Waco (TV Mini Series)

Of Milk and Men (2018)

Glenn Fleshler: Tony Prince

Quotes 

• Mitch Decker : Negotiations failed, Noesner. They reneged on their deal. Let me handle this. I can have the building cleared by lunch.

  Gary Noesner : Look, this isn't the first time in the history of negotiations that someone reneged on a deal, okay? Our primary objective has to be getting those kids out safely. Clearing the building comes second.

  Mitch Decker : But they're screwing with us. Now's the time to apply more pressure.

  Gary Noesner : No, no, no. Let's not mistake getting even for getting what we want. Trickle, flow, gush. That's my next strategy. If I can get a few people to trickle out, more will follow as it starts to flow, and once Koresh sees enough people leave, he won't be the last in line. It would undermine his authority. He'll lead the rest of them out himself, and the whole thing will be over. I just need a little time.

  Tony Prince : Okay. But, uh... a little show of force might help get their attention.

• Gary Noesner : I just got off the phone. They're sending four people out. Two of 'em kids.

  Tony Prince : That's a start.

  Mitch Decker : Four people seems hardly cause for celebration.

  Gary Noesner : Well, they're starting to trickle out. The strategy's working. Now, you think you can help me coordinate bringing 'em out?

  Mitch Decker : Yeah, sure.

• Tony Prince : No. I'm not throwing them a picnic on national TV. They want milk, they can come out and get it.

  Gary Noesner : Look. Usually, the people I negotiate with are backed into a corner. They need something. And that's what gives me leverage. But these people, they just want us to go away. The only way I've been able to motivate them is with goodwill. But now, their babies need milk, and we can give it to them. This is something we can build on. We can use this.

• Tony Prince : A few days ago, the FBI learned that the Branch Davidians ran out of milk. And they are no longer able to feed their children.

  Steve Schneider : [watching on TV]  Nice of them to tell the truth for once.

• Mitch Decker : Look, I just don't think we should make it so easy on 'em.

  Gary Noesner : Jesus. You think we made it easy on 'em? They agreed to send their kids out, for Christ's sake. Right now, the only card we have to play is creating goodwill.

  Mitch Decker : No, it's not. That's *your* only card, Gary.

  Mitch Decker : Look, the people they're sending out won't talk. And we have no idea what's going on in there, what they're planning to do.

  Tony Prince : All right. What's your point, Noesner?

  Gary Noesner : If we send the milk in and bug it somehow... we'll have ears inside. That'll help me with negotiations, and Mitch tactically.

  Tony Prince : [sharing a look with Mitch]  Do it.

• David Koresh : A lot of beliefs people have may seem abnormal or strange to other people, but that doesn't mean it's not right, though. God speaks to me. I have a message to present. And you may not believe that. If you don't believe that, then believe this, irrespective of God speaking to me.

  [he gestures off camera, and Cyrus comes to sit down next to him] 

  David Koresh : See this here? This is my family. May not be like your family. But you come pointing guns in the direction of my wives and my kids? Damn it, I will meet you at the door any time. I'm sorry some of you guys got shot. But, hey... God'll have to sort that out, won't He?

  Mitch Decker : [Gary stops the tape]  You still think you can reason with this guy?

  Gary Noesner : [Prince ejects the tape]  What are you gonna do with that?

  Tony Prince : Can't let this get out. Makes him look too normal.

• Mitch Decker : [listening to the bug in the compound]  They don't give a shit about those kids. When are you gonna see it?

  Tony Prince : I see it.

  Mitch Decker : The only thing people like this respond to is pressure. Does it feel like they have any pressure on them to you?

  Tony Prince : They sure don't.

  Mitch Decker : We've been here, what, eight days? The only thing we have to show for it is, what, nineteen people? We keep up at this rate, we'll be here 'till Christmas. You been letting Gary do his thing. How 'bout you let me do a little of mine?