The Outsiders
Based on the novel By S.E. Hinton
Adapted by Nicole (Coco) Roberge and Zelda Coertze
Based on the stage adaptation by Christopher Sergel
Characters
Greasers
Ponyboy Curtis:
Sodapop Curtis:
Darry Curtis:
Johnny Cade:
Two-Bit Matthews:
Stevie Randal:
Dallas Winston:
Sandy:
Paula/Johnny’s Mom:
Marty/Beth of Windrixville:
Penny:
Linda/Barb of Windrixville:
Jimmy/Wil of Windrixville:
Dot/Sharon of Windrixville:
Lilly: Georgina
Mrs. O’Brian/Mrs. Smith:
The Socs
Bob:
Randy Anderson:
Cherry Valance:
Marcia:
Betty/Waitress (Darla of Windrixville):
Douglas/ Sparky of Windrixville:
David/ Doctor Miller:
Nurse/Nancy/ Bonnie of Windrixville:
Fred/Arthur of Windrixville:
Miss Simms/Donna:
Jean/Margaret:
Roger: Jeff
Brenda/Ruth of Windrixville:
Dennis /Larry of Windrixville:
A Dark and empty stage. Lights come up. Ponyboy enters and speaks to the audience.
Pony: When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. I was wishing I looked like Paul Newman- he looks tough and I don’t. I had a long walk home and no company, but I usually lone it anyway. I like to watch movies undisturbed so I can get into them and live then 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 picture or a story- I’m not like them. So I lone it. And I’m a Greaser. Greasers can’t walk alone too much or they get jumped by Socs. I’m not sure how you spell that but it’s short for Socials- the jet set kids, the rich kids. (the sound of an approaching car) greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive old souped up cars and fight once in a while. I’m not saying that either Socs or Greasers are better; that’s just the way things are. And I don’t do those things! Darry would kill me if I got in trouble with the cops. (sound of car stopping, doors open and close.) Since Mom and Dad were killed in an auto wreck, us three get to stay together long as we behave.
(Randy and Bob and Douglas enter. They surround Pony)
Bob: Hey Grease.
Randy: How come you’re all by yourself, Grease?
Pony: Stay away from me.
Randy: Not to safe for your to be out here all alone.
Pony: Leave me alone.
Bob: Need a haircut, Grease?
Douglas: We’re gonna do you a favour…
Randy: Gonna cut it real close… (Bob flips out a blade)
Bob: How’d you like the haircut to start just below the chin
Pony: Are you crazy! Soda! Darry!
Bob: shut him up.
Randy: Teach him not to lone it.
Douglas: I see some guys…
Bob: Okay, Greaser…
Randy: Cool it Bob! Company!
Douglas: We’ve go company
Randy: let’s go.
(they run off as Soda and Darry run on. Darry grabs Pony and is shaking him)
Soda: Pony!
Darry: You all right, Pony? Tell me!!
Pony: I’m okay! Quit shaking me, Darry.
Darry: They didn’t hurt ya, did they?
Soda: He’s okay.
Pony: Come on, Darry. (Darry lets go. Soda is down on the ground with Pony. Stevie, Dallas Two-Bit and Greasers enter)
Soda: You got cut up a little, huh, Pony?
Pony: I did?
(Darry stands up, looks in the direction the Socs went. Johnny and Marty enter. Pony is trying to hide his tears.)
Soda: Easy, easy- they aint gonna hurt you no more.
Pony: Just a little spooked.
Soda: You’re okay…(helps Pony stand)
Darry: (to the gang) Didja see em?
Dallas: They got away this time.
Two-Bit: Tuff car though.
Marty: Wasn’t the blue Mustang, was it?
Two-Bit: Corvair.
Penny: Yeah, tuff car. Wish I had one.
Pony: (to Two-Bit) I didn’t know you were out of the cooler yet, Dally.
Dallas: Good behaviour- got off early.
Stevie: Pony, what were you doin walking by your lonesome?
Linda: Yeah, you know we can’t go doing that. Damn Socs….
Pony: I was coming home from the movies. I didn’t think.
Darry: You don’t ever thing. Not at home or anywhere it counts. You gotta be thinkin at school with those good grades by do you ever use your head for common sense? No sir.
Soda: Leave em alone, ya hear?
Darry: When I want my kid brother to tell me what to do with my other kid brother, I’ll ask you- kid brother.
Two-Bit: Next time get one of us to go with you Ponyboy, any of us will.
Mary: I’ll go! Just ask!
Jimmy: Yeah! Me too! I’d love a reason to get outta the house and I’m not scared of no Soc.
Dally: Speaking of movies, I’m walking over to the Nightly Double tomorrow night. Anybody wanna come? Always tons of cute girls there.
Darry: No time. Working.
Linda: You’re just always workin’ aren’t cha?
Darry: Like I got a choice.
Stevie: Me and Soda are pickin up Paula and Sandy for the game.
(Paula and Sandy and Marty enter)
Paula: Oh really… says who?
Soda: Sandy! (goes to her and greets her)
Marty: Hi Paula
Sandy: What’s going in round here?
Penny: Ah, Ponyboy was just…
Pony: Nothin!
Marty: Nothin but a bunch of Socs being where they shouldn’t
Soda: We’ll get ‘em next time.
Paula: You better. Heard you broke up with ol’ Sylvia again, Dallas?
Dallas: The little broad was two-timing be while I was in jail.
Paula: That’s no excuse for treating a girl-
Marty: (elbows Paul) Shh. It’s Dallas Winston.
Dallas: So tomorrow night- wanna come, Pony? Johnny?
Pony Me and Johnny’ll go, okay, Darry?
Darry: (as Dallas exits) Since it ain’t a school night.
Paula: What’s this about some dumb game?
Stevie: Come on, Paula…
Two-Bit: Maybe I’ll walk over and find y’all. We’ll see how the night goes.
Darry: (to Soda and Pony) If I ever catch you two drinking..
Sandy: Soda gets drunk on just plain livin’! (they smile at each other)
Two-Bit: I think I’m gonna barf. (starts to leave) Come on, Marty.
Marty: (starts to leave) Later
Pony: Goin home, Johnny-Cake?
Johnny: I dunno
Two-Bit: Come on, we’ll walk you right to your door. (he starts to go)
Marty: last one there’s a rotten egg! (she runs ahead)
(the gang exits except for Darry, Pony, Soda and Sandy)
Darry: (looking towards their home) Pony, homework. Come on. (starts to go)
Pony: (to Sandy and Soda) Remember how Johnny looked when he got beat up? Why do the Socs hate us so much?
Sandy: That’s just how is. We’re Greasers.
(shaking his head, Pony follows Darry)
Sandy: Gotta get home before Mama loses it. She’s been on a real tear lately.
Soda: Tomorrow?
Sandy: I don’t want to miss the game tomorrow.
Soda: Wouldn’t miss it for anything. Pick you up at home?
Sandy: (shakes her head) Better meet me. I’ll be at the Dingo. (She exits)
(The Curtis home)
Soda: what’s the name if that book your gotta read?
Pony: Great Expectations. (passes Soda the book) Soda, Sandy’s nice. I like her.
Soda: That’s good. She doesn’t have it easy, with school and work and nothing but trouble at home.
Pony: Everybody’s got trouble at home. (pause) Soda?
Soda: yeah?
Pony: How come you dropped outta school?
Soda: I told ya. Cause I’m dumb. The only things I was passing were mechanics and gym.
Pony: You’re not dumb.
Soda: I am. Now shut up and I’ll tell you something. Don’t tell Darry.
Pony: Okay.
Soda: I think I’m gonna marry Sandy. I might wait till you get outta school thought.
Pony: You gotta keep Darry off my case.
Soda: Don’t be like that- I told you he don’t mean half the things he says. He’s just got more worries than somebody his age ought to. He’s proud of you cause you’re so brainy. He loves you.
Pony: Sure.
Soda: Better finish up that homework.
Pony: You in love with Sandy? What’s it like?
Soda: It’s real nice.
(Soda exits. LX fade on Pony. “Gloria” by Van Morrison fades up. LX cross fade to benches at the Drive In. Greasers and Socs come in with popcorn and drinks, sit on benches and getting ready to watch the movie- the 4th wall. Greasers and Socs play out silent scenes throughout the following.)
Jimmy: Come on! We’ll just sneak in!
Linda: Are you outta your mind?! If I get busted sneakin in again they’ll ban me for life! What’s life if ya can’t go to the movies?
Jimmy: You’re such a baby!
Linda: Am not!
Jimmy: Are too! Or are you a Soc? Too fancy to sneak in? Gonna ruin your new sweater vest?
Dot: Shut up, both of you! Or we’ll get busted for real. There’s an attendant right there!
Jimmy: Such a wet rag!
Dot: Shhh! The movie’s about to start!
(Sound of the movie starting.)
Nancy: I really need another soda to wash down all this popcorn. (getting up) Do you need anything else?
Brenda: Some more Starbursts and another soda, oh! and some Astro Pops, please.
Nancy: Brenda, you have enough candy for a week!
Brenda: (looking down at the candy on her lap) Okay, maybe just the Astro Pops then. (Nancy goes and comes back a while later with a soda and Astro Pops)
Cherry: (entering from DS, from the edge of the playing space, looking off) Go home! Both of you!
Marcia: Dry out! (they go sit on a bench. Betty enters)
Betty: I don’t know how you deal with those two. They aren’t even my boyfriends and I’m furious. (she sits on the bench)
(Dallas, Pony and Johnny enter swiping at the front of their clothes to get the dirt off)
Dallas: What took ya so long?
Johnny: Why couldn’t we just pay? I got a bleedin’ quarter.
Pony: You know he hates doin things legal. (they look for seats and walk over)
Marcia: You really made them mad.
Cherry: You object?
Betty: Bob and Randy can be so disgusting when they drink.
Cherry: They need to be taught a lesson.
Marcia: (nods) We came to see a movie…
Cherry: So we’ll see a movie.
Betty: “Bikinis on Muscle Beach”
Cherry: Must be something by J. D. Salinger.
Marcia: Really?
Betty: Marcia!
(They laugh. Dallas is right behind them)
Dallas: Is this hair real or what? (leans forward) Wanna check if I’m real?
Marcia: Watch the picture.
(Dallas puts his feet up on their bench. Pony faintly protests)
Pony: Dallas…
Dallas: I’ll show em some Muscle Beach (rolls up his t-shirt and flexes his arm)
Cherry: Get your feet off my seat and shut your trap.
Dallas: Who’s gonna make me?
Betty: That’s the greaser who jockeys sometimes.
Dallas: I’ve seen you around rodeos…
Cherry: It’s a shame you can’t ride bull half as good as you talk it.
Dallas: Barrel racers, huh?
Betty: Leave us alone-
Marcia: or we’ll call the cops.
Dallas: My my my, you’ve got me scared to death. Guess what I’ve been in for.
Betty: Why don’t you be nice and leave us alone.
Dallas: I’m never nice. (he gets up and exits)
Cherry: Get lost, hood! (she turns to Pony) You gonna start too
Pony: No.
Cherry: You don’t look the type.
Betty: What’s your names?
Pony: This here’s Johnny Cade an I’m Ponyboy Curtis.
Betty: That’s on original!
Pony: My dad was an original.
Marcia: Don’t you have a brother named Sodapop? Works at the DX station.
(Pony nods)
Cherry: Boy, your brother’s a real doll. Shoulda known you were brothers. I’m Sherry but people call me Cherry-
Betty: cause her hair-
Sherry: and this is Marcia.
Johnny: We know.
Pony: We go to the same school.
(Dallas enters with 4 Cokes)
Dallas: Johnnycake, Pony- for you. (handing Marcia a soda) and for the redhead, this might cool you off.
Cherry: I won’t drink it if I was starving in the desert
Dallas: Fiery, huh? That’s the way I like em. (He sits down next to the girls and puts his arms around them. Johnny stands up suddenly.)
Johnny: Leave her alone, Dallas.
Dallas: huh? What’d you say boy?
Johnny: You heard me. Leave her alone.
(Dallas wants to punch him but can’t. he sticks his hands in his pockets and exits. Johnny exhales.)
Cherry: Thanks. He had me a little scared.
Johnny: You sure didn’t show it. Nobody talks to Dallas Winston like that.
Cherry: From what I saw, you do.
Betty: Y’all sit up here with us…
Pony: Sure. (look at each other) Might as well.
Cherry: I’ve heard about Dallas Winston.
Betty: He looks mean.
Johnny: He’s okay- he’s just tough.
Marcia: Our dates, they brought booze and…
Pony: and you didn’t wanna
Betty: (to Cherry) You really made ‘em mad.
Cherry: I don’t care.
(Two-Bit has entered, sneaking up on the rest)
Two-Bit: Okay Greasers, you’ve had it. (Johnny and Pony gasp, Johnny’s eyes close tight and he shakes. Two-Bit laughs)
Pony: Glory, Two-Bit! You wanna scare us to death?!
Two-Bit: Hey Johnny- it was a joke
Johnny: (opening his eyes) Hey…
Two-Bit: Who’s this? Your great aunts?
Betty: Great grandmothers twice removed.
Two-Bit: Shoot! You’re 96 if you’re a day!
Betty: I’m a night. (smiles at the other girls- proud of her joke)
Two-Bit: Sharp. How could you girls be picked up by a coupla hoods?
Cherry: We kinda picked them up.
Johhny: Dallas was bothering them.
Marcia: Cherry, how are we going to get home?
Two-Bit: I’ll walk you!
Cherry: it’s twenty miles
Johnny: It’s still early
Marcia: This movie’s dumb anyway.
Cherry: Let’s start out.
Marcia: (to Betty) Aren’t we adventurous. (Two-Bit, Marcia, Betty, Cherry and Johnny exit)
Cherry (to Pony): I’ll bet you thin us Socs got it real easy.
(Pony shugs)
Cherry: You read a lot, don’t you?
Pony: Yeah, why?
Cherry: And I bet you watch sunsets. (Pony nods) I used to watch them too before I got so busy. (they exit)
(sounds of the movie ending. Movie goers start to pack up and look for people to chat with.)
Linda: Ugh! I hate Cliff-hangers!
Dot: Were you watching? That was no cliff-hanger!
Linda: It’s hard to hear from out here.
Jimmy: Maybe next time we can watch from inside.
(transition to street. Other movie goers exit and take benches with them. The sound of an approaching car. Enter Marcia, Cherry, Betty, Johnny, Pony, Two-Bit, Stevie)
Marcia: Look who’s coming
Johnny: (To Pony) It’s the blue Mustang…
Pony: The Guy with the rings?
Stevie: Who is it, the FBI?
Cherry: No, it’s our boyfriends in Bob’s car.
Johnny: Your boyfriends?
(sound of car gets louder and car stops. Doors open and close. Bob, Randy, Fred and Socs enter.)
Bob: Cherry, Marcia?
Fred: What the hell are you doing?
Randy: You’re makin a big deal our of nothing! Just because we like to have a little fun…
Cherry: a little?
Fred: Come on. Don’t be a square.
Bob: Now look, Cherry….
Randy: (to Marcia) Baby…
Cherry: No, you look! I told you…
Bob: That’s no reason to be walking with these…
Two-Bit: These what? (they shove each other. Two-Bit takes out a blade and passes it to Pony)
Bob: Vermin. (Fred laughs. Bob waves his fists at them showing off his many big rings)
Johnny: (quietly to Pony) It was him. The night I…. It was him.
Marcia: Cool off, guys!
Randy: They think they can pick up our girls? We got two more guys in the backseat.
(Two-Bit and Bob are circling each other.)
Two-Bit: Then pity the backseat.
(Bob turns and advances on Johnny and Pony while Randy grabs Two-Bit. Stevie and Fred stare at each other for a moment.)
Fred: (to Bob) Teach em a lesson!
Cherry: Touch that kid and I call the police!
Bob: You’ll what?
Betty: Back off, guys.
Bob: You wouldn’t dare.
Cherry: I don’t want a fight. So we’ll ride home with you. But first- you go sit in the car and you wait.
Bob: Wait?
Cherry: You wait til we come over.
Stevie: Hey, we ain’t scared of them.
Marcia: I can’t stand fights. I just can’t stand them.
Cherry: (to Bob) yes or no?
Bob: We’ll wait one minute. (starts to leave. To Pony) you think I’ll let a little grease get away with walking my girl?
Cherry: Bob, wait in the car. I said I’ll be along in a minute.
Randy: See ya (Socs exit)
Cherry: (to Pony) If I see you in the hall at school and don’t say hi, it’s not personal. It’s-
Pony: the way things are.