Designated Survivor (TV Series)

Suckers (2017)

Megan Gallagher: Alice Rowland

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Quotes 

• Alice Rowland : We appreciate your meeting with us again, sir. But the people that I represent...

  Tom Kirkman : I know. They want action, not just words.

  Alice Rowland : What they want is their money back. And as long as I'm their advocate, I don't intend to rest until I get it.

  Tom Kirkman : And I share your desire, which is why I've met with all of you three times over the last four months.

  Alice Rowland : Three times because we're not making any progress.

  Tom Kirkman : It might not seem like it to you, but I promise you, we are making progress.

  Alice Rowland : Not fast enough, sir. The fat cats that got screwed by Barton Cushing will survive. But the beneficiaries of the compromised state pension funds, they need this money to live. They're teachers, firefighters, secretaries...

  Tom Kirkman : The backbone of America. And I am trying to get relief for all of them.

  Alice Rowland : Trying is not the same as getting.

  [realizing her accusatory tone] 

  Alice Rowland : I'm sorry, Mr. President. These people don't want to work until they're 75. They want to be able to take a vacation, pay for their healthcare, enjoy their golden years.

  Tom Kirkman : I know you're frustrated. I am, too. But I need you to trust me. And we are closer than you think.

• Tom Kirkman : Alice, how are you?

  Alice Rowland : Not good, sir. I'm hearing that the pension bailout bill is dead.

  Tom Kirkman : That's not true.

  Alice Rowland : Well, the people I represent want their futures back. Can you promise me that you can still help them?

  Tom Kirkman : Well, I-I can't promise...

  Alice Rowland : Well, then you're right, Mr. President. We are suckers. For trusting you.

• Tom Kirkman : Thank you for coming. I invited you back here because I wanted to tell you myself how much I respect you.

  Alice Rowland : Well, that respect is mutual, sir. I saw your interview on television. I know what kind of man you are. An honest man.

  Tom Kirkman : Thank you. I appreciate that. I do the best I can, and... and I know you do, too. Your work as a victims' advocate is inspiring. And... and I hope you don't mind, but I wanted to find out what motivated you. And I was surprised to see that you weren't one of the victims. But instead, the wife of one of the perpertrators. Your late husband managed one of the feeder funds and funneled hundreds of millions of dollars back to himself.

  Alice Rowland : Yes.

  Tom Kirkman : So you became an advocate out of a sense of obligation, to those who paid such a high price while your family prospered.

  Alice Rowland : Yes.

  Tom Kirkman : The guilt must be overwhelming. I would expect at times you feel like it's hard to even go on.

  [she nods, but doesn't reply] 

  Tom Kirkman : I feel like that every time I walk into this building. And sit in that chair, and have someone call me "Mr. President" simply because I survived. Because I was lucky. You know what people like you and I are supposed to do with that kind of luck?

  Alice Rowland : No, sir.

  Tom Kirkman : Pay it forward. I promise you - in fact, I pledge to you - that I will do everything in my power to try and pay it forward. And I know you will, too.