Road to Perdition Monologues

A mob enforcer's son in 1930s Illinois witnesses a murder, forcing him and his father to take to the road, and his father down a path of redemption and revenge.

No. I loved you both the same.

Was I?

Well, I suppose it was because Peter was just… such a sweet little boy, you know? And you… you were more like me. And I… didn't want you to be.

He murdered Annie and Peter!

Actually, I'm making a withdrawal.

And I want dirty money only, everything you're holding for Capone that's off the books. Open the safe.

The name's Sullivan. You want me to spell it?

If I'm not back in half an hour, you go see Reverend Lynch at First Methodist and you tell him what's happened. Do NOT go to Father Callaway.

Your mother knows I love Mr. Rooney. When we had nothing, he gave us a home… a life… and we owe him.

Look out for the tractor, Mike. Michael... look out for the tractor. You're coming up now. Watch out for the tractor. Watch out for the tractor! Watch out for the tractor!

When I say "get down", you get down. You don't ask questions. When I say we're stopping to eat, you stay with me. You listen to me from now on! Or you start taking care of yourself.

Stop it, Michael. It was not your fault! None of this is your fault!

I can't take you there. Not now.

He knows that's where we're going.

Something I can't do alone. You have to listen to me now, okay? Or else both of us are dead. I can make Capone give up Connor. Now, there's one thing Chicago loves more than anything and that's their money. They've got it in banks all over the state. We're gonna have to find it and take it. Are you gonna help me?

Then I have to teach you something.

That's for you. Call it a handling charge. Tell Chicago I took it, but if read about this in the papers, if I read about the savings of some innocent farmers being wiped out by a heartless bank robber, I won't be happy. Good afternoon.

To Chicago. There's a man there who runs things. I've done some work for him. We have to find out where he stands. Try to get some sleep.

This house is not our home anymore. It's just an empty building.

Tomorrow, when they find out we're gone, they're gonna come after us. I have to protect you now.

So when do I get my share of the money?

Two hundred dollars.

Could I have had more?

I saw then that my father's only fear was that his son would follow the same road. And that was the last time I ever held a gun. People always thought I grew up on a farm. And I guess, in a way, I did. But I lived a lifetime before that, in those six weeks on the road in the winter of 1931. When people ask me if Michael Sullivan was a good man, or if there was just no good in him at all, I always give the same answer. I just tell them... he was my father.

Did you like Peter more than me?

You were always... different with me.

There are many stories about Michael Sullivan. Some say he was a decent man. Some say there was no good in him at all. But I once spent 6 weeks on the road with him, in the winter of 1931. This is our story.

I can take care of myself fine! You never wanted me along anyway. You think it's my fault this happened!

Just take me to Aunt Sarah's.

He works for Mr. Rooney.

Well… papa didn't have a father, so Mr. Rooney looked after him.

He goes on missions for Mr. Rooney. They're very dangerous. That's why he brings his gun. Sometimes, even the President sends him on missions, 'cause papa was a war hero and all.