discussing something
You know where I was recently? What are you talking about?American Hustle · 2013 — Chapter 18 of 20 · 4'57" · B2
Irving Pitches the Two Million Plan, Explained: knock some sense into
The fight starts over nail polish and a car, then turns to a canvas bag and a plan worth two million. "What are you talking about?" is the refrain: every accusation gets denied, but the real struggle is over who controls the story—and who gets credit for the plan.
What happens
A couple fights: one has just been in the other's boyfriend's car and saw nail polish; the argument jumps to a friend working for the government, a canvas bag, and a heart pill. Then someone claims to have a plan worth two million, and the fight becomes about credit.
Listen for
what are you talking aboutson of a bitchcome up withknock some sense into
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Now
Phrase of the scene
knock some sense into
force someone to start thinking clearly
The speaker explains that Pete was sent over to knock some sense into the other person — to force them to think straight.
Someone should knock some sense into him before he signs that contract.
Also in this scene
- what are you talking about
asking what someone means; can stall a topic
- son of a bitch
a harsh insult for a despicable person
- come up with
produce an idea or plan
- so you're welcome
a mock-polite 'you're welcome' that claims credit
- mobster
a member of organised crime
Everything marked in this scene
30 notes across 107 lines
In fast speech “what are you” blurs into one lump — practise it as a unit, then speed up.
You know where I was recently? What are you talking about?be employed by the government
What's this I hear about your curly-haired friend working for the government?nonsense, a lie — Blunt denial among friends; too crude for work or strangers.
Who said that? Who said that? That's bullshit.cause everyone to die
You're gonna get us all killed! Danny.Gonna is a fast, reduced form of going to; keep the beat on “get” and “killed”.
You're gonna get us all killed! Danny.with someone watching
You are a sick son of a bitch for screaming at me like that in front of Danny.nice one, well done — Warm and casual, for kids or teammates; out of place in formal settings.
Attaboy, all right?The second “boyfriend” is pushed harder — that repetition is the point.
Your boyfriend, your fucking boyfriend will kill me, he will kill Danny, and he'll kill you.deal with someone here it points to the person you are up against, not handling a problem
He's a mobster, all right? That's who you're dealing with.predicative clause: The whole who-clause sits after “that's”, turning an identity into a warning.
He's a mobster, all right? That's who you're dealing with.intended to cause someone pain
Yes, I wanted to hurt you, but how do you think that I feel?leave someone by themselves here it means left by myself, not “stop bothering me”
All day when you leave me alone, all day, and all I've ever wanted you to do is love me.the only thing I ever wanted
That's all I've ever wanted is for us to stay married and for you to love me.relative clause: The clause tightens “all” into one specific wish; without it, “that's all” would be vague.
That's all I've ever wanted is for us to stay married and for you to love me.without wanting me changed
He likes me just the way I am. Too fucking dangerous.something remarkable, usually bad — Sarcastic praise for a spectacularly bad choice; not for the person's face.
Oh, and what a doozy you picked.feel glad on my behalf
Why can't you just be happy for me?stop talking
But you got to close your mouth.parenthetical: The name is dropped into the sentence to address him, delaying the verdict by half a beat.
I have always said, Irving, that you are very, very hard to motivate properly.the idea that intention shapes events
It's by Wayne Dyer, about the power of intention.produce this plan
And my intention in sending Pete over to you was so that you could come up with this plan.purpose clause: “So that” flips the sentence into motive — the visit existed for the sake of the plan.
And my intention in sending Pete over to you was so that you could come up with this plan.do this together as partners
I think that we should be partners on this.noun clause: The how-clause is the thing being thought about; “might have” softens an old accusation.
You ever think about how you might have underestimated me?what is expected of me to say
I'm gonna keep my mouth shut, and I'm not gonna say anything, but what do I do if Pete calls me, what am I supposed to say?“Supposed to” collapses in the middle; don't bite off the -ed.
I'm gonna keep my mouth shut, and I'm not gonna say anything, but what do I do if Pete calls me, what am I supposed to say?drop the subject
You got to stop talking about your government agencies, and your IRS and your taxes and your conspiracies, and all of that, you're gonna say how you were wrong.mistaken on that point
You were wrong about that.push someone into action
I was right for saying all that stuff because then that spurred on the actions that made you come up with this plan.Irving Pitches the Two Million Plan, explained
What's really going on
The scene keeps shifting what the fight is about: nail polish, a government job, a bag over someone's head, a heart pill. That drift is the point. Each accusation is met with "What are you talking about?", which keeps the argument from landing. The real contest is narrative control. When a plan worth two million appears, the person who sent the muscle says, "So you're welcome," turning someone else's near-death idea into their own foresight. The line "You ever think about how you might have underestimated me?" makes the stakes explicit: being taken seriously matters as much as the money.
Theme
DeceptionDenials like "What are you talking about?" keep the argument spinning while the plan and the credit are both built on spin.
PowerThe one who can claim the plan—and the muscle behind it—tries to control the room.
Listen for
- What are you — In fast speech “what are you” blurs into one lump — practise it as a unit, then speed up.
- gonna get us — Gonna is a fast, reduced form of going to; keep the beat on “get” and “killed”.
- your fucking boyfriend — The second “boyfriend” is pushed harder — that repetition is the point.
- supposed to say — “Supposed to” collapses in the middle; don't bite off the -ed.
He's a mobster, all right? That's who you're dealing with.A warning that the man in question is not a small-time crook; the danger is organized and personal.
You ever think about how you might have underestimated me?A challenge: the speaker wants credit for being smarter than the other person assumed.
All day when you leave me alone, all day, and all I've ever wanted you to do is love me.A complaint about being left alone, framed as a plea for love rather than a demand for money.
I have always said, Irving, that you are very, very hard to motivate properly.A self-serving claim that the speaker's pressure was necessary to get Irving to act.
That's real money. That's real money.A pitch line insisting two million is immediate, serious cash—not a payment plan.
Questions about this scene
Why does the argument keep returning to "What are you talking about?"
Because each accusation is met with denial. The line comes back after a question about where someone was, a question about a government job, and a claim that someone is trying to kill them, so the argument never settles on one charge.
What is the plan worth two million?
It involves two million dollars coming in this week, wired in. Someone says to ask Victor if he wants two million this week and calls it "real money."
Why is the heart pill brought up in the middle of the fight?
The shouting escalates until someone asks why the other is taking a heart pill and what kind of trouble they are in. The pill marks the moment the fight turns from accusation to health and panic.
Who gets credit for the plan?
The person who says 'So you're welcome' claims credit, saying their intention in sending Pete over was what led to the plan.
What does "knock some sense into" mean here?
It means to make someone see reason, often by force or pressure. The line says Pete was going over there to knock some sense into your head.
American Hustle · 20 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 19pay somebody offThe Lawyer Takes the Wire
Chapter 1last resortLast Resort Loan Pitch
Chapter 2the Picasso of passive-aggressive karateA Sun Lamp Starts a Fight
Chapter 3mess with your judgementFBI Reveal at the Loan Meeting
Chapter 4off the beaten pathThe Jail Cell Confession
Chapter 5on a first-name basis withEscape Plan Argument Over Danny
Chapter 6quit while you're aheadThe Fake Rembrandt Reveal
Chapter 7out of his leagueThe Deal Gets Too Big
Chapter 8grease someoneA $75,000 Bribe for the Mayor
Chapter 9can't get enough ofGuests Smell Nail Polish, Talk Business
Chapter 10back on its feetThe Atlantic City Pitch
Chapter 11the life of the partyRosalyn Cuts In on the Call
Chapter 12right off the batThe Ocean Room Pitch
Chapter 13keep the upper handCasino Pitch at a Party
Chapter 14falsified my recordsSydney Reveals Her Real Name
Chapter 15get over onI Should've Gone Away With You
Chapter 16get someone on a wireNegotiating the Sherman Suite
Chapter 17let something die to let something liveA Wife Spills Secrets Over Dinner
Watching · Chapter 18knock some sense intoIrving Pitches the Two Million Plan
Chapter 19pay somebody offThe Lawyer Takes the Wire
Chapter 20make this rightIrving's Apology Goes WrongChapter 18 of 20 · about 7 min to go