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Newguest Posted 15 years ago
Vocabulary

You're anything I want you to be

Hi

A Secret Service agent and a general are talking with each other. The general wants the agent to tell him everything about the guy he's looking for. At the end of the conversation the general says: If I find that any of what you've told me tonight is untrue, or if I discover that you withheld anything of importance from me, you can catch up on your solitary confinement skills at the Castle.

The agent says: The Castle? That's the military prison at Leavenworth. I'm not military.

The general says: Actually, it's also for prisoners convicted of national security crimes. But to more directly answer your question, you're anything I want you to be.

Does it just mean: You are whoever I want you to be. So if I want to send you behind bars I'll tell that you're a military. You can be a shop assistant, but I'll treat you as a military and send you to the Castle. Am I quite right?


Do you think there's a better way to say the same?
  

Top answer

I'd say you're right. The point is that an agent is an actor, and his job is to assume whatever identity his handlers require.

  • I'd say you're right.
  • The point is that an agent is an actor, and his job is to assume whatever identity his handlers require.
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3 Answers
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I'd say you're right.
The point is that an agent is an actor, and his job is to assume whatever identity his handlers require.
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Newguest you're anything I want you to be.

Do you think there's a better way to say the same?
I think it's perfect as is. It implies, "I'm the boss! Shape up or ship out!"
He's chiding the agent for balking at going into the Castle under cover.

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