Scandal (TV Series)

Mama Said Knock You Out (2014)

Scott Foley: Jake Ballard

Quotes 

• President Fitzgerald Grant : [throwing a file down on the his desk]  Give him to me.

  Jake Ballard : Who?

  President Fitzgerald Grant : Dmitri Belenko.

  Jake Ballard : I don't know who that is.

  President Fitzgerald Grant : You know exactly who it is. We had eyes on him. You took him. We know you took him.

  Jake Ballard : And now you want your ball back.

  President Fitzgerald Grant : This is not a game, Ballard.

  Jake Ballard : No, it's not. But let's suppose I did know who this Dmitri was. A terrorist maybe working for Ivan Yushkin who popped up in Baltimore three days ago. Just making this up, obviously. But if someone like that did exist and I had him, why on earth would I give him to you? So you can puff out your chest and announce his detention at a swing-state pancake breakfast?

  President Fitzgerald Grant : I am the Commander in Chief!

  Jake Ballard : And I am Command, which means you don't tell me to do anything, because I'm not your bitch. You are the President. Your job is to shake hands, hold babies, pose with prime ministers, and sit down to interviews with your family. You comfort people, and you look pretty, and you talk tough. You don't do anything. I decide if there is a war. I decide if a world leader dies. I decide what to do with the Dmitris and the Ivans. I decide if America sleeps at night. I decide if America endures. This is not a game, Mr. President, and you're not getting your ball back.

• Jake Ballard : You're not Command anymore. That's my title. And when I find out that you've been in touch with my agents, that you met with some of my people at the DOD And CBO, "A," it makes me curious about what you're up to and, "B," it makes me wonder if the terms of your retirement need to be revisited. Do they need to be revisited?

  Rowan Pope : It's hard, isn't it, being the man who makes the decisions, having that burden, bearing that cross? Most people have family and loved ones to talk to. But people like us, we only have each other. Well, that's the reason you're here, yes? I-I mean, the real reason. To look in my eyes and remind yourself that others have walked this path before you. Well, not that you ever admit it. God forbid we should show weakness. Better to say that you're here on business. To threaten me and flex your muscles. But all that's just pretense, isn't it? A way to feel less alone in the world. To see that I, too, have stood in your shoes? Well, guess what. Look. You're alone! The path that you walk is not my path. The shoes that you stand in are not my shoes. We are not equals, nor will we ever be. You are a-lone. Or is there something else you wanted to ask me?

  Jake Ballard : No. But thank you For reminding me that when I decide to kill you, I need to do it all by myself.

  Rowan Pope : Mm-hmm...