Midnight Cowboy Page #5

The Old Cowhand has rolled-himself a cigarette. Joe quickly

lights a match on his thumb and holds it across the aisle.

JOE:

Light?

The Old Cowhand's "thanks" is lost in a fit of coughing as he

inhales his first drag. He settles back, wiping his watery

eyes on a faded bandana.

EVANGELIST'S VOICE

... everyone who sends a dollar to

the Evangelical Congregation of the

Air will get free gratis a genuine

leatherette hymn book so you can

sing along with Sister Rosella and

the Evangelical Choir...

JOE:

You throw in Sister Rosella and you

got a deal, right, old timer?

Joe glances across the aisle. The Old Cowhand manages a

faint, humorless smile.

JOE (CONT'D)

Going far?

OLD COWHAND:

Up the line. Not far.

JOE:

I'm bound for New York City.

The Old Cowhand reappraises Joe's wardrobe even more

curiously.

JOE (CONT'D)

Ever happen to come across a cowman

name of Woodsy Niles? Friend of my

grammaw Sally Buck...

The Old Cowhand considers, shakes his head. Joe leans back,

laughing to himself.

INT. REMEMBERED BEDROOM - ANOTHER TIME

Little Joe's head is lost in a beat-up cowboy hat, similar to

the one worn by the old Cowhand. Sally Buck smiles on WOODSY

NILES -- a long-legged cowboy with a shock of black hair --

who stands at her dressing table, admiring himself in a new

Stetson.

SALLY BUCK:

Like it, honey? Does it fit?

WOODSY:

You do me good, Sal, you do me real

good. You know what I gonna give

you for that Stetson?

Woodsy grabs Sally Buck, lifting her off her feet, carrying

her to the bed. Struggling, they fall across the covers

together, Little Joe laughing with them.

SALLY BUCK:

Woodsy Niles! The boy!

WOODSY:

He don't know what makes little

apples by now, it's time he found

out.

INT. BUS - NIGHT

Joe shakes his head, grinning, offering the old Cowhand a

cigarette.

JOE:

Smoke?

The old Cowhand shakes his head, showing the rolled cigarette

Joe lit for him. Joe nods, still bemused.

INT. REMEMBERED BEDROOM - ANOTHER TIME

Little Joe is cuddled in Sally Buck's arms, under the covers,

watching Woodsy, sitting cross-legged on the bed, naked

except for his Stetson and guitar, singing drunkenly.

WOODSY:

... git along little dogies!

EXT. MIDWEST TOWN - MORNING

From a high angle -- the bus slows to a stop.

INT. BUS - MORNING

Joe awakens, stiff-necked, momentarily confused. He

straightens in his seat as he sees the old Cowhand lifting a

sweat-stained saddle down from the overhead rack, starting

toward the front of the bus. Joe calls after him.

JOE:

Nice talking to you, old timer.

Joe stuffs a stick of gum in his mouth, turns to wave at the

Old Cowhand through the window as the bus pulls away.

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