann (Cindy Williams) in a thick, fog-enshrouded park -- believing that she is doomed, that her life is in danger. Futilely, he calls out to her, confiding in her, trying to get her to trust him, trying to warn her of the impending doom)
Harry: Listen, my name is Harry Caul. Can you hear me? Don't be afraid. I know you don't know who I am, but I know you. There isn't much to say about myself. I - was very sick when I was a boy. I was paralyzed in my left arm and my left leg and couldn't walk for six months. A doctor said that I'd probably never walk again. My mother used to lower me into a hot bath - it was therapy. One time the doorbell rang and she went down to answer it. I started sliding down. I could feel the water starting to come up to my chin, to my nose, and when I woke up, my body was all greasy from the holy oil she put on my body. And I remember being disappointed that I survived. When I was five, my father introduced me to a friend of his, and for no reason at all, I hit him right in the stomach with all my strength. And he died a year later. He'll kill you if he gets the chance. (he can no longer see her in the fog) I'm not afraid of death...but I am afraid of murder.
(A devout but straying Catholic, Harry confesses his sins to a priest)
Harry: Bless me Father for I have sinned. Three months since my last confession. I - these are my sins. Took the Lord's name in vain on several occasions. On a number of occasions, I've taken newspapers from the racks without paying for them. I've - deliberately taken pleasure in impure thoughts. I've been involved in some work that I think, I think will be used to hurt these two young people. It's happened to me before. People were hurt because of my work and I'm afraid it could happen again and I'm - I was in no way responsible. I'm not responsible. For these and all my sins of my past life, I am heartily sorry.