House of Cards (TV Mini Series)

Chapter One (1990)

Susannah Harker: Mattie Storin

Quotes 

• Francis Urquhart : Beware of an old man in a hurry. Have you heard that phrase, Mattie?

  Mattie Storin : Lord Billsborough. But he's Collingridge's closest advisor. Surely he can't still think he can be party leader, not at his age. Not from the Lords.

  Francis Urquhart : So...

  Mattie Storin : He doesn't want it for himself. He wants to pull the stings. He wants the party leadership for one of his protégés.

  Francis Urquhart : You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment.

  Mattie Storin : Michael Samuels.

  Francis Urquhart : [nodding]  You might think that.

  Mattie Storin : Lord Billsborough is setting up Collingridge as an Aunt Sally so that Michael Samuels can take his place when the time comes.

  Mattie Storin : You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment.

• Mattie Storin : Two major leaks in less than a month. Where are they from?

  Francis Urquhart : I don't know, my dear. I'm responsible for the backbenchers, not the Cabinet. Though I dare say I'll be asked to find out.

  Mattie Storin : The leaks are coming out of the Cabinet? And the Prime Minister is ordering an investigation into his own closest colleagues.

  Francis Urquhart : You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment.

• Francis Urquhart : Oh, I'm just the Chief Whip, Mattie. My personal feelings are neither here nor there. I look after morale and discipline amongst the back-benchers, keep them up to the mark, listen to their problems, help them out when I can, administer some sharp kicks up the backside when that seems indicated.

  Mattie Storin : Just like a prefect, head of house sort of thing... I'm sorry, that sounds very cheeky.

  Francis Urquhart : Not at all. That's exactly what it's like.

  Mattie Storin : Everyone says you're very good at it.

  Francis Urquhart : I believe I am, Mattie. I believe I am.

• Mattie Storin : Urquhart's leading the witch-hunt. I do think he has a sort of - I don't know - magnetism about him.

  John Krajewski : Kissinger syndrome. The aphrodisiac effect of power.

  Mattie Storin : I guess that must be it.

  John Krajewski : Not much chance for the likes of me, then. Women don't exactly tremble at the naked, unbridled domination of the deputy editor.

  Mattie Storin : Well, no. You have got a nice face, though.

  [Krajewski sticks his tongue out] 

• Mattie Storin : One thing everyone knows is that threats from Francis Urquhart are not idle threats.