Midnight Cowboy Page #7

EXT. BROADWAY PARADE - DAY

Drum majorettes leading the parade -- ticker tape and

confetti -- girls at skyscraper windows.

INTERCUT NEWSREEL CLIP

Charles Lindberg (or James Stewart) waving at the crowd.

EXT. NEW YORK HARBOR - DAY

Girls lining the piers -- flags, banners, bunting -- ship

horns, whistles, bells.

INT. BUS - DAY

Joe crowded as the veterans prepare to leave the bus, lifting

down banners and flags.

EXT. LINCOLN TUNNEEL - DAY

The bus suddenly surrounded by converging traffic, horns

honking, segueing into the noises of Times Square.

EXT. MARQUEE - DAY

Flag draped, reading: WELCOME VETERANS.

EXT. STREET - BANNER - DAY

Flapping in the wind -- WELCOME VETERANS!

EXT. TIMES SQUARE PALACE HOTEL - DAY

The marquee announces TRANSIENTS WELCOME. O.S. a singing

radio station break blares "W-I-N-S NEW YORK..."

EXT. RADIO TOWER - DAY

The sign flashes WINS "... ten-ten on your dial!" A torchy

woman's voice sings from a lonely echo chamber -- introducing

a love theme which will haunt Joe throughout the film.

INT. ROOM 1014 - DAY

Joe sets his radio on the dresser, his suitcase on the bed,

then turns to examine his new home -- as anonymous as his

Texas hotel room -- but boasting a coin-operated television

set. Fascinated, Joe inserts a quarter.

... the love song continues over a television talk Show

featuring a POODLE WIGMAKER defending his profession against

a Joe Pyne-type PANEL HOST, "...well, I perform a real

service, there's a need, so many people, you know, really

live in their pets, I mean, lonely, I grant you, but their

feeling is real. They want to lavish as much love, give them

as much, yes, pamper them like they were really human

children or whatever..."

SALLY BUCK'S VOICE

There's a TV dinner in the fridge,

lover boy...

INT. REMEMBERED PARLOR - ANOTHER TIME

Little Joe stares sullenly at an antique TV box while Sally

Buck puts her hat on at the fireplace mirror. There is a

framed picture of Woodsy Niles on the mantle.

SALLY BUCK:

You be okay, won't you? Maybe I

bring you a treat if you're a good

boy...

INT. ROOM 1014 - DAY

Joe watches the Panel Host, "... you're a nut case, fella, a

real nut case..."

INT. REMEMBERED BEAUTY SALON - ANOTHER TIME

Little Joe massaging Sally Buck's neck -- continuing the

earlier scene.

SALLY BUCK:

I'm so beat, no point you waiting

round, toots, think I'll stop in

for a beer or two...

INT. ROOM 1014 - DAY

Joe sits on the edge of the bed, watching the poodles primp.

INT. REMEMBERED PARLOR - ANOTEER TIME

Little Joe stares unblinking at the TV screen as Sally Buck

kisses him on the forehead, dressed for the street.

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