Dialogue classification is pending review, so OverBlack does not publish or rank this percentage yet.
Cold, windy morning in Texas. Except for one car -- an old white Nash that belongs to ANDY FANNER, the night- watchman, the square is deserted. Wind blows the curling dust down the empty main street, past the picture show,
a laundry, a dinky beauty parlor, a grocery store. A black Chevrolet pickup, vintage 1941, is coughing its way up the long road toward the square.
SONNY CRAWFORD riddles intently with the choke, trying to keep the pickup running. The radio is on but the sound
of the motor all but drownts it out. In front of the picture show, the pickup dies and the popular 1951 song fills the cab. Sonny relaxes, yawns, peers at the movie posters a moment. (He wears a Levi jacket and his hair
is neatly combed -~- except for a cowlick at the back, which sticks straight up; now and then, he tries to smooth it down.) Before hitting the starter again, he blows into his hands. The pickup grinds for a minute, then kicks off -~ Sonny races the engine before moving on. At the red light he looks over at Fanner, who is asleep in the front seat; his feet, in heavy brogans, aré visible, propped on the dashboard, A pickup with three horses in it goes through the light. Sonny starts to turn toward the pool- hall, but far down the street sees a figure sweeping, and drives that way instead. BILLY is sweeping down the white line, toward the city limits sign, ribbons of dust around the broom. (He too wears a frayed Levi jacket -- also an old red baseball cap.)
Sonny pulls up beside him and taps his horn. Billy looks up, grins happily, trots around and gets into the cab. Sonny makes a sweeping U-turn, reaches over and turns Billy’s cap around backwards. Billy grins. The song is over and an announcer comes on:
.
Rev.
10/2/70 | 2.
Sonny parks in front of the poolhall; he and Billy hurry in -- the dust blowing.
Near the front, there’s a counter, a small candy case, and a green Dr. Pepper machine. SAM ("the lion") is bent over the snooker table, brushing the felt care- fully and slowly. (He wears an old mackinaw and a
pair of thoroughly run-down sheepskin house shoes.)
He winces at the inrush of cold wind, but gives the boys no more than a glance. As he bends to brush again he is seized with a coughing fit and has to stop brush- ing until the fit subsides, going behind the counter for his cough medicine.
During Sam’s seizure, Billy picks up a piece of pool- chalk and ildy begins to lick it. Sonny gets himself a Peanut Pattie and a Dr. Pepper; puts a nickel on the counter and goes over to stand right in front of the old, open-burner gas stove to warm himself. Sam starts to roll a cigarette.
Sam holds out his hand for the chalk Billy is licking. Billy, his tongue quite green, hands it to him, and comes to stand next to Sonny, who grabs his cap. Sam watches as Billy lunges for it and Sonny feints and throws it across the room. - Billy goes to get it.
Sonny idly takes a cue stick, as the sound of very loud MUFFLERS is HEARD. Billy looks nervously outside as Sonny does.
Rev.
10/6/70 3.
ABILENE is seen getting out of his souped-up, shiny Mercury, wearing sunglasses.
. SAM (during the above) You can say that ’bout nearly
everything.
SAM (continuing)
A few football teams’ve had some luck with tackling -- keeps the other team from scoring quite
so often.
Abilene comes in, gives them a nod, unzips his cover- alls and hangs them on a nail. (His flannel shirt has pearl buttons, and his gabardine pants are well- pressed.) Billy begins to sweep along one side of the poolhall, restlessly.
Sam reaches beneath the counter and lays Abilence’s ivory-banded, jointed cue on the counter. Abilene
lays his sunglasses on the counter and Sam automatically puts them in a drawer.
Rev. 10/6/70 4.
( ) Abilene looks at Sam as he assembles his cue. Sam ~ looks at him, gets the point, takes out an old but well-stuffed wallet, and hands Abilene a fifty dollar bill. Both are quite cool when their eyes meet.
Billy sweeps to the door, scared of Abilene; he goes out as Abilene comes by Sonny, who holds the cue awk- wardly, wishing he’d never picked it up. Abilene adds the fifty dollar bill to a huge wad held together by a money clip.
Sonny hurriedly points the cue at the floor.
_ ABILENE | You’re a damn sight more dangerous in a poolhall than you are ona
foolball field. Ever heard of tackling?
Sonny puts up his cue. Abilene breaks a rack of red- balls, moves smoothly around the table. Sam starts to cough again and Sonny goes out.
Billy is three doors away, sweeping at the swirling dust. As Sonny catches up with him, a pickup stops in the mid-
“oN ddle of the street. THREE YOUNG ROUGHNECKS huddle in ( y the back, their coat collars turned up. One is DUANE ~ JACKSON, who jumps out quickly, holding an old lunch
pail. :
(CONTINUED )
Rev. 10/2/70
C) SONNY
a Hey, Duane!
He and Sonny grab Billy, each getting an arm. As they hustle him back to the poolhall, the DRIVER of the pickup honks his horn at them, and yells out his window.
. DRIVER . Why the fuck can’t you kids learn to tackle?!
At a loss for a reply, the boys look at each other, hustle Billy back to the poolhall, and turn to go. Sam leans out the door with a green change-sack in his hand, yells over
the wind. SAM How about takin’ Genevieve some change -- since you’re going? He heaves the sack underhanded -- Duane leaps up and — catches it one-handed, trous along, fades, and throws a Ee short pass to Sonny, who catches it, stops, stoops, and centers the sack back to Duane. They go on down the
street, spiritedly throwing the sack back and forth between them. TWO MECHANICS are standing near the cafe, one of them morosely kicking at the tire of his car. They observe the boys without changing their poker-faced expressions.
1ST MECHANIC Look at that, Larry. They can catch.
(slow drawl} Feisty sonsofbitches, ain’t they? Wisht they could tackle.
1ST MECHANIC Or do somethin’ useful. Team weren’t worth a kiss-my-ass this year.
The boys stop and frown, but the two men sullenly stare
them down, so they go into the cafe, which is rundown on
the outside -- much of the paint peeling off, the sign ea not hanging straight.
et eet
Rev.
10/2/70
Small, clean and cozy, with bright linoleum, four red leatherette booths, several stools, and a shiny juke- box, which is playing. TWO COWBOYS are sitting at the counter, a DRILLER with a toothpick in his mouth is at the cash register, and some ROUGHNECKS occupy two of
the booths.
Duane tosses the sack one final time, but
in catching it Sonny almost runs into GENEVIEVE, carry- ing several plates of sausage and eggs in her hands.
Stepping back, the swinging door to the kitchen hits her on the behind; she fixes them with a fond but stern eye.
A cowboy looks around at them with disgust. * Sonny smiles at her and puts the sack on the counter.
The boys laugh and stand in front of the jukebox as Genevieve waits on tables. Sonny tosses a quarter up and catches it, studying the selections. When he tos- ses it up again, Genevieve catches it.
Sonny laughs, and so does Duane. They take a booth and empty their pockets, pooling their money -- very
little.
( CONTINUED )
Rev.
| ©
10/6/70 7. CONTINUED: 9
A lanky COWBOY stops by their table on the way out, looks down at them, a toothpick in his mouth. The boys don’t notice him.
go clear to Ranger this afternoon.
Duane follows Sonny’s look to the cowboy, whose expres- sion is somber, almost grave. After another silent moment, he shakes his head, says "Tsk," returns the toothpick to his mouth, and walks on out, never once changing his expression. The boys look at each other hopelessly.
Sonny drives out of town in an old, battered, green International truck, with "FARLEY BUTANE AND PROPANE" lettered on the cab. It passes the city limits sign, goes up the long road between pastures of leafless,
black mesquite, and over empty, windblown ridges. The country looks very cold, empty -- the grey ridges stretch far away. He SINGS with the RADIO.
Rev.
CO)
9/24/70 8.
Sonny is filling a butane tank. The door of the truck
is open and the RADIO is playing a hillbilly hit. A couple of chow dogs are BARKING at him from behind a
fence.
The square is empty except for six or eight cars parked in front of the picture show. There is no one at the ticket window, so Sonny just goes in.
MISS MOSEY is scraping out the popcorn machine; she looks up and smiles at Sonny.
Sonny hands her a dollar and takes a package of gum.
There are only slightly more than a score of people seated inside. CHARLENE and MARLENE DUGGS are sitting on the aisle, near the front. Sonny comes down, taps Marlene on the shoulder; the two scoot over a seat and he sits next to Charlene, who wears his football jacket.
(CONTINUED )
sos ae
Rev.
10/2/70 . 8A. CONTINUED: 14 *
Sonny holds out the gum. The girls instantly take sticks and pop them into their mouths almost simul- taneously. Sonny nudges Charlene and gestures with his head. The two get up and move toward the back. They pass Billy sitting alone, the broom beside him, his expression one of deep content as he watches the movie.
Charlene turns to be kissed, then stops to take the chewing gum out of her mouth. They kiss, Sonny keep- ing his ¢ye on the movie. Charlene sighs, leans back, and languidly puts the chewing gum back in her mouth.
aaa No?
CONTINUED: 14 CHARLENE Guess what? SONNY (not looking at her) What? ) CHARLENE It’s our anniversary. SONNY (looks at her) What? CHARLENE We been going steady a year tonight. SONNY (pouts } You shoulda got me some anniversary present. SONNY
Well, you can have another stick of gum -- that’s all I got on me.
He notices Duane and JACY FARROW come in a front exit.
Sonny hands her the gum only, as Duane and Jacy sit down just in front of them, nodding as they do.
Sonny looks at her wistfully, with yearning. Charlene frowns and begins to pop her finger joints, sitting up, very prim and proper as jacy and Duane begin to kiss passionately.
Sonny tries to watch the movie.
Rev.
10/6/70 10/10A.
Sam is opening the front doors of the theatre as a few people straggle out. Billy is already sweeping. Sonny and Charlene exit, Marlene right behind them.
Miss Mosey struggles with a large poster that is flap- ping in the wind. Sam comes out to help her. Duane and Jacy hold hands and dash off toward her convertible, which is parked across the street. AD LIB "Good nights." Sonny and Charlene start unhappily toward the pickup, not holding hands. Marlene is left waiting at the curb, shivering, as the other couples drive away.
‘CUT TO:
Sonny’s pickup stops by the desolate, deserted lakeside ~~ after a moment the lights go out.
Charlene sits close to Sonny -- as steadies should.
Sonny opens the window a crack. The little light from the radio shows us their faces as a TUNE PLAYS. Charlene takes off the football jacket, and matter-of- factly lifts her sweater, HUMMING along with the radio. Sonny unhooks her bra, removes it, and hangs it on the rear-view mirror. He touches her.
(CONTINUED )
|
Rev.
10/2/70 CONTINUED: | 18
They kiss a while -- then stop. Sonny holds one of her breasts in his hand; both of them are listening to the RADIO. Suddenly Charlene looks at Sonny angrily.
Sonny is startled, kisses her and abruptly lowers his hand. Charlene catches it at the navel and breaks the
kiss.
Charlene scoots back across the seat, and takes her bra off the rear-view mirror.
Rev. 9/24/70 . 12.
() CHARLENE
: That’s ‘cause you ain’t good- looking enough. You ain’t even got a ducktail.
. SONNY Like Van Johnson...
let’s go home -- Some anniversary.
Sonny twists the knob on his steering wheel and stares * at the water.
I don’t want to spoil no more aaa anniversaries for you.
. CHARLENE That’s the way nice girls get treated in this town! I knew you wasn’t dependable.
(taking off jacket)
You wasn’t even in the backfield, either.
CHARLENE
This jacket’s got a hole in the pocket, but you needn’t as’ me to sew it up. And you can give me back my pictures. I don’t want you showin’ *em to a lot of other boys and tellin’ them how hot I am.
a, CUT TO:
Rev.
10/2/70
OMITTED
Sonny is sitting at the counter eating a cheesburger, wearing his football jacket. ("Co-Captain"™ stitched across the front in green thread.) Genevieve wipes the counter across from him. . The JUKEBOX is playing quietly.
Sonny watches Genevieve a little longingly, until she turns to him, comes over.
Sonny watches her as he takes a last bite and hands her a ten-dollar bill.
He needs all he’s got.
Sonny nervously begins popping toothpicks out of a dispenser. Genevieve makes change.
( CONTINUED)
Rev. 10/2/70
21 CONTINUED:
Genevieve slaps at his hand to make him let the tooth- picks alone and he walks over to the jukebox and combs his hair in the reflection.
quittin’ before long.
Sonny comes back and gets one more toothpick, as Genevieve draws herself some coffee.
He goes out; she stares after him for a moment.
22 OMITTED
MR. JOHN CECIL is seated cheerfully on the edge of his desk, a book open in his hand.
(CONTINUED )
Rev.
10/2/70 15. CONTINUED: 23
The class is just settling down amid much RUSTLING of books. Duane and Sonny throw punches across the aisle; Jacy has just taken out her mirror, and JOE BOB BLANTON is slicking back his dandruffy blond hair with a comb. LEROY MALONE pops AGNES BEAN’S bra strap loudly; she looks at him fiercely. WINNIE SNIPS and BUD WOOD are also there.
General laughter; Duane looks for Jacy’s reaction -- she is studying her mouth. Joe Bob raises his hand, seriously.
Leroy pops Agnes’ strap again; she takes off her shoe and hits him in the nose with it. Mr. Cecil looks at
them fondly.
Rev. 10/2/70 16.
"23 CONTINUED: (2) 23
While Mr. Cecil reads, Joe Bob opens his chemistry book, Duane dozes on his arms, Sonny looks out the window at two dogs sniffing around gach other on the * front lawn. Jacy studies her mouth, Leroy rubs his nose. *
%
The COACH sits in a bridge chair, scratching his hairy gut (part of which is visible under his sweatshirt) and spitting tobacco juice into a paper cup. The TEAM, all but exhausted, is running laps around the gym, Joe Bob far to the rear, flopping his arms des- perately. Occasionally, when they pass his chair,
the Coach leans over and pops one of them hard with
a towel. Bud and KENNY WOOD and Leroy are among then.
TOMMY LOGAN comes jogging past and the Coach uncon- sciously pats him on the ass as he goes off the court. Sonny stops in front of him, dribbling a basketball, which the Coach takes and throws casually at Joe Bob, who is still flopping his arms.
Rev.
10/2/70
Rev.
CO) 25
10/2/70
DELETED
Jacy is driving her convertible, Duane and Sonny with her; the car moves away from school. Other kids’ cars are in b.g.
1i’l piss ants -- !? You ain’t got no school spirit. (belches)
They all laugh. Suddenly with some flamboyance, Sonny bursts into the school SONG.
( CONTINUED )
Rev.
10/6/70 19/20/21/22. CONTINUED: 26
Duane and Jacy join in, and the three LOUDLY SING the song as they drive down the street, all very happy in the front seat, Jacy’s hair blowing.
Leroy’s car goes by, HONKING LOUDLY at them; it is filled with teenagers.
OMITTED 27 =F
All still in the convertible -- Jacy feeding Duane
french fries -~ cradling his head in her lap, RADIO
PLAYING. JIMMIE SUE is getting orders.
Jacy dangles a french fry and Duane gobbles it. Sonny notices a Cadillac approaching as he takes a big bite.
. SONNY | Better watch it. Here comes your mother.
Jacy quickly makes a little room between herself and Duane, trying to look demure. The Cadillac pulls up beside them. GENE FARROW is driving, scarcely looks at the boys. LOIS FARROW rolls down her window and
fixes Jacy with a stern look.
CONTINUED: | 28
Abilene drives up in his Mercury as the Cadillac pulls out. Gene gives him an ingratiating smile; Abilene nods, looks at Lois through his sunglasses. She looks at him through hers, both of them expressionless. Abilene gives her a small arrogant smile. Lois gives him the finger. Gene drives the car away.
The TV is on. Gene is dozging in his chair, a half- finished drink in one hand. After a moment, Lois gets up, a @rink in her hand, and goes somewhat wearily up the stairs.
Jacy is sitting on her bed, reading a movie magaziné.
On the dresser is a big picture of herself as "Football Queen." A large bulletin board is covered with snapshots of herself and Duane plus a few mementoes (menu from the Junior Prom). Stuffed animals on the bedside table. Lois knocks, comes in and leans against the door. Jacy picks up a jar of blemish cream and goes to the dresser, where she cleanses her face. Her RADIO is playing.
(CONTINUED )
Rev. 9/24/70
30 CONTINUED:
_f
Ch
to be like you.
Well, we can go to the doctor sometime and we’ll arrange something so you won’t have to worry about babies -- You do have to be careful about that.
Rev. 9/24/70 25.
CD JACY
{beyond belief) But Momma, it’s a sin, isn’t it? Unless you’re married? You know I wouldn’t do that.
isn’t anything magic about hin, and then we can send you to a good school --
JACY
Why can’t I just stay here and go to college in Wichita Falls?
LOIs (very straight) Because everything’s flat and empty here -- and there’s nothing to do. (picks up per- fume bottle)
May I have some of this -- ? JACY (grudgingly) Help yourself -- don’t you have any? LOIS
Yes, but I feel like smelling good right now -- don’t you ever feel like doing anything right now?
Lois touches herself behind the ears, puts her hands
on her throat for a moment, savoring the scent, closes
her eyes. The cream is off Jacy’s face and she iooks j - very young. Lois softens.
( CONTINUED )
Rev. 10/6/70 26.
CONTINUED: (3) 30
Jacy looks blank and sleepy. Lois touches her hair.
Lois goes out. Jacy looks after her and goes sleepily toward her bed.
Gene has gone. Lois freshens her drink, looks at the TV a moment, then picks. up the telephone and dials.
ABILENE’S VOICE Hello.
ABILENE’S VOICE Naw.
’ ABILENE’S VOICE Thought I’d drive out and see how my well is coming. LOIS Well, drill hard. You’re better at oil wells anyway. She hangs up, and sits down at the TV with her drink.
CUT TO::
Sonny stops his pickup in front of the house.
(CONTINUED }
Sr __ AAR BEEP a
Rev.
10/2/70 27. CONTINUED: 32
Quite nonchalant, he walks up the sidewalk, looks through doorpane and sees RUTH POPPER sitting in the living room, purse in her lap, looking rather drab in an unbecoming suit. She is listening to the RADIO. When he KNOCKS, she comes to the door.
No, he didn’t mention it. I
thought he was going to drive me himself. I guess he just
couldn’t get off.
She hands him the key chain and he goes to get their Plymouth out of the garage. She goes to turn off the radio.
The wind is blowing, as they drive. Sonny is trying to think of something to say, looks over at her. She daubs at her eyes with a Kleenex. He looks forward again. Ruth opens her lipstick, holds it a minute and puts it back in her purse without using any.
Sonny is waiting in the car -- the RADIO playing. As
Ruth comes out of the clinic, the wind blows her hair.
Sonny opens the door for her; she is crying as she gets
in, a strand or two of hair sticks to her wet cheek. * They drive off.
|
Rev. 9/24/70
Sonny looks at her nervously. She is still crying,
looking out at the bleak country.
(CONTINUED )
27A.
Rev.
ao
10/2/70 CONTINUED: 35
They drive on in silence.
Sonny pulls in, switches off the car. Ruth is looking dully ahead, at nothing. Sonny fiddles with the car keys, then goes around and opens the door for her.
She looks at him apologetically, not taking the keys. The wind blows.
Reluctantly he follows her through the back door.and into the kitchen.
Small, messy, the breakfast dishes haven’t been washed or the table cleared. Ruth can barely find a place to set her purse. Sonny doesn’t know whether to stand or sit.
Rev.
o7
10/2/70 29. CONTINUED: 37
She gets him one, watches him drink; suddenly, to his amazement and disgust, she bursts out CRYING again, loudly, puts her head in her arms and sobs, body shak- ing. Sonny doesn’t even want to swallow what he has
in his mouth. After a moment, she looks up and tries to stop.
She lays down her napkin and looks at him as if for the first time. Stops crying.
( CONTINUED)
Rev.
thru
10/2/70 30/31/32.
CONTINUED: (2) 37 She nods. He backs out and leaves. She looks after him unhappily.
OMITTED 38
Sonny comes out quickly, looking very relieved. He runs up the street to his pickup.
OMITTED thru
EX ERICAN LEGION H2 ~ NIGHT 47
The Christmas dance is in progress, the hall strung with decorations. A hillbilly band SAWS away. People file in, laughing and clapping one another on the back. As Jacy drives up in her convertible, LESTER MARLOW, a more citified boy, comés to her, bourbon flask in hand. She is uninterested in him.
eo
a
Rev.
9/24/70 33. CONTINUED: 47
Duane coming? (Jacy nods)
Say, you know Bobby Sheen, don’t
you -- over to Wichita Falls? JACY Sure -- met him at the Country Club. LESTER
Well, he’s gonna have a midnight swimmin’ party tonight. Wanta run over there with me later?
Miami and everybody swam naked.
Lester and jacy see Duane and Sonny pull in; he starts to back off,
maybe I can.
As Duane comes over, Lester rakishly takes another sip of bourbon, goes into the dance. Sonny wanders in be- hind them.
OO
9/24/70.
CONTINUED: (2) 47 DUANE What’d Lester want? JACY Who? Oh, Lester -- he’s such
a bore.
Jacy kisses Duane, looks at him fondly. Behind then, Abilene and JACKIE LEE FRENCH, are going into the dance.
night.
As Abilene and Jackie come in, Lois, who has been danc- ing and is a little flushed, comes over, wearing a low- necked dress -- the center of most eyes. She gives Abilene a kiss on the mouth, hands. locked around his neck. Jackie Lee is angry. Gene turns away.
Rev.
10/2/70 35. | CONTINUED: 48 ABILENE I never come here to referee no fight. LOIS Good -- then you can dance with me. Takes his arm and pulls him toward dance floor.
Stricken, Jackie Lee turns away angrily, walks toward refreshment stand, passing Ruth and Coach Popper, in a corner; he is irritated. |
He walks away. Ruth looks after him, miserably, as Abilene and Lois dance by.
The band PLAYS on. People take refreshments. Men play dominoes. Mr. Cecil dances with his wife. Charlene is there with a junior. Joe Bob is eating cookies. Leroy comes by and takes them out of his hand. Sonny stands about awkwardly. Jacy and Duane dance by Lester -- she signals him over Duane’s shoul- der. Abilene and Lois dance by grandly. Aware that her mother is upstaging her, Jacy pouts openly.
JACY
It’s too hot in here. Let’s go outside for a while.
er a ey ree re St) sek . My ta ee
- . ce ee mt,
‘ Looe , i
“ JACY see st LE mat
\ 7 Coy x én! twint a lot of drunk hillbillies AEC pocee ewe me ew eee ew CORD ing. on ny. Laate 2 LC ee ee ee fe . omatt.e (sca ofit algal = 9 Cyt |
Dua ATE , IT got something to give you, anywaye’ -tefr Ero lesan
Tray go, they pass Sonny standing alone at the side. Wa seo -.-.. OnwY'S FATHER wateniay than he cvoases to Sonnys ~— ceest at
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Rev.
10/2/70 36. CONTINUED: 49 DUANE Okay. JACY I don’t want a lot of drunk hillbillies tromping on my feet. DUANE I got something to give you, anyway. As they go, they pass Sonny standing alone at the side.
At the pickup, Duane reaches under the front seat and *
gets a package, hands it to her shyly. She brightens.
(starry-eyed) That’s okay.
Jacy unwraps the package -- it’s a wrist watch.
JACY
Oh, it’s jus’ beautiful. It’s just what I’ve been wanting. You're so sweet, spending all that money on me!
{passionate kiss) Oh, you’reé so sexy, Duane. I just wish I didn‘t have to leave you tonight.
{( CONTINUED )
Rev. 9/24/70 37.
You don’t!
DUANE
Well, Goddamn! What kinda thing
is that?! JACY
“Don’t be mad at me, Duane. * DUANE
-I ain’t mad at you, but Goddamn -- *
can’t I come too?
All I wanna do is stay with the man I love.
She kisses him, sprawls across his lap, takes one of his hands, guides it downward to her panties. Duane can hardly believe it. He hesitates, then proceeds. Jacy looks slightly martyred. Duane expects to be stopped, but isn’t -- grows bolder. Jacy seems about to give way, but when Duane tries to lay her down in the seat, she pushes him off.
. ; JACY
~ I gotta go.
SA A nT, ee? es SR Fae | SNESAAT ct
oe
Rev.
10/2/70 38.
She quickly gets out. Too flustered to stop her, 51 Duane straightens his shirt, then sees Lester step
out on the hall porch. Jacy gets in Lester’s convertible. Duane rushes up the steps, grabs Lester by his lapels. Straightening her hair, Jacy watches.
A corwd immediately begins to form around them. Lester is scared but tries to keep up a front.
As he puts up his fists, the SHERIFF looms between them, wearing cowboy hat cigar.
SHERIFF
Here now. None of that shit, boys. This here’s the Christmas season!
{slaps Duane’s fist) Run on there, Wichita. I can’t stand here all night protectin’ your shoeshine.
Lester hurries down to the convertible. Duane stands fuming, clenching his fists.
crazy about me he doesn’t have good sense.
Ags the car pulls out, the Sheriff casually slaps Duane
on the back.
-_ ed
Rev. 10/6/70 39.
Sonny watches the dancers wistfully, goes into a game room where the Coach and some others are playing domi- noes.
DOMINO PLAYER #1 Well, I don’t know...
DOMINO PLAYER #2 Hey, you boys heard any jokes? I ain’t heard one in a month a Sundays.
Sonny goes into the kitchen where Ruth is gathering empty punch cups and dirty paper plates into a large trash basket. .
RUTH
Want to help me?
eee Os | OC coe Rees See One) WO. RMR Reem || ee | eee.
eS
Rev. 10/6/70 39A.
Ruth raises eyebrows, then heads for back door, carry- * ing her basket; Sonny follows. * SONNY (continuing)
I never did, really. I guess we broke up ‘cause we didn’t like each other much to begin with.
. AMERICAN LEGION ALLEY - NIGHT . 53 The only light comes from a street lamp a block away. RUTH I hope you’re not sad about it -- I don’t think Charlene’s nearly nice enough... SONNY I didn’t see you dancing. RUTH No. I don’t dance much. They dump the cups into the barrel, are suddenly very close. Ruth lifts her head and they kiss. Their mouths don’t hit just right and she holds his face and gently guides his mouth to hers. RUTH Will you drive me to the clinic again —~ next week? * SONNY
You bet.
He bends down to find her mouth and kisses so hard that her head is pushed back. A car turns the corner and they hastily break apart, picking up their wastebaskets awkwardly.
Rev. 10/2/70 40.
© SANDY SHEEN, a ten-year-old, wearing a diving mask, is swimming around underwater observing a group of teenage boys and girls playing in the pool naked. One girl kicks him away and he surfaces as Jacy and Lester come timidly in the door.
_ BOBBY Hey, look! New victims.
The kids stop their water fights, swim over to the side of the pool. BOBBY SHEEN makes a big show of jumping * out of the water and shaking Lester’s hands, grinning.
Glad you made it. We’re dressed informally, as you see.
Big laugh. Bobby cocks his leg in acknowledgement. Jacy laughs thinly, trying not to look down. ANNIE- ANNIE MARTIN gets out of the pool, comes over, puts an arm around Bobby.
Cheer from the others.
~ LESTER - Yeah, I did it last Easter.
ee ee Ol Anne Mere N atrae aranticere hres Seans
Rev. 10/2/70 40A.
Everybody out for the strip show!
55 Everyone gets out of the pool and sits on the edge, 55 kicking their feet in the water. The room goes quiet except for the record playing. As Jacy gets to the diving board, she hears Lester jump into the pool behind her. She gingerly climbs up on the diving board, so nervous she can hardly keep her balance.
9/24/70 41.
CONTINUED: 55 She is surprised to see Sandy beneath her.
The kids laugh, then quiet. Sandy dives underwater, Hesitantly, Jacy begins to strip.
Jacy strips -- just as she is taking off her bra the phonograph stops and clicks off. Sudden silence. Un- nerved, she almost falls, has to sit down. Just beneath the board, Sandy surfaces, looking up at her. She yanks off her panties and indignantly throws them on his mask,
jumps into the water. Everyone roars applause, jumps into the pool, starts splashing. Pleased with herself,
‘Jacy holds onto the side and suddenly notices that she is
still wearing Duane’s Christmas watch, puts it to her ear, listens for a moment, concern in her face. She shakes it and listens again; it has stopped. She looks up to see that Bobby has been watching her, smiles broadly and shrugs at him.
Duane, already a little drunk, morosely takes a swig from a bottle of whiskey, passes it to Leroy; several other BOYS are with them as Sonny and Billy come up.
a
10/2/70
Good idee. Whyn’t we try an’ hunt up some pussy?
56 CONTINUED:
57-59 DELETED
anyway.
A3.
Rev.
I oughta get at least
10/6/70 44.
Under a flickering flashlight, over a dollar in change lies in a baseball cap. Jimmie Sue is looking Billy * over.
LEROY
We're a quarter short.
two dollars -- this
thing’s just a kid. SONNY He would -- an’ I’d as soon LEROY not get crosswise with Sam.
Hell, no, you said a
dollar and a half.
Well -- I guess I’d jus’ as soon an idiot as not -- Only thing I draw the line at is Mexicans and niggers. I guess I tol’ ya ‘bout that nigger man in high-heels stole ny
suitcase right outa the
bus station -- that time I went to Los Angeles...
KENNY * I got another quarter.
LEROY
Okay, that’s it.
Holding a flashlight, Leroy gives Jimmie Sue the 61 change; she pockets it, climbs into the car. The . boys remove Billy’s pants. Sonny hangs back unhappily.
LEROY
Cocksmen like you don’t need it.
JIMIIE SUE’S VOICE Get the stupid little thing in here -~ I ain’t got all night.
They shove Billy into the car, all tight with lust.
9/24/70 61 CONTINUED:
JIMMIE SUE’S VOICE Why, this is the dumbest thing I ever seen -~ it don’t even know what to do.
Sonny looks worried. Suddenly the car begins to rock --
the boys yell encouragement.
JIMMIE SUE’S VOICE You kids stop that yellin’ an’ get ahole of this thing. He ain’t -- why Goddamn you -- mow just look would you? Goddamn -- you stupid little thing, you couldn’t even wait! Look at this mess!
~~
Rev. 10/2/70 46.
CONTINUED: (2) 61
Billy half-falls out of the car. Jimmie Sue has bloodied his nose. Sonny helps him with his pants, as Jimmie Sue gets out.
cur TO:
Sam stands in the open door, steps down onto the sidewalk
as the car drives up. Sonny gets out with Billy, who runs * into the poolhall. Sam stops him for a look, then lets him go inside, looks back at the boys as they get out. Duane stays in the back seat, feigning sleep.
We chipped in an’ bought him a piece of ass ~ thought he was gettin’ tired of bein’ a virgin. - (silence) She got mad about something and bloodied his nose. (silence) He didn’t even know what he was supposed to do...
Sam gives them all a long look.
{ CONTINUED)
Rev. 10/6/70 47.
62. CONTINUED: 62 OO SAM (cont’d) ‘ Scarin’ an unfortunate creature like Billy -- just so’s you can
have a laugh or two. I’ve seen
a lotta trashy behavior -~ seen
a lifetime of it -- and I’m tired
of putting up with it. You can * just stay outta this poolhall --
and outta my cafe and picture
show, too -- I don’t want none | of your business.
He looks at Sonny for a moment. SONNY
We didn’t mean... for anything bad to happen, Sam... We...
He goes inside, closes door, turns off light. Long pause.
Stricken, they struggle to the car, where Duane sits up and grins.
The car drives in. Sonny reaches for Ruth’s hand; she scoots over to him; they kiss, awkward but warm, get out. a little reluctantly and head for the back door.
. 6A INT... POPPER BEDROOM - DAY 64
One one wall is a plaque from the Boy Scouts National
Jubilee; some copies of High School Athletics lay on
the bedside table. Ruth and Sonny enter awkwardly.
Rev. 10/2/70
© SONNY
You sure he won’t come?
She takes his hand again; they kiss standing up. Both nervous, they hurry about their own undressing. When Ruth bends to pull the slip over her head, one of the straps catches on a bobby pin -- for an awkward moment, her face is hidden in the silk. Sonny moves to help her, but she tears it loose. Both choked with embar- rassment, they get under the covers, Ruth first. They embrace, and he starts hesitantly to move on top of her.
He moves into place. The squeak of the bedspring is not loud at first, but steadily it grows, begins to distract Ruth. She becomes even more tense, looks anguished.
Spring grows louder. Ruth twists, looks aside. Springs grow louder.
f
shrills loudly.
68 BACK TO SCENE 68
\ Ruth begins to cry. Sonny raises up to see what’s wrong -- she forces his head down, hooks her arm around his neck, continues to cry. He finishes, the spring is silent, but tears stream down Ruth’s cheeks. He looks at her questioningly -- she shakes her head, silent, unable to speak. Sonny doesn’t know what to say. Ruth tries to smile, strokes his shoulder with one hand; a little calmer.
( CONTINUED )
Rev. 10/2/70 49.
C) a SONNY
Aw, he ain’t going to come. They’re runnin’ plays right now, I bet.
7 RUTH No, not scared of that -~ I was scared I could never do this, I guess. I can’t do anything without crying about it -- how could you like me?
Sonny drives slowly through town, hair combed as if he were going someplace. He slows down passing the pool- hall. MThrough the window he can see Sam, Duane and Billy. He drives on, slows a moment in front of the cafe to see Genevieve, serving cheesburgers and laugh- ing with the customers. Sonny stops at the red light,
uncertain, slowly drives out to the Y. *
Sonny arrives at the Y, stops, sits on the hill, the *
RADIO on, eating a peanut pattie and looking back at *
the lights of the town. * 70 NT. POPPER BEDROOM -— DA 70
The bed is neatly made up, but there is a quilt on the floor that is rumpled. Clothes lie around. Sonny is a sitting at Ruth’s dresser in his underpants; she has a \ oy man’s shirt on, is combing his hair for him; he watches ~ fascinated. She parts it in the middle; he laughs. A RADIO is playing.
Se ee a
Rev.
10/2/70
There is a plate of cookies and a glass of milk there that Sonny is casually eating.
RUTH
There. How dad’you like it? SONNY
Okay. RUTH
You’re so enthusiastic. You want some more milk?
I wasn’t brought up to leave a husband ~- I guess that’s why. Or maybe I was jsut scared to. I’11 have to get you some new pants.
She finishes his hair.
493A.
Rev. 10/2/70
70 CONTINUED: (2)
A71 - H71l DELETED
Rev,
TIA
10/2/70
Soonny walks over to the cafe and looks in the window.
Genevieve is sitting in a booth, reading Ladies Home Journal; a car goes by in the reflection.
Sonny hesitates, then timidly opens the door. Genevieve looks up, smiles.
5S1A.
oars ee
EE EO EE Ee EE eo Ee ee ee ee
Rev. 10/2/70
71B CONTINUED:
71B *
. Sam -- was it your idea?
He wag there, wasn’t he? Just didn’t have the decency to own up to it.
(looks at Sonny) Don’t worry ~- I won’t tell on him. Should though.
GENEVIEVE | Nothin’ -~- just an awful small town for any kinda carryin’ on.
Rev. 10/6/70 53.
71B CONTINUED: {2) _ 71B SONNY (blushing) Don’t forget to put some onions en. GENEVIEVE
An‘ some people got a lotta guns.
He is embarrassed. She looks at him fondly -- then chuckles. oo
Sonny grins and goes to the jukehox, plays a TUNE, takes a toothpick. The front door opens and Biliy and Sam come in. Sonny is dismayed. Billy breaks into a big grin, comes over at once. Sam looks stern. Hesitantiy, Sonny turns Billy’s baseball cap around backwards. Billy is content.
He starts for the door as Genevieve comes in and sets the cheeseburger down on the table loudiy.
Relieved, Sonny comes back quickly, sits. Billy joins him. Sam looks at Genevieve, who is smiling.
Rev.
71B
10/6/70 54. CONTINUED: (3) 71B * SAM Guess y’all need glasses... Sonny grins, Sam coughs, blows his nose.
The coach pulls into his garage, takes some fishing gear out and goes happily in the back door. The front door opens and Sonny comes out quickly.
cur TO:
OMITTED 73
YU
Three fishing poles are propped up at the water’s edge. Sam is sitting on the grass, whittling. Sonny and Billy are on the dam, throwing stones.
Billy runs down to the poles, Sonny sits by Sam, who starts to roll a cigarétte.
I never liked to clean fish -- or eat them, either -- ya spend half your time picking out bones. [ jus’ come out here to get a little scenery -- too pretty a day to Spend in town.
Sonny fumbles with the paper and tobacco as Sam finishes his own, looks around sadly.
SAM
Oh, me ~- you wouldn’t believe how this country’s changed. First time I seen it there wasn’t a mesquite tree on it -~ or a prickly pear neither.
(lights up) I used to own this land, you know. First time I ever watered a horse at this tank was -- more than fifty years ago.
(pauses ) Reason I always drag you out here, probably -- I’m just as sentimental as the next fella when it comes to old times.
(MORE)
Rev. 10/2/70 55A.
CONTINUED: 74
Sonny is having a terrible time with the cigarette. Sam takes the makings, does it for him.
I brought a young lady swimming here once -- must be twenty years ago. Was after my wife had lost her mind -- my boys was dead -~
(pause) Me and this young lady was... pretty crazy, I guess, In pretty deep. She had all the spirit in the world ~~ and we had some times,.. We used to come out here on horseback and swim the horses across the tank. Hell of a @aangerous thing to do -- good way to get drowned. She bet me a silver dollar she could beat me -- an@ she @gid -- my horse never wanted to take the water. She was always on the lookout for something like that -- something wild... She’s still got the silver dollar.
(looks at the
water)
10/2/70 56. CONTINUED: | 74
We oughta go to a real fishin’ tank next year. Don’t do to think about things like that too much... If she was here now I’d probably be crazy agin in about five minutes. Ain’t that ridiculous?
(pause) I ain’t really. Being crazy ‘bout a woman like her’s always the right thing to do.
(long pause,
amused) Bein’ a decrepit old bag of bones -- that’s what’s ridiculous -- gettin’ old...
The water is still, as Sonny and Sam stare quietly at *
it. *
The pool is silent, empty. The phonograph is playing. In the den, two teenage couples are dancing, a couple more are necking in corners. On a couch, Jacy is making no attempt to conceal her disgust with Lester, who is alternately kissing her neck and trying to unbutton the first button on her blouse. Finally succeeds.
She goes out; Lester fixes his shirt. *
Rév.
10/2/70 57.
Bobby is spreading himself a peanut butter sandwich as Jacy comes in.
Annie-Annie asleep?
As she comes near, Bobby casually puts his hand on her crotch. Taken by surprise, Jacy is at a loss, but doesn’t move away. Bobby kisses her, smiles.
CcuUT TO;
Rev. 10/2/70
-_ 77 DELETED
- NIGHT
Sonny and Duane sit gloomily at the counter, eating some pie, the jukebox playing. They sit in silence for several moments. Suddenly:
They head for the door.
78A OMITTED
cuUT TO:
778A
Rev. 10/2/70
Moves down Main Street. Sam is sitting on the curb in front of the poolhall, scratching his ankles. Sonny drives up, sticks his head out the window.
Sam comes over, puts foot on the running board.
Goin’ to Mexico tonight? In this old heap of junk? My God.
Sam takes his wallet out, hands Sonny a twenty dollar bill.
59/60.
Rev. 11/14/70 61.
79 CONTINUED:
SAM
You get the clap you’11 wish you hadn’t drunk nothing.
(looks at them
fondly, sighs,
steps back) Oh, me.
(shakes his head)
The boys wave, pull away. Sam lifts a hand with a far- away look in his eye. Through the rear window, Duane
and Sonny see him standing there, alone in the empty street.
cur TO:
80-89 OMITTED 80-89
Rev.
C) 90
11/14/70 | 62-66.
They cross past the city limits sign.
Sonny driving doggedly, unshaven; Duane asleep against window, mouth open. They have a couple of Mexican hats.
Duane closes eyes in pain. Sonny looks off, slowing.
It is closed and dark.
' SONNY It’s closed. DUANE Closed? SONNY Yeah. DUANE (looking)
I never seen it closed before.
oN ;
i ) %,
~~
Rev. 11/14/70
The pickup pulls up, boys get out, stagger to door. locked and it’s dark inside. They peer in.
DUANE |. Okay.
93A
It is
Andy is sleeping with his feet sticking out the window. Duane
shakes one foot until he sits up. bewildered.
Asleep--everybody’s got any sense.
9/24/70 68/69.
CONTINUED: 94
on one of the snooker tables. Had a stroke,
Andy nods his head. Sonny and Duane look at him Silently.
Sonny sits down on the curb, looks across the street at the dark poolhall. Duane kicks at one of Andy’s tires.
He had ‘is own way of doin’ things, that’s fer sure. They found his will -- craziest thing you ever heard. Left you the poolhall, Sonny -~ what do you think of that?
(spits, scratch-
ing gut)
Sonny looks up, but the information barely registers.
‘ i \ a
Rev. 10/2/70 70.
CONTINUED: (3) 94
ANDY
Left Genevieve the cafe -- that’s the only thing he done made any sense. Left the picture show to old Miss Mosey. Hell, she’s too far gone to even run a popcorn machine --
(spits again,
clears throat) And the craziest thing of all -- he left a thousand dollars to Joe Bob Blanton -- the preacher’s boy ~~ beats all I ever heard of. He could just as easy have left it to me. I deserve it least as much as that little ingorant hastard.
They are all silent. The stop light blinks. Sonny sits staring at it. Andy sits on the fender.
The graveyard is on a rough, gravelly hill, the wind is blowing loudly. Brother Blanton is praying. Joe Bob is near him. Sonny, Billy and Genevieve are standing together, watching the casket being lowered. Sonny’s sportscoat is too short at the wrists -- the wind blows Genevieve’s veil. She is crying. Duane is standing back in the crowd, so is Mr. Cecil. The Coach and Ruth are there, as are most of the town. She and Sonny exchange a look. Lois Farrow stands slightly apart from the rest. She is crying openly ~-- tears stream down her face. She wipes it with her glove. People start to move away. .
XT. CHER TY - WICHITA FALLS ROAD - DAY 96
A crudely-painted sign reads: "SENIOR PICNIC OR BUST- ARCHER HIGH, 1952". It is attached to a car in a line of ten cars on its way down the road at a moderate pace.
ee Oe OF
Rev.
10/2/70
DAY :
It is a large old model, packed with boys: Duane, Sonny, Bud and Leroy, all of them hacking around, kidding Duane with wild references to some future event. He is taking it cockily.
‘BUD Sure is a ripe one.
Sonny is abstracted, not paying attention, as he sits by the back window, looking sadly out the cracked window. Past his reflection, the gray wastes of West Texas can
be seen. The car passes a tank dam. Tears come into
his eyes as he looks out at the barren landscape, and the other boys’ wild revelry goes on behind him.
The senior class, a couple of TEACHERS and ROOM MOTHERS are relaxing on the grass. Some long tables of food have been set up. A large group of the kids are playing softball. doe Bob is in an earnest conversation with Mr. Cecil. Leroy is popping girls bra straps.
At one corner of the park near some bushes, Jacy, Winnie Snips and Agnes Bean are surreptitiously con- gregating, glancing furtively around. They look at each other and indicate for Jacy to go. She slips away behind the bushes. After a moment, Agnes goes. Winnie looks across the field where she sees:
Sonny and Duane looking at her. She nods several times. Duane nods back, and she, too, Slips away. Sonny and Duane walk over to Bud, who gives them some keys, then walk toward the bushes with a mock-casual manner.
10/2/70 71A.
Winnie’s car, full of Jacy, Agnes, and Winnie -- pulls up to the office of the motel. They sit inside, egging Jacy to go out and register. She is shaking her head nervously, enjoying it all enormously. Finally,
Agnes gets out and heads inside, followed by Winnie. Jacy watches excitedly.
XT. WICHITA F. MOTEL - DA 102 * Sonny and Duane drive up in Bud’s car, looking around
nervously. They pull in two spaces away from the girls’ car, where Winnie and Agnes sit anxiously.
' Their eyes méet. Winnie points excitedly toward one
Rev.
()
of the motel rooms. Sonny grins at Duane, who gets out cockily and walks over to the door. Sonny and the girls exchange embarrassed smiles. Duane knocks on the door furtively.
JACY’S VOICE (from within)
Come in. OMI'TTED 103 *
_dacy is standing in the middle of the darkened room,
wearing a new nightgown and a rapturous expression.
“Duane closes the door. They embrace. There is a long
kiss.
Kisses her again, fondles her; they sit on the bed and he takes off her pajamas, looking at her with disbelief.
He takes off his clothes, hands shaking, rolls over on top of her eagerly. They kiss again. When they part, Jacy closes her eyes, sucks in her breath. Duane’s face begins to cloud. Jacy wiggles; after several moments, opens her eyes again.
os
10/2/70
Duane is suspended over her, raised on his arms. He an expression of extreme dismay on his face.
( CONTINUED )
71B.
has
—
9/24/70
Jacy shuts her eyes again, waits, opens her eyes.
She shuts her eyes, screws up her face. Opens them again. —
_ JACY Well, get off a minute, for goodness sake. You might fall and mash me.
Gloomily he sits on the edge of the bed. Jacy sits up and
looks with vexation at the offending organ.
Jacy gets out of bed and stalks around the room, naked
and furious, holding her voice down as best she can. *
Furiously, she flings a towél across the room. Duane starts to dress.
~
(CONTINUED )
Rev. 10/2/70
104 CONTINUED:
/ C) \
‘
(2)
The whole class knows -- I just want to cry. I think you’re the meanest boy I ever saw -- my mother was dead
right about you.
He starts to leave.
JACY | (throws panties at him)
“Oh! If you say that one more
time, I’1l bite you!
Duane comes out, dressed, pretending cockiness, goes toward Sonny in the car, avoiding the girls’ looks. and Sonny exchange smiles.
Winnie and Agnes pile into the room. on the well-rumpled bed, her nightgown on askew. looks at them languorously, calm, a little wasted even.
FALLS MOTEL - DAY
Jacy is sitting She
105 *
( \
—_ _/
110A
8/2/70 74. CONTINUED: | 106
Graduation ceremonies. On the stage the teachers are singing the State Song... Standing in the first two rows is the entire Senior Class, who are in their grad- uation robes. Also there are the parents of many of the seniors; also, a score of other students. Winnie, Agnes, Sonny -~ all singing. Jacy is too, but Duane standing next to her, is whispering something. She just shakes her head grimly, keeps on pangenge His voice rises slightly.
Jacy just looks annoyed.
It is the same motel. The pickup is parked in front of one room. After a moment the door opens and Jacy comes out, looking cross, followed by Duane, who acts pleased and cocky. He shuts the door, smirks at her smugly, as they head for the pickup.
cur TO;
OMITTED 109
Sonny comes in the back door. Through the window, we see Ruth’s face brighten as he enters. They embrace and kiss. She touches his cheek. The RADIO is playing. She takes his hand, leads him into:
Ruth goes to. bureau, takes a package from a drawer, and gives it to Sonny, eyes shining. ( CONTINUED )
9/24/70 75.
° RUTH
It’s your graduation present.
He opens it quickly, finds a leather billfold with his name on it.
They kiss again.
Phone RINGS. Jacy is doing her hair, lets it ring * twice, then unhurriedly picks it up, cradles it in her neck.
DUANE
Jacy?
_ JACY
What’s on your feeble mind, Duane? DUANE
Same as it’s been... I want a date! JACY
Uh-uh -- why don’t you go back to
Mexico -- I guess girls are just
easier to please down there.
py JACY ry, Uh-uh. You find someone else to
pester. I’ve got a new boy friend now and I can’t be talking to you.
( CONTINUED )
~)
9/24/70
Bobby Sheen, of course.
She calmly hangs up, and turns her attention back to her eyes. Duane throws a pool ball as hard as he can at the back wall. It scares an OLD MAN sitting there half to death.
He throws another two. Billy and Sonny look on, amazed. Duane storms out.
Sonny, Duane and Billy stand near a large cattle truck. All look solemn, even Billy, but Duane has also a kind of sullen stubbornness. He carries a cheap suitcase. Sonny shakes his head.
Duane turns Billy’s cap around, sadly, and climbs up in the truck, which starts up slowly. Duane leans out.
QU
a ee i APR iret w ee Eb eee ne (i Sed - Pe A J a a Ne lt lt i rar, Ne al aD
10/2/70 77/77K/78/79.-
Rev.
Jacy, in shorts, is glumly watching TV, her face slight- ly puffy; she twitches restlessly from time to time, sniffs. Abilene comes to the door, raps on the doorjamb.
JACY
Oh, hi. I didn’t hear you. ABILENE
Gene home? JACY
No. He and Momma went to the
club. He looks at her silently a moment. ABILENE
What’re you doin’ home on a Saturday night?
JACY
Bobby Sheen ran off an’ got
married ~- * ABILENE
oh. * JACY
To Annie-Annie Martin.
{pause}
( CONTINUED )
)
Rev.
A117
10/6/70 80. CONTINUED: | 116
ABILENE — If there are they’1l be in back asleep now -- won’t bother us -- I got my own key.
Jacy gets up a little nervously, smooths her hair.
Abilene unlocks the door and they come in.
Only the light from the street lamp comes through the window. Jacy looks around.
JACY * Goodness, it sure is dark in here.
She gets a pool cue, goes to hit the ball, while Abilene takes off his coverall. He comes over behind her, takes away the pool cue and pulls her to him into a kiss. When they part, he lays the cue down on the table, gets a cloth, lays it on too, and lifts her to the table. She hooks her hands into the corner pockets.
{
Rev.
10/6/79 SOA. NT. ABILENE’S ¢ OW STREET) ~ NIGHT 118 * On the dashboard is a nude woman with tiny bloodstones *
for nipples. Jacy is rumpled, uncertain, subdued. Abilene is inscrutable. The RADIO plays.
She leans over to kiss him but he turns his face away.
Jacy gets out, very puzzled, starts across the yard, carrying her sandals. Abilene races his motor, making the mufflers ROAR, as he backs out.
Lois is in her bathrobe, watching TV. She has heard the mufflers and heads for the kitchen, a drink in her hand. In passing, she glances in a mirror and fluffs her hair.
9/24/70 81.
Jacy comes in as Abilene guns away. Still barefoot, hair tangled, she looks scared and confused. A look of pain crosses Lois’ face when she sees her. Jacy starts to cry, sits helplessly at the kitchen table.
Lois just shakes her head, puts her drink down, wipes Jacy’s face with a Kleenex.
-~- I’1ll jus’ be an ol’ maid --
| LOIS * Oh, no, that’s just the way it goes, you know -- win a few,
lose a few --
; JACY * What do you do? Nothing’s ever the way it’s supposed to be at
all. LOIS (smooths Jacy’s hair) yYou’re right, but what I’ve done hasn’t worked very well -- Maybe
we better work out something different for you.
Lois embraces her, and leads her into:
The TV is still on. Lois sighs.
(CONTINUED )
Rev. 10/2/70
fe JACY (incredulous)
Ruth Popper?!
JACY » Sonny?! Sonny Crawford?
everything. JACY Why, that’s the silliest thing I ever heard of -- she’s forty
years old.
herself) Sonny’s always wanted to go with me... cUT TO:
Sonny is racking for eight-ball, as the Sheriff aims his cue; MONROE, the deputy, bursts in.
The Sheriff shoots and the cue-ball bounces onto the floor.
Rev.
_ 122 c N
‘\ Nees
10/2/70 83. CONTINUED: | 122
Sonny and others in the hall are listening. SHERIFF A What the hell? Maybe Joe Bob give her a ride home -~ be doing
her a favor, hot as it is. Why’d he want to kidnap Molly Clarg?
she’s done looked everywhere for ‘em. They was seen drivin’ out
of town toward Olney. Miz Clarg’s afraid Joe Bob might be goin’ to mo-lest her or something.
The Sheriff frowns gravely, quickly slaps his cue into
a rack, heads for the door.
Sonny and the others come forward quickly.
Three cars roar down the road, the Sheriff’s in the lead.
Sonny is sitting in the back seat with two men. The Sheriff mops his sweating brow on his shirt sleeve. SHERIFF Boys, I don’t know what to think, but I fear the worst... (seeing something) There he is!
Rev.
10/6/70 84.
~
The preacher’s old Plymouth stops as the three cars come skidding up. The Sheriff quickly gets out, rolling down his shirt sleeves. Joe Bob sits in the Plymouth, look- ing miserable. Everyone gets out of the cars and starts looking indecisively at the Plymouth. A couple of men spit. Sonny is apprehensive and confused. MRS. CLARG suddenly becomes hysterical, runs over and yanks MOLLY out. She is five, holds and all-day sucker and a stuffed dog and doesn’t have her panties on.
the one done it -- why don’t you get him?! If my husband was here he’d kill ‘em dead!
The Sheriff and Monroe pull Joe Bob out of the car.
Joe Bob starts to say something but is too scared and nervous to get it out. He catches Sonny’s eye and looks pathetically at him. Mrs. Clarg goes berserk:
as Joe Bob hangs. from the arms of the Sheriff and Monroe, she suddenly beats at him with the stuffed dog.
In her fury she hits the Sheriff and Monroe, knocking one man’s glasses flying.
A couple of men hold her off; ‘the Sheriff and Monroe hustle him toward the car as Brother Blanton runs up, yelling almost incoherently.
Rev.
10/2/70 85. CONTINUED: 125
They half-drag, half~carry Jae Bob to the Sheriff’s car. A couple of men help Mrs. Clarg who still clutches
the stuffed dog. Molly trails behind, still licking the all-day sucker. Sonny goes to the Plymouth where hea finds her underpants qn the front seat.
There is a crowd of people gathered in the street talk- ing to one another, shaking their heads. Sonny comes from the jail as Jacy drives up in her convertible, honks, waves. He comes over.
Uh-huh -- I felt lonesome -~ thought. you might wanta drive around a while.
mrt tee ¥ i tant aia tae Ae elie tlre ir: SE wher Veneer mle A A NA A ie re
Rev,
J 130°
10/6/70 86. CONTINUED: 126
Sonny looks at her, then opens the door.
Bright afternoon sunlight fills the room. Ruth has re- papered the walls and is just putting on some finishing touches. Fresh, expectant, she looks out the window, then glances at her watch, a little anxious. The
RADIO is on.
cUT To:
ad Y E E = 128 *
Jacy’s arm is stretched out as Sonny drives. . RADIO playing. She sighs.
JACY . ! You ever hear from Duane?
. SONNY I had a postcard.
She scoots over, sits close to Sonny. He glances at her quickly.
The car pull up and stops.
_ JACY’S C ITY - | 130 They, sit together for several moments, Sonny scared
to look at her. ( CONTINUED )
SS eS ee EE eS ne:
Rev. 10/2/70 B6A.
oN 130 CONTINUED: 130 oa JACY Sonny. SONNY (turns to her) What?
She closes her eyes, leans forward and sighs. Hesitant- ly, not quite sure he can believe it, Sonny kisses her. Jacy puts her arms around his neck.
CUT TO;
It is almost dark. Ruth sits on the bed, her face blank, RADIO still on. A car pulls into the driveway, door SLAMS, garage door SCREECHES, back door SLAMS. Mechanically, Ruth gets up.
The water is tranquil, the sky is beautiful. The kiss- ing has become more passionate. Jacy’s blouse is un- buttoned, her breasts are bared. He works her down on the seat. Suddenly she puts hand over his mouth, speaks huskily.
‘ JACY Not here. I’m too old for screwing in cars.
‘(kisses him) I don’t like to be in a hurry.
I’m afraid to right now... I think my folks are watchin’ me. They know I don’t wanna go to college and they might think we’re going to run off and get married.
; (nuzzles his
j ear ) We'll do it when it’s safe... we've got all summer...
Rev.
10/2/70 87/88.
Driving past Ruth’s house, he looks guiltily at it; turns the corner.
CcuT TO: OMITTED 134 *
A bright, second-hand Mercury is parked in front of the poolhall, as a pickup full of ROUGHNECKS pulls up and Sonny jumps out, dirty and greasy. He looks in. the car, sees Duane just sitting up, blinking in the sunlight. Sonny is uneasy.
(CONTINUED )
i)
9/24/70 | 89.
| SONNY Hey, Duane.
Tanned dark, Duane gets out, wearing a Levi shirt with the arms cut out; they shake hands.
A moment of stiff silence; both grin, but they’re not really friendly. Sonny looks at the car.
(lights a cigarette) Wanna beer? . * SONNY ; Not me. * DUANE
(getting one from front seat)
‘S about all I eat for breakfast * anymore. * SONNY Sure is a nice car. * ' * DUANE
I like to drive it so much I thought I’d run home for the weekend.
i)
Rev.
10/2/70
(2)
Duane drinks his beer and absently wipes bugs off
the grill with a kerchief.
SONNY | Whoever told you didn’t know what he was talkin’ about. Sure, I been gain’ with her, why not?
Rev.
10/2/70
{ CONTINUED)
136 CONTINUED:
(2)
(CONTINUED )
9/24/70 93.
CONTINUED: (3) 136
Enraged, Duane hits him with the bottle, catching him * on his eye. They slug at one another wildly, close,
and struggle. Sonny’s eye bleeds, almost closed. Some
men run out of the cafe; Genevieve behind them. Sonny Blowly collapses to his knees. Duane goes to hin,
scared. Sonny passes out as the others run up.
. SONNY’ OOM - 137
Sonny is in bed, one eye bandaged, trying to roll a cigarette. The RADIO is playing. A NURSE comes in.
She hands him a note; Sonny opens it.
INSERT - NOTE 138
It reads: "May I come in and see you a little while? Ruth."
asleep.
9/24/70 94.
SONNY | If I go to sleep right now will you tell her I’m asleep? Please?
She goes out. Sonny lowers himself uneasily in the bed.
140 XP. = 140 Ruth walks out the door slowly, heading for the car.
141 . POO - DA 141
Sonny sits behind the counter, eating a cheesburger. He looks drawn, but is dressed. The bandage on his eye is smaller. Billy is sweeping, Genevieve cleaning up the counter for hin.
GENEVIEVE
Good place for ‘im, too.
. SONNY
Oh, he was jus’ holdin’ that *
hottle ~~ didn’t mean re hit me *
with it -- * GENEVIEVE
That boy’s always had meanness
in him -- ‘couse Jacy’s jus’ the
kinda girl brings out the meanness
in a man. She looks him in the eye, but Sonny turns to his sandwich.
Dan roughnecked with Gene Farrow. * He and Lois lived in a little one * room place over the newspaper office.
( HORE}
9/24/70
141 CONTINUED:
She waves at Billy, who grins back. wallet down.
GENEVIEVE (cont’d)
Lois couldn’t afford a flour-sack, much less a mink.
(stares at floor) I’1ll always have a soft spot for her, though... I wondered a lotta times what would’ve happened if Dan had made the strikes Gene made -- they offered the rig to Dan first -- but then Dan Morgan never took a chance in his life --
SONNY
-Do you wish y’all had made it?
_ GENEVIEVE (tired smile) Oh, sure, I wish we’d made it.
(going)
- Well, the cafe won’t run itself
«..- you rest up now. 1/11 bring you some dinner.
Thanks. Here’s for the cheeseburger.
Jacy is just getting out of her car out. She looks at Jacy hard, which flusters her.
Sonny lays his
as Genevieve comes
9/24/70 96.
7 Billy brings Sonny a peanut pattie as Jacy comes in, looking sorrowful. JACY Sonny? | SONNY Come on in. | She comes over, gives him a big kiss... she looks at * Billy, who moves away warily; Jacy clearly doesn’t like * ) him. JACY Oh, I was so worried I just had | to see you -- * } SONNY — I been missin’ you -- I’m a lot better’n I was. } JACY ) You just can’t believe how famous we are -- we’re all anybody talks | about in this town now -- | SONNY | (unhappily) I guess so. JACY I want us to get married. SONNY What?! JACY I really do -- just as soon as you want to. SONNY Get married? JACY Don’t you want to? SONNY Oh yeah, yeah. % She picks up the wallet Ruth gave Sonny and fondles it, * a, which makes him a little nervous.
- (CONTINUED)
a,
9/24/70
run off.
JACY
Oh, they won’t. They’1l1 get over it. You’re workin’ for Daddy now anyway, and pretty soon they’1l1 love you as much as I do.
(kisses him)
Can we?
SONNY | Sure. I just hope I can see to drive.
cuT TOs
A sign says, "Madill, Oklahoma, 5 miles." Sonny and Jacy drive by in her convertible; she’s driving.
Sonny, wearing and eye patch, looks extremely happy. Jacy’s hair blows, her smile a little strained. Sonny puts his hand on her leg, under her skirt. She pushes it off, looks at him nervously. The RADIO plays.
Sonny leans over and kisses her on the neck. She flinches.
Rev. 10/2/70 | | : 99.
CONTINUED: 145 SONNY I can take it off pretty soon... We’1l1 be to Lake Texoma in two * hours -- have a room to ourselves. * JACY (annoyed)
My goodness, you’re sitting so close I can barely drive.
cuT TO:
The sun is setting as they drive by.
Sonny is not sitting so close but Jacy looks even more nervous. A patrol car comes toward them. Jacy is hopeful, Sonny worried. It goes by. Jacy looks dashed; glancing in her rear-view mirror, she sees the car make a U-turn behind them. Her face brightens, but she feigns otherwise.
Sonny looks back miserable. Police car pulls them over, lights flashing. PATROLMAN gets out. *
(they nod) Well, better follow me in. I think somebody’s a-lookin’ for you.
Rev. 10/2/70 100.
of gum) I ain’t arrestin’ you. TI just want you to come with me, till we find out. I don’t have no idea what you got a right to do.
The Patrolman goes to his car. Jacy kisses Sonny lightly as she puts the car in gear.
Ne
Rev.
11/14/70 ; 101.
OMITTED _ . . 148
Gene Farrow is coming out with Lois, Sonny and jacy, whom he grabs by the arm away from Sonny. ‘
Sniffing, Jacy fishes them out.
LoIs
Oh, shut up and take her home.
Jacy looks back. Gene leads her to the Cadillac, spins off with her. Sonny stands watching her go off. Lois comes over, taps his arm.
She brings out a little flask.
BN SE: nn TIN oo — ee Sx
i el cera ioe
Rev. 11/14/70 102.
Sonny sips from it several times. Lois grins. They walk back toward the car.
They get in the car.
150-151 OMITTED 150-151
They drive by. Thunder is heard.
Lois frowns at the sky as Sonny sips; she turns on radio.
(CONTINUED )
et a Ean ee SS ee
Fn NE = eR Eg we
Rev.
11/14/70 102A. CONTINUED: 153
Moonlight on the water; they drive into Texas again.
The car pulls up in front. SONNY Sure wasn’t outta Texas very long. LOIS Well, Oklahoma’s not much of an improvement. SONNY ,
(sips bourbon, pauses) *‘S not the same now. Nothing’s really been right since Sam the Lion died.
Rev. 10/6/70
155 CONTINUED:
No, it hasn’t.
(eyes water
slightly) I get sad when I think of Sam for long. Did you know he had beautiful hands?
loved me.
| Surprised, Sonny looks at her and it dawns on hin.
Looks at Sonny spill over.
SONNY — Are you the one he used to take swimming? Out to the tank?
- LOIS
(looks at him;
smiles) He told you about that, huh? Oh yeah, I was the one.
(pauses ) If it hadn’ta been. for him, you know, I’d have missed it <- whatever it is. I’d have been one of those Amity types that
think bridge is the best thing
life has to offer. He’s the only man I ever met who knew what I was worth. Sam the Lion.
, (smiles) Sam the Lion. Nobody knows where he got that name. I gave it to him -- one night. Just came to me. He was so pleased. I was twenty- two then -- can you imagine?
briefly, holding back her tears; a few
You know something, Sonny? It’s terrible only to find one man your whole life that knows what you’re worth.
(MORE):
Jo a ee _ ae _ oe ee
Rev. 11/14/70 104.
LOIS (cont’d)
It’s just terrible--I wouldn’t be | téllin’ you if it wasn’t. I’ve i looked, too--you wouldn’t believe how I’ve looked. When Sam... was sixty-five years old he could jus’ walk into a room where I was and do more for me...
(pause) Nobody was like him.
(falls silent)
155 CONTINUED: (2) 155 | ) a,
She looks forward again, then back at him a moment, with a reckless smile. He looks back, curiously. Finally:
Throws back his head and swallows, then coughs and sputters. Lois is amused. He hands her back the flask.
She drives away. He goes into the poolhall.
cuT TO:
155-160 OMITTED . 156-160
Teams are warming up, much activity on the sidelines, in the stands. Band warming up.
o™ a,
Rev. 10/2/70 | | 105. —
CONTINUED: 161
Sonny, cleaned up and in his football jacket, is on the sidelines, holding one end of the first down chain. A middle-aged man named CHESTER holds the other, watching
the warm-up intently. Coach Popper strides up and down
the sidelines, waving and yelling, cheerleaders lead
cheers, drum majors twirl. Sonny tries not to be de- * pressed. Tommy Logan runs by. |
SONNY | (surprised, looks around)
I ain’t seen him yet.
162 As the Coach comes by, towel over shoulder, chawing 162
tobacco, he scarcely glances at Sonny, but shakes Chester’s hand.
(CONTINUED )
Rev.
164A
164B
164¢
10/2/70 106.
CONTINUED: 162 CHESTER He’s a good ol’ boy, ain’t he?! * Everything grows quiet, players take off helmets 163 Coach takes off his cap; a hushed moment -- then
the band begins the school song and whole school begins to SING:
Whether in defeat or victory, We will always be true.
Dear old Anarene, we love you, And we'll fight for you..."
The song sweeps over the quiet field, the still town. Sonny moves his lips, but doesn’t really sing. Caught by a strong emotion, he loooks around the stands, at the players, the band. The song comes to an end.
The scoreboard indicates that Archer City won. Sonny and Billy walk from the ball park together, down a road of departing cars. Sonny gives Billy his eye patch. Gradually, the cars thin and Sonny and Billy walk on.
Sonny and Billy walk past the quiet lake, Billy *
sweeping occasionally.
DELETED
XT. GRAVEYARD -— NIGHT , 164C *
Sonny and Billy walk past the cemetery.
Nae
Rev.
164D
164E
9/24/70 107.
Sonny and Billy continue walking past the school. Horns are HEARD celebrating hometeam victory.
DELETED
Cold, windy. Sonny drives the pickup to the shabby little unpainted three-room house, off an unpaved road; no walk. Duane’s Mercury is out front. Sonny KNOCKS on the door. MRS. JACKSON answers with some washing in her arms.
She goes back inside. Sonny shuffles nervously on the porch. Duane appears in uniform, hair is slicked down. Nervous, he steps outside. Wind catches the screen door and SLAMS it back against the house; Duane shuts it.
SONNY © Oh, pretty good.
Rev. 10/2/70 108.
)
“ SONNY | Thought you might wanna go to the picture show -- Miss Mosey’s havin’ to close it -- tonight’s the last night.
(CONTINUED
-_ A
Rev.
10/2/70 109. CONTINUED: 167
DUANE | | Won’t be much to do in town with the picture show closed.
Marlene Duggs is shivering at the curb. The boys glance at her as they pass. The wind is blowing trash from the gutters into the street. They get into the Mercury, drive away. The picture show’s neon sign goes off.
OMITTED 169
The boys sit drinking beer. The MOTOR is running, RADIO on. Sonny rolls a cigarette.
_ SONNY Wisht I was goin’ with you.
Hey, why don’t you look after the car for me?
( CONTINUED ).
I
Rev. 10/2/70
170 CONTINUED:
SONNY
Okay.
\
Trailways bus pulls in; Sonny gets Duane’s dufflebag from back seat,
hands it to him. They stand a minute
in the cold singing wind. Duane doesn’t look at him.
A gust of wind
- DUANE Ever hear from Jacy?
hits them, they turn their backs to it.
damndest thing. That’s the only reason me and you got into it that time. Reckon she likes it down
in Dallas?
( CONTINUED )
1LO9A.
Rev.
9/24/70 | 110-113. CONTINUED: | 171
(hands him car . * keys) Here’s the keys. So long, buddy. *
They shake hands awkwardly, their eyes not quite meeting.
About to step on the bus, Duane turns back. DUANE See you in a year or two, if I don’t get shot.
The bus drives away down the dusty street. - Sonny walks slowly across the square toward the car.
cur OUT:
Billy walks up with his broom, but the doors are locked. Mystified, a little sad, he goes across the street, sit on the curb, looking at the picture show.
DELETED
Rev.
10/2/70 114.
Sonny comes shivering from the back room, goes to light _* the old gas stove, sneezes several times. Lighting
the jets, he HEARS a big cattle truck ROAR past in the streets, then, alarmingly loud, the SCREECH of air
brakes. Sonny looks around, but goes on, lights the
fires. Then goes to the door, looks out.
The big truck is stopped in front of the courthouse, several PEOPLE standing in front of it.
Sonny steps outside, curious. The cold wind makes him catch his breath. The Sheriff’s car pulls up and
the Sheriff hurries to the front of the truck in his bathrobe. A cowboy, passing in a pickup, stops.
Sonny turns to go back inside when he suddenly sees
Billy’s broom lying in the street... he runs toward
the truck, then jogs toward it, then slows to a walk. The Sheriff, a TRUCKER, two COWBOYS, a GAS STATION MAN, a PUMPER are gathered around Billy, who is lying in front of the truck, dead. The truck is full of Hereford yearlings, bumping one another., Numb, Sonny approaches the men, who look at Billy indifferently, spitting, shuffling.
PUMPER _ Yeah -- hard to see.
(CONTINUED )
we)
114A.
Rev.
10/2/70 : 115. CONTINUED: (2) | 176 *
- TRUCKER What was he doin’ out there anyway, carryin’ that broom?
He was sweeping!
Crying, Sonny grabs Billy under the arms, picks up hat, 177 and drags him - trying to run - across the street, lays him on the curb in front of the picture show; takes off his old football jacket and covers him. The men follow, slowly, looking at Sonny curiously. For several moments
he looks at Billy’s cap, then lays it down next to hin, walks away.
. TRUCKER Y’all got some crazy kids in this town, you ask me.
(spits again)
( CONTINUED)
Rev.
10/2/70 116. CONTINUED: (3) 177. —*®
SHERIFF | Yeah, I don’t know what the times are comin’ to. Well, guess I better go call the undertaker --
Sonny has walked across the square to the poolhall, where he’s left the door open, the wind blowing in. The place looks empty, cold. He gets in Duane’s car, still crying.
IN UANE’S C Cit IMITS} -— DAY 178 Drives fast past the city limits sign, slows stops.
The wind blows through the mesquite, over the grey ridges. Sonny sits a minute, then turns the car
around.
Sonny drives into town. The truck is gone, the square empty again.
Sonny drives to Ruth’s house and parks.
Sonny walks numbly up the sidewalk, KNOCKS on the door.
. Ruth opens it in her bathrobe, looking very faded.
Surprised, she makes a movement to hold her robe to- gether. Sonny barely glances at her.
She holds the door open for him.
They go through the living room, into the disordered kitchen. Sonny sits at the table, while Ruth gets the coffee, moving awkwardly. A RADIO is playing in another room.
(CONTINUED )
fm Te Era oo aoa
a Lou
—
_
LIGA.
CONTINUED: 182
Sonny cannot look at her. As she begins to pour the coffee, her face tightens with anger. Suddenly, she flings Sonny’s coffee cup at the cabinet, then her own, then the coffee pot at the wall. It breaks. A great brown stain spreads over the wallpaper and drips to the linoleum.
Rev. 10/2/70 117.
O RUTH
What am I doing apologizing to you? Why am I always apologizing to you, you little bastard? Three months I been apologizing to you, without you even being here. I haven’t done anything wrong -- why can’t I quit apologizing. You’re the one ought to be sorry. I wouldn’t be in my bathrobe if it hadn’ta been for you -- I’da had my clothes on hours ago. You’re the one made me quit caring if I got dressed or not. I guess just becuase your friend got killed you want me to forget what you did an’ make it all right. I’m not sorry for you! You’d’ve left Billy, too, just like you left me. I bet you left him plenty a nights, whenever that girl whistled. I wouldn’t treat a dog that way!
Sonny begins to say something.
I guess you thought I was so old and ugly you didn’t owe me any explanations. Didn’t need to be careful of me.
(pauses, struggling) ‘There wasn’t anything I could do about you and her -- why should you be careful of me? You didn’t love me. Look at me!
(sits opposite) Can’t you even look at me?
Sonny looks, finally, but doesn’t know what to say.
~ Ruth’s hands are nervously clasped on the table. Sonny \ reaches out and takes one of them. She is startled and
stiff, but Sonny holds on and in a moment, disconcerted, she lets him hold it. His fingers weave through hers. Ruth looks at him, cautiously. He sits blankly.
( CONTINUED )
Rev.
9/24/70 | 118. CONTINUED: (3) 182
With the fingers of her other hand, she begins to smooth the hair at the back of his wrist, then turns his hand . over, traces the lives in his palm up to the wrist, presses the tips of her fingers against the blue viens at his wrist and goes upward under the sleeve of his shirt. All at once tears spring in her eyes. She takes Sonny’s hand and presses it to her throat, to her wet face. She is on the verge of saying something fine, something wise or brave or beautiful, gasps with it, squeezes his hand, loses the words. After a moment, quieter, she puts his hand on the table, strokes his fingers with hers. She notices his shirt collar is wrinkled, under his ‘jacket, and tenderly reaches to straighten it.
PULL AWAY from them slowly.
LAP DISSOLVE TO: *
The street is empty, and so is the square. The wind is blowing, raising the dust, and the picture show is closed.