- Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: Travis, do you know that you're the first black man I ever heard people call "Mister"? When I was a kid, I wanted to be like you, I wanted people to call me "Mister".
- Travis Hawnwell: Don't matter what they call you down here, Virgil, you're still just a nigger like me.
- Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: I don't believe that.
- Travis Hawnwell: Nothing ever changes.
- Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: You know, Travis, it seems to me that this town has changed, but you've remained the same. And I think that's a shame.
- Charlotte Sinclaire: I hear you can be a good friend Virgil. Sorry I missed that.
- Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs: [to himself after Charlotte leaves] Me too. Me too.
- Travis Hawnwell: Virgil can stay in the kitchen with me.
- J.D. Sinclaire: Why Travis, the war's over, and you won, remember?