Burn Notice (TV Series)

Long Way Back (2009)

Ben Shenkman: Tom Strickler

Quotes 

• [after Fiona's been kidnapped and Michael realizes Strickler's behind it, Michael walks into Strickler's home] 

  Michael Westen : [Strickler's on the phone, but Michael yells anyway]  Where's Fiona?

  [Strickler holds up his hand like he'll be with Michael in a minute, so Michael pushes over Strickler's glass display cases] 

  Michael Westen : [screams]  YOU TELL ME WHERE FIONA IS NOW!

  Tom Strickler : [to whomever he's on the phone with]  I'll call you back.

  Tom Strickler : [ends call, then, to Michael]  Now how would I know that?

  Michael Westen : Thomas O'Neill stopped one of his men from executing me! It sounded like he made a deal with someone to keep me alive: I thought of you!

  Tom Strickler : Bravo. Put that all together yourself, did 'ya? No point in denying it; you would've figured it out eventually.

  Michael Westen : You sent Fiona to her death.

  Tom Strickler : I sent her home, like she wanted. What happens to her after she gets there? Well... she's a big girl.

  Michael Westen : Strickler, you have no i...

  Tom Strickler : Hey! I did this the cleanest way possible! Sure, the brother got clipped, but you were spared. I'm your goddamn white knight, Michael.

  Michael Westen : [going towards Strickler]  You tell me where...

  Tom Strickler : [draws his gun and points it at Michael]  Hey! Hey! Get back! Get the hell back, right now!

  Tom Strickler : [as Michael backs up]  I'm getting a little sick of your ingratitude. I'm the one trying to help you out! You wanted back in? Well guess what: a gun-dealing, bomb-making girlfriend wasn't helping your case. She had to go! And it was clear you were too attached to do what needed to be done so, like a good partner, I did it for you.

  [Strickler pulls the keys from a door] 

  Michael Westen : What the hell are you doing?

  Tom Strickler : [hits a button on his phone]  You're staying put for the next hour. By then, the cargo company I hired will have Miss Glenanne and her fan club in international waters, heroic rescue attempts will be impossible, and you can *move on* knowing there wasn't a damn thing you could do. *I'll* be the bad guy. You're welcome.

  Michael Westen : Tell me where she is.

  [Strickler shakes his head no] 

  Michael Westen : Get outta my way.

  Tom Strickler : [yelling]  You don't get to have the girl *and* the job! She doesn't fit into your future - *our* future - so why don't you do yourself a favor and just forget the past!

  [a beat passes] 

  Michael Westen : Fiona is not my past.

  [Michael pulls out his gun and kills Strickler with two quick shots, first below his ribs, second to his heart] 

• Madeline Westen : [answering the door]  Hi! You here about the house?

  Tom Strickler : [walking in]  No, I'm here about your son. Can Michael come out and play?

  Michael Westen : [fake cheeriness]  What the hell are you doing here?

  Tom Strickler : Exactly what I said I would do: delivering your study materials.

• Michael Westen : Where's Fiona?

  [Tom holds up his index finger as he's on the phone] 

  Michael Westen : [Knocking over cabinets]  You tell me where Fiona is now!

  Tom Strickler : I'll call you back. Now how would I know that?

  Michael Westen : Thomas O'Neill stopped one of his men from executing me. It sounded like he made a deal with someone to keep me alive. I thought of you!

  Tom Strickler : Bravo, put that all together yourself, did you? No point in denying it, you'd have figured it out eventually.

  Michael Westen : You sent Fiona to her death.

  Tom Strickler : I sent her home. Like she wanted. What happens after she gets there, well, she's a big girl.

  Michael Westen : Strickler, you have no idea...

  Tom Strickler : Hey, I did this the cleanest way possible! Sure, the brother got clipped, but you were spared! I'm your damn white knight, Michael!

  Michael Westen : You tell me wh...

  Tom Strickler : [Pulls gun]  Hey! Hey! Get back. Get the hell back! Right now. I'm getting a little sick of your ingratitude. I'm the one trying to help you out.

  Tom Strickler : You wanted back in. Well guess what, a gun dealing, bomb making girlfriend wasn't helping your case. She had to go.

  Tom Strickler : And it was clear you were too attached to do what needed to be done. So like a good partner, I did it for you.

  Michael Westen : [Tom Locks door]  What the hell are you doing?

  Tom Strickler : You're staying put for the next hour. By then, the cargo company I hired will have Ms. Glennane and her fan club in international waters. Heroic rescue attempts will be impossible, and you can move on, knowing there wasn't a damn thing you could do. I'll be the bad guy. You're welcome.

  Michael Westen : Tell me where she is.

  [Tom shakes his head no] 

  Michael Westen : Get out of my way.

  Tom Strickler : You don't get to have the girl and the job! She doesn't fit into your future, our future. So why don't you do yourself a favor, and just forget the past.

  Michael Westen : Fiona is not my past.

  [Shoots Tom]