Emily Watson credited as playing...
Bess McNeill
- Bess McNeill: I don't understand what you're saying. How can you love a word? You cannot love words. You can't be in love with a word. You can only love another human being. That's perfection.
- Dr. Richardson: Bess. I... I think you've got yourself involved in something that is out of your control.
- Bess McNeill: Have I?
- Dr. Richardson: [sighs] Come on Bess. You're not a kid anymore. Look for Christ's sake, he's... he's forcing you to get screwed by every Tom, Dick and Harry... it's just not you.
- Bess McNeill: I don't make love with them. I make love with Jan, and I save him from dying.
- Dr. Richardson: [exhales] Well I'm sorry, but, you know, to me seems more like a dirty old man who wants to play the Peeping Tom.
- Bess McNeill: Sometimes... I don't even have to tell him about it.
- Bess McNeill: Sometimes... I don't even have to tell him about it. Jan and me... we have a spiritual contact. God gives everyone something to be good at. I've always been stupid... but I'm good at this. God gives everyone a talent.
- Dr. Richardson: What's Jan's talent?
- Bess McNeill: He is... He's a great lover.
- Dr. Richardson: Well, what's... what's mine, then?
- Bess McNeill: I don't know. Haven't you found it yet?
- Dr. Richardson: [chuckles] I see... And what's your talent, Bess? Because, um, surely it can't be being screwed by men you've never seen before.
- Bess McNeill: I can believe.
- Jan Nyman: [he writes in a paper] Let me die. I'm evil in head!
- Bess McNeill: I love you no matter what is in your head!
- The Minister: Can you think of anything of real value that the outsiders have brought with them?
- Bess McNeill: Uh... their music!
- [first lines]
- Bess McNeill: His name is Jan.
- The Minister: I do not know him.
- Bess McNeill: [coyly] He's from the lake.
- The Minister: You know we do not favor matrimony with outsiders.
- An Elder: Can you even tell us what matrimony is?
- Bess McNeill: It's when two people are joined in God.
- Bess McNeill: [as God] Bess McNeill, for many years you've prayed for love. Shall I take it away from you again, is that what you want?
- Bess McNeill: Oh, no. I'm still grateful for love.
- Bess McNeill: [as God] What do you want, then?
- Bess McNeill: I pray for Jan to come home.
- Bess McNeill: [as God, in an impatient voice] He will be coming home in ten days. You must learn to endure, you know that.
- Bess McNeill: I can't wait.
- Bess McNeill: [as God] This is unlike you, Bess. Out there, there are people who need Jan and his work. What about them?
- Bess McNeill: They don't matter. Nothing else matters. I just want Jan home again. I pray to you, oh please. Won't you send him home?
- Bess McNeill: [as God] Are you sure that's what you want?
- Bess McNeill: Yes.
- Bess McNeill: Have you taken my calendar?
- Dodo McNeill: What? No I have not. What would I want with your calendar?
- Bess McNeill: You've taken it.
- Dodo McNeill: I have not taken it.
- Bess McNeill: Yes you have.
- Dodo McNeill: I don't know what you're talking about. What calendar?
- Bess McNeill: Where is it?
- Dodo McNeill: [returns to the room with Bess's calendar] Bess, you have to stop all this, you know. I mean you've got to go on living when he's not here. I mean he's not dead. You're not dead.
- Bess McNeill: Give it to me.
- Dodo McNeill: You've got to stop it.
- [Bess rearranges the ripped up calendar, staring at the words "I love Jan" on the corner]
- Bess McNeill: Father, why aren't you with me?
- Bess McNeill: [as God] I am with you Bess. What do you want from me?
- Bess McNeill: [overjoyed] Where where you?
- Bess McNeill: [as God] Well don't you think I have other people who want to talk to me?
- Bess McNeill: Well of course. I hadn't thought of that.
- Bess McNeill: [as God] There's this silly little thing called Bess who keeps on wanting me to talk to her. And my work's been piling up a bit.
- Bess McNeill: But you're with me now?
- Bess McNeill: [as God] Of course I am, Bess. You know that.
- Bess McNeill: Thank you.