David Bowie credited as playing...
Tesla
- Nikola Tesla: Mr. Angier, have you considered the cost of such a machine?
- Robert Angier: Price is not an object.
- Nikola Tesla: Perhaps not, but have you considered the *cost*?
- Robert Angier: I'm not sure I follow.
- Nikola Tesla: Go home. Forget this thing. I can recognize an obsession, no good will come of it.
- Robert Angier: Why, haven't good come of your obsessions?
- Nikola Tesla: Well, at first. But I followed them too long. I'm their slave... and one day they'll choose to destroy me.
- Robert Angier: If you understand an obsession, then you know you won't change my mind.
- Nikola Tesla: You're familiar with the phrase "man's reach exceeds his grasp"? It's a lie: man's grasp exceeds his nerve.
- Nikola Tesla: I apologize for leaving without saying goodbye, but I seem to have outstayed my welcome in Colorado. The truly extraordinary is not permitted in science and industry. Perhaps you'll find more luck in your field, where people are happy to be mystified. You will find what you are looking for in this box. Alley has written you a thorough set of instructions. I add only one suggestion on using the machine: destroy it. Drop it to the bottom of the deepest ocean. Such a thing will bring you only misery.
- Nikola Tesla: Society only tolerates one change at the time. First time I tried to change to world, I was hailed as a visionary. Second time, I was asked politely to retire. So here I am, enjoying my retirement.