Daily Dialogue — August 18, 2017

VANELLOPE: I’m back. Didja miss me?
RALPH: Yeah, uh, hey, can we talk for a second?
VANELLOPE: Wait. First, kneel down.
RALPH: What? No. No, we…we really — 
VANELLOPE: Will ya just do it?
RALPH: Okay.
VANELLOPE: Now, close your eyes.
RALPH: Vanellope — 
VANELLOPE: Shush! Close ‘em!

Ralph does as she asks, and Vanellope places a ribbon around Ralph’s neck.

VANELLOPE: Okay, open ’em up.
RALPH: (Reading) “To Stinkbrain.” Gee, thanks.
VANELLOPE: Turn it over. (He does.) I made it for you. Just in case we don’t win. Not that I think there’s even a remote chance we’re not gonna win.
RALPH: Thanks, kid. Ah, listen — 
VANELLOPE: Now, rise my royal chump. I’ve got a date with destiny. Ralph, c’mon, move your molasses.
RALPH: Ah, I’ve been thinking…
VANELLOPE: That’s dangerous. 
RALPH: Who cares about this stupid race, anyway? Right?
VANELLOPE: Ha, ha. That’s not very funny, Ralph. 
RALPH: No, I’m serious. And, uh, it was really fun to build the car and everything, but maybe…maybe you shouldn’t do it.
VANELLOPE: Uh, hello, is Ralph in there? I’d like to speak to him, please.
RALPH: Look, what I’m saying is you can’t be a racer.
VANELLOPE: What? Why would you — (She notices the medal in Ralph’s overalls) Wait a minute. (She grabs the medal)
RALPH: No!
VANELLOPE: Where did you get this?
RALPH: Look, I’m gonna be straight with you, kid. I’ve been talking to King Candy — 
VANELLOPE: King Candy? 
RALPH: Yeah.
VANELLOPE: You sold me out? 
RALPH: No, I didn’t — listen, you don’t understand!
VANELLOPE: No, I understand plenty, traitor! 
RALPH: I’m not a traitor. Listen — 
VANELLOPE: You’re a rat, and I don’t need you! And I can win the race on my own.
RALPH: But I’m trying to save your skin, kid.
VANELLOPE: Put me down! Let me go!
RALPH: No. You listen to me. You know what’s gonna happen when the players see you glitching? They’re going to think the game’s broken.
VANELLOPE: I don’t care! You’re a liar!
RALPH: No, you better care, because if your game goes out of order you go down with the ship, little sister!
VANELLOPE: I’m not listening to you! Get out of my way! I’m going to that race.
RALPH: No, you’re not!

Ralph grabs Vanellope and hangs her on a tree.

VANELLOPE: Take me down from here, Ralph, right now!
RALPH: No. I’m doing this for your own good.
VANELLOPE: (Realizing what Ralph’s about to do) Wait, wait, wait. No. No. NO!

Vanellope screams as Ralph destroys her car. She glitches and falls to the ground crying.

VANELLOPE: You really are a bad guy.

— Wreck-it Ralph (2012), story by Rich Moore, Phil Johnston and Jim Reardon; screenplay by Phil Johnston and Jennifer Lee, additional story material by John C. Reilly, Sam Levine and Jared Stern

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week: Broken, suggested by Gisela Wehrl. Today’s suggestion by Will King.

Trivia: Unlike most animated films, the principal actors regularly recorded audio sessions together in the same room, a situation which led to a lot of improvising.

Dialogue On Dialogue: Commentary by Will: “After being duped by King Candy, Ralph tries to talk Vanellope into giving up her dream to win the race on which her game is based. When he can’t talk her out of it, he destroys the vehicle he helped build. As a metaphor, Ralph not only breaks Vanellope’s car, but the trusting relationship he and Vanellope have struggled to build.”