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There are no coincidences, Delia. Only the illusion of coincidence.
Those caught tonight in violation of curfew will be considered in league with our enemy and prosecuted as a terrorist without leniency or exception.
I suddenly had this feeling that everything was connected. It was like I could see the whole thing; one long chain of events that stretched back to before Larkhill. I felt like I could see everything that had happened, and everything that was going to happen…
With so much chaos, someone will do something stupid. And when they do, things will turn nasty. And then, Sutler will be forced do the only thing he knows how to do. At which point, all V needs to do is keep his word. And then...
What you have are bullets and the hopes that when your guns are empty, I'm no longer standing. Because if I am, you'll all be dead before you've reloaded.
V: I can assure you, I mean you no harm.
Evey: Who are you?
V: Who? Who is but the form, following the function of what, and what I am is a man in a mask.
Evey: Well, I can see that.
V: Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation, I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
Evey: Oh, right.
V: But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace sobriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona.
V: Voilà ! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valourous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! (carves V in sign with sword) The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. (Laughs wheezily) Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to meet you and you may call me V.
Evey: Are you like a crazy person?
V: I am quite sure they will say so. But to whom may I ask am I speaking?
Evey: I'm Evey.
V: Evey? E-V — of course you are.
Evey: What do you mean by that?
V: It means I, like God, do not play with dice, and do not believe in coincidence. Are you hurt?
Evey: Who are you?
V: Who? Who is but the form, following the function of what, and what I am is a man in a mask.
Evey: Well, I can see that.
V: Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation, I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.
Evey: Oh, right.
V: But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace sobriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona.
V: Voilà ! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valourous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! (carves V in sign with sword) The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. (Laughs wheezily) Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to meet you and you may call me V.
Evey: Are you like a crazy person?
V: I am quite sure they will say so. But to whom may I ask am I speaking?
Evey: I'm Evey.
V: Evey? E-V — of course you are.
Evey: What do you mean by that?
V: It means I, like God, do not play with dice, and do not believe in coincidence. Are you hurt?
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"Remember, remember The fifth of November The gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason Why the gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot." But what of the man? I know his name was Guy Fawkes, and I know that, in 1605, he attempted to blow up the houses of Parliament. But who was he really? What was he like? We are told to remember the idea, not the man, because a man can fail. He can be caught. He can be killed and forgotten. But four hundred years later an idea can still change the world. I've witnessed first-hand the power of ideas. I've seen people kill in the name of them, and die defending them. But you cannot kiss an idea, cannot touch it, or hold it. Ideas do not bleed. They do not feel pain. They do not love. And it is not an idea that I miss, it is a man. A man that made me remember the fifth of November. A man that I will never forget.
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Delia: [wakes in an apparently empty room] It's you, isn't it? You've come to kill me.
V: [from the shadows] Yes.
Delia: [lets out a sob] Thank God...
V: [from the shadows] Yes.
Delia: [lets out a sob] Thank God...
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Delia: After what happened, after what they did, I thought about killing myself. But I knew that one day you'd come for me. I didn't know what they were going to do. I swear to you. Read my journal.
V: What they did was only possible because of you.
Delia: Oppenheimer was able to change more than the course of a war. He changed the entire course of human history. Is it wrong to hold on to that kind of hope?
V: I've not come for what you hoped to do. I've come for what you did.
Delia: It's funny. I was given one of your roses today. I wasn't sure you were the terrorist until I saw it. What a strange coincidence that I should be given one today.
V: There are no coincidences, Delia. Only the illusion of coincidence. I have another rose [takes one out], and this one is for you. [hands it to her]
Delia: Are you going to kill me now?
V: I killed you ten minutes ago. [holds up a small hypodermic needle] While you slept.
Delia: [frightened] Is there any pain?
V: No.
Delia: Thank you. [pauses briefly] Is it meaningless to apologise?
V: Never.
Delia: [quietly] I'm so sorry.
V: What they did was only possible because of you.
Delia: Oppenheimer was able to change more than the course of a war. He changed the entire course of human history. Is it wrong to hold on to that kind of hope?
V: I've not come for what you hoped to do. I've come for what you did.
Delia: It's funny. I was given one of your roses today. I wasn't sure you were the terrorist until I saw it. What a strange coincidence that I should be given one today.
V: There are no coincidences, Delia. Only the illusion of coincidence. I have another rose [takes one out], and this one is for you. [hands it to her]
Delia: Are you going to kill me now?
V: I killed you ten minutes ago. [holds up a small hypodermic needle] While you slept.
Delia: [frightened] Is there any pain?
V: No.
Delia: Thank you. [pauses briefly] Is it meaningless to apologise?
V: Never.
Delia: [quietly] I'm so sorry.
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Dominic: I went by Parliament. Never seen anything like it — tanks, anti-aircraft, infantry — it makes you wish that no-one would show up tonight. But if they do, what do you think will happen?
Finch: What usually happens when people without guns stand up to people with guns. Pull over here.
Dominic: We've been searching these tunnels for weeks. You really think we're going to find him now? [they pull up outside Charing Cross station. Finch gets out of the car.] Inspector? It's all gone wrong, hasn't it?
Finch: What usually happens when people without guns stand up to people with guns. Pull over here.
Dominic: We've been searching these tunnels for weeks. You really think we're going to find him now? [they pull up outside Charing Cross station. Finch gets out of the car.] Inspector? It's all gone wrong, hasn't it?
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Dominic: We've got Creedy pinned like a butterfly for weeks. Still no word; what's he waiting for?
[the phone rings, and Dominic answers it]
Dominic: Yeah? Inspector, it's for you.
Finch: [takes the phone] Yeah?
Captain Clark: Is that Chief Inspector Finch?
Finch: It is.
Captain Clark: This is Captain Clark of the 137th ward at Southend. We found him.
Finch: Found who?
Captain Clark: William Rookwood, the one you've been looking for. I saw your report a couple of weeks ago, thought I'd run it through our John Does. Sure enough, I hooked him; perfect dental match. He was a floater, a couple of fishermen picked him up. No ID, never solved. Until now, that is.
Finch: William Rookwood is dead?
Captain Clark: I'd say so. 20 years now.
[we then see a shot of Rookwood's face, revealed to be a mask used by V]
Finch: GOD DAMMIT!! That son of a bitch sat there and spoon-fed me that bullshit, and I ate it up!!
Dominic: So what do we do now, Inspector?
Finch: We do what we should've been doing. We find him!
[the phone rings, and Dominic answers it]
Dominic: Yeah? Inspector, it's for you.
Finch: [takes the phone] Yeah?
Captain Clark: Is that Chief Inspector Finch?
Finch: It is.
Captain Clark: This is Captain Clark of the 137th ward at Southend. We found him.
Finch: Found who?
Captain Clark: William Rookwood, the one you've been looking for. I saw your report a couple of weeks ago, thought I'd run it through our John Does. Sure enough, I hooked him; perfect dental match. He was a floater, a couple of fishermen picked him up. No ID, never solved. Until now, that is.
Finch: William Rookwood is dead?
Captain Clark: I'd say so. 20 years now.
[we then see a shot of Rookwood's face, revealed to be a mask used by V]
Finch: GOD DAMMIT!! That son of a bitch sat there and spoon-fed me that bullshit, and I ate it up!!
Dominic: So what do we do now, Inspector?
Finch: We do what we should've been doing. We find him!
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Evey: [reading inscription on mirror] Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici...
V: "By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe".
Evey: Personal motto?
V: From Faust.
Evey: That's about trying to cheat the devil, isn't it?
V: It is.
V: "By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe".
Evey: Personal motto?
V: From Faust.
Evey: That's about trying to cheat the devil, isn't it?
V: It is.
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Evey: Can I ask about what you said on the telly?
V: Yes.
Evey: Did you mean it?
V: Every word.
Evey: You really think that blowing up parliament is going to make this country a better place?
V: There's no certainty, only opportunity.
Evey: I think you can be pretty certain that if anyone does show up, Creedy will black-bag everyone of them.
V: People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.
Evey: And you are going to make that happen by blowing up a building?
V: The building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by the people. Alone, a symbol is meaningless, but with enough people, blowing up a building can change the world.
Evey: I wish I believed that was possible, but every time I've seen the world change it's always been for the worse.
V: Yes.
Evey: Did you mean it?
V: Every word.
Evey: You really think that blowing up parliament is going to make this country a better place?
V: There's no certainty, only opportunity.
Evey: I think you can be pretty certain that if anyone does show up, Creedy will black-bag everyone of them.
V: People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.
Evey: And you are going to make that happen by blowing up a building?
V: The building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by the people. Alone, a symbol is meaningless, but with enough people, blowing up a building can change the world.
Evey: I wish I believed that was possible, but every time I've seen the world change it's always been for the worse.
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Evey: My father was a writer. You would've liked him. He used to say that artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up.
V: A man after my own heart.
V: A man after my own heart.
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Evey: V, yesterday I couldn't find my ID. You didn't take it, did you?
V: Would you prefer a lie or the truth?
Evey: [stands, gesturing toward the TV, which has just finished an announcement of Lewis Prothero's death] Did you have anything to do with that?
V: Yes, I killed him.
Evey: You? Oh, God!
V: You're upset.
Evey: I'm upset? You just said you killed Lewis Prothero!
V: I might have killed the Fingermen who attacked you, but I heard no objection then.
Evey: What?
V: Violence can be used for good.
Evey: What are you talking about?
V: Justice.
Evey: Oh... I see.
V: There's no courtroom in this country for men like Prothero.
Evey: And are you going to kill more people?
V: [nonchalantly] Yes.
V: Would you prefer a lie or the truth?
Evey: [stands, gesturing toward the TV, which has just finished an announcement of Lewis Prothero's death] Did you have anything to do with that?
V: Yes, I killed him.
Evey: You? Oh, God!
V: You're upset.
Evey: I'm upset? You just said you killed Lewis Prothero!
V: I might have killed the Fingermen who attacked you, but I heard no objection then.
Evey: What?
V: Violence can be used for good.
Evey: What are you talking about?
V: Justice.
Evey: Oh... I see.
V: There's no courtroom in this country for men like Prothero.
Evey: And are you going to kill more people?
V: [nonchalantly] Yes.
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Evey: What is this place?
V: It's my home. I call it the Shadow Gallery.
Evey: It's beautiful...where did you get all this stuff?
V: Oh, here and there. Most of it from the vaults of the Ministry of Objectionable Materials.
Evey: You stole them?
V: Oh, heavens, no. Stealing implies ownership. You can't steal from the censor; I merely reclaimed them.
Evey: God, if they ever find this place...
V: I suspect if they do find this place, a few bits of art will be the least of my worries.
Evey: You mean, after what you've done? God, what have I done? I Maced that detective. Why did I do that?
V: You did what you thought was right.
Evey: No. I shouldn't have done that. I must have been out of my mind.
V: Is that what you really think, or what they would want you to think?
Evey: I think I should go.
V: May I ask where?
Evey: Home. I have to go home.
V: You said they were looking for you. If they know where you work, they certainly know where you live.
Evey: I have friends. I could stay with them.
V: I'm afraid that won't work either. Now, you have to understand, Evey. I don't want this for either of us, but I couldn't see any other way. You were unconscious, and I had to make a decision. If I had left you there, right now, you'd be in one of Creedy's interrogation cells. They'd imprison you, torture you, and, in all probability, kill you in the pursuit of finding me. After what you did, I couldn't let that happen, so I picked you up and carried you to the only place I knew you'd be safe: here, to my home.
Evey: I won't tell anyone, I swear. You know you can trust me.
V: I'm sorry, but I can't take that risk.
Evey: But I don't even know where this is. We could be anywhere.
V: You know it's underground. You know the colour of the stone. That'd be enough for a clever man.
Evey: What are you saying? That I have to stay here?
V: Only until I'm done. After the 5th, I no longer think it'll matter.
Evey: You mean, a year from now? I have to stay here for a year?
V: Sorry, Evey. I didn't know what else to do.
Evey: You should have left me alone! WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?!
V: It's my home. I call it the Shadow Gallery.
Evey: It's beautiful...where did you get all this stuff?
V: Oh, here and there. Most of it from the vaults of the Ministry of Objectionable Materials.
Evey: You stole them?
V: Oh, heavens, no. Stealing implies ownership. You can't steal from the censor; I merely reclaimed them.
Evey: God, if they ever find this place...
V: I suspect if they do find this place, a few bits of art will be the least of my worries.
Evey: You mean, after what you've done? God, what have I done? I Maced that detective. Why did I do that?
V: You did what you thought was right.
Evey: No. I shouldn't have done that. I must have been out of my mind.
V: Is that what you really think, or what they would want you to think?
Evey: I think I should go.
V: May I ask where?
Evey: Home. I have to go home.
V: You said they were looking for you. If they know where you work, they certainly know where you live.
Evey: I have friends. I could stay with them.
V: I'm afraid that won't work either. Now, you have to understand, Evey. I don't want this for either of us, but I couldn't see any other way. You were unconscious, and I had to make a decision. If I had left you there, right now, you'd be in one of Creedy's interrogation cells. They'd imprison you, torture you, and, in all probability, kill you in the pursuit of finding me. After what you did, I couldn't let that happen, so I picked you up and carried you to the only place I knew you'd be safe: here, to my home.
Evey: I won't tell anyone, I swear. You know you can trust me.
V: I'm sorry, but I can't take that risk.
Evey: But I don't even know where this is. We could be anywhere.
V: You know it's underground. You know the colour of the stone. That'd be enough for a clever man.
Evey: What are you saying? That I have to stay here?
V: Only until I'm done. After the 5th, I no longer think it'll matter.
Evey: You mean, a year from now? I have to stay here for a year?
V: Sorry, Evey. I didn't know what else to do.
Evey: You should have left me alone! WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE?!
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Finch: I want to ask a question, Dominic. I don't care if you answer me or not. I just want to say this aloud... The question I want to ask is about St Mary's and Three Waters. The question that's kept me up for the last 24 hours, the question I have to ask, is: What if the worst, the most horrifying, biological attack in this country's history was not the work of religious extremists?
Dominic: Well, I don't understand. We know it was. They were caught. They confessed.
Finch: And they were executed, I know. And maybe that's really what happened. But I see this chain of events, these coincidences... and I have to ask: What if that isn't what happened? What if someone else unleashed that virus? What if someone else killed all those people? Would you really want to know who it was?
Dominic: Sure.
Finch: Even if it was someone working for this government? That's my question. If our own government was responsible for what happened at St Mary's and Three Waters... if our own government was responsible for the deaths of almost a hundred thousand people... would you really want to know?
Dominic: Well, I don't understand. We know it was. They were caught. They confessed.
Finch: And they were executed, I know. And maybe that's really what happened. But I see this chain of events, these coincidences... and I have to ask: What if that isn't what happened? What if someone else unleashed that virus? What if someone else killed all those people? Would you really want to know who it was?
Dominic: Sure.
Finch: Even if it was someone working for this government? That's my question. If our own government was responsible for what happened at St Mary's and Three Waters... if our own government was responsible for the deaths of almost a hundred thousand people... would you really want to know?
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Finch: The terrorist obviously wanted us to have it. He wanted us to know the whole story or at least a part of it.
Sutler: Am I to understand that you have read this do****ent, inspector?
Finch: Yes, sir.
Sutler: Has anyone else read it, besides you?
Finch: No, sir.
Sutler: Then let me make this perfectly clear to you. The contents of this do****ent are a matter of national security, constituting an assault on the character of several important party members as well as a blatant violation of the Articles of Allegiance. As the authenticity of this do****ent cannot be verified, it could be an elaborate forgery created by the terrorist, as easily as it could be the deranged fantasy of a former party member who resigned for psychological reasons. Any discussion of this do****ent or its contents will be regarded, at the very least, as an act of sedition, if not a willful act of treason. Is that understood, Mr Finch?
Finch: Yes, sir.
Sutler: You would do well, inspector, to put it out of your mind.
Sutler: Am I to understand that you have read this do****ent, inspector?
Finch: Yes, sir.
Sutler: Has anyone else read it, besides you?
Finch: No, sir.
Sutler: Then let me make this perfectly clear to you. The contents of this do****ent are a matter of national security, constituting an assault on the character of several important party members as well as a blatant violation of the Articles of Allegiance. As the authenticity of this do****ent cannot be verified, it could be an elaborate forgery created by the terrorist, as easily as it could be the deranged fantasy of a former party member who resigned for psychological reasons. Any discussion of this do****ent or its contents will be regarded, at the very least, as an act of sedition, if not a willful act of treason. Is that understood, Mr Finch?
Finch: Yes, sir.
Sutler: You would do well, inspector, to put it out of your mind.
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Heyer: Chancellor, I know no-one seems to want to discuss this, but if we're to be prepared for any eventuality, then it can't be ignored any longer. The red report in front of you has been vetted by several demolition specialists. Now, it concludes that the most logical delivery system for the terrorist to use would be an airborne attack. A separate report has been filed suggesting a train, despite the fact that all the tunnels surrounding Parliament have been sealed shut.
Sutler: Who filed that report?
Heyer: Chief Inspector Finch.
Sutler: Do you have any evidence to support this conclusion, Mr Finch?
Finch: No, sir, just a feeling.
Sutler: If I am sure of anything, Inspector Finch, it is that this government will not survive if it is to be subject to your feelings. Mr Dascombe, what we need right now is a clear message to the people of this country. This message must be heard on every radio, read in every newspaper, seen on every television. This message must resound throughout the entire InterLink! I want this country to realise that we stand on the edge of oblivion. I want every man, woman, and child to understand how close we are to chaos. I WANT EVERYONE TO REMEMBER WHY THEY NEED US!
Sutler: Who filed that report?
Heyer: Chief Inspector Finch.
Sutler: Do you have any evidence to support this conclusion, Mr Finch?
Finch: No, sir, just a feeling.
Sutler: If I am sure of anything, Inspector Finch, it is that this government will not survive if it is to be subject to your feelings. Mr Dascombe, what we need right now is a clear message to the people of this country. This message must be heard on every radio, read in every newspaper, seen on every television. This message must resound throughout the entire InterLink! I want this country to realise that we stand on the edge of oblivion. I want every man, woman, and child to understand how close we are to chaos. I WANT EVERYONE TO REMEMBER WHY THEY NEED US!
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Interrogator: Do you know why you're here, Evey Hammond?
Evey: No. Please...
Interrogator: You've been formally charged with three counts of murder, the bombing of government property, conspiracy to commit terrorism, treason, and sedition — the penalty for which is death by firing squad. You have one chance, and only one chance, to save your life. You must tell us the identity or whereabouts of code name V. If your information leads to his capture, you will be released from this facility immediately. Do you understand what I'm telling you? You can return to your life, Ms Hammond. All you have to do is co-operate. Process her.
Evey: No. Please...
Interrogator: You've been formally charged with three counts of murder, the bombing of government property, conspiracy to commit terrorism, treason, and sedition — the penalty for which is death by firing squad. You have one chance, and only one chance, to save your life. You must tell us the identity or whereabouts of code name V. If your information leads to his capture, you will be released from this facility immediately. Do you understand what I'm telling you? You can return to your life, Ms Hammond. All you have to do is co-operate. Process her.