The Outsiders For Teachers
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.
Adapted by Andy Evans
We begin with a bare stage and two gangs appear at either side of the auditorium. They begin to taunt each other, the Socs are dressed in college boy clothing and the greasers in leather jackets, T-shirts and jeans. There are also girls on
oth sides. They move together and a fight ensues on stage. Somebody is stabbed and killed. A police siren wails and a flashing light fills the stage. Followed by a blackout.
There is a single spotlight on Ponyboy as he begins to speak. As the scene begins, the lights come up fully.
Pony: When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie theatre, 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 - but I guess my own looks aren't so bad. I'm pretty content with what I've got. I'm a greaser, like most of the kids in my neighbourhood. See we like to wear our hair a little longer than most, and slick it back it looks kind of tuff. Nobody really bothers with haircuts in our neighbourhood. Besides we look better that way.
I had a long walk home and no-one to walk with. It doesn't bother me much, I like my own company, I'm kind of a loner anyway. I live with my two brothers Darrel, he's the oldest, and Sodapop - that's his real name ya know, it says so on his birth certificate and everything.
We live alone, our parents died in a car crash, Darry works every hour God sends to keep some money coming in. When he ain't working he just gets mad at me and yells at everything I try to do. Soda, well, he's different. He dropped out of school and works at a DX station selling gas. He understands everything, almost. Like he never yells at me like Darry. Seems like he can never stop grinning, I don't think Soda'll ever grow up.
(Pony begins to walk home)
By the way, my name's Ponyboy. My Dad was an original kind of fella, he liked real unusual names.
(Pony continues to walk. A group of Socs appear on stage behind Pony and notice him, they move towards him menacingly)Bob: Hey Grease! What's that ugly oil slick behind you coming off your hair?
Randy: Hey, he's trying to ignore us Bob, don't they teach Greasers manners up here on the Northside?
Soc 1: Hey Grease, we're gonna do you a favour greaser.
Soc 2: Yeah, we're gonna cut off all that long greasy hair!
Bob: Need a haircut greaser?
Pony: (Visibly steeling himself for the conflict) No.
(Bob produces a knife and waves it at Pony)
Bob: Now that is just rude when we're offering a free service! Hold him down!
(They grab Pony who struggles as they grab his arms and legs one sits on his chest and hits him in the face a few times. Pony stops struggling)
Bob: How'd you like a haircut that begins just below the chin grease?
Pony: Soda!!! Darry!!! (A Soc puts his hand over Pony's mouth as he continues to try to scream)
Randy: Shut him up, for Pete's sake, shut him up!
(A gang of Greasers appear on stage and chase the Socs off)
Darry: Pony? Are you okay Ponyboy?
Pony: I'm okay. Stop shakin?' me Darry, I'm okay.
Darry: I'm sorry. They didn't hurt you too badly did they? (Its obvious from Pony's action and movements that they did)
Pony: I'm okay.
Soda: You got cut up a little, huh, Ponyboy?
Pony: Soda?
Soda: You're bleeding like a stuck pig. Look. (He produces a blood stained handkerchief) Did they pull a blade on you?
Pony:Yeah. I guess he just slipped when he tried to cut my hair.
Soda: Okay, take it easy. They ain't gonna hurt you anymore Ponyboy
Pony: I know Soda, I'm just a little spooked that's all.
Soda: You're an okay kid Ponyboy.
Pony: You're crazy, Soda, out of your mind.
Darry: I don't know which one of you is the craziest. You're both nuts.
Soda: Well, I guess it must run in the family huh?
(The other greasers return to the stage, there is Steve, Two-Bit, Dallas and Johnny)
Dallas: Well, we couldn't catch them they were just too fast.
Two-Bit: Boy can those Socs run!
Dallas: Well, they ain't coming back on our turf too soon, the longer they stay on the southside the better it'll be for all of us.
Steve: Yeah, but did you see that car they jumped in? Man, it was tuff.
Johnny: It was a red Corvair, that is one tough car.
Steve: Pity the guys behind the wheels ain't so tough huh?
Dallas: Well those guys wouldn't last two days back in New York. Now they really know what gangs mean, man.
Two-Bit: But so do the cops hey Dally?
Steve: Your record as long there as it is here Dall?
Dallas: Longer man, trust me. Hey Darrel, is the kid okay?
Pony: I'm okay. I didn't know you were out of the cooler yet Dally.
Dallas: Good behaviour, got off early. Nice looking bruise you got there kid!
Pony: Really?
Two-Bit: Nice cut too. Makes you look real tough.
Johnny: What were you doing walking alone Ponyboy?
Ponyboy: I was coming home from the cinema. I didn't think...
Darry: That's just the problem, you never think. Not at home, not at school, with all those good grades you bring home, and you've always got your nose in a book, but do you ever use your head for common sense? No sirree, bub. And if you have to go
yourself you should have carried a blade.
Pony: You'd only have yelled at me if I did carry one!
Soda: Leave him alone Darry. It ain't his fault he likes to go o the cinema, and it ain't his fault that the Socs like to jump us. If he had been carrying a blade he'd have got cut to ribbons.
Darry: When I want a kid brother to tell me what to do with my other kid brother, I'll ask you - KID brother.
Two-Bit: Next time just ask one of us to go with you, Ponyboy. Any of us will.
Dallas: Speaking of films, I'm walking over to the nightly double tomorrow night. Anybody want to come and hunt some action.
Steve: Me and Soda are picking up Evie and Sandy for the game.
Darry: I'm working tomorrow night.
Dallas: How about y'all? Two-Bit? Johnnycake?, you and Pony want to come?
Pony: Me and Johnny'll come. Okay Darry?
Darry: Yeah, since it ain't a school night
Two-Bit: I was planning a few beers tomorrow night. If I don't I'll walk over and find y'all.
Darry: Well come on you two we can't stay here all night if the cops come and se Pony like this it'll be straight to the Boys' Home for you both you know that. We'll see you guys. And, by the way, thanks.(He goes to Dallas to give him some gr
nd rules for the next night)
Two-Bit: No problem. You take care now Ponyboy.
Soda: You cold Ponyboy?
Pony: A little.
Soda: Listen kiddo, when Darry yells at you... he don't mean nothin'. He just worries about you. He's got more worries than anyone his age ought to. Don't take him too seriously... you dig Pony? Don't let him bug you,. He's really proud of you 'caus
you're so brainy. It's just because you're the baby - I mean he loves you a lot, savvy?
Pony: Sure. ...Soda, how come you dropped out?
Soda: Cause I'm dumb. The only things I was passing were mechanics and gym.
Pony: You ain't dumb Soda, don't say that.
Soda: Oh yes I am Ponyboy.
Pony: What about Sandy? You in love? What's it like?
Soda: Oh boy! Its really nice. Don't tell Darry, but I think I'm gonna marry Sandy someday.
Pony: Tuff enough!
Darry: Okay, let's go home.
(END OF SCENE 1)
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