Waco (TV Mini Series)

Of Milk and Men (2018)

Shea Whigham: Mitch Decker

Quotes 

• Mitch Decker : Negotiations failed, Noesner. They reneged on their deal. Let me handle this. I can have the building cleared by lunch.

  Gary Noesner : Look, this isn't the first time in the history of negotiations that someone reneged on a deal, okay? Our primary objective has to be getting those kids out safely. Clearing the building comes second.

  Mitch Decker : But they're screwing with us. Now's the time to apply more pressure.

  Gary Noesner : No, no, no. Let's not mistake getting even for getting what we want. Trickle, flow, gush. That's my next strategy. If I can get a few people to trickle out, more will follow as it starts to flow, and once Koresh sees enough people leave, he won't be the last in line. It would undermine his authority. He'll lead the rest of them out himself, and the whole thing will be over. I just need a little time.

  Tony Prince : Okay. But, uh... a little show of force might help get their attention.

• Gary Noesner : I just got off the phone. They're sending four people out. Two of 'em kids.

  Tony Prince : That's a start.

  Mitch Decker : Four people seems hardly cause for celebration.

  Gary Noesner : Well, they're starting to trickle out. The strategy's working. Now, you think you can help me coordinate bringing 'em out?

  Mitch Decker : Yeah, sure.

• Gary Noesner : Tell your man to stand down!

  Mitch Decker : This is a tactical decision. It's not your call, Gary.

  Gary Noesner : No, no. He's just trying to bury a body.

  Mitch Decker : And I'm telling you, you don't know what he's burying. That could be a bomb for all we know.

  Gary Noesner : Damn it, I'm telling you the kid's unarmed.

  Mitch Decker : And I'm telling you you don't know that, Gary. Now, I can't have people strolling outside, walking around, looking at our positions on things.

• Gary Noesner : The kid is trying to bury one of his dead, Mitch. They let the ATF take their wounded. Show 'em the same respect.

  Mitch Decker : They lost my respect when they started killing federal agents, Gary.

  Gary Noesner : All right. All right, all right. You want another Ruby Ridge on your hands?

  Mitch Decker : Yeah!

  Gary Noesner : Go ahead, shoot that boy. But just remember, the ATF's not gonna be around to take the blame this time!

  Mitch Decker : I don't give a shit!

• Mitch Decker : Look, I just don't think we should make it so easy on 'em.

  Gary Noesner : Jesus. You think we made it easy on 'em? They agreed to send their kids out, for Christ's sake. Right now, the only card we have to play is creating goodwill.

  Mitch Decker : No, it's not. That's *your* only card, Gary.

  Mitch Decker : Look, the people they're sending out won't talk. And we have no idea what's going on in there, what they're planning to do.

  Tony Prince : All right. What's your point, Noesner?

  Gary Noesner : If we send the milk in and bug it somehow... we'll have ears inside. That'll help me with negotiations, and Mitch tactically.

  Tony Prince : [sharing a look with Mitch]  Do it.

• David Koresh : A lot of beliefs people have may seem abnormal or strange to other people, but that doesn't mean it's not right, though. God speaks to me. I have a message to present. And you may not believe that. If you don't believe that, then believe this, irrespective of God speaking to me.

  [he gestures off camera, and Cyrus comes to sit down next to him] 

  David Koresh : See this here? This is my family. May not be like your family. But you come pointing guns in the direction of my wives and my kids? Damn it, I will meet you at the door any time. I'm sorry some of you guys got shot. But, hey... God'll have to sort that out, won't He?

  Mitch Decker : [Gary stops the tape]  You still think you can reason with this guy?

  Gary Noesner : [Prince ejects the tape]  What are you gonna do with that?

  Tony Prince : Can't let this get out. Makes him look too normal.

• Mitch Decker : [listening to the bug in the compound]  They don't give a shit about those kids. When are you gonna see it?

  Tony Prince : I see it.

  Mitch Decker : The only thing people like this respond to is pressure. Does it feel like they have any pressure on them to you?

  Tony Prince : They sure don't.

  Mitch Decker : We've been here, what, eight days? The only thing we have to show for it is, what, nineteen people? We keep up at this rate, we'll be here 'till Christmas. You been letting Gary do his thing. How 'bout you let me do a little of mine?