A Serious Man (2009)

David Kang: Clive Park

Quotes 

• Larry Gopnik : We had, I think, a good talk, the other day, but you left something...

  Clive Park : I didn't leave it.

  Larry Gopnik : Well, you don't even know what I was gonna say.

  Clive Park : I didn't leave anything. I'm not missing anything. I know where everything is.

  Larry Gopnik : Well... then, Clive, where did this come from?

  [raises his eyebrows] 

  Larry Gopnik : This is here, isn't it?

  Clive Park : Yes, sir. That is there.

  Larry Gopnik : This is not nothing; this is something.

  Clive Park : Yes. That is something.

  [a beat] 

  Clive Park : What is it?

  Larry Gopnik : You know what it is! I believe. And you know I can't keep it, Clive.

  Clive Park : Yes sir.

  Larry Gopnik : I'll have to pass it on to Professor Finkle, along with my suspicions about where it came from. Actions have consequences.

  Clive Park : Yes sir. Often.

  Larry Gopnik : No, always! Actions always have consequences! In this office, actions have consequences!

  Clive Park : Yes sir.

  Larry Gopnik : Not just physics, morally.

  Clive Park : Yes.

  Larry Gopnik : And we both know about your actions.

  Clive Park : No sir. I know about my actions.

  Larry Gopnik : I can interpret, Clive. I know what you meant me to understand.

  Clive Park : Meer sir my sir.

  Larry Gopnik : Meer sir my sir?

  Clive Park : [Careful enunciation]  Mere... surmise. Sir. Very uncertain.

• Larry Gopnik : So, uh, what can I do for you?

  Clive Park : Uh, Dr. Gopnik, I believe the results of physics mid-term were unjust.

  Larry Gopnik : Uh-huh, how so?

  Clive Park : I received an unsatisfactory grade. In fact: F, the failing grade.

  Larry Gopnik : Uh, yes. You failed the mid-term. That's accurate.

  Clive Park : Yes, but this is not just. I was unaware to be examined on the mathematics.

  Larry Gopnik : Well, you can't do physics without mathematics, really, can you?

  Clive Park : If I receive failing grade I lose my scholarship, and feel shame. I understand the physics. I understand the dead cat.

  Larry Gopnik : You understand the dead cat? But... you... you can't really understand the physics without understanding the math. The math tells how it really works. That's the real thing; the stories I give you in class are just illustrative; they're like, fables, say, to help give you a picture. An imperfect model. I mean - even I don't understand the dead cat. The math is how it really works.

  Clive Park : Very difficult... very difficult...

  Larry Gopnik : Well, I... I'm sorry, but I... what do you propose?

  Clive Park : Passing grade.

  Larry Gopnik : No no, I...

  Clive Park : Or perhaps I can take the mid-term again. Now I know it covers mathematics.

  Larry Gopnik : Well, the other students wouldn't like that, would they, if one student gets to retake the test till he gets a grade he likes?

  Clive Park : Secret test.

  Larry Gopnik : No, I'm afraid...

  Clive Park : Hush-hush.

  Larry Gopnik : No, that's just not workable. I'm afraid we'll just have to bite the bullet on this thing, Clive, and...

  Clive Park : Very troubling... very troubling...