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The Ghost Writer

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The Ghost Writer is a 2010 British-French-German film about a ghost writer, hired to complete the memoirs of a controversial former British Prime Minister embroiled in political scandal involving Middle Eastern wars linked to American secret intelligence and the U.S. President at the fictional town of Old Haven, Massachusetts uncovers secrets that puts his own life in jeopardy and leading to his demise.

Directed by Roman Polański. Written by Robert Harris and Roman Polański, based on Harris' 2007 novel The Ghost.
Read between the lies.

.

Adam Lang

[edit]
  • [Dictating to The Ghost] Turned me on, indeed. Let's see, I was 23, something like that, a couple of years out of Cambridge. And I remember it was a Sunday afternoon, it was raining. I was still in bed. And someone starts knocking at the door. And, you know, I'd been out the night before and had a few drinks and what have you. So, I get the pillow and I put it over my head, and it starts up again. Knock, knock, knock, knock! And I get up, I'm swearing, I go to the door and there's this girl. She's soaking wet, but she just launches into this speech about the local elections. And that's it. I'm in love.
  • [On his head-of-state jet to The Ghost] Spare me the bleeding-heart bullshit! Do you know what I'd do if I was in power again? I'd have two queues at airports: one for flights where we'd done no background checks, infringed on no one's civil bloody liberties, used no intelligence gained by torture. And on the other flight we'd do everything we possibly could to make it perfectly safe. And then we'd see which plane the Rycarts of this world would put their bloody kids on! And you can put that in the book!
  • [To Rycart on television] You cheeky fuck!

Ruth Lang

[edit]
  • He was having dinner with the Vice President. That bloody Bly woman wouldn't even give him the phone. Oh, God. Oh, dear God. What's he got himself mixed up in? [Starts to sob]
  • [Burying face in between The Ghost's face and shoulder] I'm scared. I've never been scared in my life before, but I am now.
  • [To The Ghost getting out of bed] The modesty of the morning after?
  • Perhaps I'll write my own memoirs. Ex-Prime Minister's Wife Tells All.
  • [To bodyguard] If we meet any terrorists, I'll text you.
  • I feel like the wife of Napoleon on St. Helena.

John Maddox

[edit]
  • And you're a Brit. The ghost should be a Brit. [Mimics English accent] To get the jolly old tone right, right?
  • [To The Ghost] Hey! Remember... [Pats chest saying in English accent] Heart.

Paul Emmett

[edit]
  • [Reacting to an old picture of Lang, taken in his college days with a marijuana joint] Let's hope he didn't inhale.
  • A less equable man than I might start to find your questions impertinent.
  • I doubt it very much. The gate will open automatically. Be sure to make a right at the bottom of the drive. If you turn left, the road will take you deeper into the woods and you may never be seen again.
  • [About his wall of framed photos] Oh yes, the wall of ego. We all have one, our equivalent of the dentist's fish tank.

The Ghost

[edit]
  • [At Rhinehart publishing house security check] Who are you expecting to bomb you, Random House?
  • [To Amelia asking about his hotel] Monastic.
  • Use it? I think we should open the whole book like this. "I went into politics out of love, not love for a party or an ideology, but out of love for a woman."
  • Your hair's all wet, you're drenched. Let me get you a towel. [Goes to bathroom and whispers in mirror] Bad idea.
  • [Consoling Ruth] It's all right. Everything'll be all right.
  • Forty thousand years of human language, and there's no word to describe our relationship. It was doomed.
  • [Reading the first words of Adam Lang's manuscript] "Langs are Scottish folk originally and proud of it. Our name is a derivation of 'long', the Old English word for tall, and it is from North of the border that my forefathers hail." Fu...ck.
  • Well all the words are there, they're just in the wrong order.
  • [On phone to agent] Some peace protesters are trying to kill me!
  • [Seeing last page number of manuscript in taxi] Oh, God.

Rick Ricardelli

[edit]
  • You name it, he ghosts it.
  • Get some sleep on the plane. You're sounding weird. "A tethered goat." I'll call you next week.

Robert Rycart

[edit]

Police officer

[edit]
  • [Speaking to mobile link after The Ghost has been deliberately vehicle rammed] This one looks nasty. Yeah, it's just happened just now. Yeah, if you could.

Dialogue

[edit]
The Ghost: [At a restaurant] But you realize I know nothing about politics?
Rick Ricardelli: You voted for him, didn't you?
The Ghost: Adam Lang? Of course I did.
Rick Ricardelli: Everyone voted for him. He wasn't a politician, he was a craze.
The Ghost: Well, there you go.
Rick Ricardelli: Look, it's a new ghostwriter he needs, not another goddamn politico. He was paid $10 million for these memoirs, but rumor has it the manuscript's a crock of shit. Rhinehart's lending him his house at the ocean so they can fix it, and the pressure must have gotten to McAra. Pathologist said his blood was, like, three parts booze.
The Ghost: You mean he drowned by accident?
Rick Ricardelli: Accident, suicide, who cares? It was the book that killed him.
The Ghost: Well, that's encouraging. [Rick dryly chuckles] Who is this McAra? Should I have heard of him?
Rick Ricardelli: Yeah. He was some kind of aide to Lang when he was Prime Minister, so don't admit that you haven't. He was with him for years.
The Ghost: I don't know, Rick.
Rick Ricardelli: This is a great opportunity for you. Plus the money is good. Kids won't starve.
The Ghost: I don't have any kids.
Rick Ricardelli: I do.
The Ghost: [Sees Roy at metal detectors at Rhinehart Inc. entrance] Roy. [Getting wanded and frisked]] Who're you expecting to bomb you, Random House?
Roy Quigley: We're publishing Lang's memoirs. That's enough to make us a target, apparently.
The Ghost: [Gets his effects back] Thank you. [In elevator] How many have you seen?
Roy Quigley: Five. You're the last. I must be honest. I don't think you're the right man for this assignment.
The Ghost: Then it's a good job it's not your decision, Roy.
[Roy and The Ghost enter office]
Roy Quigley: John Maddox, chief executive of Rhinehart, New York.
The Ghost: [Shakes hand] Sir.
Roy Quigley: Sidney Kroll, Mr. Lang's Washington attorney.
The Ghost: [Shakes hand] Mr. Kroll.
Roy Quigley: And Nick Ricardelli I believe you know.
The Ghost: [Rick puts hand on The Ghost's back and guides him to couch] All right, Rick.
John Maddox: All right, I gather from Rick you're aware of the situation? Perhaps you can enlighten us and tell us what exactly you're gonna bring to this project.
The Ghost: Nothing. No, I'm not gonna pretend to be someone I'm not. You have my CV.
Roy Quigley: His last effort was the autobiography of a magician, I Came, I Sawed, I Conquered.
Rick Ricardelli: Yeah, and it went straight to number one, so...
The Ghost: After you turned it down, Roy. Look, I don't read political memoirs. Who does? And I gather you've spent $10 million on this book. How much of that are you gonna see back? Two? Three? It's bad news for your shareholders. And it's worse news for your client, Mr. Kroll. Adam Lang, he wants a place in history, not in the remainder tables.
Roy Quigley: Oh, please!
The Ghost: It's because I know nothing about politics that I'll ask the questions that get right to the heart of who Adam Lang is. And that is what sells autobiographies. Heart.
Rick Ricardelli: Wow! That's nicely done.
Roy Quigley: What utter balls!
John Maddox: You think so?
Roy Quigley: John, of course. Adam Lang's a world historical figure. His autobiography is gonna be a world-publishing event.
John Maddox: Yeah, well, I got warehouses filled with world-publishing events waiting to be pulped.
Roy Quigley: Sid?
Sidney Kroll: Adam is obviously still very upset by what happened to Mike McAra. He was irreplaceable. Irreplaceable, and yet he has to be replaced. Adam can certainly appreciate the benefits of trying someone different. In the end, it's about chemistry. Do you work out, maybe?
The Ghost: Not really.
Sidney Kroll: That's a pity. Adam likes to work out.
Roy Quigley: Actually, I know a good writer on the Guardian who uses a gym.
Rick Ricardelli: Okay, maybe we could just run over the publishing schedule, yeah?
John Maddox: We need to wrap this up in a month.
The Ghost: A month?
John Maddox: Yes.
The Ghost: You want the book in a month?
Sidney Kroll: We already have a first draft.
John Maddox: Yeah, well, it needs a lot of work. That's why I like your résumé here. You're fast, and you deliver.
Rick Ricardelli: You name it, he ghosts it.
John Maddox: And you're a Brit. The ghost should be a Brit. [Mimics English accent] To get the jolly old tone right, right? [Rick chuckles]
Sidney Kroll: Do you have any family commitments?
The Ghost: No, I have no family. Why?
Sidney Kroll: Adam is locked into a US lecture tour, also a fundraising program for the Adam Lang Foundation.
Rick Ricardelli: It's a month in the States. That's okay.
The Ghost: Couldn't I bring the manuscript back here to work on?
Sidney Kroll: I'm afraid not. It's in a secure environment in Marty Rhinehart's own house. Only a few people are allowed to handle it.
Roy Quigley: Sounds more like a bomb than a book. I will need to see it myself at some point. I am supposed to be editing it. Yeah, in theory.
John Maddox: Actually, we need to talk about that. How soon can you get over there?
The Ghost: As soon as you want.
Rick Ricardelli: He'll fly tonight.
The Ghost: Rick.
Rick Ricardelli: It's okay.
John Maddox: [After silence with Sidney giving an informal eye flash] Okay, you're in.
The Ghost: [Gets up] Oh!
John Maddox: [Shakes The Ghost's hand and pats him on shoulder] Congratulations.
The Ghost: Thank you. Thanks.
John Maddox: [Off camera] Rick.
The Ghost: [To Sidney] Thank you.
Sidney Kroll: [Holds up bag] Actually, I have something here you might want to look at.
The Ghost: Is that... Is that...
Sidney Kroll: No, no, no, this isn't Adam's book. No, it's another client of mine. Yeah, perhaps you can let me know what you think.
The Ghost: Sure.
Sidney Kroll: Okay, if you're gonna get that evening flight, we'd better talk contracts with Rick here. [To dazed Roy] Wanna show our friend to the door? [Raises voice] Would you?! Roy?! [Roy comes to]
Rick Ricardelli: Call you in an hour, buddy.
John Maddox: [To The Ghost at door] Hey! Remember... [Pats chest saying in English accent] Heart.
Roy Quigley: [To The Ghost out in street trying to flag down taxi] There's something not quite right about this project.
The Ghost: What? Me, you mean?
Roy Quigley: Obviously you. And McAra. Suicide? He didn't strike me as the suicidal type.
The Ghost: Always nice to see you, Roy.
Roy Quigley: Good luck.
The Ghost: [Answers phone] Yeah?
Rick Ricardelli: Congratulations!
The Ghost: On what?
Rick Ricardelli: On having me as your agent.
The Ghost: Yeah, I can hardly believe my luck.
Rick Ricardelli: Are you packed?
The Ghost: I just got mugged.
Rick Ricardelli: Shit! Are you okay?
The Ghost: Yeah, all they took was the manuscript that Sidney Kroll gave me.
Rick Ricardelli: What? Why?
The Ghost: I don't know. You tell me.
Rick Ricardelli: Are you hurt?
The Ghost: No, I'm fine. I think they must have followed me from Rhinehart's.
Rick Ricardelli: Why would they do that?
The Ghost: Well, maybe they thought I had Lang's book. I knew this whole thing was a bad idea.
Rick Ricardelli: You're still okay to fly tonight, right?
The Ghost: For God's sake, Rick, I'm in shock.
Rick Ricardelli: Well, here's another shock for you. For one month's work on a manuscript that's already written, Rhinehart Inc. Is willing to pay you $250,000, plus expenses. Window seat or aisle?
[The Ghost is at Heathrow Airport]
Sky News Newscaster: Islam has issued a statement claiming responsibility. We hope to bring you more on that later in the bulletin. Meanwhile, former British Prime Minister Adam Lang is back in the news tonight. According to leaked documents, Mr. Lang authorized the illegal use of British special forces to seize four suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists in Pakistan and then hand them over for interrogation by the CIA. The men, Nasir Ashraf, Marwat Sayed, Salim Khan and Faruk Ahmed, all British citizens, were seized in the Pakistani city of Peshawar five years ago. All four were allegedly transferred out of the country to a secret location and tortured. Mr. Ashraf is reported to have died under interrogation. Such an operation would have been illegal under...
Rick Ricardelli: [The Ghost calls him] Yeah?
The Ghost: Where are you?
Rick Ricardelli: Heathrow, like you. Waiting for my flight to New York.
The Ghost: Can you see the news?
Rick Ricardelli: The Lang story? Yeah, I'm watching it now.
The Ghost: What have you gotten me into?
Rick Ricardelli: I got you into a quarter of a million bucks, pal, that's what I got you into. They're calling my flight. I gotta go.
The Ghost: Listen, I just realized Sidney Kroll could have given me that manuscript deliberately so it would look like I was carrying Lang's book.
Rick Ricardelli: Why the hell would he do that?
The Ghost: I don't know. To use me as a tethered goat?
Rick Ricardelli: Get some sleep on the plane. You're sounding weird. "A tethered goat." I'll call you next week.
Sky News Newscaster: ...and long-term psychological trauma. In other words, torture.
Ruth Lang: Who are you?
The Ghost: I'm your ghost.
Adam Lang: Right...
Ruth Lang: Don't worry, he isn't always such a jerk.
Amelia: [After mixing drink] All right. He's ready for you. [Walking upstairs leading The Ghost] How's your hotel? Quiet?
The Ghost: Monastic.
Amelia: That's nice. No distractions.
Adam Lang: [Amelia hands him drink] Thanks, love. [To The Ghost] Hi, man. You ready to start?
The Ghost: Absolutely. [Amelia produces box on desk, opens it to reveal manuscript and holds up USB stick] Is the manuscript loaded on this?
Amelia: It is.
The Ghost: Can I have it?
Amelia: I'm sorry, that would be a security risk.
The Ghost: You mean I've got to retype the whole manuscript?
Adam Lang: Have you really got my entire book on that little thing?
Amelia: We can get 100 books on it, Adam. And it can be copied in a flash. That's the trouble.
Adam Lang: Amazing. You know the worst thing about my life? You get so out of touch. Everything's done for you. You don't drive, you don't carry money. If I need cash, I have to borrow it from the protection boys. This is the kind of details we need in the memoirs. I couldn't put that in. People would think I was a complete idiot.
The Ghost: No, not at all. No, this shows what it's like being Prime Minister. That's exactly what the readers want to know. How does it feel to run a country? How does it feel to be so cut off? How does it feel to be so hated?
Adam Lang: Thanks a lot.
The Ghost: [Stammers] And so loved.
Adam Lang: Amelia, what do you think?
Amelia: I think I should leave you two alone.
Adam Lang: So, how do we go about this?
The Ghost: I interview you. I turn your answers into prose. Here and there, I'll add linking passages, imitating your voice.
Adam Lang: Okay. You heard about Mike?
The Ghost: Yes. I'm sorry.
Adam Lang: We should put in something nice about him. I think his mother would like that.
The Ghost: Of course.
Adam Lang: Well, um, the first thing that struck me was, you became such a successful politician precisely because you didn't appear to be a politician. It's certainly not something I wanted to do when I was younger. I thought most student politicians were complete nerds.
The Ghost: Well, I'm with you there. So, what turned you on to politics?
Adam Lang: Turned me on, indeed. Let's see, I was 23, something like that, a couple of years out of Cambridge. And I remember it was a Sunday afternoon, it was raining. I was still in bed. And someone starts knocking at the door. And, you know, I'd been out the night before and had a few drinks and what have you. So, I get the pillow and I put it over my head, and it starts up again. Knock, knock, knock, knock! And I get up, I'm swearing, I go to the door and there's this girl. She's soaking wet, but she just launches into this speech about the local elections. And that's it. I'm in love.
The Ghost: And this is Ruth?
Adam Lang: This is Ruth. And the only way I can see her again is to join the party and hand out leaflets.
The Ghost: This is great.
Adam Lang: You want to use this?
The Ghost: Use it? I think we should open the whole book like this. "I went into politics out of love, not love for a party or an ideology, but out of love for a woman."
The Ghost: [Walks into Amelia's office handing over audio recorder] Could you transcribe this as quickly as possible, please?
Amelia Bly: Of course.
The Ghost: [Assistant takes audio recorder] Thanks.
Amelia Bly: How's it going?
The Ghost: [Beaming] Pretty well. He keeps calling me 'man'!
Amelia Bly: He always does that when he can't remember someone's name. There are sandwiches in the kitchen.
Ruth Lang: [Opens door to shine light on The Ghost in bed] Are you awake?
The Ghost: Well, I am now.
Ruth Lang: I'm sorry.
The Ghost: It's all right. Hang on. What time is it?
Ruth Lang: I don't know. I called Adam.
The Ghost: And?
Ruth Lang: Can I come in? [Sits on bed] The day before Mike died, he and Adam had a terrible row. I've never told anyone this before, not even the police.
The Ghost: What about?
Ruth Lang I don't know. But it was furious. They never spoke again. When I asked Adam about it, he refused to discuss it. After what you just said, I felt I should ask him again.
The Ghost: And what did he say?
Ruth Lang He was having dinner with the Vice President. That bloody Bly woman wouldn't even give him the phone. Oh, God. Oh, dear God. What's he got himself mixed up in? [Starts to sob]
The Ghost: [Puts arm on her shoulders] It's all right. Everything'll be all right.
Ruth Lang: [Buries face in between The Ghost's face and shoulder] I'm scared. I've never been scared in my life before, but I am now.
The Ghost: Your hair's all wet, you're drenched. Let me get you a towel. [Goes to bathroom and whispers in mirror] Bad idea.
Ruth Lang: [Lying in bed] Do you mind?
The Ghost: Course not. [Climbs in bed with Ruth crawling over him]
Ruth Lang: [Ghost gets out of bed in morning] The modesty of the morning after?
The Ghost: I'm sorry. I thought you were asleep.
Ruth Lang: You mean you thought I'd be gone? [Reading] You've taken out the family tree. He's very proud of the Langs.
The Ghost: You know, if you want a family tree, go to a garden center.
Ruth Lang: Why have you underlined my name every time?
The Ghost: I was surprised there wasn't more about you.
Ruth Lang: Why? I'm just the wife.
The Ghost: Yeah, even so. You ought not to be written out of history.
Ruth Lang: Why not? Most women are.
The Ghost: Then I'll reinstate you. I'll put in all the occasions that he's forgotten.
Ruth Lang: How kind. Like the boss's secretary that remembers his wife's birthday for him?
The Ghost: Something like that. But then, like you say, I'm not a proper writer.
Ruth Lang: What are you planning to do?
The Ghost: Leave.
Ruth Lang: It's not necessary, as far as I'm concerned.
The Ghost: I'm afraid it is, as far as I am.
Ruth Lang: Where will you go?
The Ghost: Back to the hotel. Look, I'm sorry. I should never have stayed in a client's house. It always ends up with...
Ruth Lang: With you screwing the client's wife?
The Ghost: No, not always. But it does make it hard to maintain a professional distance.
Ruth Lang: And the thing we discussed last night? What do you propose to do about that?
The Ghost: That's none of my business.
Ruth Lang: Well, you can't just ignore it.
The Ghost: Look, I'm his ghostwriter. I'm not an investigative reporter. What are you gonna do about it?
Ruth Lang: Perhaps I'll write my own memoirs. Ex-Prime Minister's Wife Tells All.
The Ghost: Well, if you ever decide to do that, give me a call.
Ruth Lang: You think I need someone like you to produce my book? I don't want to be in his bloody memoirs. He's on his own. I'll get a divorce. And she can do the prison visits. [Storms out door and slams door]
The Ghost: You wouldn't happen to know if there are any flights leaving the airport tonight, would you?
Motel Receptionist: Not unless you've got your own private jet.
The Ghost: Ah, I lent it to my butler.
Motel Receptionist: Haha, oh you Brits!
The Ghost: Hello?
Ruth Lang: You're alive.
The Ghost: Yeah, just about.
Ruth Lang: I've been worried sick. The police called to say they'd found the car on the ferry. Again!
The Ghost: I'm so sorry. I parked it, and then, and then I got off the boat.
Ruth Lang: What the hell were you doing on the mainland, anyway?
The Ghost: I drove to New York.
Ruth Lang: Why?
The Ghost: I needed to see John Maddox.
Ruth Lang: And where are you now?
The Ghost: I'm still at the ferry terminal. I missed the last crossing.
Ruth Lang: You really are bloody hopeless! I just had Adam on the phone, trying to get hold of you. He's flying back tonight. He sounds in a right state.
The Ghost: You didn't tell him about us, did you? God's sake, Ruth!
Ruth Lang: I've got to go. I'll call you back.
The Ghost: Who is it?
Frank: Mr. Rycart sent me.
The Ghost: Hold on.
Frank: Just gonna do a quick check, if you don't mind. Get your stuff together. We're leaving.
The Ghost: [Richard searches luggage bag] Hey! That's private!
Frank: [To Richard in vehicle] He's clean.
Richard: Thanks, Frank. Sorry about that. Please, get in.
The Ghost: [Riding in vehicle] You thought it was a trap?
Richard: It crossed my mind. You do work for Lang.
The Ghost: Yeah, for three days. I hardly know the guy.
Richard: Who does? I worked for him for 15 years, till he fired me, and I still can't fathom him.
The Ghost: Yeah, his wife said more or less the same.
Richard: There you go. If someone as sharp as Ruth can't get him, what hope do we have? Tough day?
The Ghost: Yeah, you could say that.
Richard: You have the book?
The Ghost: Yeah.
Frank: He's got it.
...
Richard: [At diner with The Ghost with Frank watching from aside] Before we go any further, I wonder if I might take a look at that book.
The Ghost: No. Before we go any further, there's a few things I'd like to know first. Such as, why did Mike McAra have your number?
Richard: Okay. Sure. He was helping me.
The Ghost: McAra? How?
Richard: Mike found the documents linking Lang to the torture flights.
The Ghost: What? It was McAra who gave you the documents?
Richard: Yeah, Mike McAra. The loyalest of the loyal.
The Ghost: But why?
Richard: He didn't like discovering he was working for a war criminal. Would you? Oh, I forgot. You are. The book?
The Ghost: Well, don't tell me you're gonna read it now.
Richard: Not all of it. Just the beginning. There's something very important about it.
The Ghost: Yeah. It's the cure for insomnia.
...
Richard: Mike said he'd discovered something new. It's the last time he called me. He said it explained everything that had gone wrong when we were in government.
The Ghost: What was it?
Richard: He wouldn't say over the phone. He just kept saying if anything happened to him, the truth was in Lang's memoirs. "It's all there in the beginning."
The Ghost: The beginning? Then he means Cambridge. [Rummages for photo and displays it]
Richard: What the hell's this?
The Ghost: [Pointing to photo] That is Lang, and that is Paul Emmett.
Richard: Emmett? The Arcadia guy. So what?
The Ghost: On the day that Mike McAra died, he drove up to see Emmett, and I think he was murdered on his way home.
Richard: What?
The Ghost: I went to see Emmett today, and two guys followed me from his house. That's why I called you. At the time that this photograph was taken, Paul Emmett was an officer in the CIA.
Richard: Emmett?
The Ghost: Foreign Resources Division.
Richard: Oh, my God. You realize how important this is, don't you? This explains why Lang went into politics. Everyone knows he didn't have a political thought in his pretty little head. This is why he rose so quickly, with a little help from his friends.
The Ghost: Well, do you think it's possible...
Richard Rycart: Okay, a quiz for you. Name one decision Lang made in 10 years as Prime Minister which wasn't in the interests of the USA. Well, come on, it's not a trick question. Iraq, Middle East policy, Star Wars defense, buying American nuclear missiles, support of terrorist rendition. The sacking of any minister Washington didn't like, including yours truly. McAra was right. This explains everything.
The Ghost: [Answering phone and says to Richard] It's Amelia Bly.
Richard Rycart: Answer it.
The Ghost: Hello, Amelia.
Amelia Bly: Good evening. I have Adam for you.
The Ghost: [Whispers to Richard] Lang.
Adam Lang: We're coming to get you.
The Ghost: What?
Adam Lang: Ruth tells me you're stuck at the ferry terminal. We've just taken off from New York. Pilot says we can stop by and pick you up.
The Ghost: Really? There's no need.
Adam Lang: We've got a book to write, remember?
The Ghost: Hold on a sec, Adam. He said he wants to pick me up in his private jet.
Richard Rycart: Say yes.
The Ghost: What if it's a trap?
Richard Rycart: If you refuse, he'll get suspicious. Tell him yes.
The Ghost: That'd be great, Adam. Yeah, thanks.
Adam Lang: I'll get to the airport. See you there.
...
The Ghost: He sounds worried. I really don't think this is a good idea.
Richard Rycart: You have no choice.
The Ghost: Emmett must have told Lang that I'd been to see him.
The Ghost: So, what's he gonna do about it? Dump you in the ocean?
The Ghost: Well, it happened before!
Richard Rycart: Which means it can't happen again. He can't drown two ghostwriters, for God's sake. You're not kittens.
The Ghost: All this is just theory. We don't have any proof.
Richard: You'll get us the proof.
The Ghost: Me?
Richard Rycart: You're his ghostwriter. Presumably, he lets you tape him.
The Ghost: I use discs, actually. Discs, tapes.
Richard Rycart: You've got to confront him with this. Record his reaction. Even if he denies it, it's something.
The Ghost: I'm in a tricky position here. I signed a confidentiality agreement.
Richard Rycart: It's a bit late for that. It means the discs are his property. The court can subpoena them.
The Ghost: And what if I don't record any discs?
Richard Rycart: Then you'll be subpoenaed and forced to repeat this whole story.
The Ghost: Then I'll deny it.
Richard Rycart: Then I'll give them this. Frank is recording every word. Aren't you, Frank? Oh! Come on! Don't look so shocked. What did you expect? That I'd come into a meeting with a man working for Lang without taking any precautions? Except you're not working for Lang anymore. You're working for the good guys.
The Ghost: You know all this is pointless, don't you? In the end, he'll just retire over here with his CIA pension, and he'll tell you and the bloody war crimes court to go and fuck yourselves.
...
Jet attendant: Good evening, sir. Hatherton welcomes you aboard.
The Ghost: Thank you. It's my first time in a private jet.
Jet attendant: Well, let's hope it's not your last.
Adam Lang: Hi, man. Take your seat.
The Ghost: Thanks.
Adam Lang: Hey, bring my ghost a Calvados.
Jet attendant: Yes, sir.
The Ghost: [Unwrapes an audio recorder] Do you mind?
Adam Lang: Leave it off for now. Ruth said you were in New York to see Maddox.
The Ghost: That's right.
Adam Lang: How was he?
The Ghost: He was fine. Full of energy?
Adam Lang: You know John.
The Ghost: Yes, I do know John. As a matter of fact, I was just with him.
Adam Lang: You never saw him today, did you?
The Ghost: No.
Adam Lang: Do you have something to tell me?
The Ghost: I went to see Emmett.
Adam Lang: That windbag! Why?
The Ghost: I know about you and Emmett.
Adam Lang: Me and Emmett?
The Ghost: I know that he was your...
Adam Lang: My?
The Ghost: ...handler, if that's what they're called.
Adam Lang: My handler?
The Ghost: Yeah, that he was your handler in the CIA.
Adam Lang: Oh, my God. You're serious, aren't you?
The Ghost: When McAra found this, he went to Boston to show it to Emmett, and he died on the way home, and I think he was murdered.
Adam Lang: I think you've had a few too many of those already.
The Ghost: It was McAra who believed that Emmett told you to go into politics in the first place.
Adam Lang: Emmett? I barely knew the man.
The Ghost: And that story of yours about why you joined the party and Ruth and the canvassing, well, the dates don't fit.
Adam Lang: I got the dates wrong. Big deal!
The Ghost: Then when he found this photograph, and he heard the rumors about Emmett being in the CIA...
Adam Lang: Rumors?
The Ghost: It's on the Internet.
Adam Lang: I've never heard such utter balls in my entire life. Mike would never have believed such crap. He was too clever. Too loyal. Mike betrayed you to Rycart. How do you know that?
The Ghost: He told me.
Adam Lang: Rycart? He's lying.
The Ghost: This phone number on the back of the photograph, it's Rycart's. The handwriting, that's McAra's.
Adam Lang: Mike. Mike, Mike.
The Ghost: And you knew he was disillusioned. You had a big row with him just before he died.
Adam Lang: Yes, I know, but he never mentioned this. This is just... This is grotesque. I've never taken orders from anyone. Whatever I did, I did because I believed it was right.
The Ghost: What, even supporting illegal kidnapping for torture?
Adam Lang: Oh, for God's sake, spare me the bleeding-heart bullshit! Do you know what I'd do if I was in power again? I'd have two queues at airports. One for flights where we'd done no background checks, infringed on no one's civil bloody liberties, used no intelligence gained by torture. And on the other flight, we'd do everything we possibly could to make it perfectly safe. And then we'd see which plane the Rycarts of this world would put their bloody kids on! And you can put that in the book! [Assistant staff stare at them]
[The plane lands at Old Haven airport and Adam is met by demonstrators and reporters]
Demonstrators: Go home! Here comes the killer! Prosecute for torture!
Reporters: Over here, Mr. Lang! Mr. Lang, will you live in America?! Mr. Lang, will you take American citizenship?
Adam Lang: [Walking to vehicle to The Ghost] When we get back to the house, we need to have a meeting- [Adam is assassinated]
Staff: Oh, my God! Murderer! Firing from the roof! [Assassin is executed] Let me go to him! No! No! Move, move, move!
Enforcement officer: How long had you known Mr. Lang?
The Ghost: Couple of days.
Enforcement officer: In what capacity?
The Ghost: I was his ghost. His ghostwriter.
Enforcement officer: [Produces photo of assassin] Do you recognize this man?
The Ghost: He was one of the protestors. His son was killed in Iraq.
Enforcement officer: Did you ever speak with him?
The Ghost: He was in the bar one night in the hotel where I was staying.
Enforcement officer: But did you speak with him?
The Ghost: He asked me if I knew where Adam Lang was staying on the island. I told him that I didn't.
Enforcement officer: Did you report this conversation?
The Ghost: Sorry?
Enforcement officer: Did you report this conversation to Mr. Lang's protection team?
The Ghost: No.
Enforcement officer: What was Mr. Lang's demeanor this evening?
The Ghost: He was... He was fine. He seemed fine.
Enforcement officer: One witness said she thought she heard Mr. Lang shouting at you.
The Ghost: No.
Enforcement officer: We're gonna need your passport.
The Ghost: Why?
Enforcement officer: A serious crime was just committed in US territory, and you're the key witness. We need to keep you close.
TV Newscaster: Like a fallen soldier, Adam Lang went home today, home to a shocked and grieving nation. Not just his family, but friends and political opponents joined in tribute.
TV Richard: A great colleague and a true patriot. We had our disagreements, but we always stayed friends. My heart goes out to Ruth and the family. [Knock on door] And I would like to say Adam will be... [The Ghost turns off TV]
The Ghost: Who is it? [Opens door]
Rick: Congratulations!
The Ghost: On what now?
Rick: Still having me as your agent. [Pokes The Ghost's face with his passport]
The Ghost: Hmm?
Rick: They don't need you anymore. You're free to go. [Pulls open drapes and The Ghost sits on bed] You ready to get back to work?
The Ghost: I don't think I can, Rick. I'm sorry. Not after all this.
Rick: Don't be a jerk. This is a hot book now. It's Adam Lang's voice from the grave. The guy, he's a hero.
The Ghost: I just want to go home.
Rick: You can. Go. Go home. And finish the book from London.
The Ghost: I don't know, Rick.
Amelia Bly: Here we are.
The Ghost: Oh, here we are.
Amelia Bly: I'm sorry. I think I'm over it, and then suddenly I realize I'm not.
The Ghost: Are you sure this is all right?
Amelia Bly: Of course. My invitation said plus one.
The Ghost: Only I wondered if you might've wanted to bring your husband.
Amelia Bly: That didn't work out. I hadn't appreciated quite how bored he was with being my plus one.
The Ghost: Shall we go in?
Amelia Bly: Yeah. Amelia Bly, plus one. [To attendant when entering book launch party] Thank you.
The Ghost: That was a bit of a turn-up, for the books, you calling me.
Amelia Bly: I heard you weren't invited, and I thought you should be here.
The Ghost: Ghosts are never invited to the launch party, as a rule. We're an embarrassment. Like a mistress at a wedding.
Amelia Bly: Sorry. I brought you a present.
The Ghost: Thank you. That's very funny.
Amelia Bly: I thought, seeing as you were so keen to hold onto it, you might like it as a souvenir. Between you and me, it wasn't us, it was the Americans. They thought the book was a potential threat to national security.
The Ghost: But there's nothing in it.
Amelia Bly: Something about the beginnings. I think that's what I heard.
The Ghost: The beginning?
Amelia Bly: No, beginnings. The beginnings.
The Ghost: Beginnings? [Has a moment of epiphany]
Amelia Bly: You all right?
The Ghost: Do you know that man? The one who's speaking to Ruth.
Amelia Bly: Paul Emmett?
The Ghost: What's he doing here?
Amelia Bly: Well, he was Ruth's tutor at Harvard when she was a Fulbright scholar. Why shouldn't he be here?
The Ghost: [Referring to manuscript] Do you mind if I have that back a second?
The Ghost: Did you ever want to be a proper politician in your own right?
Ruth Lang: Of course, didn't you want to be a proper writer?
Amelia Bly: Are you ill?
The Ghost: No, I'm aging. This place is Shangri-La in reverse.
The Ghost: I'd never guess you smoked.
Amelia Bly: I only allow myself one. In times of great stress or contentment.
The Ghost: Which is this?
Amelia Bly: Very funny.
Island Ferry Attendant: Single or return?
The Ghost: Return. I hope.
The Ghost: It's my first time in a private jet.
Amelia Bly: Let's hope it's not your last.
Ruth Lang: I suppose even ghosts must have feelings.
The Ghost: We are sensitive spirits.

Cast

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