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The Slice: Their zingers would bruise egos and wound some people’s pride

Asked what line from a movie could be used as a response to someone showing you a bruise, several dozen readers offered the same answer.

From “Gone With the Wind,” it might be the most famous bit of movie dialogue ever: “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

But that seems a tad harsh. Would you really say that to a friend or family member?

Other readers had different suggestions, though. Here are a few of the approximately 75 entries in The Slice’s React to a Bruise with a Line from a Movie Contest.

Alexis Curtright: “It’s just a flesh wound.” — “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”

Larry Zimmerman: “We’ve all got it coming, kid.” — “The Unforgiven”

Steven Stehr: “It’s a Sicilian message.” — “The Godfather”

Don Larkin: “Saw it right off.” — “Jeremiah Johnson”

Bill Kilgore: “Here’s looking at you, kid.” — “Casablanca”

John Yancey: “This is beyond my skill to heal.” — “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”

Kelly Reinlasoder: “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.” — “Dirty Dancing”

Rick Rhodes: “I do believe in spooks. I do, I do, I do!” — “The Wizard of Oz”

Judy McKeehan: “Stella!” — “A Streetcar Named Desire”

Hollis Bredeweg: “Round up the usual suspects.” — “Casablanca”

Matt Daniel: “Run away! Run away!” — “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”

Dave Swett: “You talkin’ to me?” — “Taxi Driver”

Becky Dueben/Doug Habib: “We’re going to need a bigger boat.” — “Jaws”

Robert Fairfax: “Truly you have a dizzying intellect.” — “The Princess Bride”

Thanks to all who entered.

I’m declaring Kim Cameron, Stacia Gross and Diane Wickman the winners for their joint entry. They cited a line from “Young Frankenstein” spoken by Frau Blucher: “Stay close to the candles, the stairway can be treacherous.”

Today’s Slice question: What’s a good substitute for shaking hands?

Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; fax (509) 459-5098; e-mail pault@spokesman.com. G-rated cussing can be entertaining.

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