Al Capone Does My Shirts Honesty Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

I can't stay late or they lock the cell house door. Gotta watch out for that. Nobody's home late on Alcatraz. Nobody gets bad grades either or they chain you up," I say.

"So hey." Another kid walks over. "I heard what you said in Miss Bimp's about almost getting poisoned, and I was wondering. Do you eat supper with them murderers?" (8.5-6)

Living on Alcatraz is cool, but nobody's going to stay interested unless they make up a few tall tales. The kids love hearing these stretched out (or totally fake) stories about life among prisoners from Piper and Moose. A little white lie never hurt anyone… right?

Quote #2

"She has to keep her feet up, otherwise the baby might slip out all of a sudden and bump his head," Theresa says. (9.40)

Who knows if Theresa is actually telling a fib or if she honestly thinks this is how the whole "having a baby" procedure works, but Theresa likes to talk the talk with confidence, and is pretty blunt about her choice of words. Her science may be off, but her story keeps her pals amused.

Quote #3

I jiggle his arm. "Dad," I say, "we have to go pick up Natalie. Mr. Purdy called. They don't want her at the Esther P. Marinoff. She can't stay there, not even tonight."

By the time I finish explaining the second time, he's sitting up in bed.

"Does your mom know?"

I shake my head.

He takes a deep breath and lets it out with a whistle. His eyes focus on a worn spot on the rug.

"Okay, son. I'll take it from here," he says. (10.28-32)

Moose can't bring himself to tell his mom about the phone call from Esther P. Marinoff, especially since she seemed so excited about Natalie being there. When he tells his dad, Mr. Flanagan agrees with Moose's choice to put off telling Mom.