Scandal (TV Series)

Where's the Black Lady? (2015)

Kerry Washington: Olivia Pope

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Quotes 

• Olivia Pope : It's not going to work using me as bait. He won't do it go to war. The president doesn't negotiate with terrorists.

  Ian McLeod : Honestly, I don't care, I get paid either way. But for argument's sake, let's wager. $1 I bet you that he will go to war for you. $1 says he does it. Because president or not, he's just a man a sad, terrified man who's lost his Olivia doll and wants her back. Call me a romantic, but I wager a dollar that he loves you, and that's what makes the world go 'round, emotion, sex, jealousy, insecurities. Bush invaded Iraq to avenge his daddy. Clinton bombed Serbia so we'd forget about Monica. Napoleon, well Napoleon... The president will go to war, Olivia, and he will meet our demands. History says so. Love says so. I say so. I'll wager you that. Is it a bet?

• Ian McLeod : Why would you be "shot in the head?"

  Olivia Pope : Because I'm going to die, and I want to decide how! They've got their war. I've seen your face. You have to kill me. I know how this works.

  Ian McLeod : Oh, Olivia. I'm so sorry. You've got this all wrong. I'm not gonna kill you, not anytime soon. This is a long-term gig for at least the next three years or so, until the end of the president's term. But after that, sure, yeah, I'll have to kill you, but that's so far down the road there's no point in really even talking about it now. You shouldn't have killed Otto.

• Olivia Pope : You're sitting on one of the most valuable assets in the world and not using it. Imagine the price I'd fetch on the open market. "Own Olivia Pope, you own the president." Make that known, you're the most powerful man in the world. Nations, dictators, drug cartels they'd all come running. You'd be rich beyond your wildest dreams, but, no, you'd rather honor your contract, spend the next three years bringing me food and water. Yes, you'd be the highest-paid babysitter on the planet, but that's all you'd be a babysitter.

  Ian McLeod : You're saying I should sell you.

  Olivia Pope : I'm saying *we* should sell me. I know the market, how it operates, who the players are, how to pull their strings. This is my wheelhouse. If anyone can make this work for you, it's me.

  Ian McLeod : So I get rich, and you get what?

  Olivia Pope : I get to not spend the next three years counting down the days 'til the president leaves office and you put a bullet in my head. We both know I'm resourceful. You get rich. I get to take my chances on the open market. Plus, you'd have to make me look presentable to get top dollar. And right now, I could really use a shower and a change of clothes. Think about it, Ian. It's win-win. But again, the question isn't what I want. It's what you want. Do you want to be a babysitter, or do you want to be a boss? It's up to you.