To Catch a Thief1955

Hughson:
You are a man of obvious good taste in everything. How did you - I mean, why did you...?

Robie:
Why did I take up stealing? To live better, to own things I couldn't afford, to acquire this good taste which you now enjoy and which I should be very reluctant to give up.

Hughson:
Oh, you mean you were frankly dishonest.

Robie:
I tried to be.

Hughson:
You know, I thought you'd have some defense, some tale of hardship - your mother ran off when you were young, your father beat you, or something.

Robie:
Naah, no. I was a member of an American trapeze act in the circus that traveled in Europe. It folded and I was stranded, so I put my agility to a more rewarding purpose.

Hughson:
You have no other defense.

Robie:
No. For what it's worth, I only stole from people who wouldn't go hungry.

Hughson:
I take it you were a sort of modern Robin Hood. I mean, you gave away most of the proceeds of your crimes...

Robie:
Kept everything myself. Well, let's face it, I was an out-and-out thief, like you.

Hughson:
Steady, old man.

Robie:
No, no, wait a minute. Have you ever taken an ashtray from a hotel or a towel?

Hughson:
Souvenirs; they expect that.

Robie:
You're given an expense allowance to pay for all the meals you eat on the job. Right? But this meal is free. Now, are you going to deduct the price of a lunch from your expense account? Well, of course you're not. It would be stupid. Do you agree?

Hughson:
Yes.

Robie:
You're a thief. Only an amateur thief, of course, but it will help you to sympathize with us professionals.