James Brolin: Peter McDermott

Quotes 

• Victoria Cabot : That phone has been ringing nonstop since I came in. The media's all over us like a tent already. You know, the last thing I want is for the public to think we condone a group like that.

  Billy Griffin : Why not tell the Knights we need the rooms?

  Peter McDermott : Everything's been paid for in advance.

  Billy Griffin : Too bad the check didn't bounce.

  Peter McDermott : We're a private hotel. We could throw them out if we want.

  Victoria Cabot : I'd like nothing better, but there's also the First Amendment to be considered, and even if it doesn't apply to my hotel, the spirit of the Constitution applies to me. We have a contract with these people. Now, until the Knights break the law, they are our guests and must be treated accordingly.

  Billy Griffin : And I'll have to protect them, right?

  Victoria Cabot : Look, I know how difficult this must be for you, Billy, but what choice do we have?

  Billy Griffin : Playing nursemaid to a bunch of bigots.

  Peter McDermott : Who'll bait you as often as they can.

  Victoria Cabot : Don't you forget what they're really after.

  Billy Griffin : I know. They're gonna be very disappointed, because if they're looking to make headlines, they're not gonna find 'em here.

• Peter McDermott : We haven't had a chance to meet. Peter McDermott. I manage the St. Gregory.

  Russell Slocum : Oh. You're the welcome wagon?

  Peter McDermott : Oh, I just thought you should know what's going on. The streets are swarming with demonstrators.

  Russell Slocum : Well, that's your problem, not mine. After all, we're the paying customers around here, remember? You took our money in good faith, didn't you?

  Peter McDermott : Probably under false pretenses.

  Russell Slocum : Now, you're not thinking of violating our fundamental rights, are you? That wouldn't be very good publicity for your hotel, my friend.

  Peter McDermott : You have no rights in this hotel. This is private property. So even though I give you the right to peaceably assemble, I don't like what you stand for, Slocum, so I'd be real careful.

• Billy Griffin : [after an altercation with Russell Slocum]  Look, I know what you're thinking. I'm sorry. I lost my head.

  Peter McDermott : You just got there before I did.

• Julie Gillette : Mr. McDermott, I was just on my way to see you.

  Peter McDermott : Oh? What do I owe the honor?

  Julie Gillette : Mrs. Grupowski. Would you like to kick in for a going-away present?

  Peter McDermott : Okay.

  Julie Gillette : I know it seems like only yesterday, but 40 years have whizzed by, and Mrs. G's ready to turn in her vacuum cleaner.

  Peter McDermott : 40 years of housekeeping. That's a lot of dirty linen. By the way, uh, Mrs. Cabot says she'll match whatever you come up with.

  Julie Gillette : Fantastic! Wait a second. How did Mrs. Cabot know that we were collecting for a present?

  Peter McDermott : How does Mrs. Cabot know anything?

  Julie Gillette : And everything.

• Peter McDermott : You boys wanna make any more trouble, you can do it out on the street.

  Russell Slocum : Oh, no, you've got it all wrong, my friend. Our bill is paid in full. We're not going anywhere.

  Peter McDermott : Well, I hate to disappoint you, but you've overstayed your welcome.

  Russell Slocum : The law is on our side.

  Billy Griffin : And what law is that, the law of the jungle?

  Peter McDermott : Two chambermaids saw you break into 314, and you were warned this is private property.

  Billy Griffin : The law doesn't cover vandalism, Slocum.

  Peter McDermott : [giving him a receipt]  This is not a big refund. That's because you did such a good job trashing that room. I don't like anything about you, Slocum. I don't like that bedsheet you're wearing, and I don't like the ugly things you say.

  Russell Slocum : Do something about it.

  Peter McDermott : We already have.

  [porters come in with their baggage] 

  Peter McDermott : Not only have we sent you packing, we even packed it for you.

  Russell Slocum : You're not gonna stop us! We're getting bigger and stronger every day!

  Billy Griffin : Maybe so, but most people see you for what you really are, scared little men with big mouths and empty threats. Selling hate don't take much smarts.

• Peter McDermott : How the hell could we allow them in, that's what I want to know. A group of bigots wants to book rooms, we should have said, "Thanks, but no thanks."

  Christine Francis : It wasn't that simple.

  Peter McDermott : To say "Sorry, we're all booked up"?

  Christine Francis : They used another name, Peter, the, uh, American Service Organization. Yes, obviously a cover so the people in the booking office wouldn't pick up on them.

  Mark Danning : [coming in]  Excuse me, boss. Billy has his hands full.

  Peter McDermott : What's the problem?

  Mark Danning : Downstairs. We have visitors, and I don't think you'll want to roll out the red carpet.