Quotes for
Luis Montoya (Character)
from "Columbo: A Matter of Honor (#5.4)" (1976)

"Columbo: A Matter of Honor (#5.4)" (1976)

Commandant Sanchez: I hope you understand, Luis, that the lieutenant is here merely as my guest. He has no official status.
Luis Montoya: So inquisitive. I find him amusing.

Lt. Columbo: [referring to bullfighting] I don't know how you fight a thing like that and make a living.
Luis Montoya: It's more than a living, Lieutenant. It's a way of life.

Lt. Columbo: I have to tell you the truth. I don't think I would enjoy watching a man kill an animal, even as big and mean as he is.
Luis Montoya: Perhaps you would prefer the spectacle of two men in a prize ring beating each other senseless. Or murdering an innocent deer with a rifle. Or catching a fish with another one which is still alive. Our culture is different from yours, Lieutenant. No better or worse, perhaps, but different.

Lt. Columbo: May I ask you a personal question, sir?
Luis Montoya: Oh, by all means.
Lt. Columbo: Did you injure your leg in the bull ring?
Luis Montoya: [nodding] On the Plaza Del Toros, Mexico. It was the wound that ended my career. And, ironically, it wasn't even the bull I was supposed to fight. You see, I was appearing mano a mano with a young matador who froze, and the bull gored him. I jumped to his rescue, and I too, was gored. Badly. Here. They tried to take me to the infirmary along with the young matador , but I refused to go. Despite the blood flowing from my wound, I stayed in the ring and I did one of the best fights of my career. I killed the bull with one thrust. The people loved it! They stood up and gave me an electrifying ovation. Two ears and a tail! That was my last fight.
Lt. Columbo: Well, that must have taken a lot of courage, sir.

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