- Lieutenant Elwood Forbes: Sorry to bother you, but I understand you told one of my men earlier about a guy in here buying guns and ammo. Could you tell me what he looked like?
- Gun Shop Owner: Like I told the officer on the phone, I don't pay attention to how my customers look.
- Lieutenant Elwood Forbes: Can't you try to remember?
- Gun Shop Owner: Well, he was a big kid. Short hair, nice looking.
- Lieutenant Elwood Forbes: Did you know him? Have you ever seen him in here before?
- Gun Shop Owner: Like I told the officer who called, I don't pay attention to how my customers look.
- Lieutenant Elwood Forbes: Well, don't you find it funny? A man walks in here and buys a high-powered rifle, a shotgun, and enough ammunition to start World War III?
- Gun Shop Owner: Look Lieutenant, I don't choose the customers! If a man walks in here and wants a weapon, we sell him one. If he wants two, we sell him two. There ain't no law against that.
- Lieutenant Elwood Forbes: Yes, but did you by any chance get him to sign the registration form for the purchase of the weapons?
- Gun Shop Owner: Of course. That's the law.
- [a receptionist on the top floor sees Charles Whitman exiting the nearby elevator and hauling a large trunk]
- Receptionist: Sir? Can I help you. I'm sorry, you can't take that up their without permission!
- Charles Joseph Whitman: [points to the door to the nearby security office] Who's in there?
- Receptionist: Nobody now, they're at lunch but you still can't take that on the observation deck.
- Charles Joseph Whitman: [grabs the receptionist and forces her to the elevator] Listen, you go on down and don't you come back here... not if your life means anything to you!