Post on 08-Feb-2021
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FOOTLOOSEMUSICALNUMBERSAct1FOOTLOOSE………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………..……..…...3
ONANYSUNDAY………..…………....………………………..……………………….….......................................................5
THEGIRLGETSAROUND…………………………………………………..……………………………………………..……….………....9
ICAN’TSTANDSTILL……………………………………………………..……………………………………………….…………………..13
SOMEBODY’SEYES…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………...16
LEARNINGTOBESILENT...............................................................................................................…………22
HOLDINGOUTFORAHERO!………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………26
SCENECHANGESOMEBODY’SEYES…..………………………………………………….…….……………………..………………31
SOMEBODY’SEYESREPRISE..…………………………………………………………….…………………….…………………………33
HEAVENHELPME…………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………..34
I’MFREE/HEAVENHELPME..…………………….………………………………………………..………………………….…………37
ACT2
STILLROCKIN’……………………..……………………………………….………………………………………………..…..………...…...39
LET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY…….………………………………………………………………………..…....…….…………………..43
LET’SMAKEBELIEVEWE’REINLOVE…………………………………………………………………………………………………..44
CANYOUFINDITINYOURHEART?…………………………………………………………..……...…………………….…….……46
DANCINGISNOTACRIME………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….48
MAMASAYS............................................................................................................................................49
ALMOSTPARADISE……………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………….53
ICONFESS/HEAVENHELPME(REPRISE)……..……………..………………......…………………………………...…………..59
CANYOUFINDITINYOURHEART(REPRISE)……………………………………………...…………………….…………...…..62
FOOTLOOSEFINALE.................................................................................................................................62
BOWS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………63
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(Abeatbeginsasthehouselightsdim.CHICAGOPEOPLEenter,gettingreadyforanightout.)
MUSIC1a-Footloose KENZIE:BEENWORKINGSOHARD.I’MPUNCHINGMYCARD EIGHTHOURS,FORWHAT?OH,TELLMEWHATIGOT
AUDREY:BEENWORKINGSOHARD.I’MPUNCHINGMYCARDEIGHTHOURS,FORWHAT?
OTHERS:FORWHAT?FORWHAT?FORWHAT?FORWHAT?FORWHAT?
JACEY:BEENWORKINGWAYTOOHARD.I’MPUNCHINGTHATSAMECARD. EIGHTHOURSBUSTIN’MYBUTT.OH,TELLMEWHATIGOT?
KIDS:IGOTTHISFEELINGTHATTIME’SJUSTHOLDINGMEDOWN
KENZIE/AUDREY/JACEY:IHATETHISFEELINGTIMEISHOLDINGMEDOWN!
KIDS:I’LLHITTHECEILINGORELSEI’LLTEARUPTHISTOWN. TONIGHTIGOTTACUTLOOSE,FOOTLOOSE, KICKOFFYOURSUNDAYSHOES. PLEASE,LOUISE,PULLMEOFFAMYKNEES. JACK,GETBACK,COMEONBEFOREWECRACK. LOSEYOURBLUES,EVERYBODYCUTFOOTLOOSE.
(REN,acharismaticteen,breaksfromthepack;heissurroundedbyFRIENDSpattinghisback,shakinghishand,etc;theyareinadanceclub,shoutingtobeheard)
ROSS:Ren!Ren,heyRen,Iheardyou’removingaway.
PATRICK:Ren’sleavingChicago?(ToREN)You’releavingChicago?
REN:(Playful)That’sright!I’mleavin’youclownsforthewideopenspaces.
MARCUS:Whathemeansishe’smovingtosomelittlehicktownnobody’severyheardof.
ROSS:Whywouldyoudothat?
REN:(Defensive,good-humored)Hey!Peoplehaveheardofit!
MARCUS:Oh,yeah?What’sthenameofit?
REN:Youcanfinditonanymap.
PATRICK:What’sthenameofit?
REN:Folksareflockingtherefromallover.
MARCUS/PATRICK/ROSS:WHAT’STHENAMEOFIT?
REN:Bomont.
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ALL:(Turning,shouting)Bomont?Where’sBomont?
KENZIE/AUDREY/JACEY:(ToREN)YOU’REPLAYIN’SOCOOL,OBEYIN’EVERYRULE. DIGWAYDOWNINYOURHEART.YOU’REBURNIN’YEARNIN’FORSOME…
ALL:SOMEBODYTOTELLYOUTHATLIFEAIN’TPASSIN’YOUBY
KENZIE/AUDREY/JACEY:LIFEAIN’TPASSIN’MEBY
ALL:I’MTRYIN’TOTELLYOU,ITWILLIFYOUDON’TEVENTRY.YOUCANFLY!YOUCANFLY!YOUCANFLY!
KENZIE/AUDREY/JACEY:IFYOU’DONLYCUTLOOSE
ALL:CUTFOOTLOOSE!(WHOA!)CUTFOOTLOOSE!(AAWWW)CUTFOOTLOOSE!
(Therhythmicpulsecontinuesunderasthelightsshift.RENmovestohisMom,ETHELMCCORMICK,packing.Sheisinherlate30’s,stillattractivebutnervouslytroubled.Theirrelationshipisplayful,butrespectful.)
REN:Mom!Where’reyougonnaputthat?Thebackseatofthecarisfull!Ican’tclosethetrunk....
ETHEL:Ren,don’tstart!Idon’twanttomoveanymorethanyoudo.
REN:Thenlet’snotgo.
ETHEL:Look!I,too,wishyourfatherhadn’tleft.I,too,wishthatthingscouldbethewaytheywere...
REN:Okay,okay…...
ETHEL:AndwebothwishIcouldbeoneofthosestrongsinglemotherswhosuddenlybecomesself-sufficient!ButI’mnot.(Tongueincheek)Pleasefeelfreetodisagree.
REN:We’vegotaten-hourdriveaheadofus.I’msureI’llthinkofsomething.
(AsRENandETHEL‘leaveChicago,”thelightsrestoreonstage.)
ALL:FIRSTWE’VEGOTTOTURNYOUAROUNDSECONDTHENPUTYOURFEETONTHEGROUND.THIRDNOWTAKEAHOLDOFYOURSOUL!AAWWW….LIFEKEEPSHOLDINGMEDOWN!AHH….EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,EV’RYBODYCUT,AH-AH-AH-AH…AH-AH-AH-AH…
(TheDANCERSspinoff,revealingREVERENDSHAWMOORE-40’s.Vigorous,authoritative;hestandscenterstagelisteningtothesoundsofaCHOIRwarmingupsweetlyinthedistance)
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ACTONE-SCENE1B:inChurch
MUSIC1b-OnAnySunday
CHOIR:AHHH… ONANYSUNDAYHEREWE’LLBERAISINGOURVOICESINHARMONY ONEDAYONCEOURTRIALSHAVECEASEDWEWILLBERELEASED
SHAW:(Heartfelt,conversational)ONANYSUNDAY,LORDIPRAY,TELLMEEXACTLYTHEWORDSTOSAY. GIVEMESTRENGTHANDMAYBETHENICANREACHMYFELLOWMEN. SOWEALLMAYRISEAGAIN.THANKYOU,LORD,AMEN.
CHOIR:AH….
(PARISHIONERSandKIDSenterchurchandtakeseatsinthepews.RENandETHELenter;SHAWgreetsthem.)
SHAW:WelcometoBomont!(SHAWmountstothepulpit)Goodmorning!
PARISHIONERS:Goodmorning,Reverend!
SHAW:Itookthelongwaytochurchthismorning,downpasttheoldcreek.Iheardbirdschirpingandourownchoirwarmingupinthedistance.Iwasremindedofalinefromourgreatpoet,WaltWhitman,whowrote,“IhearAmericasinging.”AndIthought,“Aren’twethesongtosing?Don’tweliftourvoicestotelltheworldwhoweare?Andwhatwebelieve?”SoIaskyouthismorning--whatsongareyousinging?
REN:(Turninginhispew)WE’VEONLYBEENHERETWODAYSANDALREADY CHICAGOSEEMSAMILLIONMILESAWAY. BUTWEWEREBARELYHANGINGONTHERE,‘SPECIALLYWITHMYFATHERGONE. THERE’SNOTTOOMANYPLACESWECOULDSTAY BUTMAYBEMOMCANFINDAJOBTHAT’SSTEADY,ANDMAYBEICANSTANDITFORAYEAR ANDMAYBETHINGSWON’TBESOBADANDMAYBEIWON’TMISSMYDAD ANDMAYBEWECOULDSTARTANEWLIFEHERE.
PARISHIONERS:OOH,AH….STARTANEWLIFEHERE!OOH!OOH!OOH!OOH!
SHAW:ButifWaltWhitmanwerealivetoday,whatsongwouldhehearAmericasinging?WhenIturnontelevision,allIhearisthemusicofeasysexualityandrelaxedmorals.Ihearrockandrollandtheendlesschantofpornography.AndIaskmyself,“WhydoesourLordallowthis?”WeknowGodhasthepowertoturnallthoserecordsandbooksandvideosintoonebigfierycinderlike…(Clapshishandsbeforeasleepingboy)...that!(TheBOYstartlesawake)Buthedoesn’t.Andwhy?BecauseGodistestingus.He’swatchingtoseewhetherwe’llchoosehispath.Andthatiswhy,everyday,wemustaskourselves:“HaveIdonetherightthing?”
ETHEL/REN:HAVEIDONETHERIGHTTHING?PICKINGUPMYLIFE,PACKINGUPTHEPAST. THAT’SALWAYSFRIGHT’NING,HAVEIDONETHERIGHTTHING?
ADULTPARISHIONERS:THERIGHTTHING?THERIGHTTHING!WESTRIVETODOWHAT’SRIGHT! THERIGHTTHING!THERIGHTTHING!SINISAMATTEROFBLACKANDWHITE!
SHAW:ThismorningwewelcometoourparishtwonewsoulsjustarrivedfromChicago.EthelMcCormackandherson...Ron,isit?
REN:(Mumbles)Ren.
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SHAW:Huh?Speakup!LettheLordhearyourvoice!
REN:(Stands.Louder)Ren.
CHUCK:(Snidelymimicking)“Ren!”(OtherKIDSsnicker)
REN:(ignoringthejibe)RenMcCormack.
SHAW:“Ren.”Interestingname.Isthatshortforsomething?
REN:(Cheeky)Nope!(Sitsabruptly)
KIDS:THERE’SRUMORSGOIN’ROUNDABOUTTHENEWKIDANDEVERYBODY’STALKIN’TILLTHEIRBLUECUZYOUKNOWHOWASTRANGERIS-IFHE’SNOTDUMB,HE’SDANGEROUSBUTEITHERWAYATLEASTIT’SSOMETHINGNEW.
SHAW:NowIinviteyoutojoinmywifeViandourdaughterArielinthismorning’sconvocation.
(ARIELandVIascendtothealtarandflankSHAW.)
SHAW/VI/ARIEL:GODISLOVEFOLLOWHIMANDNEVERROAM HEHASMADETHESTARSABOVEJUSTTOLIGHTYOURWAYBACKHOME.
SHAW:(TotheCongregation)Everybody!
(ALLsingtheirrespectivesectionsincounterpoint)
REN/ETHEL:WE’VEONLYBEENHERETWODAYSANDALREADYCHICAGOSEEMSAMILLIONMILESAWAY BUTWEWEREBARELYHANGINGONTHERE,‘SPECIALLYWITHMY/HISFATHERGONE THERE’SNOTTOOMANYPLACESWECOULDSTAY BUTMAYBEMOM/ICANFINDAJOBTHAT’SSTEADY ANDMAYBEI/RENCANSTANDITFORAYEAR ANDMAYBETHINGSWON’TBESOBADANDMAYBEI/RENWON’TMISSMY/HISDAD ANDMAYBEWECANSTARTANEWLIFEHERE.
SHAW/VI/ARIEL:GODISLOVEFOLLOWHIMANDNEVERROAM HEHASMADETHESTARSABOVEJUSTTOLIGHTYOURWAYBACKHOME.
ADULTPARISHIONERS:THERIGHTTHING!THERIGHTTHING!WESTRIVETODOWHAT’SRIGHT!! THERIGHTTHING!THERIGHTTHING!SINISAMATTEROFBLACKANDWHITE! THERIGHTTHING!THERIGHTTHING!WEDOTHERIGHTTHING! WESTRIVETODOTHERIGHTTHING!
KIDS:THERE’SRUMORSGOIN’ROUNDABOUTTHENEWKIDANDEVERYBODY’STALKIN’TILLTHEIRBLUE BUTEITHERWAY,IT’SSOMETHINGNEW,EITHERWAYATLEASTIT’SSOMETHINGNEW.
ALL:ONANYGIVENSUNDAYMORNINGHEREWE’LLBERAISINGOURVOICESINHARMONY GATHERINGTOJOINTHEFEASTASKINGNAUGHTBUTLORD,ATLEAST WEPRAYTHATONEDAYONCEOURTRIALSHAVECEASEDWEWILLBERELEASED!
SHAW:Goinpeace!
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ACTONE-SCENE2:TheChurchyard
(Astheserviceends,PARISHIONERSgatherinsmallgroupsaroundthechurch.OnegroupincludesSHAW,VI,REN,ETHEL,andhersisterandbrother-in-law,LULUandWES.)
SHAW:Well,Mrs.McCormack,yoursisterhascertainlybeenexcitedaboutyourmovinginwiththem.
ETHEL:LuluandWeshavebeenmyrock.
LULU:Oh,it’sbeennotrouble.Etheljustmovedrightintotheguestroom.
SHAW:AndRen,where’dyouruncleputyou?
WES:(Eagerlyjumpingin)Youremembermyoldtool-shopoverthegarage?.
VI:Wes,thatplaceisagreasydump.
LULU:Well,nomore.
WES:Picturethis:powder-bluewallpaper,chocolatebrowncarpet.
VI:Oh,no!
REN:(AsidetoVI,gravely)Oh,yes.(VIchuckles,sympathetic,thenturnstoETHEL)
VI:WhenwillMr.McCormackbejoiningus?
REN:Mr.McCormackwon’tbejoiningus.
ETHEL:MyhusbandandIareseparated.
REN:Heranofftofindhimself.
ETHEL:Ren,please!
(ELEANORandCOACHDUNBARjointhegroup.)
ELEANOR:Vi,Vi,I’vemadesomeofmyTollHousecookies.Lulu,youtasteoneandyou’llburneveryrecipeinyourkitchen.(ShehustlesLULUoffstage;asshegoes:)
VI:Won’tyoujoinus,Mrs.McCormack?Eleanorwantstoshowuswhatheaventasteslike.
ETHEL:CallmeEthel.Please.
VI:OnlyifyoucallmeVi.(Theyexit.)
REN:(ToETHEL)Savemeacookie,Ethel.(ETHEL’SlookbacktoRENsays,“Pleasebehave!”)
SHAW:So,Ren,allsetforschooltomorrow?
WES:Wetookcareofthatlastweek.Coachherehelpedgethimregistered.
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COACH:Reverend,didyouhearthatnewEnglishteacherisplanningtointroducesomevulgarmodernnovelintoourAmericanLitcourse?
SHAW:“SlaughterhouseFive.”Yes,Coach,I’vereceivedseveralcalls.
REN:”SlaughterhouseFive?”(ToWESandCOACH)Coolbook,covertocover!(ToSHAW)That’soneawesomestory!(Hestops,abashed)“SlaughterhouseFive,”right?It’saclassic.
COACH:Doyoureadmuch?
WES:Well,Coach,maybeinanothertownit’saclassic.
REN:Inanytown,UncleWes.
COACH:“TomSawyer”isaclassic.
(ARIELandRUSTYrushon.)
ARIEL:Daddy,excuseme,Rustyandthegirlsaregoingoutforburgerstonight.CanI?
SHAW:Tomorrowisaschoolday.
ARIEL:Aw,Daddy…?
SHAW:Askyourmother.
RUSTY:(Alwaysspeakingamile-a-minute)Wealreadydid,ReverendMoore,andshesaiditwasokaywithherifitwasokaywithyou,soisitokaywithyou?
SHAW:(ReactstoRUSTY’sbarrage)Teno’clock.
ARIEL:Teno’clock.
RUSTY:Greatsermon,Reverend.
SHAW:Thankyou,Rusty.
RUSTY:And,oh!WhatyousaidaboutWaltWhitmanandrock‘nrolland“listentothemusicinyoursoul,”andallthat,Imean,Iwaslike,“Whoknew?”
SHAW:Highpraise,indeed.(TurningtoCOACHandWES)Gentlemen.(Theyexit)
ARIEL:I,ontheotherhand,thoughtmydaddywasnevergoingtoshutup.(ShestartstopeeloffherSundaybest;she’sunder-dressedwithsexierclothes.)
RUSTY:Well,then,whydon’tyoujusttalktohim?
ARIEL:Why?Heneverlistenstome.And,anyway,I…(SheseesRENwatchingherandstopstalking;beat)WelcometoBomont.(Pause)
REN:(Likeadrawlingcowboy)Howdy.(Hisattemptathumorismetwithblankstares;embarrassed,RENstartstogo,butisstoppedbyURLEENandWENDYJOastheyenter)
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URLEEN:Ooooo!Youarecute!WendyJo,isn’thecute?
WENDYJO:Uh-huh.
URLEEN:Ibetheknowshe’scute,donchathink,WendyJo?
WENDYJO:Uh-huh
(RENleaves)
URLEEN&WENDYJO:(Callingafterhim,teasing)Ouch!Oh,baby….!Yougotthatsweetstuff….!(Etc)
RUSTY:(Stoppingthem)Hey!Putyourtonguesbackinyourmouths,andlet’sgetouttahere.
(TheGIRLSstartoffinonedirection,ARIELintheother.)
ARIEL:Seeya!
URLEEN:Andwhere’reyougoing?
ARIEL:Wheredoyouthink?
WENDYJO&URLEEN:(Theyknow)Oooh.
ARIEL:Andifthequestionevercomesup,Iwaswithyouguysallevening,right?
WENDYJO:Areyouaskingustolieforyou?
ARIEL:Yeah.(TheGIRLSlooktoeachother,shrug.)
RUSTY,URLEEN&WENDYJO:Okay.(Allexit,GIRLSoneway,ARIELtheother.)
MUSIC2-TheGirlGetsAround (ThetwangofelectricguitarsbringsonCHUCKCRANKSTONandhisbuddies,TRAVISandLYLE.ARIELenters.)
ACTONE-SCENE3:BehindaGasStation
CHUCK:Hey,good-lookin’.(HeandARIELkiss.)Missme?
ARIEL:Youwish
(TRAVISandLYLE,thuggishandgrass-stained,approach)
TRAVIS:Hey,there,Ariel.
LYLE:How’sitgoin’?
ARIEL:(Regardsthem)Hey,Travis.Lyle.(Gasps,turnstoCHUCK.)Ohdear.DidIinterruptyourweeklypoetryclubmeeting?
CHUCK:Veryfunny.(Hecaressesher.)So.Whowasthatnewguyinchurch?
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ARIEL:Who….?Oh,him.He’sournewclassmate.(Playful)AChicagotransplantwithallthecharmandsophisticationthatcomesfromlivinginabustlingmetropolis.
CHUCK:ShouldIbejealous?
ARIEL:(Teasing)I’mcountingonit.(Theygrabeachotherandkiss.)
LYLE:Hey,Cranston.Jus’what’reyoudoin’withthepreacher’sdaughter?
CHUCK:(Singing)ANYTHINGTHATIWANT
TRAVIS:Oh,yeah?Whatdoesshegetoutofit?
CHUCK:EVERYTHINGTHATSHENEEDS(ARIELissuddenlyproper.)
ARIEL:Likeyou’dknow.
CHUCK:WELL,SHE’DLIKEYOUTOTHINKSHEWASBORNYESTERDAYWITHHERINNOCENTLOOKSANDHERLITTLETOWNWAYSWHENSHE’SSMILIN’ATMESHE’SGOTANGELSINHEREYES BUTI’VESEENHOWSHEMOVESANDTHISGIRLREALLYCOOKS SHETAUGHTMESOMETRICKSTHATYOUCAN’TLEARNINBOOKS ANDI’MSTARTIN’TOTHINKSHE’STHEDEVILINDISGUISE.
CHUCK/TRAVIS/LYLE:THEGIRLGETSAROUNDSHEKNOWSWHATSHELIKES
TRAVIS&LYLE:HUNH!
CHUCK: TRAVIS/LYLE:
IGOTWHATSHENEEDS NEEDS
JUSTWAIT’LLTONIGHT! JUSTWAIT!
WE’LLBOTHMAKEOURMOVES MAKEOURMOVES
CHUCK/TRAVIS/LYLE:YEAH,WE’LLCOVERSOMEGROUND
CHUCK:THEGIRLGETSAROUND,AROUND,AROUND,AROUND,AROUND,AROUND OHYEAH,THISGIRLGETSAROUND
TRAVIS:Ariel,Iswear.You’rethemostrebelliousgirlI’veevermet.
ARIEL:Gotaproblemwiththat?
TRAVIS:Nuh-huh.Ijustwishyouhadasister!
LYLE:Chuckisoneluckydude!
ARIEL:(ToTRAVISandLYLE)YEAH,HELIKESTOPRETENDHE’SAMANAMONGMEN BUTWITHHISHANDSINHISPOCKETS,HECAN’TCOUNTTOTEN. (ToCHUCK)DON’TWORRY,BABY,YOU’RESECRET’SSAFEWITHME.
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TRAVIS/LYLE:Busted!
ARIEL:ANDHEBORESMETOTEARSWITHHISBEERSANDHISBIKES BUTIKEEPHIMAROUNDCUZWHENTEMPTATIONSTRIKES HE’SGOTAMOTOR,ANDWE’LLGOONASPREE!
CHUCK/TRAVIS/LYLE:THEGIRLGETSAROUND
CHUCK:SHEKNOWSWHATSHELIKES
TRAVIS/LYLE:HUNH!SHEKNOWSWHATSHELIKES!
CHUCK/ARIEL:GOTWHATYOUNEED
TRAVIS&LYLE:YEAHYEAHYEAHYEAH
CHUCK:JUSTWAIT’LLTONIGHT
ARIEL:MAYBETONIGHT
TRAVIS/LYLE:WAIT’LLTONIGHT
CHUCK/ARIEL/TRAVIS/LYLE:WE’LLBOTHMAKEOURMOVESYEAH, WE’LLCOVERSOMEGROUNDTHEGIRLGETSAROUND AROUNDAROUNDAROUNDAROUNDAROUND THEGIRLGETSAROUND AROUNDAROUNDAROUNDAROUNDAROUND OHMAN,THISGIRLGETSAROUND!(ARIELjumpsintoCHUCK’sarmsasSHAWenters)
SHAW:Ariel?(ALLfreeze.CHUCKputsARIELdown.)
CHUCK:Evening,Reverend.
SHAW:(ToARIEL)IwenttoTheBurgerBlast.YourfriendssuggestedImightfindyouhere.
CHUCK:Wewerejustonourway.(Pause.SHAWnods,unconvinced,thenoffersasweatertoARIEL.)
SHAW:Yourmotherthoughtyoumightbecold.
(Achillypause.ARIELtakesthesweater.SHAWexits.TRAVISandLYLEcallafterhim.)
TRAVIS/LYLE:Evening,Reverend.
(ARIEL’sgoodmoodevaporates;assheexits,theBOYSteaseher,singing.)
MUSIC2a-After“Girl” CHUCK,TRAVIS&LYLE:THEGIRLGETSAROUNDANDSHEKNOWSWHATSHELIKES IGOTWHATSHENEEDSJUSTWAIT’LLTONIGHT THEGIRLGETSAROUND,AROUND,AROUD,AROUND OHMAN,THISGIRLGETSAROUND!
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ACTONE-SCENE4:AHighSchoolHallway
(STUDENTScrossontheirwaytoclass.RENcrossestoARIEL,whoenterswithRUSTY.)
REN:Hey!Ariel?Right?
ARIEL:Yeah.So?
REN:I’mRen.RenMcCormack?Wemetafterchurch?Isthisasmallworldorwhat?I’myournewclassmate.
ARIEL:(Mimickinghim)“Howdy!”
RUSTY:Girl,leavethatpoorboyalone!
(Theyleave,joiningWENDYJOandURLEENontheirway.REN,inembarrassment,turnsandbumpsintoWILLARDHEWITT,ahayseedinahat.)
WILLARD:Hey,mister,youbumpedme!
REN:Sorry.
WILLARD:Don’tyoueverlookwhereyou’regoin’?
REN:IsaidIwassorry.
WILLARD:Hey!You’rethatnewguyfromChicago,ain’tcha?
REN:Perhaps.
WILLARD:Wiseguyhuh?Listen,fella,aroundhere,youpushsomebody...theypushback.Nextthingyouknow,yougot…(Getsconfused,forgesahead)...twopeoplepushing.Getit?
REN:Gotit.Lemmeaskyousomething.Theysellmen’sclotheswhereyougotthathat?
WILLARD:(Suspiciously)Whatisthat,somekindofstupidjoke?
REN:No.That’sareallygoodjoke.
WILLARD:That’sit,man.I’mgonnakillyou!(HeraiseshisdukestoREN,whothrowshimselfatWILLARD’sfists.)
REN:Oh,please!Killme!
WILLARD:(pullsaway,startled)Huh?
REN:Killme!KILLME!That’sthemostexcitingthingI’veheardsinceIhittown!(sticksouthishand)RenMcCormack.Andyouare?
WILLARD:(Wary)Willard.WillardHewitt.
REN:Willard,whatdoyoudoaroundhereforagoodtime.
WILLARD:Uhh…sometimeswegocowtippin’.
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REN:Yeah…Besidesthat.Doyouhaveanyclubs?
WILLARD:Nope.
REN:Whataboutmovies?
WILLARD:Nope.
REN:Whataboutmalls?
WILLARD:Nope.
REN:Whatabout...
WILLARD:Nope.Nope.Andnope.(Pause)WedohavetheBowl-A-Ramadownbytheinterstate.
MUSIC3-ICan’tStandStill
REN:Wow.Ireallyadmireyou.Icouldneverdowhatyouguysdoaroundhere.
WILLARD:Yeah?Whatdowedo?
REN:Nothing! INEVERWALKWHENICANRUN,IDON’TBELIEVEIEVERCOULD. PEOPLETRYTOSLOWMEDOWN,SAYIN’,“BOYYOUREALLYSHOULDKICKBACKANDCHILL.”BUTICAN’TSTANDSTILL!
WILLARD:Icanseethat.(WILLARDtriestogetaway.RENwon’tlethimleave.)
REN:ICALLEDTHEDOCTOR,HESAID,“SON,ICANNOTOFFERYOUAPILL.”SOINEVERFOUNDRELIEFANDNOWI’VEGOTTOMOVEUNTILI’VEHADMYFILL.ICAN’TSTANDSTILL!
WILLARD:Aroundherewewalk.(OtherSTUDENTSfilterintoobservethisscene)
REN:BACKWHEREICOMEFROM,LIFE’SNEVERHUMDRUM IWISHICOULDTAKEYOUTHERE. OH,WEHADTHEWORLDATOURFEET,LIFEWASSWEET AIN’TNODOUBT,GRABASEAT,CHECKITOUT!(Hedoesafewdancemoves)
WILLARD:You’regonnalastaboutfiveminutesinthistown.
REN:OH,ITHOUGHTITWOULDNEVEREND,BUTILOSTITSOMEHOW,WOULDYOULOOKATMENOW I’MTRYIN’HARDTOTONEITDOWN,GOTTAWATCHMYP’SANDQ’S MAYBELOOKBEFOREILEAP,ANDTHENITHINK,“HEY,WHAT’STHEUSE?” AIN’TDONEITYETANDICAN’TFORGETHOWITFEELSWHENYOUDANCE‘TILYOUDROP SODON’TEVENSTARTTOSUGGESTTHATISTOPINEVERWILL ICAN’TSTAND(AlaJamesBrown)NONONONONONONONO NONONONONONONONO
WILLARD:No,no,no,no…!
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REN:Thensomebodykillmecuz-- ICAN’TSTANDSTILL! NO!NO!NO…….NO!
(Asthenumberends,PRINCIPALCLARKenters.)
PRINCIPAL:Youngman!Youngman!Whatdoyouthinkyou’redoing?
REN:IwasjusttellingWillardaboutChicago.(PRINCIPALisstone-faced.)Yeah,Chicago...y’know?...thattoddlin’town?
PRINCIPAL:That’snotwhatitlookedlike.
REN:What?Oh,that?Iwasjustshowinghimsomesteps.Stuffweusedtodoattheclubs.
WILLARD:(Frantically)Don’t….don’t….!
REN:What?“Don’t”what?Youmeanthis?(RENdancesafewdeliberatelygoofysteps.)
PRINCIPAL:Mr.McCormack!
WILLARD:(Underhisbreath)Ohno.
PRINCIPAL:There’snodancingallowedhere!
REN:What?
WILLARD:Listentotheman.
REN:Oh.Sure.Oops.Schoolproperty.Notsupposedtohaveanyfun.
PRINCIPAL:ThatsortofremarkmaypassforwitinChicago,butherewespeaksimply.LetmemakethisasclearasIcan;thereisabsolutelynodancingofanykindallowedatanytimeanywherewithinthetownlimitsofBomont.(RENstartstospeak)Ever.
(RENlaughs.Nooneelsedoes.)
REN:No,seriously.(TotheKIDS)He’skidding,right?(Noonereacts)Okay.Igotit.Thejoke’sonthenewkid.Ha-ha.
PRINCIPAL:(ToWILLARD)Mr.Hewitt!Wouldyouinformyourfriend?
WILLARD:It’sagainstthelaw.
REN:Dancing?Getout!
WILLARD:Shutup.(ToPRINCIPAL)Mr.Clark,sir,Renisverysorry.Hewasignorantofourlocallaw,andIwillinformhimofhisignorance.
PRINCIPAL:AndIwillseebothofyouinmyofficeafterschool.(Thebellrings.Noonemoves.)I’msureweallhaveplacestobe.
(STUDENTSdisperseandPRINCIPALexits.RUSTYgrabsWILLARD.)
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RUSTY:Omigosh,Willard!ThewayyouspoketoPrincipalClark!Wow...that’slike,thelongestsentenceyou’veevermade!
WILLARD:Pwshhtaww
(WILLARD,flusteredandembarrassed,exits.ARIELwalkspastREN,playfullychuckshimunderthechinandmimicsthePRINCIPAL)
ARIEL:Chinup….MisterMcCormack.(Shechuckles,exits.URLEEN,WENDYJOandRUSTYsurroundREN.)
URLEEN:It’ssuchaturn-on,watchingaguyflyinthefaceofauthority.Isn’tit,WendyJo?
WENDYJO:Uh-huh.
REN:Washeserious?
WENDYJO:Seriousasaheartattack.
REN:Dancingisagainstthelaw?
RUSTY:Hasbeenforfiveandahalfyears.Eversincetheaccident.
REN:Whataccident?
RUSTY,WENDYJO&URLEEN:(Surprisedhedoesn’tknow)ThePotawneyBridgeAccident!(RENshrugs)
WENDYJO:You’veneverheardofthePotawneyBridgeAccident?
REN:IfIhad,wouldIbedoingthis?(Heshrugsagain,moreexaggeratedthanlasttime.)
RUSTY:Well!Ladies,shouldItakethisone?
WENDYJO:Please.
URLEEN:Bemyguest.
RUSTY:Therewerethesefourkidsweallgrewupwith.AndtheyweredrivingbackfromabigdanceoverinBaylorCounty.Now,maybeitwastherainthatnight,maybetheywerebeingalittlewild,butsomehowtheylostcontrolofthecar.Itskiddedacrossthebridge,crashedthroughtherailing,andfellthirty-fivefeetintothePotawneyRiver.
REN:Yikes.Didanybodysurvive?(RUSTYshakesherhead“no.”)Oh,that’sawful.
RUSTY:Yeah.Andwhenthesheriff’sofficepublishedtheautopsyreporttherewasalcoholandmarijuanaintheirblood.Well,everybodyintownwentnuts.
URLEEN:Andthat’swhenReverendMooregotsorighteous.Hestartedblaminganythingandeverything….liquor,drugs,rockandroll...
REN:Anddancing?
URLEEN:Yougotit.
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RUSTY:HeconvincedtheTownCouncilthatitwasallasinand…(Snapsherfingers)...justlikethat,theypassedthislaw.
REN:Wait.ReverendMoorehasthatkindofpower?
RUSTY:ReverendMoore?
URLEEN:Heisthepower.
WENDYJO:He’sthelaw.
REN:Man.Howcanyoustandtolivelikethis?
URLEEN:Practice.Yearsofpractice.
RUSTY:It’snotlikeChicago.Itmustbesocooltoliveinacitywhereyoucanwalkdownthestreetandgetmuggedbypeopleyoudon’tevenknow.
REN:Yeah,Imissthat.Ithoughtlivinginasmalltownwasgoingtobeperfect,likeonebighappyfamily.
RUSTY:Letmetellyouaboutthatfamiy.
(Shechecksbehindherselftomakesurenobody’slistening.)
MUSIC4-Somebody’sEyes RUSTY:There’stongueswaggingeverytimeyoumakeamove.
URLEEN:There’sfingerspointingeverytimeyouturnaround.
WENDYJO:There’sheadsshakingtheminuteyoucrosstheline.
RUSTY:Andthere’seyeseverywhere. CAREFULWHATYOUDOSOMEONE’SONTOYOUCAREFULWHATYOUDO
URLEEN:CAREFULWHATYOUSAYCUZYOU’REONDISPLAYEVERYNIGHTANDEVERYDAY
RUSTY:SOMEBODY’SHIDINGINTHEGREATUNKNOWN
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:UH-HUH
RUSTY:ANDEV’RYTIMEYOUTHINKTHATYOU’REALONE
URLEEN/WENDYJO:HAH!
RUSTY:SOMEBODY’SEYESAREWATCHING
URLEEN:SOMEBODY’SEYESARESEEINGYOUCOMEANDGO
WENDYJO:SOMEBODY’SOUTTHERE,WAITINGFORTHESHOW
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:YOU’VEGOTNODISGUISEFROMSOMEBODY’SEYES
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REN:Thanksfortheadvice.Butit’snotgoingtogettome.
URLEEN:Getstoeverybody.
REN:Youdon’tknowme.
RUSTY:Youdon’tknowBomont.
(Asthenumbercontinues,TOWNSPEOPLEfillthestageandframethefollowingvignettes)
ALL:SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYES,WHOA,OHSOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYES,WHOA,OH
(ACOPstepsoutofthecrowd,writingaticketforREN.)
COP:You’regonnahavetolearnthatinBomont,astopsignmeansstop.
REN:IthoughtIdid.
COP:Andthatradiomusicofyourswasblastingprettyloud.
REN:Oh.Soyoupulledmeoverbecausemymusic’stooloud.
COP:Hey!Watchthatattitude,boy.
(CHUCK,LYLEandTRAVISenter.)
CHUCK:Book‘im,Jim!
COP:Thisafriendofyours,Chuck?
CHUCK:Thecitykid?Iwouldn’tlethimpetmydog.
(CHUCK,LYLEandTRAVIShowlwithlaughterandexit.RENwatchesthemgo.)
REN:(ToCOP,sarcasticallycheery)Theyseemnice.
(Stone-faced,theCOPslapsaticketinREN’shand.)
URLEEN:CAREFULHOWYOUSPEAK,TURNTHEOTHERCHEEK,BECAREFULHOWYOUSPEAK
WENDYJO:THINKANAUGHTYTHOUGHTANDIFYOUGETCAUGHT WELL,THEN,BOY,YOU’VEBOUGHTALOTOFTROUBLE
RUSTY:SOMEWHERETHERE’SSOMEONEWITHAPERFECTVIEW
RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:YOO-HOO!
RUSTY:ANDTHEY’REJUSTDYIN’FORALITTLEPEEK-A-BOO
URLEEN/WENDYJO:BOO!
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RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:SOMEBODY’SEYESAREWATCHING SOMEBODY’SEYESWILLNEVERCLOSE,NEVERSLEEP SOMEBODY’SAFTERTHESECRETSTHATYOUKEEP WHO’SGOTALIBISFROMSOMEBODY’SEYES?
(ThePrincipal’sOffice.COACHDUNBARdragsRENinbeforethePRINCIPAL.WithhimareTRAVISandLYLEinwrestler’soutfits.)
COACH:PrincipalClark,thisboyturnedmywrestlingpracticeintoabrawl!
LYLE:Yeah!!
TRAVIS:Yeah!
REN:(ToTRAVIS)Oh,Isupposemynosejustslammedintoyourfist!
LYLE/TRAVIS/REN:That’sbull…!Youstartedit….!Itwasyou….!Hey…!
COACH:Hey!That’senough!(ToREN)Myboysknowthedifferencebetweenawrestlingmatchandastreetfight.
REN:(Snide)Oh,really,Coach?Awrestlingmatchisusuallyone-on-one.
PRINCIPAL:Thatisenoughoutofyou!Thisisthethirdtimeinasmanyweeksthatyou’vebeendraggedintomyoffice.I’msuspendingyoufromthewrestlingteam.Indefinitely.
ALL:SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYESWHOA-OHSOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYESWHOA-OH
(TheWarnickerHome.RENisstandingbeforeWES,LULU,andETHEL.)
WES:DoyouknowhowharditwasformetogetyouthatjobatDillingham’sHardwareStore?It’snotevenamonthandyougetfired!
LULU:Everydayit’smorebadnewswithyou.Everyday.
ETHEL:Lulu,don’texaggerate.
WES:Ethel,nowhush!You’renothelpingthings.
ETHEL:Ren?Whatdidhappen?
REN:NothingIshouldbefiredfor!Willardcamebythestore,andhewantedchangeofadollar,soIpoppedopentheregister.AndwhenMr.Dillinghamcameoutandsawmyhandinthedrawer,hewentcrazy.Heaccusedmeofstealing.
LULU:That’sbecauseeverythingyoudomakespeoplesuspicious.
WES:Areyouondrugs?
REN:No!Butwhydon’tyoufriskme?I’msureyou’vealreadypokedthrougheverythinginmyroom.
ETHEL:Ren,apologizetoyouruncle.
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WES:Look,youngman,IknowI’mnotyourfather...
REN:Youcansaythatagain!
(WESslapsREN.LULUgasps.)
ETHEL:Wes!
WES:Don’tsayanything,Ethel.
ETHEL:Ican’tnotsayanything.Idon’tknowhowtodothat,Wes.
LULU:Pumpkin,hush,please!
ETHEL:Wes,Irealizethatweareguestsinyourhome….
WES:Ethel!(Thatstopsher)Rightnow,justdon’tsayanything!
(ETHELbitesherlip,theADULTSdisperse.)
URLEEN:(ToREN)NEVERLAUGHTOOLOUD,NEVERLEAVEACROWD
WENDYJO:NEVERDRESSRISQUE,ORYOU’LLHAVETOPAY
RUSTY:IFYOU’VEEVERHADANYTHINGTOHIDETHINKTWICEBEFOREYOUSTEPOUTSIDE
URLEEN&WENDYJO:STEPOUTSIDE
RUSTY,URLEEN&WENDYJO:SOMEBODY’SEYESAREWATCHING SOMEBODY’SEYESAREFOLLOWINGEV’RYMOVE SOMEBODY’SWAITINGTOSHOWTHEYDON’TAPPROVE
URLEEN:NOTHINGSATISFIES
URLEEN/RUSTY:SOMEBODY’SEYES
WENDYJO:AIN’TNOALIBIS
WENDYJO/URLEEN:INSOMEBODY’SEYES
RUSTY:YOU’VEGOTNODISGUISE
RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:FROMSOMEBODY’SEYES
TOWNSPEOPLE:SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYESWHOA-OH SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYESWHOA-OH
(EVERYONEexits,leavingonly…)
RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:WHOA-OH
(TheMoorehomeappears.ARIELrunsonwithCHUCK.Heisalloverher,asshepusheshimaway,laughing)
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ARIEL:Chuck!Stop!Idon’twanttobelate!
CHUCK:What’safewmoreminutes?
RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:WHOA-OH
ARIEL:Mydadisstillnotcrazyaboutmyseeingyou.
CHUCK:Well,tellhimtogetusedtoit.
ARIEL:Youtellhim!
CHUCK:(Teasing)Iwill!(HestartstowardtheMoorehome)ReverendMoore….
(Giggling,ARIELcatcheshisarmandpullshimback.)
ARIEL:Maybenotrightnow.I’mnotinthemoodforoneofhissermons.(ShekissesCHUCK.)‘Byenow.
(ARIELrunstothedoor,CHUCKhasn’tleft.Shewhispers:)Go!Gohome!(CHUCKstrutsaway)
RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:WHOA-OH
(Astheyexitthemusicseguesinto…)
ACTONESCENE5:TheMooreHome
(Apieceofclassicalmusicplayssoftlyinthebackground.SHAWiswriting,VIpreparesdinner.ARIELpullsherselftogether,dashesinandkissesSHAWonthecheek)
ARIEL:Hi,Daddy.Mom.
VI:Areyouhungry?
ARIEL:I’mstarving.(Shelistenstothemusic.)A-ha.What’sthis?Don’ttellme-Haydn.TheSecondSonata?
SHAW:Thefourth.
ARIEL:Numberfour,right.Iguessthatkindofmusic’sokay,huh,Daddy?
SHAW:Meaning…?
VI:She’sjustmakingajoke,Shaw.
SHAW:I’mawareofthat,Vi.(toARIEL)This“kind”ofmusicisuplifting.Itdoesn’tconfusethemind.
(Notwantingtogetdrawnintoadiscussion,ARIEL,changesthesubject.)
ARIEL:Areyouworkingonyoursermon?
SHAW:Iam.
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ARIEL:RememberwhenIwasakid?OnSaturdays,Iwouldsitinapewdownfrontandlistentoyoupractice.Overandover.
SHAW:Idoindeed.
ARIEL:AndthenIwouldclap.Andyouwouldbow.Remember?
SHAW:Well,youseemtohaveoutgrownthat.
VI:Shaw!
ARIEL:Whatjusthappened?DidIsaysomethingwrong?
VI:Yourfather’shadadifficultday.
SHAW:Vi,Icanspeakformyself.
VI:(toARIEL)Honey,whydon’tyousetthetable.
ARIEL:I’mnotreallyhungry.(Sheleaves.VIlookstoSHAW.)
VI:Shaw,ifyou’reangrywithAriel,pleasetellherwhy.
SHAW:I’mnotangry.I’mconcerned.
VI:Thengettothepoint.Youtwospeakandnothinggetssaid.
SHAW:HaveyouseenherwiththisChuckCranston?ThelasttimeIwalkedinonthetwoofthem…
VI:Youtoldme.
SHAW:Theboyhasarecordofarrests,VI.
VI:Andthemoreyouobject,themoreintriguedshe’sgoingtobe.
SHAW:SoIshouldholdmypeace?
VI:Ido.AndIpraythatherinfatuationwithChuckCranstonlastsnolongerthanminewithElliotCriswell.
SHAW:ElliotCriswellwasnotanoverheateddelinquent.
VI:Oh,hemostcertainlywas!
SHAW:Thisisnotfunny.
VI:I’mtryingtolightenthemood.
SHAW:Well,Ican’t.I’mfrightenedaboutwhereArielis,whatshe’sdoing…
VI:Youcan’texpecthertosithomewithus.
SHAW:Let’sstopthisconversationrighthere.
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VI:Conversation?
SHAW:Vi…
VI:Iseemedtohavewalkedinononeofyoursermons.
SHAW:Please!Let’snotsayanythingwemightregret.
(Hegoes.LeavingVIalone.)
MUSIC5-LearningToBeSilent
VI:SWALLOWINGMYWORDS,STARINGATTHEFLOORCOUNTINGLITTLECRACKSINTHETILE,STRUGGLINGTOSMILEWITHOUTCHOKINGLEARNINGTOBESILENT.
(ETHELentersinherownspaceandsings:)
ETHEL:WATCHINGHOWTHEDUST,DANCESOUTTHEDOORNOTICINGMYHANDSSTARTTOSHAKE,CONTEMPLATINGTAKINGUPSMOKINGLEARNINGTOBESILENT.
VI/ETHEL:ALWAYSHEARING
ETHEL:“HUSHETHEL!”
VI:“PLEASE,VI!”
VI/ETHEL:“LET’SNOTHAVETHISCONVERSATION.”
ETHEL:ANDSOISTANDBYWHILEMYMINDTAKESASMALLVACATION.
VI/ETHEL:LALALALALALALALA;LALALALALALALALA
VI:MAKINGLITTLESOUNDSOTHERFOLKSIGNORE
ETHEL:QUIETINGTHEBEATOFMYHEARTNEVERBEINGPARTOFTHEMOMENT
ALL:LEARNINGTOBESILENT.
VI:LEARNINGTHEREARESOMETOPICSTHATWEDON’TEVENMENTION
ETHEL:ANDIFTHEYCOMEUP,THENWETRYTOBEVAGUE
VI:THEREARESUBJECTSFROMWHICHWEDIVERTALLATTENTION
ETHEL:ANDSOMEWEAVOIDLIKETHEPLAGUE
ALL:I’MBECOMINGAMIME
ETHEL:BITINGMYTONGUE.
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VI:BIDINGMYTIME
ETHEL:TRYINGNOTTOSCREAM
VI:TRYINGNOTTOSCREAM
ETHEL:MANAGEDITBEFORE
VI:MANAGEDITBEFORE
ALL:KNOWINGIFI’MGOINGTOSURVIVETHEN,UGH!
ETHEL:I’VEGOTTOPRACTICE
VI:PRACTICE
BOTH:LEARNING…(They“zip”theirlips.)HM...HM...HM…
(LightsfadeontheWOMEN.)
MUSIC5A-SceneChangetoBurgerBlast
ACTONE-SCENE6:TheBurgerBlast
(ARIEL,WENDYJO,RUSTY,andURLEENareatatabledoinghomework.)
RUSTY:Ariel,thisbookreportyouwroteissogreat!IalmostwishI’dreadthebook.
URLEEN:Hurryup,Rusty.Ihavetocopyitnext.
RUSTY:(Holdingupasheetofpaper.)Howdoyoupronouncethisword?
ARIEL:“Camelot”
URLEEN:Really?
ARIEL:Really.
RUSTY:Youwhatpartsoundsgreat?
WENDYJO:IlikethepartwhereKingArthurandLancelotfightoverGuinevere.It’srightafterMordredshowsupandsays,“I’mtheking!I’mtheking!”(Shestops,realizingtheyarestaring.)What?
URLEEN:Youreadabook?!
WENDYJO:CliffNotes.Ittookmeforever.
ARIEL:It’sevenbetterinthebook.There’salltheseknightsonhorsebackjoustingandstormingthecastle.
RUSTY:Allwegetareguysinoverallsridingpickuptrucks.
(WILLARDenters.)
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WENDYJO:Hi,Willard.
WILLARD:Hi.How’rey’alldoing?
ALL:Oh….Youknow…Okay…Good…etc
WILLARD:Hey,Rusty.
RUSTY:Hey,Willard.
(RUSTYandWILLARDsharealongsilence;then:)
WILLARD:Well,Seeya.(Hescamblesovertoatablebyhimself.TheGIRLSturnonRUSTY.)
URLEEN:“Hey,Willard?”That’sit?
WENDYJO:Youtwoarepathetic.
ARIEL:Whenareyoutwogoingtohavearealconversation?
RUSTY:Oh,Willardisnotcapableofarealconversation.(Beat)Ikindalikethatinaguy.
(RENskatesupinaBurgerBlastuniformandhat,sillyandoutrageous.)
WENDYJO:Hey,Ren,how’sthenewjob?
REN:Well,Ihaven’tbeenfiredandit’salreadymysecondday.
ARIEL:Youmayhavefoundyourfuture.
REN:Imayhave.WhatcanIgetyou?
RUSTY:DietCoke.
URLEEN:DietCoke.
WENDYJO:I’llhaveaHulaBurgerDoublePattyCheeseMeltwithextramayoandanorderoffries.Andadietcoke.
REN:AndAriel?What’syourpleasure?
ARIEL:It’snotonthemenu.
(TheGIRLSscreamandslapherfivewithadlibsof“Ouch!”“Girlfriend!”“Yougo,girl!”asRENskatesovertoWILLARDandthelightsshift.)
WILLARD:IfChuckseesyouflirtingwithAriel,youareadeadman.
REN:Sheusuallydoesn’tevenrememberme.
WILLARD:Well,thatuniformmakesyoulooklikesuchapipsqueak,it’seasiertopickyouout.
REN:Youarealwayslookingforafight,aren’tyou?
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WILLARD:Mamasaysit’smynature.
REN:Willard,shutupandtellmewhatyouknowaboutAriel.
WILLARD:Well,Iknowshe’sbeenkissedalot.
REN:And…?
WILLARD:Andsheisontoyoulikeahogonslop!
REN:Getouttahere!
WILLARD:Ariellikestrouble.AndyouhavedefinitelyprovedtoeverybodyinthistownthatyouareT-R-U-B-L.
(ThelightsshiftbacktotheGIRLS.)
ARIEL:Comeon!Iwasonlyteasinghim.
RUSTY:That’smorethanteasing.Renisfromoutoftownanddon’ttellmethatdoesn’tcurlyourtoes.
WENDYJO:YouwantoutofBomontsobad,Ibetyoumemorizebusschedules.
URLEEN:Youtoldusthatyoureadjusttoescapetootherworlds.
ARIEL:Exactly!Inbooks,Igettomeetguyswhoamazeme.
WENDYJO:WhataboutRen?
ARIEL:Whatabouthim?
RUSTY:He’ssortasmart.
URLEEN:He’skindatall.
WENDYJO:AndIthinkhe’shandsome.
ARIEL:Cute,maybe.
URLEEN:ButcanhereallycompetewithChuckCranston,therugged,dangeroushighschooldropout-slash-drugdealerwhowasrecentlyevictedfromatrailerpark?Idon’tthinkso.
(TheGIRLSgiggle,andthelightsshiftbacktoRENandWILLARD.)
REN:What’sthedealwithyouandRusty?
WILLARD:Beatsme.Ithinkshe’sgood-lookingandall.ButIneverknowwhattheheckshe’stalkingabout.ShetalksfasterthananygirlIevermet.
REN:That’scuzshelikesyou!
WILLARD:(Thrilled)Y’think!?
MUSIC6–HoldingOutForaHero
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RUSTY:IfIcouldonlyfindaguywho’dmakethefirstmove.
URLEEN:IfIcouldonlyfindaguywho-whenhewenttokissmegoodnight-he’dtakethetoothpickoutofhismouth.
WENDYJO:IfIcouldonlyfind…aguy.
ARIEL:WHEREHAVEALLTHEGOODMENGONE,ANDWHEREAREALLTHEGODS?
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:Yeah!
ARIEL:WHERE’STHESTREET-WISEHERCULESTOFIGHTTHERISINGODDS?
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:I’DLIKETOKNOW
ARIEL:ISN’TTHEREAWHITEKNIGHTUPONAFIERYSTEED?LATEATNIGHTITOSSANDITURN…
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:ITOSSANDITURN,OOH-OOH-OOH
ARIEL:ANDIDREAMOFWHATINEED….INEEDAHERO
(Thestageturnsintoarockconcertfantasy.)
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;AHH!AHH!
ARIEL:SOMEWHEREAFTERMIDNIGHTINMYWILDESTFANTASYSOMEWHEREJUSTBEYONDMYREACHTHERE’SSOMEONEREACHINGBACKFORME
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOO
ARIEL:RACINGONTHETHUNDER RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOOANDRISINGWITHTHEHEAT DOOIT’SGONNATAKEASUPERMAN DOODOODOOTOSWEEPMEOFFMYFEET AHH
ALL:INEEDAHERO
ARIEL:I’MHOLDINGOUTFORAHEROTILTHEENDOFTHENIGHT
WENDYJO:HE’SGOTTABESTRONG
URLEEN:ANDHE’SGOTTABEFAST
RUSTY:ANDHE’SGOTTABEFRESHFROMTHEFIGHT
ALL:INEEDAHERO!I’MHOLDINGOUTFORAHEROTILTHEMORNINGLIGHTHE’SGOTTABESURE,ANDIT’SGOTTABESOON,ANDHE’SGOTTABELARGERTHANLIFE
ARIEL:LARGERTHANLIFE!
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;AHH!AHH!
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ARIEL:UPWHERETHEMOUNTAINSMEETTHEHEAVENSABOVE
WENDYJO:OUTWHERETHELIGHTNINGSPLITSTHESEA
ALL:ICOULDSWEARTHEREISSOMEONESOMEWHEREWATCHINGMETHROUGHTHEWINDANDTHECHILLANDTHERAINANDTHESTORMANDTHEFLOODICANFEELHISAPPROACHLIKEAFIREINMYBLOODLIKEAFIREINMYBLOOD;LIKEAFIREINMYBLOODLIKEAFIREINMYBLOOD;LIKEAFIREINMY…AHH!AHH!
INEEDAHERO!I’MHOLDINGOUTFORAHEROTILTHEENDOFTHENIGHTHE’SGOTTABESTRONGANDHE’SGOTTABEFASTANDHE’SGOTTABEFRESHFROMTHEFIGHT
INEEDAHERO!I’MHOLDINGOUTFORAHEROTILTHEMORNINGLIGHTHE’SGOTTABESUREANDIT’SGOTTABESOONANDHE’SGOTTABELARGERTHANLIFELARGERTHANLIFE
(Asthesongends,theirfantasydissolvesandtheyreturntoTheBurgerBlast.)
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;DOODOODOODOO;AHH!AHH!
ALL:INEEDAHERO!
(WehearCHUCK’Struckscreechup;ARIELpanics,jumpsup.)
ARIEL:Oh,no!Whattimeisit?
RUSTY:Eight-thirty.Why?
ARIEL:Ohno!I’mlate.Chuck’sgonnaloseit.
(CHUCKstormsin,furious.)
CHUCK:Ariel!Wherehaveyoubeen?Wehadadatehalfanhourago!
ARIEL:Chuck,I’msorry.
CHUCK:Idon’tlikeyoumakingafooloutofme.
RUSTY:Andwhywouldyou?Youdosuchagoodjobofityourself.
CHUCK:Shutup,Rusty.
(RENskatesovertoCHUCK)
REN:Willyoubejoiningtheseladiesfordinner?
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(CHUCKturnstoREN,lookshimupanddown,thencontemptuouslypusheshimbackward.RENrollsawayslowly.CHUCKgrabsARIELbythearmandpullshertooneside.)
CHUCK:WhenIsay“meetmeateight,”whatamI-talkingtomyself?
ARIEL:No,you’reright.Calmdown,Chuck.
CHUCK:Don’ttellmetocalmdown!Don’t-ever-tellmewhattodo!(GlancesatRUSTY,WENDYJOandURLEEN),Iknowwhatyourfriendsthinkofme.Andthat’scrap.I’mthebestpartyinthistown,baby,andthosethreedogsoughtabetiedupundertheporch.Let’sgo.
ARIEL:No.
CHUCK:Getinthetruck.
ARIEL:No!
CHUCK:Excuseme?
ARIEL:Isaid,“No.”Whatpartofthatdon’tyouunderstand?
CHUCK:(fondlesher)Oh,whenthepreacher’sdaughtersays“no”,itjustmakesmehot.Sayitagain,baby.
ARIEL:Leavemealone,Chuck.Don’t!
REN:Ibelievetheladysaid,“No.”
CHUCK:AndIbelievethisisnoneofyourbusiness.
ARIEL:Ren,don’t…
CHUCK:Ariel,whoinvitedthisclown?
REN:Oh,I’msorry!We’veneverbeenformallyintroduced.(ExtendshishandatCHUCK’seye-level.)RenMcCormack.
CHUCK:Getyourhandouttamyface.Andgetyourfaceouttamysight.
(CHUCKsmacksREN’shandaway;WILLARDleapsup.)
WILLARD:Hey,Chuck!Youlookingforafight?Let’sparty!
REN:Willard!Willard,don’tlosemethisjob…!
WILLARD:Aw,man,letmenailhim!I’llnailhim…!
(CHUCKandWILLARDhaveasmallmatchwhichRENtriestosubdue.OTHERSjoinin.BETTYBLAST,ownerofthediner,rollsoncarefully,wearingaBurgerBlastuniform.She’stoooldtoskatebuttooornerytoadmitit.)
BETTY:Hey…hey…HEY!(EVERYONEstops)Wegotaproblemhere?
REN:Notatall,ma’am.Meandtheguyswerejustdiscussingthecomfortandsafetyofoneofyourvaluedcustomers.
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(ARIELANDTHEGIRLSchuckle;CHUCKturnsonARIEL.)
CHUCK:What?Youthinkthat’sfunny?
BETTY:Cranston!Yourpick-uptruckisinthehandicappedparking,whichisaspacewereserveforpeoplewithphysical,notemotional,disabilites.
(CHUCK,humiliated,hasnogracefulwayout.)
CHUCK:Youhaven’tseenthelastofme,McCormack.
(HeshovesRENasheexits.)
WILLARD:CanIpleasekickhiminthenuts?!
BETTY:Willard!What’sthatyourmamasays?“Beforeyoumakeafist,makesureit’syourfight.”
WILLARD:Yesma’am.
BETTY:Well,thisisnotyourfight.Now,don’ttherestofyouhaveacurfew?(WehearCHUCK’struckvaroomawayastheCROWDdisperses.ARIELlingers.)AndMcCormack?
REN:(Expectingtheworst.)Iknow,ma’am.I’llturninmyskates.
BETTY:Listentome.I’llseeyouhereafterschooltomorrow.
REN:Really?SoI’mnotfired?
BETTY:Notyet.Now,gimmeapush,honey.
REN:Yes,ma’am.(Shecrouches,armsextended;RENgivesherashoveandBETTYglidesoffstage.)
BETTY:Thankyou!
(RENandARIELareleftalone.RENtakesoffhisskates.)
ARIEL:Youareeitherverybraveorverystupid.
REN:Whichdoyouthink?
ARIEL:(abeat–thinking)Ihaven’tmadeupmymind.
REN:Thankyou…?
ARIEL:Youknow,Chuck’snotgoingtoforgetthis.Heholdsontogrudges…(aside)likeeverymanIknow.
REN:Huh?(didn’thearthelastpart.)
ARIEL:(Changingthesubject.)Nothing.Wannaseesomething?
REN:Don’tyouhaveacurfew?
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ARIEL:(Mockserious.)Ooh,you’reright!(Scoffs)Please.Mydaddyinventedit.Butdon’tyouthinkrulesaremadetobebroken?Comeon!
ACTONE-SCENE7:THEGREATPLAINSOFBOMONT
(SOUNDCUE:AtrainwhistleapproachesthenfadesasARIELpullsRENalong.Asthewhistlegetslouder,ARIELwails,longandloudly,joininghervoicewiththewhistleasitracesbyandfades.)
ARIEL:Aah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!!!
REN:Whatareyoudoing?
ARIEL:I’mansweringthetrain.I’msaying,“Ican’twaitforthedaywhenIgetonboardandleaveBomont!”Tryit!
REN:No,thanks.Ijustate.Youarereallysomething.
ARIEL:Whaddyamean?
REN:Imeanthewholepackage.Minister’skid,ChuckCranston’sgirlfriend.
ARIEL:Guilty.
REN:Justachurchgoin’galwithsomekillerredcowboyboots.
ARIEL:Mydaddyhatesmewearingtheseboots.
(RENsitsontheground;ARIELeventuallysitsnearby.)
REN:Andyoulovethat,don’tyou.Gettingupinhisface?
ARIEL:Thatwayhe’llnoticewhenI’mgone.
REN:Where’reyougonnago?
ARIEL:College,forstarters.I’veappliedtosomeplacesmydaddydoesn’tevenknowabout.Iwannaspeakfivelanguagesandseetheworld.HewantsmetoteachEnglishLitinBaylorCounty.(beat)Theydon’tevenspeakEnglishinBaylorCounty.
REN:Ican’tpictureyouasateacher.
ARIEL:Thankyou.NeithercanI.I’llleavethattomydaddy.
REN:He’sapreacher,notateacher.
ARIEL:Whenyou’regoodatit,it’sthesamething.Andheusedtoberealgood.
REN:Whatchanged?
ARIEL:Hismind.Heclosedit.
REN:Inoticed.
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ARIEL:Heusedtobesoopen,soinspiring.I’veseenhimgivepeoplehopewhenhopewasgone.I’vewatchedhimchangelives.
REN:Ifyoulovehimsomuch,whydoyouwannatickhimoff?
ARIEL:Ididn’tsayIlovehim.
REN:Boy,doIknowwhatyoumean.Mydad…(RENshakeshishead.)
ARIEL:Yeah,whathappenedthere?
REN:Hewalkedout.Onedayhejustwalkedoutthedoor.Nogood-bye.Nothing.
ARIEL:Whew.Ibetyou’vegotlotstosaytohim.
REN:Lots.
ARIEL:Likewhat?
REN:(Suddenlyself-conscious.)No,Icouldn’t…
ARIEL:Tellittothetrain.Ido.
(RENconsidershersuggestion.Then,inimitationofARIEL’searlierwail,heyellstowardanimaginarytrain.)
REN:Aah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!HowcanyoubesostupidtoleaveMomandme?I…hate…you!
(Spent,hedropstothegroundnearher;neitherspeaks.)
MUSIC7:ThePlainsofBomont
ARIEL:Feelbetter?
REN:I’mnotsure.(Theirfacesareclose)
ARIEL:Doyouwannakissme?
REN:(Startled,amused.)Someday.
ARIEL:“Someday”.Whatdoyoumean,“Someday?”
REN:I’vegotafeelingyou’vebeenkissedalot.I’mafraidI’dsufferbycomparison.
ARIEL:Youdon’tthinkmuchofme,doyou?
REN:Oh.IthinkofyoumorethanIexpected.(beat)C’mon.I’llwalkyouhome.
MUSIC7A:SceneChange(“Somebody’sEyes”)
(CHUCKentersandspiesonRENandARIELastheywalk.RUSTY,WENDYJO,andURLEENenterelsewhere.)
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RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:SOMEBODY’SEYESAREWATCHING.SOMEBODY’SEYESAREFOLLOWINGEVERYMOVESOMEBODY’SWAITINGTOSHOWTHEYDON’TAPPROVE
(TheGIRLSexit.)
ACTONE-SCENE8:TheMooreHome
(VI,ELEANOR,COACHDUNBAR,andPRINCIPALCLARKsitaroundthekitchentableplayingcards.SHAWpeersoutawindow.)
COACH:Okay,let’ssee…Harry,youoweEleanor…
ELEANOR:…seventyfivecents.(ToSHAW)AndReverend,youowemeabuckandaquarter.
SHAW:(Turningfromthewindow.)Eleanor,whyisitthatmyprayersalwaysseemtofailmeatthebridgetable?
(EVERYONElaughs.Justoutside,RENresistsasARIELdragshimintothehouse.)
ARIEL:No,c’mon!Justsay“hello”toeverybody.(RENandARIELentertheroom;theADULTSallstop.)Hi!YouallknowRenMcCormack.Daddy-Ren.
REN:Hey!ReverendMoore!How’sitgoin’?PrincipalClark-CoachDunbar!
ARIEL:Hi,Mrs.Dunbar.
REN:Mrs.Moore.
VI:Welcome,Ren.
REN:Whoa!Pokernight!Cool!
COACH:Ariel!Allthistimewethoughtyouwereupstairsinyourroom.
PRINCIPAL:Doingyourhomework.
SHAW:(Genial,butpointed)It’shardtoimposeacurfewontheyoungpeopleofmycongregationwhenIcan’tseemtoenforceoneinmyownhome.
REN:Well,what’sthatoldexpression?“It’stheshoemaker’schildrenwhoalwaysgobarefoot.”
(Noonelaughs;suddenlyELEANORgaspsandglancesatherwristwatch.)
ELEANOR:Oh,willyoulookatthetime!
(TheADULTSabruptlystandandexit.VIwalksthemout.RENstaysbehindwithARIELandSHAW.)
REN:Boy,Icansureemptyaroom.
SHAW:It’sararetalent.
REN:I’mgonnatakethatasacompliment.
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SHAW:(Withasmile)Oh?Icanassureyou,itwasnotmeantthatway.
(RENmimesbeingimpaledinthechestbyanarrow.)
REN:THHHWUMP!(Mimespullingoutthearrow.)Arrrgggh!(OfferingittoSHAW)Ibelievethisisyours.
(SHAWisnotamused;ARIELtriestorescuethemoment.)
ARIEL:Ren!Thanksfor…youknow..
REN:Walkingyouhome?
ARIEL:Yeah.That,too.
(AsRENstartsout,heturnstoSHAWonemoretime.)
REN:Well,Reverend.Thiswasfun,donchathink?
(SHAWstares.Afteranuncomfortablepause,RENducksout.)
MUSIC7B:Somebody’sEyesReprise
(RUSTY,WENDYJO,andURLEENenter.)
RUSTY/URLEEN/WENDYJO:SOMEBODY’SEYESARESEEINGYOUCOMEANDGO
(RENjoinsVIoutside.)
REN:Boy,Ireallyblewitinthere,didn’tI?
VI:(Amused)Yeah.Youdid.
REN:Igetnervous,Igocrazy,andIalwaysendupputtingmyfootinmymouth.
VI:Yourmothersaidyouweregoodatit,butIhadnoidea.(Theyshareasmalllaugh.)
REN:G’night,Mrs.Moore.
VI:Goodnight.(RENrunsoff.VIre-entersthehouse.)
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:SOMEBODYSOMEBODYSOMEBODYSOMEBODY’SEYES
(TRAVIS,LYLE,andCHUCKenter,observingREN’sdeparture.)
CHUCK/LYLE/TRAVIS:WHOA-OH!I’MGONNAPUNCHOUTSOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY,SOMEBODY’SEYES
(TheypullskimasksovertheirfacesastheyraceafterREN.)
RUSTY/WENDYJO/URLEEN:WHOA-OH
(TheyexitasVIobservesSHAWandARIEL.)
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SHAW:Idon’twantyoutoseehimagain.
ARIEL:Ren?Why?Justbecausehehasn’tlivedinthistownhiswholelife?
SHAW:That’snotit.But,clearlytheboyhasnorespectforauthority.Andeveryonetellsmehe’satroublemaker.
ARIEL:Who’s“everyone?”(Referstothecardtable.)TheBridgeClub?!Gimmeabreak!
SHAW:Ariel!WhatamIgoingtodowithyou?
ARIEL:Me?Daddy,latelyallyoudoislookfortheworstinpeopleandthen,ofcourse,youfindit.
SHAW:My,my,wheredidthatcomefrom?
ARIEL:Fromyou,Daddy!Today’ssermonis:theworldisevil,andArielhastobelockedawayinatower.
SHAW:That’salittlemelodramatic,don’tyouthink?
ARIEL:No,Idon’t.Daddy,youmakemefeellikeaprisoner.AndIhateit!Ijusthateit!
(ARIELexits;SHAWnoticesthatVIhasslippedinandobservedthisfight.)
SHAW:Someone’sgottoputafootdown.
VI:Ididn’tsayanything.
(Sheexits.Frustratedandagitated,SHAWsings:)
MUSIC8:HeavenHelpMe
SHAW:IDON’TENJOYBEINGHERJAILER;IDON’TRELISHTELLINGHER“NO!”BUTTHENITHINK-WHATIFIFAILHER?HOWCANIJUSTLETHERGO?ISTRIVETOBEAGOODPREACHER;ITRYNOTTOGOOVERBOARDBUTTHENITHINK-IFICAN’TREACHHER,HOWCANIFACEMYLORD?HEAVENHELPMESHOULDERMYLOAD.EVERYDAY’SASTRUGGLE,STILL,SOMEONE’SGOTTOTAKETHEHIGHROAD.IFIDON’T,WHOWILL?IBECAMEAMANOFGODTODOHISWORK,TOSPREADHISWORD.TOEASESOMEPAINANDDRYSOMETEARS.THATWASTHEPLAN.BUTIMIGHTHAVETHOUGHTTWICEIFONLYIKNEWTHATI’DSPENDALLOFMYTIMESAYING“AINH,AINH,AINH,NONONO!DON’TDOTHAT!”SEE,EVERYONEPRAYSFORSALVATION.I’MHAPPYTOGIVETHEMTHETOOLS.THEPROBLEMIS-HERE’SMYFRUSTRATION-NOBODYWANTSTOHAVERULES.SOHEAVENHELPMEWITHMYLABORS,HOWCANYOUEXPECTONEMANTOSAVEHISFAMILYANDHISNEIGHBORS?HEAVENHELPME.OHHEAVENHELPME.IFHEAVENCAN’T,WHOCAN?(Heexits.)
MUSIC8A:OnAnySundayMarch
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ACTONE-SCENE9:TheHighSchoolGym/TheChurch
(KIDSareinthemiddleofgymclass.WILLARDandARIELenterwithREN;hehasabandageabovehisblackenedeye,andonehandiswrapped.)
COACH:(Blowinghiswhistle)McCormack!Youandyourfriendsarelate.
ARIEL:Coach,Renishurt.Lookathiseye!
WILLARD:(HoldingupRen’shand)Andhishand!He’sallbangedup.
REN:It’snothing.Iwasjust…
COACH:Please!Don’twasteyourbreathormytimewithanotherlameexcuse.
ARIEL:It’snotanexcuse!AfterRenwalkedmehomelastnight,someguysjumpedhim.
WILLARD:Theyjuststartedwailingonhim!Therewaslike,sixofthem!
REN:Willard!Willard,itwasthreeguys.
COACH:Anybodyyouknow?
REN:Well,Ididn’ttakenames,ifthat’swhatyoumean.
ARIEL:Theywerewearingmasks.
COACH:McCormack,itseemsthatwhenyou’renotmakingtrouble,itfindsyouanyway.(TurningtoARIEL)AndAriel,Iwouldencourageyoutostayawayfromthisguy.I’vebeenaskedtokeepmyeyeonyouand…
ARIEL:Oh!Myfathercalledyou.Surprise,surprise.
COACH:…andifyoucooperate,itwillmakeallofourlivesmucheasier.
REN:Gee,ifmydaddymakesaphonecall,willyougetoffamyback?
COACH:Thatmouthofyoursisprobablywhatmadeyourdaddywalkoutinthefirstplace.
(RENstartstolungeatCOACH;beforehecanconnect,WILLARDgrabshim.)
WILLARD:Counttoten,man!Mamasaysjustcounttoten.(RENstopsstruggling.)
COACH:You’dbewisetotakeyourfriend’sadvice.(TurningtoARIEL)Ariel,getbacktopractice.(ToREN)AndMcCormack.Getdownandgivemethirty.
REN:(Holdsuphisbandagedhand.)You’rejoking!
COACH:You’reright.Makeitfifty.
(AfewKIDSnoticethis.)
WILLARD:He’snotfaking,Coach.He’sreallyhurting.
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COACH:Thankyouforyourdiagnosis,Dr.Willard.Youcangivemefiftyaswell.(SomeoftheGUYSlaugh;toEVERYONE.)Asamatteroffact,youcanallgivemefifty.CourtesyofMr.McCormack.(EVERYONEgrumbles.)Justdoit.(TheyALLgetdownintopositionanddopush-upsasCOACHcounts.)Andone,two…Ican’thearyou!
ALL:Three…four…
COACH:Onlyforty-sixmore.(Heexits;EVERYONEcontinuestodopushups.)
ALL:Five…six…
STELLA:Ishegone?
ALL:Seven…eight…
GRADY:Yeah.He’sgone.(TheyALLcollapse.)Hey,Ren,thanksalot.
REN:Sorry,guys.It’sjustthatthiswholetownissowouldup.
WILLARD:Amen!
REN:Youguyshavenotplacetoblowoffanysteam.
GRADY:Yousaidit!
REN:AtleastinChicagowecouldgototheclubs.
WILLARD:Hey!MaybeweoughtataketheCoachdancing!
REN:(chuckling)Willard,youareso…
(Hisvoicetrailsoffashegetsanidea;WILLARDnoticesREN’sdistraction.)
MUSIC9-I’mFree/HeavenHelpMe
WILLARD:What?What’reyouthinking?
REN:That’sit!
WILLARD:What?
REN:We’regonnathrowadance!We’regonnathrowapartythat’sgonnaknockBomontrightoffitstractor.
(Generalskepticalreaction.)
POLLY:You’rejustaskingforafight.
REN:Bringiton!
STELLA:AreyoureadytotakeonReverendMoore?
REN:I’lltakeonanybody!
POLLY:WhatabouttheTownCouncil?
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REN:I’llfightCityHall!Ifthere’sonethingworthfightingfor,it’sfreedom!
LOOKINGINTOYOUREYESIKNOWI’MRIGHTIFTHERE’SANYTHINGWORTHAFEAR,IT’SWORTHAFIGHTNOONECANTIEMYHANDSORMAKEMECHANGEMYPLANSI’MCROSSIN’THELINE,JUMPIN’THETRACKTAKIN’WHAT’SMINEANDNOTLOOKIN’BACKHEAVENHELPSTHEMANWHOFIGHTSHISFEAREVERYDAYIFACEANEWFRONTIERICAN’TWORRYWHATTHEWORLDWILLSAYIMAYFLYORFALLBUTEITHERWAYI’MFREE!
WILLARD:Ren,You’renotfree-you’recrazy!Youknowthere’salaw!
REN:Well,maybethatlawneedschanging.
RUSTY:Hello?BomontisnevergonnaletusforgetthePotawneyBridgeAccident.
(Generalagreement.)
REN:Howlongdoyouhavetoliveinthatshadow?There’sgottabeawayoutofthis.
ARIEL:Andtheonlywayoutofthisisbytrain.
REN:No!Listen-RUNNINGAWAYWILLNEVERMAKEYOUFREE
ARIEL:DOESN’TMATTERWHEREYOUGO,IGUARANTEE
REN:LONGASWEHOLDOURGROUNDWECANNOTBEBOUNDWE’RESHAKIN’THEPAST,MAKIN’OURBREAKSTAKIN’CONTROLIFTHAT’SWHATITTAKES
REN/ARIEL:HEAVENHELPSTHEMANWHOFIGHTSHISFEARWECANFACEITDOWNRIGHTNOW,RIGHTHEREONCEYOU’RESTANDINGONYOUROWNTWOFEETYOUWILLNOTRETREATIFYOUREPEAT:(Shouting)I’MFREE!
REN:C’mon!Tryit!
KIDS:(tentatively)I’MFREE.
REN:(imitatingSHAW,booming)“LettheLordhearyourvoice!”
KIDS:I’MFREE!
REN:Yeah!
KIDS:WE’RESHAKIN’THEPAST,MAKIN’OURBREAKSTAKIN’CONTROLIFTHAT’SWHATITTAKES!I’MFREE!
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(Asthenumberprogresses,theKIDSworkoutturnsrhythmicand,ultimately,exuberant,asRENinvolveseveryoneinhiscampaign.)
HEAVENHELPSTHEMANWHOFIGHTSHISFEARWECANFACETHISDOWNRIGHTNOW,RIGHTHEREMAYBEWECANFINALLYRIGHTTHISWRONGARMINARM,ANDSIDEBYSIDE,WE’RESTRONGANDFREE!
(ThesceneshiftstorevealSHAW,mid-sermon,andthePARISHIONERS.)
SHAW:Andnowwordcomestomethatsomeyoungpeopleinourcommunitywanttochangeourlawandthrowadance.Thismorninglet’sremindourselvesthatthislawisnotaboutdancing.Thislawisatribute--atributetofouryoungpeoplewhoheldthepromiseofBomont’sbrightestfuture…
KIDS:HEAVENHELPSTHEMAN
PARISHIONERS:OOHH--
SHAW:...andwestandunitedinhonoringtheirmemory.
(ALLsingthefollowingsectionssimultaneously.)
KIDS:WECANFACEITDOWN
PARISHIONERS:YOUWILLSEEUSRAISINGOURVOICES ALLOFOURVOICESFORHEAVENSAKES WEWILLBERELEASED
SHAW:HEAVENHELPME,SOMEONE’SGOTTOSAVEHISNEIGHBORS HEAVENHELPME,OHHEAVENHELPME IFHEAVENCAN’T,WHOCAN?
REN/KIDS:RIGHTNOW,RIGHTHERE,MAKINGOURBREAKS FORHEAVENSAKES,HEAVENHELPSTHEMAN HEAVENHELPSTHEMAN,HEAVENHELPSTHEMAN--I’MFREE!
(RENandSHAWdefiantlyfaceoffassongends.)
ENDOFACTONE
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ACTII
MUSIC10:StillRockin’
(ARIEL,REN,WILLARDandRUSTYrushon,excitedandcurious.Asignoverheadannounces“THEBAR-B-Q!MUSIC!DANCING!”)
ARIEL:Ren!Wherehaveyoubroughtus?
REN:It’scalledtheBar-B-Que!Thebillboardssaythatit’sthefinestlittledancepalaceinthetri-countyarea.Thinkofitasresearch.
RUSTY:Thenwhatarewewaitingfor?(Theystartoff;RUSTYdragsWILLARD.)
WILLARD:Ohno…
ACTTWO-SCENE1:TheBar-B-Que
(Couplestwo-steptotheliveband,asleadvocalistCOWBOYBOBsings.)
COWBOYBOB:WOKEUPINTHEDAYLIGHT DON’TREMEMBERLASTNIGHT;IJUSTKNOWIWASN’TALONE IPARTIEDINTHEFASTLANE,IWASFEELIN’NOPAIN SOMEBODYCARRIEDMEHOME NOWIKICKOFFTHESHEETS,RUNFORTHESTREETS I’VEGOTTAPUNCHACLOCK,BUTMYKNEESAREGOINGONEWAY--WHOO! ANDMYFEETWON’TSTOP,GIMMEROOMCUZI’M
(REN,ARIEL,RUSTY,andWILLARDenter,windingtheirwaythroughthedancingcrowd.)
STILLROCKIN,STILLROCKIN’,GOINGSTRONG STILLGOTTHEHEAT,I’MKEEPINGTHEBEAT CUZITFEELSSOGOOD OHISWEARTHATITBEATSWALKIN’,I’MSTILLROCKIN’ ALLDAYLONG,SHAKIN’MYSHOES I’MSPREADINGTHENEWSTHATI’MFEELINGSOGOOD
REN:Lookatthis!WhatcouldBomonthaveagainstdancing?Isn’tthisworthfightingfor?
RUSTY:Wow!Who’dhaveguessedthatamerehundredmilesoutsideofBomontyoucouldfindthismuchculture?
ARIEL:Andthismuchfun.
REN:Comeon.Let’sgobreakalaw.(HetakesARIEL’shand,andtheydanceintothecrowd.)
RUSTY:Willard!Youwannadance?
WILLARD:FirstthingIwannadoisfindusaplacetositdown!(Hecrossesaway;RUSTYsags,frustrated.)
COWBOYBOB:SOMETHIN’INTHEOZONE SHIVERSUPMYBACKBONE,MAKIN’MEROCKANDROLL
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ISHIMMYUPTHESIDEWALKFASTERTHANATICK-TOCK PEOPLETHINKI’MOUTTACONTROL HA,BUTDON’TWORRYNONE,I’MJUSTHAVIN’FUN AIN’TGONNALOSEMYMIND ANDIFANYBODYASKSYOU,TELL‘EMTHATI’MDOIN’FINE
(Asthebandcontinues,COWBOYBOBjumpsoffthebandstand,pullsRUSTYontothedancefloor,andspinsheraroundnoneofwhichislostofWILLARD.)
COWBOYBOB&BANDMEMBERS: TELLTHEMALLTHATI’MSTILLROCKIN’ STILLROCKIN’,GOIN’STRONG STILLGOTTHEHEAT,I’MKEEPIN’THEBEAT CUZITFEELSSOGOOD OHISWEARTHATITBEATSWALKIN’,I’MSTILLROCKIN’ ALLDAYLONGSHAKIN’MYSHOES I’MSPREADIN’THENEWS…THATI’MFEELINSOGOOD
COWBOYBOB:(toRUSTY)Hey,you’regood!(looksherupanddown)Andyouarefine!
RUSTY:Thisisincredible!Ihaven’tbeenabletodancelikethisforyears.
COWBOYBOB:Wheretheheckyoubeenlivin’?Bomont?
RUSTY:Yup.
COWBOYBOB:Nokiddin’!Well,darling,nowonderyou’resoeagertodosometail-shaking.
BANDMEMBERS: COWBOYBOB:LORDISWEARTHATIT BEATSWALKIN’ YEAH,I’MSTILLROCKIN’I’MSTILLROCKIN’ALLDAYLONG ALLDAYLONGSHAKIN’MYSHOES I’MSPREADIN’THENEWSI’MSPREADIN’THENEWSTHATI’MFEELINGSOGOOD THATI’MFEELIN’SOGOOD!
(Thenumberends.Thecrowdapplauds;thebandplaysaslowsongandCOWBOYBOBpullsRUSTYtodance.)
Music10A:Underscore
COWBOYBOB:Now,wherewerewe?(Theyslowdance;WILLARDwatchesforamomentthenangrilystepsup.)
WILLARD:Hey!Shecamewithme,Cowboy.
COWBOYBOB:Yeah?Well,weallmakemistakes.
WILLARD:Andwhatisthatsupposedtomean?
RUSTY:Willard!Hewasjustbeingfriendly!
WILLARD:Oh,yeah?(Fistsclenched,WILLARDstepsuptoCOWBOYBOB,whogentlystopshim.)
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COWBOYBOB:Look,son,it’smuchtooearlyintheeveningtogetbloodonthatprettylittleshirtofyours.(toRUSTY)Andma’am?Mycondolences.(HetipshishattoRUSTYandstridesaway.)
WILLARD:Whatdoeshemeanbythat?Hey!Hey!Yougotsomethingtosay?
(RENandARIELnoticethecommotionandrushtoWILLARDandRUSTY.)
RUSTY:Willard.HeyWillard!IknowwhoIcamewith,okay?
WILLARD:Oh.Okay.
RUSTY:Now,c’mon.Let’sdance.
WILLARD:Uh-h-h...IthinkI’mgonnagetmeabeer.
RUSTY:Oh,comeon!
WILLARD:Renyouwantabeer?
ARIEL:Holdon!Who’sgonnadrive?
RUSTY:I’lldrive.
REN:Soundsgood.ThenI’llhaveabeer.
WILLARD:Okay.That’stwobeers.
RUSTY:Iwannadance!Iwannadance!
WILLARD:I’veonlygottwohands!Ren,couldyouhelpmeouthere?
REN:(aside,toARIEL)Couldyouexcusemeaminute?(hecrossesawaywithWILLARD.RUSTYgrowlsinexasperation.)
RUSTY:Arrgh!
ARIEL:Letmeguess.Willard’sactingweird.
RUSTY:Soit’snotjustme?
ARIEL:Rusty,youandWillardhavebeenweirdsincekindergarten.
RUSTY:Buttonightisdifferent.Thisisthefirsttimewe’veeverleftBomonttogether.(gasps)Maybewedon’ttravelwell.
ARIEL:Rusty,it’sjustacarride!
RUSTY:(frenetic)Butthatmakesitlikeafirstdate,donchasee?Oh,Ishould’veseenthesigns.ThewholewayuphereIhadtodoallthetalking.Allhesaidwas,“Uh-huh,mmm-hmmm,uh-huh,mmm-hmmm.”Youknowwhatthatmeans,doncha?Mybaby’sinapanic!
ARIEL:Now,don'tmakeyourselfcrazy.Comeon,I’lldancewithyou.(Theyjointhetwo-steppin’crowd;lightscomeuponRENandWILLARD.)
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REN:Youokay?Youseemjumpy.
WILLARD:That’swhyI’mhavingabeer.MamasaysIcanhaveonebeeroronecigarette,butifIhavebothIshouldnevercomehomeagain.
REN:Willard,c’mon.What’sup?YoufinallygooutonadatewithRusty…
WILLARD:Holdon,holdon!Isthisadate?Youaskedmetogoforaride.YoutoldArieltoinviteRusty.It’smorelikeI’monadatewithyou.
REN:Andyoulooksohandsometonight.
WILLARD:Thankyou.Butyoustuckmeinthebackseatwithacrazywomanwhowon’tstopmovingandtalking!
REN:She’sexcitedtobewithyou.
WILLARD:Oh,well.Sure.That.Buttheproblemis…
REN:Yes?
WILLARD:Betweenyouandme?
REN:Uh-huh?
WILLARD:(withdifficulty)Ican’tdoit.
REN:Youcan’tdo“it?”
WILLARD:No,sir.
REN:Well,that’sokay,Willard.It’sonlythefirstdate.
WILLARD:Right.
REN:Youdon’thavetodo“it”onthefirstdate.EveninChicagosomepeopledon’tdoitonthefirstdate.
WILLARD:Really?
REN:Iswear.
WILLARD:Well,thatmakesmefeelalotbetter.
REN:Great!Thenlet’sdance!
WILLARD:Dance?Dance?!WhattheheckdoyouthinkI’mtalkingabout?
REN:Whenyousaidyoucouldn’tdo“it,”Ithoughtyoumeant…
WILLARD:What?(itdawnsonhim)Oh,that?!Hahaha!Anyidiotcandothat.Ican’tdothis.Ican’tdance!
(EverybodyturnstoWILLARDandfreezes;fromacrossthedancefloorRUSTYwails.)
RUSTY:Whaaat?!
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(TheGIRLSrushtoher;theGUYSconvergeonWILLARD.)
COWBOYBOB:(toRUSTY)D’jahearthat?Yourboyfriendsayshecan’tdance!
REN:Nowc’mon!Givetheguyabreak.
COWBOYBOB:Butthatain’tnatural!
PATSY:It’slikeridingabike.
BABS:Orfallingoffalog.
COWBOYBOB:It’saseasyaslearningtoswim.
WILLARD:Ican’tswim.
COWBOYBOB:Hey,fellas!Whaddyasaywepush‘iminthepool?!
MUSIC11:Let’sHearitFortheBoy
(TheGUYSandRENpullWILLARDintoahuddle;lightsdownonthem,asthefocusshiftstothegirls.Thewisecrackin’COWGIRLCASSIEquestionsRUSTY.)
COWGIRLCASSIE:Darlin’,darlin’,yourboyfriendhastwoleftfeetandyouhadnoidea?
RUSTY:None.
COWGIRLCASSIE:Didn’thenevertakeyouinhisarmsandsweepyouoffyourfeet?
RUSTY:Notyet.
COWGIRLCASSIE:Didn’theneverwhispersweetnothingsinyourear?
RUSTY:No!Butthat’snothowitiswithmeandWillard.(TheGIRLSallscoff.)No,really!Willardhasalotofhiddentalents.Imean,justlookathim.
(TheyturntowatchasthecowboycircleopenstorevealRENshowingWILLARDarudimentarystep;WILLARDfailsmiserably;themusicstops.RENpullsWILLARDbackintothecowboyhuddle.TheGIRLSturntoRUSTY.)
COWGIRLCASSIE:Uhh...youweresaying?
(RUSTYsmilessheepishly,thensuddenlyturnsfrontandsings.)
RUSTY:MYBABY,HEDON’TTALKSWEET;HEAIN'TGOTMUCHTOSAYBUTHELOVESME,LOVESME,LOVESMEIKNOWTHATHELOVESMEANYWAY
(Again,focusshiftstoRENandWILLARD.RENdemosastep,andWILLARDcrashestothefloortryingtoduplicateit.TheGUYSpickhimupandpullhimbacktotheirhuddle;RUSTYtriestocoverforhim.)
ANDMAYBEHEDON’TDRESSFINE,BUTIDON’TREALLYMIND CUZEVERYTIMEHEPULLSMENEAR,IJUSTWANNACHEER
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LET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY!LET’SGIVETHEBOYAHAND LET’SHEARITFORMYBABY!YOUKNOWYOUGOTTAUNDERSTAND
(Asthesongprogresses,WILLARDwillgetmoreambitiousandsuccessfulinimitatingthestepsRENandthecowboysdemonstrateforhim.Whathelacksinstyle,hewillmakeupforinenthusiasm.TheGIRLSsingback-upvocalsforRusty.)
RUSTY:MYBABYMAYNOTBERICH, GIRLS:MYBABY HE’SWATCHINGEVERYDIME HE’SWATCHINGEVERYDIME BUTHELOVESME,LOVESME,LOVESME LOVESME,LOVESME,LOVESMEWHOAWHOA ANDWEALWAYSHAVEAREALGOODTIME ANDMAYBEHESINGSOFFKEY, ANDMAYBEBUTTHAT’SALLRIGHTBYME,YEAH THAT’SALLRIGHTBYMEYEAH CUZWHATHEDOES,HEDOESSOWELL,MAKESMEWANNAYELL
RUSTY/GIRLS:LET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY!LET’SGIVETHEBOYAHAND LET’SHEARITFORMYBABY!YOUKNOWYOUGOTTAUNDERSTAND WHOA,MAYBEHE’SNOROMEO,BUTHE’SMYLOVIN’ONE-MANSHOW OH,WHOAWHOAWHOA,LET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY!MAYBEHE’SNOCASANOVA,STILLHISKISSESKNOCKMEOV-AH! HEARITFORTHEBOY!
RUSTY:LET'SGIVETHEBOYAHAND GIRLS:HEARITFORTHEBOY LET’SHEARITFORMYBABY! HEARITFORMYBABYYOUKNOWYOUGOTTAUNDERSTAND HEARITFORTHEBOY WHOA,MAYBEHE’SNOROMEO BUTHE’SMYLOVIN’ONE-MANSHOW OH,WHOAWHOAWHOA OHWHOA,WHOA,WHOALET’SHEARITFORTHEBOY, HEARITFORTHEBOY WHOA…OH….HEARITFORTHEBOY,HEARITFORTHEBOY
(ThenumberendswithWILLARDwhippingoffadazzlingdancecombination,toeveryone’samazement.)
IRENE:Thatwasfun!Whydon’tweslowthingsdownnowwithalovesong.GrabyoursweetheartandholdthemtightasIrenesingsyoualovesong.
(DuringIrene’ssong,allstarttocoupleupandeventuallydanceoff.)
MUSIC11b:Let’sMakeBelieveWe’reinLove
IRENE:IMAGINETHEBLISSTHATCOMESWITHONEKISSIMAGINETHATFEELINGWON'TENDTHERE'LLBENOTEARSATSTAKEANDNOHEART'SGONNABREAKCUZITNEVERHURTSTOPRETENDLOOKATTHEMOONSLOWLYRISIN'LOOKATTHOSESTARSUPABOVELET'SBEGINWITHHELLO,THENWE'LLSEEWHERETHINGSGOLET'SMAKEBELIEVEWE'REINLOVELET'SMAKEBELIEVEWE'REINLOVE
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ACTTWO-SCENE2:TheMooreHome
(CHUCKisoutside,loudlywhisperinguptoARIEL’Sbedroomwindow.)
CHUCK:Hsst!Ariel!Ariel!
VI:(Inarobe,sheexitsthehouseandcrossestohim)She’snothere,Chuck.
CHUCK:(yelps,startled)Oh…!Mrs.Moore.
VI:DidIscareyou?
CHUCK:(fibbing)Nope.Notatall.DidyoutellArielthat…
VI:Yes,Chuck.I’vetoldhereverytimeyou’vecalled.
CHUCK:Thanks.Iguessshe’sbusyandall.
VI:Mmm.SheandthegirlswentovertoWendyJo’stostudy.
CHUCK:Really?Iwasjustthere.WendyJosaidshelefthoursago.WithRusty.
VI:(surprised)Oh.
SHAW:(entering)Whoisit,Vi?(heseesCHUCK)Mr.Cranston.
CHUCK:Evening,Reverend.IwasjustlookingforAriel.
SHAW:Isn’titabitlate,Mr.Cranston?
CHUCK:Yes,sir.That’swhyI’msurprisedshe’snotathome.
SHAW:(hidinghissurprisewithaquickglanceatVI)SoamI.Goodnight,Mr.Cranston.Andnexttime,pleaseremember,wehaveafrontdoorforguests.
CHUCK:Yes,sir.(Heexits.SHAWandVIcrossintothehouse.)
SHAW:Whereisshe?
VI:ShetoldmeshewasgoingtoWendyJo’s.(SHAWreachesforthephone)Don’tbothercalling.She’snotthere.
SHAW:Didyouknowthis?
VI:No.Ididnot.
SHAW:Sohowdoesitfeel,Vi?Nowthatshe’slyingtoyou?
VI:I’mnotsayinganythinguntilIhearanexplanationfromher.
SHAW:ItwasfrighteningenoughwhenshewasrunningaroundwithChuckCranston.Now,sheisoutinthemiddleofthenight,withthatpunkwho’scampaigningtochallengemeandtheentireTownCouncil.Howlongcanyoukeepdefendingher?
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VI:I’mnotdefendingher.We’renotonoppositesideshere,arewe?Orarewe?
(ARIELrushesin.)
SHAW:Wherewereyou?
ARIEL:Oh,RustyandWendyJoandme,wewere…
SHAW:Don’tevenbother.
VI:Weknowyouweren’tatWendyJo’s.
ARIEL:Ican’tbelieveyou’recheckinguponme.
VI:Sweetie,howdoweknowyou’renotsick?Orhurt?
SHAW:Iamconcernedforyourwell-being.
ARIEL:ThenhowcomewhenI’mathome,you’reneverinterestedinwhatI’mthinkingorhowIfeel?ButtheminuteIwalkoutthatdoor--wham!Suddenly,you’retheconcernedparent!
VI:Shaw,shedoesn’tmeanthat.
SHAW:Stoptakingherside!Shehastostartansweringforherself.
ARIEL:Idon'tknowwhatgoodthatwoulddo.Youdon’tlistentomeanymorethanyoulistentoher!
(SHAWslapsARIEL.)
VI:Shaw!
(Itisanawfulmoment.Thereisstunnedsilence.Finally,ARIELturnsandrunsout.SHAWisshaken.)
SHAW:I’veneverhitanyone.
VI:Iknow.
SHAW:We’relosingher,Vi.Shehasbecomewillfulandobstinate.
VI:(kindly)Likeherfather.
SHAW:Iamherspiritualguardian.
VI:Youusedtobeherfriend.
SHAW:Idon’tunderstandwhat’shappening.Idon’tknowwhattodoanymore.
VI:Yes,youdo.
MUSIC12:CanYouFindItInYourHeart?
VI:CANYOUFINDITINYOURHEARTTOFORGIVEHER?CANYOUSTOPANDSEETHERE’SPARTOFHERTHAT’STRYINGTOOBEY
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WHILEPARTOFHERISDYINGTORUNAWAY?CAN’TYOUHEARWHATSHE’STRYINGTOSAY?CANYOUFINDITINYOURSOULTOACCEPTHER?IFSHESTUMBLESONYOURHOLYPATH,DOYOUHAVETOREPRIMAND?ORARETHEREWAYSTOMAKEHERUNDERSTANDWITHOUTUSINGTHEBACKOFYOURHAND?CAN’TYOUREMEMBERWHENWEWERETHATAGE?PUMPEDUPWITHPROMISEANDWRESTLINGWITHRAGE?CAN’TYOUREMEMBERWHENWEWEREAFAMILYWAYBACKWHEN?COULDWEBEONEAGAIN?
(Themusiccontinuesunder.)
SHAW:Weareafamily.
VI:No.Theaccidentchangedeverything.EversinceBobby’sdeath,youmakeimpossibledemandsonAriel.
SHAW:IhavenotconfusedAriel’sbehaviorwithmyson’sdeath.
VI:Hewasmyson,too!(pause)Shaw,it’sbeentwenty-oneyearsI’vebeenaminister’swife,andafterallthattime,Istillfeelthatyou’reawonderfulpreacher.Youcanliftacongregationupsohigh,theyhavetolookdowntoseeheaven.It’stheone-on-onewhereyouneedalittlework.
SHAW:Ithoughtatleastyoubelievedinme.
VI:Ineverstopped.(Heexits,leavingVIgazingoffafterhim.)DOESITEVERCROSSYOURMINDTHATIMISSYOU?ISTHEREANYCHANCEWE’LLFINDTHEJOYTHATWESHAREDATTHESTART?CANYOUREMEMBERWHATYOUFELTBEFORETHATFEELINGFELLAPART?CANYOUFINDITINYOURHEART?HAVEYOULOSTMYLOVESOMEWHEREFARBEHINDORCANYOUFINDITINYOURHEART?
MUSIC:12A:Transition
MUSIC12B:ChuckAccostsAriel
(Inhalf-light:fromherbedroomwindowARIELdropshershoulderbagtothegroundandclimbsdown;asshepicksupherbagandturns,CHUCKstepsoutoftheshadows,startlingher;defiant,shetriestomovepasthim,buthegrabsherarm.Astruggleensues,andCHUCKdragsARIELoffstageasthesceneshiftsto:)
ActTwo-Scene3:TheJunkYard
(REN,WILLARD,BICKLE,JETERandGARVINandGUYShavebeenmakingcampaignpostersandflyers;paintcans,brushes,andothermaterialslayabout.Asthelightscomeup,they’reallheatedlygivingRENadvice.)
WILLARD:Holdit!Holdit!(Theyquiet)Ren.All’swe’resayin’is,you’regoingtobespeakingtotheTownCouncil,sodon'tmumble.(Theboysallmumble.)Nowdothatlastpartonemoretime.
REN:(takesadeepbreathandbegins)MembersoftheCouncil:Dancingisnotacrime.
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MUSIC12C:DancingisNotaCrime
WILLARD:Yeah.
BICKLE:Yeah.
JETER:Yeah.
GARVIN:Yeah.
REN:YEAH!EVERSINCETHEDAWNOFTIMEIFANYTHING,EVERYBODYHADTHERIGHTTOHOWLATTHEMOONANDTOMOVEALLNIGHTGUYS:AHOOOO,MOVEALLNIGHT
REN:WHENFOLKSWERETRIBAL,BACKBEFORETHEBIBLETHEYWERELIABLETODANCEWHENTHECROPSCAMEINORTHEY’DPULLOUTALLTHESTOPSWHENTHEEARTHWOULDSPIN,ORMAYBE—
GUYS:WHAT?
REN:THEYHADABATTLETOWIN!SOTHEY’DGOTHUMPIN’ONATREETRUNK-
GUYS:THUMPTHUMPTHUMPTHUMP
REN:GROOVIN’TOTHEFREEFUNK
GUYS:YEAH!
REN:ANDJUSTLIKETHAT
GUYS:INNOTHIN’FLAT
REN:THERE’DBEHANDSCLAPPIN’,TOESTAPPIN’,FEETFLAPPIN’,DOGSYAPPIN’,-HEY!ICOULDATOLDYATHATWOULDHAPPEN!THEYWOULDDANCE!
GUYS:THEYWOULDDANCE!
REN:EVERYTIMETHEYHADTHECHANCEWHATEVERTHESEASONORCIRCUMSTANCETHEYFOUNDAREASONTOTHROWAPARTYINTHEIRPANTS
REN/GUYS:SOLET’SDOLIKETHEYDIDANDDANCE,DANCE,DANCE!
(Hefinishes-tada!-readyfortheirapproval.Apregnantpause.GARVINpointsatRENandannounceschildlike:)
GARVIN:Yousaid“partyinyourpants.”(theothersnowexplodeintolaughter)
GUYS:Areyououtofyourmind…?/”Partyintheirpants!”/Whatareyouthinkingman?Etc.
WILLARD:Guys!Coolit!Ren,we’renotsayingthespeechisbad.It’sjustthatit’snogood.
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REN:ThenwhatamIsupposedtosay?I’vere-writtenitninetimes.
WILLARD:Here’sthething:you’regonnabefacingReverendMooreandsomeofthestubbornestpeopleintown.
BICKLE:You’vealreadygotplentyofpeopleboilingmad.
JETER:Yeah!Folksarepickingsides.
GARVIN:Andthey’renotpickingyours.
REN:ThenwhoamIkidding?Thiswholethinghasgottenwayoutofhand.MaybeIoughttoforgetit.
WILLARD:Whoathere,littlebuddy!Wedon’tmeantodiscourageyou.
BICKLE:Afteralltheposterswe’vepainted?
JETER:Alltheflyerswe’vepassedout.
GARVIN:Everybodyatschoolisclimbingthewalls!
WILLARD:So,hanginthere!Youjustgottarethinkyourapproach.Now,Mamasays…
GUYS:NotMamaagain…!WhocareswhatMamasays…?!Oh,man…!Etc.
WILLARD:(silencesthem)Nowholdonjustoneminute!
MUSIC13:MamaSays(YouCan’tBackDown)
WILLARD:EVERYTHINGI’VEEVERLEARNEDTHATGETSMETHROUGHTHEWORST ILEARNEDATMYMAMA’SKNEE NOWANYTIMEI’MTURNEDAROUNDITURNTOMAMAFIRST ANDYOU’DBEWISETOMEMORIZEWHATMAMASAYSTOME (spoken)Mamaain’tbeenwrongyet.AndI’mthelivingproof.
JETER:(toRen)That’skindofafrighteningthought,isn’tit?
WILLARD:Now,listenup! MAMASAYS,DON’TUSEATOASTERWHILESTANDINGINTHESHOWER NOWWHOCANARGUEWITHTHAT? MAMASAYS,DON’THOLDYOURBREATHFORLONGERTHANANHOUR THEWOMANKNOWSWHEREIT’SAT! ANDMAMASAYSITDOESN’TMATTER IFYOU’REAKINGORYOU’REACLOWN? ONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN YOUCAN’TBACKDOWN
GARVIN:Youcan’tbackdown,Ren!
WILLARD:Now,Ren,you’venotyethadthepleasureofmeetingmyMama,buttheseboyshave.C’monandhelpmeouthere,fellas.
GUYS:MAMASAYS
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WILLARD:DON’TDRINKHOTCOFFEELYINGDOWNINBEDDON’TEVENGIVEITATHOUGHT
GUYS:IT’SAMESS!MAMASAYS
WILLARD:NEVEREATANYTHINGTHAT’SBIGGERTHANYOURHEAD ISSHEAWHIZORWHAT?
GUYS:OH,YES!
WILLARD/GUYS:ANDMAMASAYSITDOESN’TMATTER IFYOU’REAKINGORYOU’REACLOWNONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN YOUCAN’TBACKDOWN
WILLARD:NOW,MAMAMAKESALOTOFSENSE IFYOUKNOWHOWTOLISTEN;SHEISCLEARANDCONCISE
GUYS:SHE’SCONCISE.AHHH,AHHH
WILLARD:DADDYSAYS,“ILOVEHERSON,BUTSHE’SGOTMARBLESMISSIN’” BUTISAY,“HEY!IT’SFREEADVICE!ANDWHATD’YOUEXPECTATTHATPRICE?”
REN:ThenmaybeyourMamaoughtagivemyspeech.
WILLARD:Oh,heckno!EveryonethinksMama’scrazy.Thepointis,though,she’sgotsomereallygoodideas.Hearme,now--
GUYS:MAMASAYS
WILLARD:WHATYOUBELIEVEINISALLYOUREALLYOWN ANDIBELIEVETHATSHE’SRIGHT
GUYS:MAMASAYS,OOOOOH
WILLARD:IFYOU’VEGOTDOUBTS,WELL,THENBOY,YOU’RENOTALONE JUSTMEANSYOU’REREADYTOFIGHT
WILLARD/GUYS:ANDMAMASAYSITDOESN’TMATTER
WILLARD:IFYOUDRIVEAHARDBARGAINORDRIVEAROUNDTOWN
ALL:ONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN,YOUCAN’TBACKDOWNONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN,YOUCAN’TBACKDOWN
WILLARD:Don’tmakemesayitagain!
(ThenumberendsandtheyALLexit.WILLARDre-enterswithREN.)
WILLARD:Ithoughtofonemorething.
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MUSIC13A:MamaSays(Encore)
WILLARD:NOW,MAMASAYS
GUYS:OOOH(Poppingin)
WILLARD:DON’TBUYACHANDELIERUNLESSYOU’VEGOTACEILING Idon’tknowwhatthat’sabout. MAMASAYS,DON’TCHEWONTINFOIL,UNLESSYOULIKETHATFEELING SOMEHOWSHEFIGUREDTHATOUT
WILLARD/GUYS:ANDMAMASAYSITDOESN’TMATTER IFYOU’REAKINGORYOU’REACLOWN ONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN
WILLARD:REMEMBERBOY,EVERYONE’SCOUNTIN’ONYOU
WILLARD/GUYS:ONCEYOUDRIVEUPAMOUNTAIN,YOUCAN’TBACKDOWN!
WILLARD:That’smyMama!
(Thenumberends.URLEENandWENDYJOrushon.)
URLEEN:Ren!Ren!ThankGodyou’rehere!ChuckandArielgotintoabigfight.
WENDYJO:Chuckbeatherup!Shemighthaveablackeye.
WILLARD:C’monboys.Let’sgetChuck.Rightnow!
(TheystartoffandencounterRUSTYenteringwithARIEL,whoisdabbingatherreddenedeye;hershoulderbagisslungacrossherchest.)
ARIEL:Willard,stop!Pleasedon’t.I’minenoughtroubletonight.Idon’twanttocauseanymore.
RUSTY:Chuck’sbeenangrysincehefoundoutaboutourlittlefieldtriptotheBar-B-QueDancePalace.
ARIEL:(toREN)He“ordered”menottoseeyouanymore.ItoldhimIseewhoIlike,andthenhejuststartedswinging.
REN:Lemmelookatthateye.
ARIEL:I’mjustsomadatmyself.Idon’tknowwhyIwaswithhiminthefirstplace.
REN:Maybeyoushouldseeadoctor.
ARIEL:(pullingaway)I’mfine.
WILLARD:Youwantmetocallyourfolks?
ARIEL:No!Please.Ijustwannabealone.Okay?
RUSTY:Let’sgo,guys.C’mon.(TheyALLexit;RENlingers.)
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REN:Youwantsomecompany?
ARIEL:No.(hestartstogo)Yes.(Hestops.)
REN:You’resure?Imean,Iwon’ttakeitpersonallyif…
ARIEL:(holdingupahand)Shh!
REN:What?
ARIEL:Listen!(SOUNDCUE:awhistleandthedistantrumblingofanapproachingtrain)Comeon!
REN:What?Wherearewegoing…?
ARIEL:You’llmissit!Comeon!
ACTTWO-SCENEFOUR:UndertheTrainBridge
(RENfollowsARIELtounderatrainbridge.Itiscoveredwithgraffiti.Theybracethemselvesasatrainrumblesoverhead;lightsstrobeacrosstheirfaces.Thistime,theybothscreamwithabandon.)
REN/ARIEL:Aah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-hh!!
(Whenthetrainsoundfades,RENlooksaround.)
REN:Whoa!Thisplaceiscoveredwithgraffiti.
ARIEL:It’snotgraffiti.It’spoetry.Icallthisplace,“MyDiary.”
REN:Youcomeallthewayoutheretowritepoems?
ARIEL:Uh-huh.They’realldedicatedtoBobby.
REN:Bobby?Who’sBobby?
ARIEL:Mybrother.
REN:Younevertoldmeyouhaveabrother.
ARIEL:Hadabrother.BobbywasoneofthefourkidswhowentoffthePotawneyBridge.
REN:I’msosorry.
ARIEL:Yep.Oneofthe“fouryoungpeoplewhoheldthepromiseofBomont’sbrightestfuture.”
REN:Whydidn’tIknowthis?
ARIEL:Wenevertalkaboutit.AndonceDaddydecidedthetownneededsaving,henevermentionedBobbyagain.
REN:Youmustmisshimrealbad.
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ARIEL:Itrynottothinkaboutit.
REN:Thatneverworks.I’llbetyouthinkaboutitallthetime.
ARIEL:Howdidyouknowthat?
REN:(pause)Istudyyou.
ARIEL:Ohyeah?Whatdoyousee?
REN:Somebodywho’ssmart.
ARIEL:Thankyou.
REN:Maybealittlebitangry.
ARIEL:Maybealot.
REN:Andsomebodywho’ssad.(beat)Ialwayswonderedwherethatcamefrom.
ARIEL:(touched)Nowyouknow.(They’rebothsilent.Shestartstospeak,butstopsherself.)
MUSIC14:AlmostParadise
REN:What?
ARIEL:I’veneverfeltlikeanyone’severstoppedtoreallylookatme.
REN:Oh,no...You’reonmymindconstantly.
REN:ITHOUGHTTHATDREAMSBELONGEDTOOTHERMENCUZEACHTIMEIGOTCLOSE,THEY’DFALLAPARTAGAIN
ARIEL:IFEAREDMYHEARTWOULDBEATINSECRECY
BOTH:IFACEDTHENIGHTSALONE,OHHOWCOULDIHAVEKNOWNTHATALLMYLIFEIONLYNEEDEDYOUWHOA,ALMOSTPARADISE,WE’REKNOCKINGONHEAVEN’SDOORALMOSTPARADISE;HOWCOULDWEASKFORMORE?ISWEARTHATICANSEEFOREVERINYOUREYES,PARADISE
(ThemusiccontinuesunderasARIELturnstoREN.)
ARIEL:Y’know,youmakemeforgeteverythingthat’swrongwithmylife.
REN:Therearesomethings‘dliketoforget.
ARIEL:Like…?
REN:ThisbattleI’mcausinginBomont!Istilldon’tknowwhatI’mgonnasaytotheTownCouncil.
ARIEL:Oh,thatremindsme.You’llneedthis.(Fromhershoulderbag,shepullsherBiblebristlingwithpaperbookmarks;shehandsittohim.)
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REN:(readingthetitle)TheHolyBible?
ARIEL:Imarkedallthepages.
REN:(flippingthrough,reading)Whoa!Thisisgreat.Howdidyouknowwheretofindallthesepassages?
ARIEL:Areyoukidding?
REN:(realizingshe’sthepreacher’sdaughter)Oh.Thankyou.
ARIEL:ITHOUGHTTHATPERFECTLOVEWASHARDTOFINDI’DALMOSTGIVENUP;YOUMUSTHAVEREADMYMIND
REN:ANDALLTHOSEDREAMSISAVEDFORARAINYDAY
BOTH:THEY’REFINALLYCOMINGTRUE,I’LLSHARETHEMALLWITHYOUCUZNOWWEHOLDTHEFUTUREINOURHANDSWHOA,ALMOSTPARADISE;WE’REKNOCKINGONHEAVEN’SDOORALMOSTPARADISE,HOWCOULDWEASKFORMORE?ISWEARTHATICANSEEFOREVERINYOUREYES,PARADISE!
REN:ANDINYOURARMS,SALVATION’SNOTSOFARAWAY
ARIEL:IT’SGETTINGCLOSER
BOTH:CLOSEREVERYDAY,ALMOSTPARADISEWE’REKNOCKINGONHEAVEN’SDOORALMOSTPARADISE;HOWCOULDWEASKFORMORE?ISWEARTHATICANSEEFOREVERINYOUREYESPARADISE,PARADISE,PARADISE
(Theykiss;thelightsfadetoblack.)
MUSIC14A:OutofParadise
ACTTWO-SCENE5:TheTownHall
(ALLarepresentinatownhallmeetingroom.AtalongtablesitSHAWandtheotherCOUNCILMEMBERS.ELEANORDUNBARhasthegavel.TheKIDSandothersfacethem.LULU,thesecretary,readsfromnotes:)
LULU:“Andsoitwasunanimouslypassedthatthepriceofadoglicensewillgofromthreedollarsandfiftycentstofourdollarsandtwenty-fivecents.Alicensedpetisahappypet.”Thattakescareofoldbusiness.
ELEANOR:Thankyou,Lulu.Nowlet’sconsidernewbusiness.(TheKIDS’enthusiasmgrowsvocal;shebangsthegavel.)Beforewebegin,Iwanttoremindallouryoungpeoplewhohavejoinedusthiseveningthatthismeetingisconvenedtoconsiderofficialtownbusiness.Disturbancewillnotbetolerated.(TheKIDSgrumblebutsettledown.)Thefloorisnowopen.(RENraiseshishand.)Yes.
REN:MynameisRenMcCormackand...uh…(helookstoWILLARDandARIELwhonodback.)...onbehalfofmostoftheseniorclassofBomontHigh,Imovethatlocalordinancefour-sixteen--thelawagainstpublicdancingwithintheBomonttownlimits--beabolished.
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WILLARD:(standing)AndI,WillardHewittof385CloverdaleRoad,wouldliketosecondthatmotion.Thankyou.(Hesits.ApplausefromtheKIDSissilencedbythegavel.)
SHAW:Eleanor,mayIhavethefloor,please?
ELEANOR:Certainly,Reverend.
SHAW:Mr.McCormack,youwishtochangethelawbecauseyouwanttothrowadance;thatisyourright.Butitismydutytochallengeanyenterprisewhich,inmyexperience,fosterstheuseofliquor,theabuseofdrugsand,mostimportantly,celebratesspritualcorruption.AndIthinkyou’regoingtofindthatmostfolksinthiscommunityagreewithme.
COACHDUNBAR:Yougotthatright!(GeneralagreementfromtheCOUNCILMEMBERS)
SHAW:Now,ifanyonecanconvincemethatthereisnodangerinyourraucouspartyplans,Imightreconsidermystand.Butfornow?No,Ican’tcondoneit.(Hesits.)
ELEANOR:Ibelievethatavoteisinorder.Willallthoseinfavor…
REN:Excuseme,isn’tthereanykindofdiscussion?
COUNCILMEMBERS:Nowjustaminute!Discussionisclosed.You’reoutoforder,etc.
COACHDUNBAR:(pointsatREN)It’soutrageous!Ifyouthinkthat…(Vistands,shoutsoverthehubbub)
VI:Roger!(ALLquiet,turntoregardher)Roger,sitdown.(Stunned,hedoes.)IbelievethatMr.McCormackhasarighttobeheard.
REN:(halting)Ijustwantedtosayafewwords,cuzIthinkthisideascaresalotofpeople.Itshouldn't.(unfoldsapieceofpaper,clearshisthroat,andreads:)“Fromtheoldesttimes,peopledancedformanyreasons.Theydancedsotheircropswouldbeplentifulorsothattheirhuntwouldbegood.Theydancedtoshowtheircommunityspirit,andtheydancedtocelebrate.Andthat’sthedancingwe’retalkingabout.”
SHAW:(stands)Mr.McCormack,wedon’tneedahistorylesson--
REN:(pullstheBiblefromhisjacketandopensittoabookmark)Andaren’twetold--excuseme,Reverend--aren’twetoldinPsalm149to“praiseyetheLord.SinguntotheLordanewsong.LetthempraisehisNameinthedance?”(helookstoSHAWwho,stunned,slowlysits.)AnditwasKingDavid...KingDavidwhowereadaboutinSamuel.AndwhatdidDaviddo?WhatdidDaviddo?(stalls,tryingtofindthepassage)WhatdidDaviddo?(hefindsit)Ah!“DaviddancedbeforetheLordwithallhismight.LeapinganddancingbeforetheLord.”(HeshowstheBibletotheCouncilmembers.)Leapinganddancing.AndEcclesisastesassuresusthat,“Thereisatimetoeverypurposeunderheaven--atimetolaughandatimetoweep.Thereisatimetomournandthereisatimetodance.”Therewasatimeforthislaw,butnotanymore.Andthisisourtime.Ourtimetocelebratelife.That’sthewayitwasinthebeginning,thewayit’salwaysbeen,andthat’sthewayitshouldbenow.Thankyou.
(TheKIDStrytostifletheirenthusiasmasRENreturnstohisseat,buttheymakesomenoise.)
ELEANOR:Order!Order!(TheCOUNCILMEMBERSseematalossastohowtoproceed.ELEANORlookstoSHAW;henods.)Thereisamotiononthefloortorepeallocalordinancefour-sixteen.HowdoestheCouncilvote?
COUNCILMEMBERS:(oneaftertheother)No.No.No.
SHAW:No.
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ELEANOR:Themotionisdefeated.AndIbelievethismeetingisadjourned.
MUSIC14B:OutofCouncil
(Themeetingbreaksupandeveryoneleaves;theKIDSgrumbleontheirwayout.RENisleftalonewithETHEL.)
ETHEL:Ren.Uptillnow,I’vebeenrealproudaboutkeepingmyopiniontomyself.Buthoney,ifIdon’tsaysomethingI’mgonnabust.
REN:What’stheretosay?Ilost.TheCouncilvoted,andIlost.
ETHEL:Sweetie,youneverhadaprayer.
REN:That’snotfunny,Mom.
ETHEL:Ren,whenyougottothepartaboutleapingandlaughingandweepinganddancing--whichIloved,don'tgetmewrong--IwaswatchingthefacesoftheTownCouncil.Ipromiseyou:ShawMoorehadthosevoteslockedupbeforehewalkedinheretonight.
REN:(startled)Youthinkhetoldthemhowtovote?
ETHEL:Youcanstillsoundshocked.Ilovethataboutyou.
REN:Buthe’samanofGod!
ETHEL:He’saman.Andyouwererailroaded.
REN:Man,thatpissesmeoff!
ETHEL:Good!Nowlisten:ReverendMooresaidhewouldreconsideronlyifsomeoneconvincedhimtherewasnodangerinyour“raucouspartyplans.”
REN:“Raucouspartyplans”--doyoubelievethesepeople?Imean--(hestopsashenoticesherstare)What?
ETHEL:Makehimreconsider.
REN:Me?
ETHEL:You.
REN:(referringtoShaw)Andhim?
ETHEL:Yup.
REN:When?
ETHEL:Now.
REN:But…!
ETHEL:Ren!
REN:Mom!
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ETHEL:Stop!(theystoptheirping-pongexchange)Untilyoudo,you’llnevermakepeacewiththatman.Orthistown.
REN:Ididn’tconvincehiminthere.
ETHEL:Hewasn’tlisteninginhere.Makehimlisten.
REN:WhatcanIsayIhaven’talreadysaid?Ireadmyspeech,IthumpedmyBible--
ETHEL:Youdideverythingbutspeakfromtheheart.(ThatstopsREN.)
REN:ReverendMooreisareallysmartman.
ETHEL:Soareyou.
REN:He’sstubborn.
ETHEL:Andyou’renot?(Shestartsoff)I’dlovetobeheretowatch,butI’vegottogethomeandhosedownyourAuntandUncle.
REN:Iloveyou,Mom.
ETHEL:Youhavenochoice.Now,go!(ETHELexits.RENthinksthendecidesandgetsup.)
MUSIC14C:TransitiontoMooreHome
ACTTWO-SCENE6:TheMooreHome
(RENapproachestheMoorehome.SHAW,dressedinarobe,crossesandopensthefrontdoor.)
REN:Reverend.
SHAW:Mr.McCormack.It’slate.
REN:(cheery)Really?I’mwideawake.(SHAWgiveshimawitheringlook.)Ihaveaquestion.
SHAW:(wry)Anditcouldn'twaituntilmorning.
REN:Onequestion.(Afterapause,SHAWadmitshim.)Reverend,beforetonight’smeeting,didyoutelltheCouncilhowtovote?
SHAW:(caughtbysurprise)We...discussedtheissue,ofcourse.
REN:But,didyoutellthemhowtovote?
SHAW:Ren,thisisaboutmorethanaquestionofadance…
REN:(forceful)Didyou?(SHAW’ssilenceishisanswer.)ReverendMoore,Iunderstandwhatthistownhasbeenthrough…
SHAW:No,Idon’tthinkyoudo.Ifyoudid,youwouldn’thaveprovokedyourclassmatestore-openthewoundswehavehealed.You--
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REN:(interrupting)Thosewoundsarenothealed.(SHAWreacts.)Iftheywere,peoplewouldn’tbeglaringatmeonthestreetorsnubbingmyMomatthemarket.Theywouldn’tbeboycottingmyUncle’sbusiness.Andyouwouldn’tbefixingthevoteonthetowncouncil--
SHAW:(talkingoverhim)Ithoughtitwastimetoputanendtothisnonsense.
REN:“Nonsense?!”AllIsayis,“Who’supforalittledancing?”AndtheonlythingpeopleherecanthinkaboutisthePotwaneyBridgeandfourkids--
SHAW:Mr.McCormack--!
REN:--andIknowyoursonwasoneofthem.AndI’msorryforyourlo