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In the Spotlight
Script Snip: Midnight Cowboy
For your education in screenwriting, in the Script Snips section are snips of classic, cult, award-winning, or just plain bad screenplays. You be the judge.
“Midnight Cowboy”
1969
Screenplay by Waldo Salt
Novel by James Leo Herlihy
INT. NEDICK’S - DAY
… Ratso staring up into camera, holding his breath.
RATSO
Don’t hit me, I’m a cripple.
Joe’s hand falls on Ratso’s shoulder.
JOE
Oh, I ain’t gonna hit you, I’m
gonna strangle you to death…
The cigarette in Ratso’s mouth burns into his lip. He jerks
spasmodically, choking on smoke as he rips skin away with the
butt and drops it in his coffee cup.
JOE (CONT’D)
… only first I’m gonna turn you
upside down and shake you out right
here and now.
Coughing, eyes tearing, Ratso empties his pockets on the
counter, finally producing: sixty-four cents, a few sticks of
gum, an almost empty cigarette package, a book of matches and
two pawn tickets. He raises his eyes, somehow ashamed. Joe
kicks the toe of Ratso’s loafer.
JOE
What’s in your socks?
RATSO
Not a cent, I swear to God, I swear
on my mother’s eyes.
Ratso removes his loafers and shakes them, glancing at the
counter man. His socks don’t even conceal his toes.
Disgusted, Joe shoves Ratso’s small pile back at him.
RATSO (CONT’D)
You keep the sixty-four cents. I
want you to have it.
JOE
It’s sticky. What you do, slobber
on ‘em? I wouldn’t touch ‘em.
Joe should leave — Ratso obviously has nothing tangible to
offer — but Joe hesitates, lighting a cigarette as Ratso
pulls on his loafers.
RATSO
How do you like that O’Daniel,
flipping out like that? I wanted to
get in touch with you when I heard,
but I been laid up with this
cold…
Ratso touches his chest, forcing a cough which continues
itself beyond his intention.
JOE
You want some free medical advice,
shut your goddam mouth about that
night.
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