Rum Punch Quotes

“He sat in the living room in the dark, an expert at waiting, a nineteen-year veteran of it, waiting for people who failed to appear, missed court dates because they forgot or didn't care, and took off. Nineteen years of losers, repeat offenders in and out of the system. Another one, that's all Louis was, slipping back into the life.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“Louis shook his head. “I don’t know.” “What’s that?” “About going with you.” “You don’t think you will or you know it?” Louis shrugged and drew on his cigarette. “I said before I ain’t talking you into anything. But just answer me this, Louis. What does a three-time loser have to lose?” He started to back out of the drive and stopped. He said, “Louis? You only think you’re a good guy. You’re just like me, only you turned out white.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“Come on up to Riv’era Beach and say those things, you be dead.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“You look back,’ Max said, ‘you can’t believe that much time went by. You look ahead and you think, shit, if it goes that fast I better do something with it”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“That’s right, you got a divorce. You remarried— what about your present husband?” “He died last year.” “You go through ’em,” Nicolet said. “What kind of work did he do?” “He drank,” Jackie said.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“That goddamn Louis, you see what he done? Put his cigarette butt in here. I’m gonna punch him right in his smokin’ mouth.” Max turned back to the form, glades mutual casualty printed across the top. He said, “I know how you feel. But when you hit an ex-con who’s done three falls, they say you better kill him.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“What is it with you and Nazis?” “They fun to watch,” Ordell said. “Look at the flag they got, with the boogied-up lightning flash on it. You can’t tell if it’s suppose to be SS or Captain Marvel.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“At the moment, walking away from Anne Klein toward the salesclerk at the cashier’s counter, he was changing his life for good.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“You look back,” Max said, “you can’t believe that much time went by. You look ahead and you think, shit, if it goes that fast I better do something with it.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“She did Gladys Knight.” “With the Pips or without? She does it both ways.” “With the Pips.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch

“I want you to look at somebody here’s come to visit you.” Jackie watched the young guy scowl as Nicolet shook him again and his eyes opened.”
― Elmore Leonard, Rum Punch