Turner:
Do we have plans to invade the Middle East?
Higgins:
Are you crazy?
Turner:
Am I?
Higgins:
Look, Turner…
Turner:
Do we have plans?
Higgins:
No. Absolutely not. We have games. That's all. We play games. What if? How many men? What would it take? Is there a cheaper way to destabilize a regime? That's what we're paid to do.
Turner:
So Atwood just took the games too seriously. He was really going to do it, wasn't he?
Higgins:
A renegade operation. Atwood knew 54/12 would never authorize it, not with the heat on the company.
Turner:
What if there hadn't been any heat? Suppose I hadn't stumbled on their plan?
Higgins:
Different ballgame. Fact is, there was nothing wrong with the plan. Oh, the plan was all right, the plan would've worked.
Turner:
Boy, what is it with you people? You think not getting caught in a lie is the same thing as telling the truth?
Higgins:
No. It's simple economics. Today it's oil, right? In ten or fifteen years, food. Plutonium. And maybe even sooner. Now, what do you think the people are gonna want us to do then?
Turner:
Ask them.
Higgins:
Not now — then! Ask 'em when they're running out. Ask 'em when there's no heat in their homes and they're cold. Ask 'em when their engines stop. Ask 'em when people who have never known hunger start going hungry. You wanna know something? They won't want us to ask 'em. They'll just want us to get it for 'em!
Turner:
Boy, have you found a home. There were seven people killed, Higgins.
Higgins:
The company didn't order it.
Turner:
Atwood did. Atwood did. And who the hell is Atwood? He's you. He's all you guys. Seven people killed, and you play fucking games!
Higgins:
Right. And the other side does, too. That's why we can't let you stay outside.
