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Anime and Manga
"Jeez! Glad I don't work him!"
— Master Roshi on Frieza after he brutally murders his own soldiers for failing to defeat the Earth's defenders, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'.
"Who cares if we hit our own machines? They have Trans-Phase armor, don't they?"
— Muruta Azrael, in response to Natarle Badgiruel's concern over friendly fire, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Megatron: How do you explain this?
Cyclonus: [...] I can't, sir.
Megatron: You were unable to locate this Mini-Con when it was right here all along, and you don't even have an excuse?!
Cyclonus: (whimpers) Sir, it's my circuits. They've been overloaded lately.
Megatron: SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF JUNK! You're so lucky. I should melt you down! Oh-ho-ho, I'm so tempted! But I need you right now, and do you know why? THE MINI-CONS!
Cyclonus: Uh... I-I promise I won't fail you again, sir.
Megatron: No. You won't.
Cyclonus: [...] I can't, sir.
Megatron: You were unable to locate this Mini-Con when it was right here all along, and you don't even have an excuse?!
Cyclonus: (whimpers) Sir, it's my circuits. They've been overloaded lately.
Megatron: SHUT YOUR MOUTH, YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF JUNK! You're so lucky. I should melt you down! Oh-ho-ho, I'm so tempted! But I need you right now, and do you know why? THE MINI-CONS!
Cyclonus: Uh... I-I promise I won't fail you again, sir.
Megatron: No. You won't.
— Transformers: Armada, "Metamorphosis"
Blogs
Generally speaking, if you're going to have the hero and villain oppose each other, and want to make a compelling story out of it, it behooves you as a writer to have the villain actually pose a threat- chances are that's why you want to show how scary they can be. However, having a villain misdirect anger at subordinates for minor failures doesn't scream "very dangerous, does not mess around" nearly so much as it does "terrible management of emotions, subordinates, or both, shooting themselves in the foot and making things way easier for the heroes."
— ganymedesclock
pointing out the consequences of this trope.
pointing out the consequences of this trope. Comic Books
"And you two... Look who you've chosen to stand by. Even though I see you for what you are — and although I abhor pity — I pity you your choice of companion on this death march. You're doomed to find neither friendship nor loyalty, or the least gratitude from this man, even in the best of times."
— Antonis Kouvelis, about Gustav Strobl, Abe Sapien: To the Last Man
Sydren: If I ate your head, two thirdsss of your agents would praise me in poems and sssong.
Brand: So my approval rating's up.
Brand: So my approval rating's up.
Beastman: AIIIEEE! Master!— Save your loyal servant!
Superman: Don't count on it, beastie. Something tells me the last thing your master's concerned with is your well-being.
Skeletor: You are truly perceptive, caped one!
Superman: Don't count on it, beastie. Something tells me the last thing your master's concerned with is your well-being.
Skeletor: You are truly perceptive, caped one!
Dario Agger: Travers? Get Xemnu a meal.
Travers: It'll take a little time to source, sir, what with all the, ah, disappearances lately... Give me an hour, though - I'll find someone who won't be missed.
Dario Agger: That's a very reasonable timeframe, Travers. Xemnu?
Xemnu: I'm hungwy now.
Dario: Sorry, Travers.
Travers: What? Sir, you can't - I've served you for years - I've never questioned - I've - I've killed for you - Mr. Agger, please-
Dario Agger: It's unfortunate, I know. But the thing is... I can always hire another killer. I've only got access to the one Hulk. Supply and demand, old friend. Supply and demand.
Travers: It'll take a little time to source, sir, what with all the, ah, disappearances lately... Give me an hour, though - I'll find someone who won't be missed.
Dario Agger: That's a very reasonable timeframe, Travers. Xemnu?
Xemnu: I'm hungwy now.
Dario: Sorry, Travers.
Travers: What? Sir, you can't - I've served you for years - I've never questioned - I've - I've killed for you - Mr. Agger, please-
Dario Agger: It's unfortunate, I know. But the thing is... I can always hire another killer. I've only got access to the one Hulk. Supply and demand, old friend. Supply and demand.
Leland McCauley: I always say there are two kinds of workers in my organization—
Live Wire: Casualties and survivors?
Live Wire: Casualties and survivors?
Fan Works
Desaad clutched at the shaft transfixing his midsection in agony. His master shot forth beams from his eyes which reduced him to his primal atoms. Later, he would reassemble them, and trust that Desaad would learn by that not to make jokes using his name.
Roman: Besides, Cinder and I have a partnership. I scratch her back... and she doesn't incinerate me.
Underling: I don't think that's how that saying goes.
Roman: It is when you work with a crazy bitch like that.
Underling: I don't think that's how that saying goes.
Roman: It is when you work with a crazy bitch like that.
"Now I think we understand each other. Anyone who disobeys me, anyone who fails me, anyone who just annoys me goes... boom. So, are you with me, or against me?"
— Eggman, Sonic Mania: The Novelization
Films — Animated
The Joker: I'm sorry, could you hold on? I was just in the middle of setting fire to your gang!
Red Hood: Go ahead! You think I care if that scum dies?
Red Hood: Go ahead! You think I care if that scum dies?
"Geez, glad I don't work for him..."
— Master Roshi, after seeing Frieza pull a You Have Failed Me on his whole army, Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'
"Oh, my dear Bartholomew... I'm afraid that you've gone and upset me. You know what happens when someone upsets me."
— Ratigan, before summoning his Right-Hand Cat, The Great Mouse Detective
"Memo to me, memo to me: maim you after my meeting."
— Hades, Hercules
Shen: Fire. Fire! F-Fire at them!
Boss Wolf: But sir, we'll kill our own.
Shen: I said fire at them! FIRE!
Boss Wolf: No. [Shen stabs Boss Wolf and fires the cannon]
Boss Wolf: But sir, we'll kill our own.
Shen: I said fire at them! FIRE!
Boss Wolf: No. [Shen stabs Boss Wolf and fires the cannon]
Soldier Sam: (weakly) Sir... medic needed... SOS... mayday...
Zeebad: Me? Help you? You treacherous, mollusk-sparing disco dolly! Your tour of duty is over.
Sam: You can't leave an injured soldier, sir.
Zeebad: Can't I? Just watch me! (leaves Sam)
Sam: Wait... come back! (groans) Evil villains... can be so cruel.
Zeebad: Me? Help you? You treacherous, mollusk-sparing disco dolly! Your tour of duty is over.
Sam: You can't leave an injured soldier, sir.
Zeebad: Can't I? Just watch me! (leaves Sam)
Sam: Wait... come back! (groans) Evil villains... can be so cruel.
"Some of you may die, but it's a sacrifice I am willing to make."
— Lord Farquaad, Shrek
Bowser: This, uh... human. Where did he come from?
Kamek: We... aren't sure.
Bowser: Does the princess... like him?
Kamek: [gasps] Sire! Look in the mirror! You have nothing to worry about!
Bowser: I know that. I'm not threatened. [slams piano case on Kamek's fingers, causing him to scream in pain] FIND OUT WHO HE IS AND WHAT THEY'RE PLANNING! [slams his fist on the piano]
Kamek: [painfully] I'm on it, sire. May I lift the cover?
Bowser: Not yet. Pain is the best teacher.
Kamek: We... aren't sure.
Bowser: Does the princess... like him?
Kamek: [gasps] Sire! Look in the mirror! You have nothing to worry about!
Bowser: I know that. I'm not threatened. [slams piano case on Kamek's fingers, causing him to scream in pain] FIND OUT WHO HE IS AND WHAT THEY'RE PLANNING! [slams his fist on the piano]
Kamek: [painfully] I'm on it, sire. May I lift the cover?
Bowser: Not yet. Pain is the best teacher.
"I just wanna say a few words to you scumbags before you deliver those nightmares. I know some of you have girlfriends and old ladies, and all that kind of crap, and you're probably expecting to get into their feathers tonight! Well, let me just say... tough shit! And for you jerk-offs who think you can hang around here on your fat asses, I have one last thing to say... go suck an egg!"
— Synonamess Botch, Twice Upon a Time
Film — Live Action
High Sheriff of Nottingham: I hope our little golden hook will catch the fish.
Prince John: You hope?
Sheriff: Oh, it will... if he's here.
John: If he's not, we'll stick your head upon the target and shoot at that.
Prince John: You hope?
Sheriff: Oh, it will... if he's here.
John: If he's not, we'll stick your head upon the target and shoot at that.
The Son: [sighs] You're a liability, you know? To my father.
Tangerine: Hm?
The Son: He doesn't need a reason to kill people like you. He needs a reason not to. Does he have one?
Tangerine: Hm?
The Son: He doesn't need a reason to kill people like you. He needs a reason not to. Does he have one?
"There are other facilities doing HYDRA's good work around the world. We'll feed them to Captain America and his colorful friends. Keep them off our scent."
— Wolfgang von Strucker, Captain America: The Winter Soldier
"No fucking shit I don't care about this company! What... You... You... This is just an ATM to me!"
— Bobby Pellit, Horrible Bosses
Barry the Baptist: [to Gary] Is your hair supposed to look like that? [to Dean] All right, short stuff?
Dean the Scouser: Never mind 'short stuff'. Next time we do a job like this, we gonna want more money, Barry. Or we are going back to robbing post offices and stealing cars, foock that! [shows Barry the guns in his car boot]
Barry: Where's the others?
Dean: There were no others!
Barry: Stop fucking around, The others, the old ones?
Dean: I don't know what you mean.
Barry: There were two old guns there. Where're they now?
Dean: Not in the cabinet, there wasn't. There was a couple of old hammer-lock muskets the butler was carrying, but they were ours — we sold 'em!
Barry: Well you better un-sell 'em, sharpish!
Dean: We had to sell 'em, we needed the money!
Barry: I'M NOT FUCKIN' INTERESTED! If you don't want to be countin' the fingers you haven't got, or sharin' a bed with the Antichrist, I want those guns! Quick!
Dean: Okay, Barry. Calm down. We'll get them, alright?
Barry: Now fuck off! You Scouse cunts!
Dean the Scouser: Never mind 'short stuff'. Next time we do a job like this, we gonna want more money, Barry. Or we are going back to robbing post offices and stealing cars, foock that! [shows Barry the guns in his car boot]
Barry: Where's the others?
Dean: There were no others!
Barry: Stop fucking around, The others, the old ones?
Dean: I don't know what you mean.
Barry: There were two old guns there. Where're they now?
Dean: Not in the cabinet, there wasn't. There was a couple of old hammer-lock muskets the butler was carrying, but they were ours — we sold 'em!
Barry: Well you better un-sell 'em, sharpish!
Dean: We had to sell 'em, we needed the money!
Barry: I'M NOT FUCKIN' INTERESTED! If you don't want to be countin' the fingers you haven't got, or sharin' a bed with the Antichrist, I want those guns! Quick!
Dean: Okay, Barry. Calm down. We'll get them, alright?
Barry: Now fuck off! You Scouse cunts!
"You know, there is no discipline with the youth today. I try to set an example, but it is difficult, eh? Personally, I blame MTV."
— Self-declared Liberian President Andre Baptiste, after shooting a guard, Lord of War
"I want this guy taken out, and I want him taken out fast. You and that other dummy better start getting more personally involved in your work, or I'm gonna stab you through the heart with a fucking pencil. You get the message?"
— Jimmy Serrano, Midnight Run
Frank Washington: Son of a bitch. Killed his own men!
Joe Marshall: I know. It's called "Code of Silence". He doesn't want anybody talking.
Joe Marshall: I know. It's called "Code of Silence". He doesn't want anybody talking.
"I want him dead! I want his head cut off and brought here! I want his head on this piano so that every man in my organization understands, once more, that no Katana gets captured alive or talks! Got that?"
— Fujiyama, Samurai Cop
"What you want is your own sub-camp. Do you have any idea what's involved? The paperwork alone? Forget you got to build the fucking thing, getting the fucking permits is enough to drive you crazy. Then the engineers show up. They stand around, they argue about drainage, foundations, codes, exact specifications, parallel fences four kilometers long, twelve hundred kilograms of barbed wire, six thousand kilograms of electrified fences... I'm telling you, you'll want to shoot somebody."
— Amon Goeth, Schindler's List
Gabbar: [pacing back and forth] How many men were there?
Kaalia: [stammers] Two, sir.
Gabbar: Hmm. Two men. [stops pacing and suddenly turns to them] YOU SONS OF BITCHES! [calms down] They were two, and you three. Yet you returned... empty handed? What did you think of? That I'll be happy? That I'll praise you? SHAME ON YOU! [calms down, then turns to Samba] Hey, Sambha... how much money has the government put on my head?
Samba: 50,000.
Gabbar: You heard? A full 50,000. And this has been put on my head because even in far-flung villages, when a child cries in the middle of the night, their mother tells them "Son, go to sleep. Sleep or Gabbar Singh will arrive". And these three bastards, they've tarnished my name! You will be punished for this. Rest assured, you will!
Kaalia: [stammers] Two, sir.
Gabbar: Hmm. Two men. [stops pacing and suddenly turns to them] YOU SONS OF BITCHES! [calms down] They were two, and you three. Yet you returned... empty handed? What did you think of? That I'll be happy? That I'll praise you? SHAME ON YOU! [calms down, then turns to Samba] Hey, Sambha... how much money has the government put on my head?
Samba: 50,000.
Gabbar: You heard? A full 50,000. And this has been put on my head because even in far-flung villages, when a child cries in the middle of the night, their mother tells them "Son, go to sleep. Sleep or Gabbar Singh will arrive". And these three bastards, they've tarnished my name! You will be punished for this. Rest assured, you will!
— Sholay
"You've enjoyed all the power you've been given, haven't you? I wonder how you'd take to working in a pocket calculator."
— The MCP to Sark, TRON
Alva Restrepo: Well, I was, I was also thinking today that maybe you could put somebody else on the job for a while. Or a, a-another secretary to help me out? I-I mean, you know, to make the job easier.
Peter Loew: Alva... there is no one else in this entire office that I could possibly ask to share such a horrible job. You're the lowest on the totem pole here, Alva. The lowest. Do you realize that? Every other secretary who's been here has been here longer than you, Alva. Every one. And even if there was someone here who was here just one day longer than you, I still wouldn't ask that person to partake in such a miserable job as long as you were around. That's right, Alva. It's a horrible, horrible job, sifting through old contract after old contract. I couldn't think of a more horrible job if I wanted to. And you have to do it! You have to. Or I'll fire you, do you understand? Do you?
Alva: ...Yes.
Peter: Good... Then there's no problem, then. Is there?
Peter Loew: Alva... there is no one else in this entire office that I could possibly ask to share such a horrible job. You're the lowest on the totem pole here, Alva. The lowest. Do you realize that? Every other secretary who's been here has been here longer than you, Alva. Every one. And even if there was someone here who was here just one day longer than you, I still wouldn't ask that person to partake in such a miserable job as long as you were around. That's right, Alva. It's a horrible, horrible job, sifting through old contract after old contract. I couldn't think of a more horrible job if I wanted to. And you have to do it! You have to. Or I'll fire you, do you understand? Do you?
Alva: ...Yes.
Peter: Good... Then there's no problem, then. Is there?
"Everyone remember, Lincoln Center and its ilk use these competitions to decide who they're interested and who they're not. And I am not going to have my reputation in the department tarnished... by a bunch of fucking limp-dick, sour note, flatter-than-their-girlfriends flexible tempo dipshits. Got it? One more thing, Eugene — give me that. [Eugene gives out a music book] If I ever find another one of these lying around again, I swear to FUCKING God... I will stop being so polite."
Inokichi: You're tough. I like you.
Sanjuro: Aren't you angry I killed three of your men?
Inokichi: They were worthless.
Sanjuro: Aren't you angry I killed three of your men?
Inokichi: They were worthless.
— Yojimbo
Literature
"One human-Controller was holding his own hand. The other two were very pale. Visser Three is not a leader who believes it is important to be popular with subordinates."
— Ax, Animorphs #28: The Experiment
The Boss: If I tell you to jump, you ask how high. If I tell you to eat dog shit, you ask me for cutlery. If I tell you to gut yourself, you ask if I'd like to have your intestines braised, boiled or beer-battered and airfried—
Rupert Wong: But it's really hard to cook when you're disemboweled, boss.
The Boss: Oh, that wit of yours, Rupert. I'd miss it if it were gone. Don't ever lose it. We'd have to eat you otherwise.
Rupert Wong: But it's really hard to cook when you're disemboweled, boss.
The Boss: Oh, that wit of yours, Rupert. I'd miss it if it were gone. Don't ever lose it. We'd have to eat you otherwise.
— Food Of The Gods, by Cassandra Khaw
"Oh dear," sighed Barry.
"My lord, if I forgot it was because GAAAAAGH," said the elf, as he burst into white flame. My skin prickled in sympathy as his body convulsed with agony before collapsing into a heap of crumbling ash.
Barry withdrew his pointing finger. "I ask one simple thing from my employees: that you follow all instructions and not deviate from them. You've only yourself to blame. Oh yes, and—" He paused to point at the barbarian, who immediately flared up with a heavily-accented scream. "—Nobody likes a tell-tale. You can both go and think about it by the clock tower. I'll resurrect you later if there's any time left in the schedule."
"My lord, if I forgot it was because GAAAAAGH," said the elf, as he burst into white flame. My skin prickled in sympathy as his body convulsed with agony before collapsing into a heap of crumbling ash.
Barry withdrew his pointing finger. "I ask one simple thing from my employees: that you follow all instructions and not deviate from them. You've only yourself to blame. Oh yes, and—" He paused to point at the barbarian, who immediately flared up with a heavily-accented scream. "—Nobody likes a tell-tale. You can both go and think about it by the clock tower. I'll resurrect you later if there's any time left in the schedule."
— Mogworld
"A man who sees nothing has no use for his eyes, cut them out and give them to your next outrider. Tell him you hope that four eyes might see better than two... and if not, the man after him will have six."
— Gregor Clegane, A Song of Ice and Fire
Live-Action TV
"I'm willing to let my men die. Can you say the same?"
— Jacob Crane, Angel
Jon: You get a $10 raise per hour if you throw your own employee through a glass window. How do you like it when he slaps you in the face?!
Dave: I didn't like it at all.
Jon: Is he a reasonable human being when he does that?
Syck: Nope, not when he does that.
Jon: Was she reasonable when she told you you deserve it?
Matt: I couldn't give two shits about what they're talking about right now.
Jon: Your bar isn't what's wrong; your character is what's wrong.
Dave: I didn't like it at all.
Jon: Is he a reasonable human being when he does that?
Syck: Nope, not when he does that.
Jon: Was she reasonable when she told you you deserve it?
Matt: I couldn't give two shits about what they're talking about right now.
Jon: Your bar isn't what's wrong; your character is what's wrong.
Bernard: He left. He left like I always knew he would. That's what people do when you love them and nurture them and take care of them.
Fran: You mean you sacked him.
Bernard: There may have been an incident. Possibly involving a kitchen item and a hand, and maybe the hand was Manny's, and maybe the item was a sandwich toaster, and maybe I introduced them to each other.
Fran: You mean you sacked him.
Bernard: There may have been an incident. Possibly involving a kitchen item and a hand, and maybe the hand was Manny's, and maybe the item was a sandwich toaster, and maybe I introduced them to each other.
— Black Books, "Manny Come Home"
Niska: You see this man, ah, he does not do the job. I show you what I do with him, and now my reputation for you is fact. Is solid! ...Oh, you do not like I kill this man? Hmm...
Mal: No. I'm sure that he must've been a... very bad person.
Niska: My wife's nephew. At dinner I am getting earful. There is no way out of that.
Mal: No. I'm sure that he must've been a... very bad person.
Niska: My wife's nephew. At dinner I am getting earful. There is no way out of that.
— Firefly
"I take total responsibility for any mistakes today, which means I FIRE EVERYBODY!"
— Benjamin Lennox, Jekyll
"Alva? Laurent? If I'm not back within two hours, please remove the skin from each others' faces."
— Killgrave, Jessica Jones (2015), "AKA WWJD?"
Trooper 1: Did he just say that Gideon killed his own men?
Trooper 2: Oh, who knows. These guys like to lay down the law when they first arrive into town. You know how it is.
[...]
Trooper 2: [into commlink] Do we have confirmation yet?
Dispatch: No, and Gideon just killed an officer for interrupting him, so it might be a while.
Trooper 2: Oh, who knows. These guys like to lay down the law when they first arrive into town. You know how it is.
[...]
Trooper 2: [into commlink] Do we have confirmation yet?
Dispatch: No, and Gideon just killed an officer for interrupting him, so it might be a while.
Podcasts
My cousin, Paul, did say something that made me slightly wary of Dr. Bragon. What was it again? Oh yes, he said, "Dr. Bragon is an abusive, rage-filled psychopath. He smells constantly of stale cigarettes and cut-rate bourbon. He'll call you drunk at odd hours and rave on about how Box Car Willy is one of the lizard people. And he lies about being a botanist. God knows why." And then he said, let's see... "Run from him, for the love of God, run from that madman and never look back!"
— Bill (portraying Noriko), RiffTrax, The Revenge of Doctor X
Tabletop Games
"So they want to kill my men? Well, two can play at that game!"
— Flavor Text for Orcish Catapult, Magic: The Gathering
"Right, now Alan is going to be my arrest subject in which I will use the full potential of the GASH baton to restrain him."
"Pardon?"
"Now Alan, I want you to be a mugger."
"A what?"
"All will become clear. Now, you have just killed an old lady, robbed her of all her money and now you've just been stopped by the Shivers, namely me. I want you to react in a violent manner and be, in general, abusive. Okay?"
"Eh, I'm not sure but I'll try. I still get my 50 don't I?"
"Yes, now we may proceed."
"Up yours, you god damn Shiver scu..."
Thud! Thump! Crack! Thud!
"Now, this is the result of a civilian coming up against a well trained Shiver with a Pacifier Baton. Please report to your tutors for your assignments. Bates, Henderson... you two get this corpse out of here. It's bleeding on the crash mats."
"Pardon?"
"Now Alan, I want you to be a mugger."
"A what?"
"All will become clear. Now, you have just killed an old lady, robbed her of all her money and now you've just been stopped by the Shivers, namely me. I want you to react in a violent manner and be, in general, abusive. Okay?"
"Eh, I'm not sure but I'll try. I still get my 50 don't I?"
"Yes, now we may proceed."
"Up yours, you god damn Shiver scu..."
Thud! Thump! Crack! Thud!
"Now, this is the result of a civilian coming up against a well trained Shiver with a Pacifier Baton. Please report to your tutors for your assignments. Bates, Henderson... you two get this corpse out of here. It's bleeding on the crash mats."
— Commander Cradle giving an introductory talk to about the use of a Pacifier Baton, SLA Industries core rule book
Tzimisce rarely need to resort to kindness, rewards or even Blood Bonds to keep their ghouls in line: a common practice among the clan is to gnarl a "recruit's" face into an unrecognizable lump of tissue and cartilage, with the subsequent promise to restore one facial feature per decade or so of perfect service. Perfect service is difficult to provide, and thus most Tzimisce ghouls are doomed to exist as monsters.
— Vampire: The Masquerade - Clanbook: Tzimisce
Though they cannot stand ghouls, the Lasombra also cannot stand the fact that they are unable to admire their beautiful Caine-given features in the mirror. So, some Lasombra employ ghouls as personal-hygiene assistants for this reason. But that hair must be brushed for at least a hundred strokes, or a hundred bruises will decorate the inattentive ghoul's body. And should the servant fail to apply the skin lotion properly, the outraged Lasombra may well apply a "moisturizer" of muriatic acid to the ghoul's skin...
— Vampire: The Masquerade - Ghouls: Fatal Attraction
Depot commander Vhotin: Authority must be respected. Orders are sacrosanct! Hekate disobeyed! Better that...
Ervin Hekate: B-better that this depot and every Imperial life in it had fallen than I disobeyed your order?
Vhotin: As the Emperor is my judge... Yes.
Ervin Hekate: B-better that this depot and every Imperial life in it had fallen than I disobeyed your order?
Vhotin: As the Emperor is my judge... Yes.
— Titanicus, Warhammer 40,000
"Fear the Commissar more than you fear the enemy!"
"And so Abaddon the Despoiler, Supreme Overlord of Chaos, passed through the midst of his servants, not caring whether they lived or died, whether they served him through devotion, so long as they served him first through fear."
Video Games
"Hey, Bats, go easy on 'em. For me? Ah hell, what do I care! DO YOUR WORST!"
— The Joker, Batman: Arkham Asylum
Penguin: See? I told you it would work. Blow the bridges and cut off the Clown's forces. Easy.
Henchman: But Mr. Cobblepot, we're stuck too!
Penguin: So?
Henchman: We can't get back!
Penguin: And your point is?
Henchman: Well, it's just... you've left us over here with the Joker's crew.
Penguin: Try and take some of them down before you die, son. [laughs]
Henchman: But Mr. Cobblepot, we're stuck too!
Penguin: So?
Henchman: We can't get back!
Penguin: And your point is?
Henchman: Well, it's just... you've left us over here with the Joker's crew.
Penguin: Try and take some of them down before you die, son. [laughs]
"You know I don't tolerate failure. So who are you more afraid of? The Bat? Or ME?"
— Black Mask, Batman: Arkham Origins
"On charges of cowardice, you are sentenced to death!" *BLAM*
"If you will not serve in combat, you will serve on the firing line!" *BLAM*
"If you will not serve in combat, you will serve on the firing line!" *BLAM*
— Commissar, Dawn of War
"Last one dere gets a beatin'!"
— Kaptin Bluddflagg, Dawn of War II: Retribution
"Hmm... I don't think I recognise you. Well, I've got some priceless advice for any new recruits. Never, ever, EVER disobey Blackmar. Blackmar is the Archfiend's right-hand man. Any underling who gets on his wrong side won't live to regret it. Just the other day, a guard who'd angered him was guillotined in front of the slaves."
— Prison Guard, Dragon Quest VI
Crane: Hey, what will happen if the second transmitter is also trashed?
Karim: No, the question here is, what will happen to you if you can't complete Rais's orders? And the answer is, die horribly.
Karim: No, the question here is, what will happen to you if you can't complete Rais's orders? And the answer is, die horribly.
Remind them who's boss
Sometimes you just have to beat the living daylights out of one of your own, for no better reason than to remind them who is in charge.
Sometimes you just have to beat the living daylights out of one of your own, for no better reason than to remind them who is in charge.
"Refugees at Bitter Springs are giving startling accounts of the Legate, known as Lanius, who is said to be Caesar's top field commander. One refugee told us that The Legate took over an 'under-performing' squad of troops by beating its commander to death in full view of everyone. The Legate then ordered a tenth of his own troops to be killed by the other nine-tenths. And you thought your boss was a pain."
— Mr. New Vegas, on Legate Lanius, Fallout: New Vegas
"Ah, my rosy-cheeked new employees! I'm not going to lie: we're all here to make a buck... but it's the happiness of my people that gets me up each morning. My father, rest his soul, was a diamond miner. Got up at the crack of dawn each morning, smoked a cigarette, and down into the earth he went. To that wonderful... [someone in the furnace behind him screams] ...wonderful man, the company was God. I bring that same reverence to my humble business here, and I expect all of you here to do the same. Now, there are only three company rules you have to follow: first, protect my product. You can fuck them, boys, but be gentle. Second: kill any native on sight. Finally, all profits go to me. I'm an understanding boss, but if you break one of these rules... [he lights a match and throws it into the furnace, instantly incinerating the man inside] ...I roast you in the furnace until your skin crackles like chicken! Right, enough talk. Those savages want to steal my life's work. My pride and joy. Show them we mean business!"
Galbadian Soldier 1: In this army your salary gets cut based on just how the boss is feeling...
Galbadian Soldier 2: I guess it goes with the territory when you can't choose your own boss.
Galbadian Soldier 2: I guess it goes with the territory when you can't choose your own boss.
Edict of the Office of the High Prophet of Regret
Let the Victory of Epsilon Indi be celebrated by fasting and prayer. Unggoy and Kig-Yar food rations to be eliminated for the next three work periods. Sangheili and Jiralhanae to spend two rest periods in public prayer. All attend the public monitors at the sounding of five bells to observe the execution of those who failed their duty at the Victory.
Let the Victory of Epsilon Indi be celebrated by fasting and prayer. Unggoy and Kig-Yar food rations to be eliminated for the next three work periods. Sangheili and Jiralhanae to spend two rest periods in public prayer. All attend the public monitors at the sounding of five bells to observe the execution of those who failed their duty at the Victory.
Palutena: Are you saying it makes no difference whether your troops have a leader?
Hades: They're all idiots. Seriously, I don't even know if any of them have actual brains.
Hades: They're all idiots. Seriously, I don't even know if any of them have actual brains.
It is hypothesized that the reason the God of Ruin didn't retaliate when the grandworms attacked its followers was because it had actually brought the grandworms to life and enjoyed watching the violent battles between worm and human;
— The Sandwyrm ark's lore, Last Cloudia
"Do not fear him... Fear my wrath if you fail me!"
— Lord Ghirahim, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Shao Khan: You've failed me too often, sorcerer!
Shang Tsung: Over a millennium, I've failed you twice.
Shao Khan: That is unacceptable!
Shang Tsung: Over a millennium, I've failed you twice.
Shao Khan: That is unacceptable!
There's a reminder Eamon seems to have written himself to berate his assistant more often, he's becoming undisciplined.
"—those stinkin' slaves! I-I mean, my fellow employees! Uncle Aslik's been takin' good care o' ya, right? I love all-ya like you was my own, right?! But if we don't catch this Abe guy... IT'S THE BREW VATS FOR ALL-YA! Now, what're ya waitin' for?! Get back ta work!"
— Vice President Aslik, Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus
Alice's Manager: I... I don't know how you're doing it, or why... But after seeing that... There has to be something. You...
Alice: Oh. So you want me to punish you again.
Alice's Manager: Ah! Please, I'm sorry! [falls over as he backs away]
Alice: [stomps on him] Oh, whoops! What a terrible accident. Just like what happened on set. A terrible accident. I'm still upset over, it too, you know. Isn't it your job to take my side? Or are you asking to end up broken, like my last manager? Do you want to get stuck up in your room like he is?
Alice's Manager: Gah...
Alice: Well, it doesn't matter, anyway. I don't want toys that don't do as they're told.
Alice's Manager: S-Stop!
Alice: Then beg me to forgive you until it hurts as much as you hurt me with your words. Why don't you do what you did yesterday? Grovel with your face all messed up with snot. I'll take another video if you like. C'mon, beg! Do it! Do it! I'm not going to stop until you do, got it?
Alice's Manager: Hrrrrgh...
Morgana: Hey, the guy sounds like he's in real pain. If she doesn't cut it out...
Alice: Oh. So you want me to punish you again.
Alice's Manager: Ah! Please, I'm sorry! [falls over as he backs away]
Alice: [stomps on him] Oh, whoops! What a terrible accident. Just like what happened on set. A terrible accident. I'm still upset over, it too, you know. Isn't it your job to take my side? Or are you asking to end up broken, like my last manager? Do you want to get stuck up in your room like he is?
Alice's Manager: Gah...
Alice: Well, it doesn't matter, anyway. I don't want toys that don't do as they're told.
Alice's Manager: S-Stop!
Alice: Then beg me to forgive you until it hurts as much as you hurt me with your words. Why don't you do what you did yesterday? Grovel with your face all messed up with snot. I'll take another video if you like. C'mon, beg! Do it! Do it! I'm not going to stop until you do, got it?
Alice's Manager: Hrrrrgh...
Morgana: Hey, the guy sounds like he's in real pain. If she doesn't cut it out...
"Ahoy, dock hands! Capital job unloading that cargo last night. You're the crown jewel of my operation! Do me the service of proving your worth yet again by protecting the treasure key that I have stored down there. It appears there's a prowler on the premises. And if any of you let him get his hands on that key, I'll personally flog the lot of you for an entire fortnight!"
— Sir Raleigh addressing his henchmen, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
"I built this city with my own two hands. And a coupla' dozen expendable workers."
— Handsome Jack's AI, Tales from the Borderlands
Construct-A-Con: We did it, Lord Megatron... But... Barricade... and the others...
Megatron: If they were truly Decepticons, they would have survived. Weakness is a rust that must be stripped away... just like you.
Construct-A-Con: Wha-What? But — I helped save you—
Megatron: Yes, but you are heavily damaged.
Construct-A-Con: But — could be — repaired—
[Megatron kills Construct-A-Con with a ground pound]
Megatron: A waste of resources. The weak only serve to benefit the strong.
Megatron: If they were truly Decepticons, they would have survived. Weakness is a rust that must be stripped away... just like you.
Construct-A-Con: Wha-What? But — I helped save you—
Megatron: Yes, but you are heavily damaged.
Construct-A-Con: But — could be — repaired—
[Megatron kills Construct-A-Con with a ground pound]
Megatron: A waste of resources. The weak only serve to benefit the strong.
— Transformers: Decepticons, "Final Showdown"
"Decepticons, as your leader, I, Starscream, demand absolute loyalty from all of my subjects. Onslaught and his Combaticons chose to disobey my order. They chose to break my law. There is no greater act of treason than disobeying my direct order. I am the leader; all of you serve me. I will not tolerate insubordination of any kind from any one of you. Tonight, you will all learn the fate of those who choose to defy me. A fate so terrible, so awful and humiliating that you will never ever want it to happen to you. That is the lesson here; a lesson of extreme importance that you should commit to memory and recite to yourself, frequently. Disobedience means treason; treason means terrible fate; terrible fate could mean most anything if it is terrible. I want you to think about that for a moment. Think about the most terrible thing you could possibly conjure up in your pathetic minds. Now, double it! Now, triple it! That is the kind of terrible thing I AM TALKING ABOUT!"
— Starscream, Transformers: Fall of Cybertron
Zoran Lazarevic: You would betray me for this?
Soldier: Zoran, I can-I can explain...
Zoran: No, no need, no need... [he pulls out a knife and stabs the soldier with it, holding him until he dies, then throwing his body into the swamp] I am surrounded by TRAITORS AND FOOLS!
Soldier: Zoran, I can-I can explain...
Zoran: No, no need, no need... [he pulls out a knife and stabs the soldier with it, holding him until he dies, then throwing his body into the swamp] I am surrounded by TRAITORS AND FOOLS!
Don't get on Mr. Moray's bad side. Samuel in IT was getting chewed out by him the other day. I haven't seen him since. Maybe he's working in the lab? Seems unlikely...
— Note by Undercurrent Incorporated employee, Undercurrent
Web Animation
Kryptman: I can tell you, but you must promise me to let yourself be shot in the head after.
Acolyte: [stammering] Well, in — in that case, don't both—
Kryptman: Well, actually, making you aware of the existence of a secret already condemns you. So you are pretty much already dead. I can still answer your question, though, if you'd rather know.
Acolyte: This is... discouraging.
Acolyte: [stammering] Well, in — in that case, don't both—
Kryptman: Well, actually, making you aware of the existence of a secret already condemns you. So you are pretty much already dead. I can still answer your question, though, if you'd rather know.
Acolyte: This is... discouraging.
"Why is it so hard to find good help? Oh! That's right. I keep melting them."
— Cinder Fall, RWBY Chibi
Webcomics
Bikke: Consider the lives of me crew forfeit.
Garland: I'm sure it won't come to that.
Bikke: It will if I says it will.
Garland: I'm sure it won't come to that.
Bikke: It will if I says it will.
"Sacrificing minions: is there any problem it can't solve?"
— Xykon, The Order of the Stick
"The main asset in an evil intern is not asking questions. The answers are usually written on the bottom of a tank full of sharks."
— Gibbous Moon, Scary Go Round
Web Videos
"Never do anything without my permission again. That includes breathing."
— L to Watari, Death Note: The Abridged Series (1KidsEntertainment)
Freeza: I'm starting to think that my people don't understand what I pay them for.
Zarbon: You don't pay us—
Freeza: —Allow them to live for.
[...]
Acai: Also, after rising concerns with our personnel... exploding, we've decided to form a union.
Freeza: Adorable. [Acai explodes]
[...]
Freeza: Ooh, is that an ultimatum? I love ultimatums. Here's mine: either die to him or die to me!
Zarbon: You don't pay us—
Freeza: —Allow them to live for.
[...]
Acai: Also, after rising concerns with our personnel... exploding, we've decided to form a union.
Freeza: Adorable. [Acai explodes]
[...]
Freeza: Ooh, is that an ultimatum? I love ultimatums. Here's mine: either die to him or die to me!
You belong to Disney! Which means you stay busy!
Cranking out magic and assembly-line whimsy!
Artists begging me to stop — I WON'T LET 'EM!
Labor conditions in my shop? I DON'T SWEAT 'EM!
Cranking out magic and assembly-line whimsy!
Artists begging me to stop — I WON'T LET 'EM!
Labor conditions in my shop? I DON'T SWEAT 'EM!
— Walt Disney, Epic Rap Battles of History, "Jim Henson vs. Stan Lee"
"Speaking of the chief, the exceptional chieftain Adrell is quite the leader. Let's list off some of his most noble deeds. How about that time where he led his fledgling tribe into a pointless war with countless fatalities? Or that time where he bravely fled from battle while his men fought on and died? What about that time where he wiped out an entire species of animals and destroyed the entire ecosystem. And of course, who could forget the time where he left babies completely unattended while he was off waging one of his senseless wars, and competing tribes came and destroyed the entire village?"
— PeanutButterGamer, on Spore
Ishizu: Thank you, Kaiba.
Kaiba: For what?
Ishizu: Giving the Pharaoh your card was an incredible display of faith. You finally believe he is destined to defeat my brother.
Kaiba: I believe that about as much as I believe that there's a minimum wage for my employees.
Kaiba: For what?
Ishizu: Giving the Pharaoh your card was an incredible display of faith. You finally believe he is destined to defeat my brother.
Kaiba: I believe that about as much as I believe that there's a minimum wage for my employees.
"There are so many mentions of punishment in Space Pirate scans. They must have a pretty serious obedience problem; there wouldn't be this many mentions of punishment if grunts were always just blindly following orders. It's evidence of some serious unrest and dissatisfaction within their ranks. Also, that mention of 'treason' and 'termination' is pretty brutal. 'Go get killed by Samus, or we will kill you ourselves.' The lowest-ranking Space Pirates are in a tough spot; no matter what, they get killed. Makes me feel kinda bad for them."
"We here at Grizzco care about health and safety! A lot. That's why, when our employees get decimated by hordes of Salmonids, they don't have to worry about docked pay! (We don't pay them.)"
— Mr. Grizz (voiced by Juno Songs), "The Most Musical Of Bytes Songs Ever Made" by Man on the Internet
by Man on the Internet Western Animation
Dr. Robotnik: I was bamboozled by Sonic! And it's all your fault!
Coconuts: What are you talkin' about? I wasn't even there!
Dr. Robotnik: SHUT UP! I'm the boss! I can blame whoever I want!
Coconuts: What are you talkin' about? I wasn't even there!
Dr. Robotnik: SHUT UP! I'm the boss! I can blame whoever I want!
Megatron: I gave you each a spark. I granted you independent thought, individual identities. I asked only one thing in return: the complete destruction of four. Puny. Maximals. Why has this not happened!?
Jetstorm: Okay, Magnificence, check this out. I have the whole zoo on the ropes, and I'm bobbing, weaving, flying circles 'round them like nobody's business. And then these two LUGNUTS have to come along and mess up my timing.
Megatron: [electrocutes Jetstorm] An interesting tale. Now here are some meaningful words. I am your creator. Please me and I shall reward you. Disappoint me... [electrocutes Jetstorm, Tankor, and Thrust] ...and you shall suffer. A difficult choice?
Jetstorm: Okay, Magnificence, check this out. I have the whole zoo on the ropes, and I'm bobbing, weaving, flying circles 'round them like nobody's business. And then these two LUGNUTS have to come along and mess up my timing.
Megatron: [electrocutes Jetstorm] An interesting tale. Now here are some meaningful words. I am your creator. Please me and I shall reward you. Disappoint me... [electrocutes Jetstorm, Tankor, and Thrust] ...and you shall suffer. A difficult choice?
— Beast Machines, "Mercenary Pursuits"
Dinobot: [holding up Tarantulas] Do not fire, Megatron! I have a hostage!
Megatron: Why, so you do! [immediately blasts Tarantulas to scrap]
Megatron: Why, so you do! [immediately blasts Tarantulas to scrap]
— Beast Wars, "The Low Road"
"I have KILLED bitches for less than the attitude you're giving me! You're lucky you make me money!"
— Valentino, Hazbin Hotel
"You let an imposter through. Report to the Dungeon for correction."
— Megaria the Collector, Kaijudo
"...And the first to address him as Optimus Prime will have his voice box torn out."
— Megatron, Transformers: Prime, "Orion Pax, Part 1"
Drag Strip: Y'know, I may not even give the title over to the boss when we get back. If I'm Ruler of the Roads, what's he gonna do about it?
Wildbreak: Probably run ya over, back up, and then, run ya over again.
Wildbreak: Probably run ya over, back up, and then, run ya over again.
— Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2015), "Disordered Personalities"
Mojo: Patch that bug, Spiral!
Spiral: This is what you get when you kill tech support...
Mojo: FOR FAILING TO KILL THE BUG!
Spiral: This is what you get when you kill tech support...
Mojo: FOR FAILING TO KILL THE BUG!
— X-Men '97, "Motendo"
Real Life
"If I did not now and then kill one of them, they would forget who I am."
— Edward Teach, a.k.a. Blackbeard, after shooting his first mate under the table for no reason
