Ace of Aces

Nancy Adams: You've changed. You're so different. Is this what the war has done to you?

2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: Wasn't this what you wanted?

Nancy Adams: I didn't know. I spoke of the glory of war. I know now. The mud, the filth, the suffering, the agony, the poor, helpless, dying boys.

2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: It isn't muddy up where I am. When death comes, it comes swiftly and cleanly. Ah, it's a grand war. I only hope the next one is half as good. I used to think I could take clay and mold it into the semblance of a living thing. The closer it came to being alive, the greater my glory. The power of life is more than that, Nancy. Life--life for myself as I control my plane. And then death, swift and final in the squeeze of my fingers.

[laughs]

2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: You can't do that with clay, Nancy.

Nancy Adams: Then all that you said about saving yourself for something better--

2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: Did I say that? Forget it. Why, this is a great war, and I'm having a grand time. It's all grand, every minute of it. Thirty-three planes shot down. Decorated by a French general. My picture in the papers. The idol of the allies, the hero, the great war ace. Pursued by women. Boy, I wouldn't have missed this for anything. You did me a great favor that day in the studio.

[laughs]

2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: Me and my ideals for humanity. Ha! Why, I might still be back there slaving, trying to express myself on some remote conception of art.

Nancy Adams: Please, Rocky!

2nd Lt. Rex 'Rocky' Thorne: Come on, Nancy. Don't try to make me feel sorry for myself, because there's nothing to feel sorry for.