MovieChat Forums > Pulp Fiction (1994) Discussion > Why didnt Butch just leave Marsellus Wal...

Why didnt Butch just leave Marsellus Wallace to die in the pawn shop?


Just a thought i had watching this movie years ago and still do today, Vincent was dead from Butch shooting him, Jules had quit and gone to wander the world, and Winston Wolf wasnt exactly an avenger type guy, just a cleaner upper guy.

So there would no consequences for Butch if he just left the pawn shop and stole Zed's motorcycle and allowed Marsellus Wallace to be raped and murdered, even if Marsellus told Zed and Maynard what Butch's name was he was going to leave town soon anyway, Mr. Wallace doesnt seem like a snitch though, even if they told him that Butch was gone and had escaped.

So Marsellus Wallace would have been killed shortly after Butch escaped anyway, no more problems with him and it ties up things nicely, also rids the world of a scumbag gangster too, Butch was already trying to kill Marsellus himself twice anyway, this forces Zed and Maynard to do the murder and dispose of the body, good times for them unless Marsellus Wallace escaped from their grasp and fought back.

On the other hand Butch could have just called the police and reported what happened and said that a Black man was being raped in the basement of that pawn shop by two Rednecks, describe the crash and omit his name, let the police be notified and show up to arrest Zed and Maynard and Marsellus Wallace, all three would go to jail and a lot of explaining would have to be done.

Marsellus Wallace might even lose his reputation and street cred after being arrested because the police would sell the story to Inside Addition or Extra or the Tabloids, not something Marsellus Wallace would want to become widely known and now it would be huge news.

Just my thoughts.

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He didn't want to leave another person to that fate.

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

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[deleted]

A conscience? Despite almost being killed by Marsellus, he probably had second thoughts as he was leaving, as in ''oh f... nobody deserves this'' Marsellus' fate would have undoubtedly been gimp number 2. Not a rational decision but rather a spur of the moment impulse.

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Maybe Butch had his own code. Yes he did double cross Marsellus Wallace. And Wallace wanted Butch's head on a platter.

But Butch had the chance to escape. But he couldn't leave a any man. Even one that wanted him dead to an unknown fate.

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A certain innate decency. I think the script says he can't leave anyone in that situation.

"Chicken soup - with a *beep* straw."

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This is the entire point of the movie.

The ability of a person like Butch, Jules or Vincent to redeem themselves is always there. Butch took advantage of this, Jules did too. Vince did not.

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It seems inconsistent that Butch would all of a sudden care about human life. He was so dismissive about the boxer he killed, and that's just it, he killed the boxer himself and had no remorse whatsoever. He told Esmerelda the cabdriver "well he's dead" or wordds to that effect. ANd on the payphone he told his friend, "he shouldn't have laced up his glove".

But all of a sudden he values MArellus' life who tried to kill him!

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Point taken.

However, there is a big difference IMO after the fact (oh well he's dead so there isnt anything I can do about it) vs something currently going on (How do I let something like this happen?).

Yes he ACCIDENTALLY killed Floyd. But Floyd also wasnt being tortured and killed. Also, an argument can be made that had he known Floyd was going to die, he would have pulled up. But I totally get what you are saying.

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Butch’s casual comments about the boxer seemed more like him putting a strong manly front to hide his true feelings.

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To make good his escape...... Butch did a honourable thing

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He didn't know Jules was quitting. Once Vincent is found dead and Marcellus is missing (or also found dead) there could be people who assume Butch was behind it and avenge this for their boss.
Vincent just got back from a 3 year hiatus. Wallace didn't just have Jules as his henchman.

He couldn't leave that fate to anyone and after rescuing him, he probably figured that the slate would be wiped clean.
Turned out great for Butch. Of course, Wallace didn't know that Vega was dead.
A good question is, how angry would Wallace be about Butch killing Vega? I guess not enough to risk Butch possibly exposing what happened to his rear.

All and all, great move on Butch's part.

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Butch knew Marcellus didnt want word out on the street that he was taken from behind therefore Butch realized he could make a deal

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I see where you are going with it but... wouldn't, technically, killing Butche like the most certain way to silence him? After all, him and Marcellus were the only two witnesses. It easier to keep a secret with only one person aware of the events.

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Listen to Captain Koons speech to young Butch. That explains it all.

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I think he felt that he should save Marcellus from those thugs because he knew that Marcellus had a lot of connections around the world. This way by saving him, he could escape and no longer worry about Marcellus wanting him dead, which was what was going on in the first place.

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I don't think he thought it out that much. I think he really just couldn't stand to leave anyone to the fate those guys had in store for them.

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