Joseph Rico: [Giving Babe money] There's your first week's pay.
Babe Lazich: Thanks, Mr. Rico, Now I'm ready for the big stuff - maybe even a killing.
Joseph Rico: [grabbing Babe by the collar] Don't ever say that! A murder is a contract. A hit is the sucker that gets killed. Remember those words and use 'em. Then, even if the cops tap our phone, they don't know what you're talkin' about! Get that?
Babe Lazich: Yes, sir. Anything else?
Joseph Rico: Yes. Burn that tent you're wearin' and get yourself a suit!

Joseph Rico: [to Babe Lazich] A blimp like you ain't got a girlfriend, have you?
Babe Lazich: I've got a wife.
Joseph Rico: Well, if anything happens to you, we take care of her. If you get into a jam, we get you a lawyer. If you get in jail, you're on the payroll all the time you're in.

Joseph Rico: I'm forgetful. Sometimes I meet a guy and then I never see him again. I got a big turnover in friends.

Joseph Rico: There's something on its way to kill me! I can feel it comin'!

James Malloy: They made me kill my girl!

Albert Mendoza: [after being beaten by Rico] I've been gone over by experts, but you're the best. What's your name?
Joseph Rico: What's the matter? You want some more?
Albert Mendoza: I think I can use a guy like you.

[Big Babe Lazich has just been invited to join Rico's gang. While he is waiting, he notices that Rico is always on the phone]
Babe Lazich: Who calls him on the phone?
Philadelphia Tom Zaca: If you're a good swimmer, you can ask the guy who found out. He's at the bottom of the river.
[He grins]

[Rico is convinced that Mendoza has escaped from prison, so Ferguson takes him down to Mendoza's cell]
Joseph Rico: [after looking in] He's smiling at me...
[looks in again]
Joseph Rico: Mendoza! Call them off! I'm not going into court! I swear I won't! Tell 'em! I'm not squealing! Please, tell 'em I'm not...
D.A. Martin Ferguson: Rico! You're gonna talk! Do you hear me? You're gonna talk! You're not blowing up this case! It took four years to put him in that cell and when he walks out he's going to the chair. So you gonna talk, it's the only chance you got to live!
Joseph Rico: I'm afraid. He'll never die.
D.A. Martin Ferguson: He'll die! He's got to die! And you're gonna kill him!
Joseph Rico: I can't! Nobody can! He ain't human.