Laura1944

Lydecker:
[about McPherson] It still doesn't make sense to me, Laura. He's playing some sort of a game with you.

Laura:
I don't think so.

Lydecker:
I don't deny that he's infatuated with you in some warped way of his own. But he isn't capable of any normal, warm, human relationship. He's been dealing with criminals too long. When you were unattainable, when he thought you were dead, that's when he wanted you most.

Laura:
But he was glad when I came back as if he were waiting for me.

Lydecker:
Do you know what he calls women? 'Dames.' 'A dame in Washington Heights got a fox fur out of him.' His very words.

Laura:
That doesn't mean anything. He isn't like that.

Lydecker:
Laura, you have one tragic weakness. With you, a lean strong body is the measure of a man. And you always get hurt.

Laura:
No man is ever going to hurt me again. No one. Not even you.

Lydecker:
I? Hurt you? Laura - look at me. When a man has everything in the world that he wants, except what he wants most, he loses his self-respect. It makes him bitter, Laura. He wants to hurt someone as he's been hurt. You were a long time finding out about Shelby but that's over now. We'll be back together again.