The Outsiders lines (Ponyboy)

Play begins. Ponyboy dials a number on a phone.

Ms. Syme- This is Ponyboy. I didn’t realize it was so late. I forgot. I’m calling about the theme assignment for English. How long can it be? Not less than five pages. But can it be longer? Longer than five pages? As long as I want. It’s all in my head- if I can sort it out. First I have to sort it out. As soon as I get it together. Thanks, Mr. Syme. The place to begin- I’d gone to a movie. When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of that movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. I wish I looked like Paul Newman. He looks tough and I don’t. The other thing- it’s a long walk home with no company. But I usually lone it anyway. I like to watch movies undisturbed so I can get into them and live them with the actors. I’m different that way. I mean my second oldest brother, Soda, never cracks a book at all, and my oldest brother, Darry, works too hard to be interested in a story or drawing a picture- so I’m not like them. And nobody in our gang digs movies and books the way I do. So I lone it.

Voice of Bob: Greaser!

And I’m a greaser. Greasers can’t walk alone too much or they get jumped by the Socs. I’m not sure how you spell that, but it’s the abbreviation for the Socials- the jet set, the rich kids. We’re poorer than the Socs. I reckon we’re wilder, too. But not like the Socs, who jump greasers and wreck houses and throw beer blasts for kicks. Greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive old souped up cars and have gang fights. I don’t mean I do. Darry would kill me if I got in trouble with the police. Since Mom and Dad were killed in a car crash, the three of us get to stay together only as long as we behave. So Soda and I stay out of trouble as much as we can. I’m not saying that either so Socs or the greasers are better, that’s just the way things are.

Randy: How come you’re all by yourself, grease?

Stay away from me.

Bob: We’re gonna do you a favor, grease. We’re gonna cut off that long greasy hair.

Leave me alone.

Bob: Need a haircut, grease?

No.

Bob: Gonna cut it real close! How’d you like the haircut to begin just below the chin?

Are you crazy? Soda! Darry!

Randy: I see someone-

Darry!

Dallas: They cut you?

No. All talk. Nothing.

Johnny: You really okay You’re not hurt?

A little spooked, that’s all. Compared to what they did to you- it’s nothing. Nothing at all.

Johnny: They have to stop jumping us! They have to stop.

What’s in your hand?

Johnny: It isn’t anything. Never mind, Ponyboy.

Johnny…

Darry: Are you alright, Ponyboy? Tell me!

I’m okay. Quit shaking me, Darry, I’m okay.

Johnny: They didn’t cut him.

Come on, Darry.

Darry: Sorry.

You’re never sorry. Not about anything.

Dallas: I hit their car with a couple rocks. I don’t think they liked that.

I didn’t know you were out of jail, Dallas.

Two-Bit: Ponyboy, what were you doing walking by your lonesome?

I was coming home from the movies. I didn’t think-

Darry: No siree, bub. And if you had to go by yourself you should’ve carried a blade.

No matter what I did you wouldn’t like it.

Dallas: Two-Bit, Johnnycake, you and Pony wanta come?

Me and Johnny’ll come. Okay, Darry?

Darry: If I ever catch you getting boozed up-

Darry!

Two-Bit: i seen you lotsa times.

When?

Johnny: Two-Bit- Thanks.

Remember how Johnny looked when he got beat up? Why do the Socs hate us so much?

Sandy: That’s just how it works. We’re greasers.

I’m reading Great Expectations for English, and that kid Pip, he reminds me of us- the way he felt marked lousy because he wasn’t a gentleman or anything and the way that girl kept looking down on him.

Sodapop: That’s only a book, Pony.

It happened to me. One time in biology I had to dissect a worm and the razor wouldn’t cut, so I used my switchblade.

Sandy: Pony!

I forgot what I was doing or I’d never had done it. the minute I flicked it out this girl right behind me kind of gasped and said, “They’re right. You are a hood.”

Sandy: A Soc? Was she pretty?

She looked real good in yellow. Don’t tell Darry. He’ll say I didn’t think again.

Sodapop: Probably would, but when he hollers at you- he don’t mean nothin’.

Ponyboy: Like hell-

Sandy: Better meet me. I’ll be at the Dingo.

She’s different.

Sodapop: From what?

From the other girls that look at greasers- tough, loud girls with too much eye make-up, who swear too much. I like Sandy.

Sodapop: She doesn’t have it easy. She’s got school, a job, and nothing but trouble at home.

Soda?

Sodapop: Yeah?

How come you dropped out of school? I could hardly stand it when you left.

Sodapop: It’s cause I’m dumb. The only things I was passing were auto mechanics and gym.

You’re not dumb.

Sodapop: I am. Shut up and I’ll tell you something. Don’t tell Darry.

Okay.

Sodapop: I think I’m gonna marry Sandy. After she gets out of school and I get a better job and everything. I might wait till you get out of school though. So I can help Darry with the bills.

Tuff enough! Only wait till I get out, so you can keep Darry off my back.

Sodapop: Don’t be like that. I told you he doesn’t mean half of what he says. He’s just got more worreis than someone his age ought to. He’s really proud of you because you’re brainy.

Sure.

Sodapop: Darry doesn’t go anywhere and he doesn’t do anything except work. But he’s got hopes for you- you dig?

Then why does he bug me all the time?

Sodapop: You’re the baby- I mean, he loves you a lot. Savvy?

You’re wrong. Darry doesn’t love anyone or anything. And he thinks I’m just another mouth to feed. That’s all I mean to him.

Sodapop: You better get on with your homework.

You in love with Sandy?

Sodapop: I am.

What’s it like?

Sodapop: It’s real nice. What’s that book you’re reading for English?

Great Expectations.

Sodapop: Great Expectations.

We were a little early for the movie so we walked around talking to all the greasers we knew, leaning in car windows or hopping into back seats, and getting in on who was running away , and who was in jail, and who was going with who, and who stole what, when, and why. By then it was dark enough to sneak in under the back fence of the drive-in.

Dallas: Follow me.

You know he hates to do things legal.

Dallas: Move it, Ponyboy.

Sure, Dallas.

Dallas: I guess it’s real. Wanta check if I’m real?

Dallas…

Cherry: Are you going to start on us?

No.

Cherry: You don’t look the type. What’s your name?

I wish you hadn’t asked. It’s… Ponyboy Curtis.

Cherry: That’s an original and lovely name.

My dad was an original person. I’ve got a brother named Sodapop and it says so on his birth certificate.

Cherry: My name’s Sherrie, but I’m called Cherry because of my hair. Cherry Valance.

I know. You’re a cheerleader. We go to the same school.

Marcia: You don’t look old enough for high school.

I’m not. I got put up a year in grade school.

Cherry: What’s a nice, smart kid like you running around with trash like that for?

I’m a grease, same as Dallas. He’s my buddy.

Cherry: I’m sorry, Ponyby. Your brother Sodapop, does he work in a gasoline station? A DX?

Yeah.

Cherry: Man, your brother is one doll. I might’ve guessed you were brother- you look alike. How come you’re blushing?

It’s not every day I hear a good looking Soc say something like that.

Marcia: How come we don’t see him in school?

He’s a dropout.

Cherry: From what I saw, you do.

One time a guy told Dallas to move over at a candy counter and Dallas belted him so hard it knocked a tooth loose. You gotta lot of guts, Johnny.

Johnny: Okay.

Might as well.

Marcia: How old are y’all?

Fourteen.

Cherry: I’ve heard about Dallas Winston, and he looks mean. But not you two.

Sure- we’re young and innocent.

Johnny: Dallas’s okay. He’s tough, but he’s a cool old guy.

He’d leave you alone if he knew you.

Cherry: It’s funny- in a way I kind of admire him.

Weren’t you yelling at someone a while ago?

Two-Bit: Okay greasers, you’ve had it.

Glory, Two-Bit- you want to stare us to death? We- Johnny-

Two-Bit: Where is ol’ Dallas? Tim Shepherd is looking for him.

Dallas’s huntin’ some action.

Cherry: Ponyboy, will you come with me? We’ll get some popcorn?

Sure. Y’all want some?

Marcia: Maybe I have a piece of paper somewhere-

Cherry didn’t really want popcorn. She wanted to talk.

Cherry: Your frined- the one with the sideburns- he’s okay?

He ain’t dangerous if that’s what you mean. He’s okay.

Cherry: Johnny’s been hurt bad sometimes, hasn’t he? Hurt and scared.

Worse than that. It was the Socs.

Cherry: I don’t want to watch “Bikinis on Muscle Beach.” I want to know about this.

Soda and I were kicking rocks down the street and we noticed Johnny’s jacket on the ground. Then we saw a hump on the other side of the lot. And there was a moan. Soda got there first, and turned him over. I nearly puked. We’re used to seeing Johnny banged up- his father clobbers him a lot. But nothing like this. Soda was on his knees holding him, his body all limp, giving him little shakes saying, “It’s okay, Johnnycake. They’re gone now. It’s okay.” Two-Bit was suddenly there, and for once he had nothing smart to say. Dallas was there to, swearing under his breath, then turning away, and he was sick. Dallas! Finally Johnny figured it was Soda holding him. He started shaking and crying- couldn’t stop himself. He said there was a whole bunch- a blue Mustang full. Soda kept holding him saying, “Don’t talk,” and over and over, “They’ve gone. They’ve gone, Johnnycake.”

Cherry: A blue Mustang?

Johnny tried to run, but they caught him. One of them had rings on his hand. That’s what cut Johnny so bad.

Cherry: All Socs aren’t like that. You have to believe me, Ponyboy. Not all of us are like that.

Sure.

Cherry: That’s like saying all greasers are like Dallas Winston. I bet he’s jumped a few people.

Lotsa times.

Cherry: You think the Socs have it made, don’t you?

Well, you do.

Cherry: It may come as a surprise, but we have troubles you’ve never even heard of. You want to know something. Things are tough all over.

Then why are we so different?

Cherry: I’ve never told that to anyone. You’re the first person. Why is that?

Because I’m a greaser and because I’m younger. So you don’t have to keep your guard up.

Cherry: For a kid, you’re awful smart.

Probably I’ll outgrow it. We’d better buy some popcorn and get back.

Cherry: The picture’s ending. You read a lot, don’t you, Ponyboy?

Yeah. Why?

Two-Bit: Johnny. There’s a car at my place. Take us ten minutes to get there- It runs real good. I could drive-

Tryin’ to figure what’s the cool thing to do?

Cherry: Two-Bit’s car is okay?

It’s a wreck, but Two-Bit’ll get you home.

Two-Bit: Who’s acting. I’m a natural normal.

Wish it was the other way around.

Two-Bit: Real name’s Johnny Cade. So everyone-

They have to get home. Gotta move it, Johnny.

Johnny: No. Ponyboy’s lucky. He’s got two.

I’m lucky to have Sodapop.

Johnny: And Darry.

Are you crazy?

Cherry: You don’t talk about your oldest brother.

What’s to talk abut? He’s big and handsome and used to play football.

Johnny: He’s a good guy.

You’re completely- he’s as hard as a rock and about as human. He’s got eyes exactly like frozen ice. He think’s I’m a pain in the neck, and he can’t stand me.

Johnny: You and Darry-

It’s true. I bet he wishes he could stick me in a home somewhere, and he’d do it, too, if Soda’d let him.

Johnny: You got it all wrong. Darry really cares about you.

You just shut up, Johnny Cade. Darry don’t want me at home. And we all know you ain’t wanted at home either.

Two-Bit: How could you talk to Johnny like that? How could you do it? He didn’t mean it, Johnny.

I’m sorry. I was just mad- ‘cause I was makin’ a fool out of myself in front of everybody.

Marcia: Maybe I should call for a ride.

It just don’t seem fair.

Cherry: What isn’t fair?

Like- Johnny’s father being a mean drunk and his mother a selfish slob. Two-Bit’s mother working in a bar to support him and his kid sister ager his father ran out on them. And Dallas- he hates world. Even Sodapop- a dropout so he could get a job and keep me in school. Then Darry- getting old before his time trying to run a family and hang on to two jobs and never having any fun. While the Socs have so much spare time and money they gang up on us and jump each other just for kicks. They have beer blasts and river bottom parties because they don’t know what else to do.

Cherry: I tried to explain.

Sure. Things are rough all over. All over out part of town.

Bob: And even if you’re mad at us, that’s no reason to be walking with these-

These what?

Bob: Vermin.

Who you callin’ vermin?

Johnny: Should we run for it?

Too late.

Cherry: We’d better go with them, Ponyboy.

I know-

Cherry: it’s too dangerous. If I see you in the hall and school and don’t say hi, it’s not personal. It’s-

The way things are.

Cherry: We couldn’t even let our parents see us with you.

Okay. Just don’t forget, some of us watch sunsets too.

Cherry: It’s time. I hope I never see that Dallas Winston again.

Because he’s one of us?

Two-Bit: Think I’ll go play a little snooker or hunt up a poker game. I dunno- Those two girls were tuff!

But if they see us in school, they can’t say hi.

Johnny: They saved us from a fight, Pony. I’m really glad we didn’t have to fight.

You can’t kill yourself. Don’t talk like that.

Johnny: There oughta be someplace without greasers or Socs- with just people.

Maybe out in the country. When we had the whole family, we’d drive out in the country.

Johnny: I stay away all night and nobody notices. At least you got Soda. I ain’t got nobody.

Shoot, you got the whole gang.

Johnny: Not like having your own folks care about you. It ain’t the same.

Johnny went to sleep right away. Since I was asleep, too, and dreaming, I brought Mom and Dad back to life. Mom’d bake things and Dad would drive the pick-up out early to feed cattle. My mom was golden and beautiful- When I woke up, I thought, “Glory, what time is it?” Johnny was still asleep. Just thinking about facing Darry this late made me shake. I ran home and when I got close I could see- If only they’re asleep.

Darry: Pony! Where the heck have you been? Do you know what time it is? Well it’s two in the morning, kiddo. Another hour and I would've had the police out after you. Where were you? Where in the almighty universe were you?

I- I went to sleep in the lot.