Daily Dialogue — December 18, 2010

Prince Humperdinck: First things first, to the death.
Westley: No. To the pain.
Prince Humperdinck: I don’t think I’m quite familiar with that phrase.
Westley: I’ll explain and I’ll use small words so that you’ll be sure to understand, you warthog faced buffoon.
Prince Humperdinck: That may be the first time in my life a man has dared insult me.
Westley: It won’t be the last. To the pain means the first thing you will lose will be your feet below the ankles. Then your hands at the wrists. Next your nose.
Prince Humperdinck: And then my tongue I suppose, I killed you too quickly the last time. A mistake I don’t mean to duplicate tonight.
Westley: I wasn’t finished. The next thing you will lose will be your left eye followed by your right.
Prince Humperdinck: And then my ears, I understand let’s get on with it.
Westley: WRONG. Your ears you keep and I’ll tell you why. So that every shriek of every child at seeing your hideousness will be yours to cherish. Every babe that weeps at your approach, every woman who cries out, “Dear God! What is that thing,” will echo in your perfect ears. That is what to the pain means. It means I leave you in anguish, wallowing in freakish misery forever.
Prince Humperdinck: I think you’re bluffing.
Westley: It’s possible, Pig, I might be bluffing. It’s conceivable, you miserable, vomitous mass, that I’m only lying here because I lack the strength to stand. But, then again… perhaps I have the strength after all.
Westley: DROP… YOUR… SWORD!

 — Westley (Cary Elwes), Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), The Princess Bride (1987), screenplay by William Goldman, based on his novel

To see the actual “To The Pain” scene, go here.

The Daily Dialogue theme for the week is Protagonist-Nemesis showdowns, suggested by Jonathan. The Princess Bride suggested by CWillGoWrite.

Trivia: While never stated in the movie, according to the screenplay the grandson and grandfather live in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois. This explains the Walter Payton Chicago Bears #34 jersey worn by the grandson, the Chicago Cubs pennant and William Perry poster on the wall and the Chicago White Sox cap hanging in the room.