Book by Ivan Menchell Music by Frank Wildhorn Lyrics by Don Black Direction by Jeff Calhoun
Act I Picture Show.........................................................Young Bonnie, Young Clyde, Bonnie, Clyde This World Will Remember Me..........................................................................Clyde, Bonnie Youre Goin Back To Jail..........................................................Blanche, Buck, Salon Women How Bout A Dance......................................................................................................Bonnie When I Drive........................................................................................................Clyde, Buck Gods Arms Are Always Open..................................................................Preacher, ensemble You Can Do Better Than Him.................................................................................Ted, Clyde You Love Who You Love.................................................................................Bonnie, Blanche Raise A Little Hell..........................................................................................................Clyde This World Will Remember Us...........................................................................Clyde, Bonnie Act II Made In America.....................................................................................Preacher, ensemble Too Late To Turn Back Now..............................................................................Bonnie, Clyde Thats What You Call a Dream...................................................................................Blanche What Was Good Enough For You.......................................................................Clyde, Bonnie Bonnie............................................................................................................................Clyde Raise A Little Hell (reprise).........................................................................Clyde, Buck, Ted Dyin Aint So Bad........................................................................................................Bonnie Gods Arms Are Always Open (reprise)....................................................Blanche, Preacher Picture Show (reprise)................................................................Young Bonnie, Young Clyde Dyin Aint So Bad (reprise).............................................................................Clyde, Bonnie
December 1, 2011
ACT ONE
PROLOGUE: A DIRT ROAD / VARIOUS LOCATIONS In the darkness we hear GUN SHOTS building to rapid fire. A barrage of bullets striking metal, breaking glass... And then silence except for How Bout A Dance playing on a busted car radio. On scrim: BIENVILLE PARISH, LOUISIANA - 1934 Through a haze of smoke and dust, a grey Ford Deluxe Sedan appears -- riddled with bullet holes, windows shattered, blood dripping down the open passenger door. Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker are dead in the front seat. He sits behind the wheel with blood covering his face and her lifeless head on his shoulder. On scrim: VARIOUS NEWSPAPER HEADLINES -- HAIL OF LEAD ENDS THE LIVES OF BARROW AND PARKER! Out from the tragic tableau appears Young Bonnie (age 10) in a fashionable dark blue dress. On scrim: ROWENA, TEXAS - 1920 (12 YEARS EARLIER) YOUNG BONNIE I CAN SEE ME I CAN SEE ME LIVIN JUST LIKE CLARA SIPPIN CHAMPAGNE CANT YOU SEE ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A DANCE FLOOR THAT COULD BE ME THAT COULD BE ME DOIN THINGS LIKE CLARA FLIRTIN MADLY LOOKIN DREAMY THESE ARE THINGS YOU TAKE A CHANCE FOR IT MUST BE GREAT TO BE CALLED THE!'IT GIRL' YOUR FACE ON EVERY MAGAZINE THAT'S WHERE I'M GONNA END UP ONE DAY TRUST ME Her mother, Emma Parker, approaches. She wears a dark and tasteful dress and hat. EMMA Bonnie Elizabeth Parker! Its your fathers funeral. No. No, its not! YOUNG BONNIE
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(gently)
Emma puts her arm around Bonnie and leads her to a Preacher addressing a small gathering. On scrim: BAPTIST CHURCH. PREACHER #1 --Charles Parker was a beloved husband to Emma and a devoted father to sweet Bonnie, who was baptized here just a few months ago, on her tenth birthday. And now, let us bow our heads in prayer. PREACHER #1 (contd) The soul of Charles Parker is now with Jesus Christ and will rise again with Christs Second Coming when body, soul and Spirit will be reunited to be glorified forever with the Lord. YOUNG BONNIE I WANNA BE HER I WANNA BE HER DRESSED IN STYLE LIKE CLARA I CAN SEE ME CAN YOU SEE ME THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT THE PICTURE SHOW LIKE CLARA BOW LIKE CLARA--
x x
Young Clyde appears and shoots his rifle. We hear a bottle break. On scrim: TELICO, TEXAS YOUNG CLYDE I WANNA LIVE THE LIFE OF AN OUTLAW IM GONNA BE LIKE BILLY THE KID AND WHEN THE LAW HAS GOT ME SURROUNDED NO DOUBT I'M GONNA SHOOT MY WAY OUT THERE WERENT A MAN ALIVE TO OUTDRAW HIM NO BARROOM BULLY COULD STAND A CHANCE HE HAD THE LOOKS THAT EVERYONE GOES FOR - ME TOO He shoots. We hear a chicken squawk. BILLY I WANT TO BE YOU YOUNG CLYDE (contd)
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YOUNG CLYDE (contd) BANG BANG YOURE DEAD BANG BANG YOURE DEAD AINT NOTHIN I CANT DO WITH A GUN Clydes mother, Cumie, approaches brandoshing a dead chicken. CUMIE Clyde Barrow, look what youve done! I hope you know how to lay eggs. YOUNG CLYDE I hope you know how to fry chicken. CUMIE (takes his rifle) Gimme that and go help your pa load the wagon. Clydes father approaches pushing a wheelbarrow piled with meager belongings. YOUNG CLYDE I dont want to leave, pa! Why cant we stay?! HENRY I dont own the land. And it aint worth it for them to have me work it no more. Youre gonna like West Dallas. On scrim: WEST DALLAS, CEMENT CITY - 1921 (8 MONTHS LATER) Lights up on Young Bonnie holding a suitcase. Its the Devils back porch. YOUNG BONNIE Emma approaches carrying suitcases. You watch that mouth of yours. EMMA
YOUNG BONNIE I didnt give it that name. Its what they call West Dallas. EMMA With your father gone we cant afford to stay in Rowena. But why here? YOUNG BONNIE
EMMA Because Grandma Mary has been nice enough to take us in. (to herself as she goes) God, this place is a shit hole. I'LL BE READY I'LL BE READY WHEN I SWITCH TO CLARA YOUNG BONNIE
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RIDIN' HORSES GOIN' STEADY WITH A GUY WHO OWNS A JAZZ BAR She strikes a match and is about to light a cigarette... Bonnie! EMMA (O.S.) She blows out the match and runs off. On scrim: WEST DALLAS, SQUATTERS CAMP (SAME TIME) A Cop crosses wheeling a bicycle and pulling Young Clyde (age 12) along. Henry and Cumie chase after him. Deputy, Please do not take him! He was just borrowin the bicycle. From a store? Deputy please. CUMIE HENRY COP CUMIE YOUNG CLYDE IM GONNA MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY I WON'T COUNT CENTS LIKE MY MA AND PA I WILL WEAR SUNDAY CLOTHES ON A TUESDAY - SOME DAY NO ONE WILL STAND IN MY WAY
COP This is the third time your boy has had a run-in with the law. First time you said it wasnt him. He was here with you. Against my better judgement , I took your word. Second time, when he was identified by a witness, you said you would take care of it. Now, I dont know how you handled it but obviously it had no effect on the boy cause here we are again. Im gonna have to take him down to the station.
CUMIE (contd) Hes only twelve. You cant put him in jail. COP I can throw him in juvenile detention. YOUNG CLYDE Thatd be a a step up from the damn tent were livin in. The cop escorts Young Clyde off. Henry and Cumie follow. On scrim: WEST DALLAS, PARKER HOME - 1925 (4 YEARS LATER) Young Bonnie (age 15) and Emma still wear fashionable dresses but theyre faded and worn.
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EMMA You are too young to get married, Bonnie! I am fifteen, mama. YOUNG BONNIE
EMMA Getting married to Roy is not going to get you out of this bog. YOUNG BONNIE He promised wed all move to California. And you think he can do that? EMMA YOUNG BONNIE
She shows Emma an eight by ten glamour shot of herself. On scrim: BONNIE PARKERS GLAMOUR SHOT. This is nice. EMMA Emma takes the photo and exits. YOUNG BONNIE THEY SAY WHEN YOU'RE A STAR IN THE MOVIES YOU GET TO KEEP THE CLOTHES YOU WEAR BIG STARS MAKE THIRTY DOLLARS A WEEK JESUS! I WANNA BE HER I WANNA BE HER DRESSED IN STYLE LIKE CLARA Adult Bonnie (age 20) appears in a waitress uniform. A diner forms around her. YOUNG BONNIE & ADULT BONNIE
Young Bonnie exits. ADULT BONNIE THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT THE PICTURE SHOW LIKE CLARA BOW LIKE CLARA BOW THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT THE PICTURE SHOW BANG BANG YOURE DEAD YOUNG CLYDE Adult Clyde (age 21) appears in handcuffs.
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ADULT CLYDE AINT NOTHIN I CANT DO WITH A GUN On scrim: DALLAS CITY, COURTROOM - 1930 (SAME TIME) Clyde is joined by his brother, Buck, also in handcuffs. Buck is bigger than Clyde but doesnt have Clydes presence. A judge appears. JUDGE Marvin Ivan Barrow. Clyde Chestnut Barrow. You have been found guilty on one count of burglary and two counts of auto theft. You are both hereby sentenced to two years at the McLennan County Jail. A cop escorts Buck off while another cop takes Clyde to his cell. On scrim: MUG SHOTS OF CLYDE AND BUCK BARROW. CLYDE IM GONNA BE THE GUY KIDS LOOK UP TO THEYLL CUT THEIR HAIR THE WAY I CUT MINE CAPONE WAS JUST LIKE ME WHEN HE STARTED - SOME GUY HE MADE IT BIG - AND SO WILL I BONNIE IT MUST BE GREAT TO BE CALLED THE 'IT GIRL' THAT ISNT WHAT THEYRE CALLING ME BUT ONE DAY SOON I BET YOU THEY WILL TRUST ME I WANNA BE HER I WANNA BE HER DRESSED IN STYLE LIKE CLARA I CAN SEE ME CAN YOU SEE ME THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT THE PICTURE SHOW BANG BANG LIKE CLARA BOW BANG BANG LIKE CLARA BOW CLYDE CAPONE IS MORE TO ME THAN A HERO I WANNA BE LIKE HIM I WANNA BE LIKE AL CAPONE HES MY HERO AL CAPONE I WANNA BE YOU BANG BANG
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CLYDE CLYDE
SCENE 1: AMERICAN CAFE Al sits at the counter as Bonnie stands behind the counter, lost in thought. JOHN (whispers) Hey sweet-cheeks, is it true that for the right price a fella can get a little somethin not on the menu? BONNIE (discreet) For the right price a fella can get almost anything these days. You take an IOU? Go to hell. JOHN BONNIE Deputy Ted Hinton enters. Hiya, Bonnie. TED
BONNIE (knows him) Hey, Ted. Apple pie and coffee? Thanks. TED She cuts a piece of pie. TED (contd) Hey listen, a friend of mines throwing a party Saturday night. Bob Mayfield. Went to Cement City High School when we were there. Maybe you remember him. I dont think so. Thought maybe youd like to go. BONNIE TED
BONNIE Sure. Are they gonna have a piana? A telephone rings O.S.
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TED Pretty sure theres gonna be a whole band. Hey, Ted. Sheriffs on the phone. CHARLIE
TED Ill pick you up Saturday at Seven. He leaves. BONNIE (to herself)
A whole band!
IT MUST BE GREAT TO BE CALLED THE 'IT GIRL' THAT ISNT WHAT THEYRE CALLING ME BUT ONE DAY SOON I BET YOU THEY WILL... Bonnie ends up on a dirt road, standing beside her smoking, rusted out car.
SCENE 2: A DIRT ROAD The still blazing sun is beginning to set. BONNIE Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Clyde approaches from the distance. Hey! Engine trouble? CLYDE
BONNIE Engine trouble, tire trouble, oil trouble... CLYDE Looks like you and me got the same car. Goes through oil like a preacher through whiskey, huh? Yeah. BONNIE
CLYDE How bout I see if I can fix you up. And then maybe you gimme a lift into West Dallas. Sure. Thanks. BONNIE Clyde goes to work under the hood. BONNIE (contd) You live in The Devils Back Porch? Not for much longer. CLYDE
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BONNIE I dont know anybody ever moved out of West Dallas. You do now. Clyde Barrow. CLYDE
Bonnie Parker.
(smiles)
CLYDE You got a beautiful smile. Bet you hear that all the time. Why, yes I do. Me too. BONNIE CLYDE BONNIE
(smiles)
CLYDE Anywhere I want. Just like the legendary Billy the Kid. Billy the Kid? He was an outlaw. Why, yes he was. BONNIE CLYDE
BONNIE And wasnt Billy the Kid ambushed and killed by some sheriff? CLYDE He wasnt ambushed. He died an old man in the arms of a young woman. BONNIE Im pretty sure he was gunned down-And Im tellin you-In some hotel room. It dont even matter. I got plans. Everybodys got plans. CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE BONNIE
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CLYDE (contd) THE MEN IN THIS TOWN LIVE AND DIE AND ARE FORGOTTEN AND IT DOESNT SEEM TO SCARE EM I CANT WAIT TO GET AWAY AWAY FROM THE DROUGHT AND THE HOMELESS AND THE HUNGRY WHERE THEY TALK ABOUT FORECLOSURES EVERY HOT AND DUSTY DAY ! I DON'T INTEND TO WASTE MY LIFE ROUND HERE I GOT IT ALL MAPPED OUT IF I CAN PULL JUST THREE JOBS A YEAR I'LL BE RICH, I'LL HAVE WEALTH AND FAME EVERYONELL KNOW MY NAME BONNIE Pull three jobs? What does that mean? CLYDE What do you think it means? ! JUST LIKE BILLY THE KID AND MISTER CAPONE EVERY KID WILL IDOLIZE CLYDE BARROW ONE THING YOUNG LADY I GUARANTEE IS THAT THIS WORLD WILL REMEMBER ME YES THIS WORLD WILL REMEMBER ME DONT YOU THINK ITS TIME THAT YOU LOST THAT EGG-STAINED APRON AND WORE SOMETHIN MADE OF SATIN FROM A FINE MANHATTAN STORE YES I CAN SEE YOU IN A CAR WITH YOUR OWN DRIVER YOU ARE HEADED FOR YOUR PENTHOUSE THAT WILL OVERLOOK THE SHORE YOUR FACE SHOULD BE UP ON THE SILVER SCREEN YOU GOT THAT 'IT GIRL' LOOK ! BONNIE I CANT BELIEVE THAT YOU SEE THAT IN ME I ALWAYS KNEW ID BE A STAR HOW INTELLIGENT YOU ARE CLYDE WE ARE WASTED ROUND HERE WERE TOO GOOD FOR THIS PLACE WE WERENT BORN TO LIVE AND DIE IN TEXAS THIS IS MY PLAN THERES NO PLAN B YES THIS WORLD WILL REMEMBER ME YOU AND THIS WORLD WILL REMEMBER ME She kisses him. A police siren passes in the distance.
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Shit.
CLYDE (contd) Clyde quickly ducks behind the car. Bonnie backs away.
BONNIE
CLYDE Well, me and my brother did just bust out of jail. So probably. (off her look) Im not lookin for any trouble... Look, you dont have to worry bout me cause Ive been in jail. BONNIE I know plenty of men whove been to jail. How many you know busted out? What were you in for? CLYDE BONNIE
CLYDE Robbery, auto theft, a few things. I like to keep busy. Bonnie smiles. Clyde starts the engine. CLYDE (contd) So, what do you say? Gimme a lift into West Dallas? The police are lookin for you. BONNIE
CLYDE They aint gonna find me. By this time tomorrow Ill be five hundred miles away. I just wanna see my folks before I go. ...Okay. BONNIE
SCENE 3: CINDERELLA BEAUTY PARLOR Eleanor, Trish and Stella sit under dryers as Blanche and Buck argue. BLANCHE Are you crazy -- bustin out of jail??!! Now, baby-BUCK
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BLANCHE Dont you now baby me. How in Gods name did you let Clyde talk you into fugitivin?! It was my idea. Yours? Yeah. BUCK BLANCHE BUCK
BLANCHE How could you go and do this? Here I am prayin my heart out they shorten your sentence. BUCK Well, your prayers were answered. This made it real short. We hear a SIREN pull up. Shit! BUCK (contd) Bucks looks for a place to hide. Oh my God. Oh my God. Im leavin. BLANCHE TRISH BUCK (to Trish) She sits. BUCK (cont'd) (to Eleanore) Eleanore gets out from under the dryer. Gimme your bib! BUCK (contd) He takes the smock from her and covers himself as he sits under the dryer. Magazine! BUCK (contd) She gives them to him. BUCK (contd) Everybody just take it easy! I was never here! (to Eleanor) Purse!
You sit!
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She tosses her purse onto his lap. Buck hides his face behind the magazine. Sheriff Smoot Schmid and his deputy, Bud, enter. Evenin, ladies. Evenin Sheriff. SHERIFF WOMEN
SHERIFF Im here about your husband, Marvin, aka Buck Barrow. You heard from him? BLANCHE Oh, not since he got himself arrested. I dont have no room for a man like that in my life. Youll find him sittin in McLennan County Jail. No you wont. What? BUD BLANCHE
BUD Your husband and his brother got it in their heads to escape. What? BLANCHE
SHERIFF (hands her his card) If you see him or know anything of his whereabouts you call the Dallas County Sheriffs office straight away, you hear? Of course. BLANCHE
SHERIFF You have a good evenin. Sorry to interrupt your hair doins. Schmid and Bud leave. Buck comes out from under the dryer. Baby, baby, you were fantastic! BUCK
BLANCHE (still reeling) Im havin a heart attack. They are not gonna stop lookin, Buck. They never do. ELEANORE
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STELLA TRISH
BUCK They wont find me if we go away someplace. How romantic! How beautiful! Theyre gonna get him. ELEANORE STELLA TRISH
BUCK Youre always talkin bout wantin to go to New Mexico, start fresh. BLANCHE This wouldnt be going to New Mexico, itd be runnin from West Dallas. Shes got a point. ELEANORE
STELLA Still, I hear New Mexicos real nice. TRISH (whispers to Buck)
BLANCHE You want to be like your brother? Always running from the law? Always lookin over your shoulder? I love you, Daddy. I love you more than life itself but we cannot start fresh like that. You tell him, Blanche. WOMEN
BLANCHE We start fresh when you are free in the eyes of the law and saved in the eyes of God. Amen. Praise the Lord. Thank you Jesus. ELEANORE STELLA TRISH
BLANCHE WE CAN'T SPEND OUR WHOLE LIVES HIDIN BUCK THAT AINT NO WAY TO LIVE IT IS TIME TO WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN ASK THE GOOD LORD TO FORGIVE
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BLANCHE YOU GOTTA SERVE YOUR SENTENCE WITHOUT FAIL BUCK YOU ARE GOIN BACK TO JAIL BUCK What the hell are you talkin -WOMEN Now youre talkin.
BLANCHE (contd) WON'T BE SCARED TO TURN A CORNER OR TO OPEN OUR FRONT DOOR WHEN YOU'RE ON THE SIDE OF JUSTICE YOU AINT NERVOUS OF THE LAW NOW PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU'VE GONE PALE BUCK YOU ARE GOIN BACK TO JAIL BUCK Baby, you dont know what its like in-BLANCHE I KNOW IT'S HARD TO SHARE A CELL WHEN YOU GOT NOTHIN' TO LOOK AT EXCEPT PRISONERS WHO SMELL BUT WHEN YOU'RE DONE WHEN YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR TIME WE'LL STILL BE YOUNG AND IN OUR PRIME BUCK AINT BEEN FREE MORE THAN A MINUTE AINT HAD TIME TO CHANGE MY SHIRT I'VE BEEN DREAMIN OF A HOT MEAL WITH YOU AS MY DESSERT BRING YOUR FACE CLOSE TO MINE AND JUST LET ME INHALE BLANCHE BUCK YOU ARE GOIN BACK TO JAIL But baby-BUCK
BLANCHE Well call the Sheriff and tell him your turning yourself in right after church tomorrow. Blanche-BUCK
BLANCHE Its gonna be just as hard on me, daddy. Stella, you know what its like havin a husband in jail. Tell him how hard it is not havin Carl around.
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IT'S A TREAT TO GET MY NAILS DONE AND HAVE TIME TO READ A BOOK Stella. BLANCHE
STELLA SURE BEATS WASHIN OUT HIS LONG-JOHNS IT'S A PLEASURE NOT TO COOK Okay, thats enough. BLANCHE
STELLA THANK GOD THOSE PRISON WALLS ARE MUCH TO TALL TO SCALE MY DARLIN'S NICE 'N SAFE IN JAIL BUCK (to Blanche) I dont want her comin round here no more. BLANCHE Trishs husbands been in jail two years and shes miserable without her man. TRISH AT FIRST I REALLY MISSED HIM I THOUGHT I WOULD WASTE AWAY THEN I MET THIS BOY FROM TUCSON AND HE OWNED A CHEVROLET Thats enough. BLANCHE
HE HAD A LOT OF THINGS THAT MY JOE LACKED LIKE TEETH AND HAIR AND CASH TO BE EXACT I'VE NOW GOT LOTS OF HABITS I CAN'T CURTAIL I GOTTA KEEP HIM LOCKED IN JAIL STELLA/TRISH/ELEANORE KEEP EM INSIDE - KEEP EM INSIDE IF WE SEE 'EM ONCE A MONTH WE WILL BE MORE THAN SATISFIED AINT THAT THE TRUTH DON'T MEAN TO BE UNKIND CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON PEACE OF MIND Blanche-BUCK
BLANCHE I AINT LIKE THESE OTHER WOMEN I WILL WAIT TIL KINGDOM COME I WANT THE WORLD TO SEE THAT I AINT MARRIED TO SOME BUM IT WILL BE HARD FOR US BUT WELL COME THROUGH
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BUCK I CANT BELIEVE WHAT YOU ARE ASKIN ME TO DO BLANCHE ONE THINGS FOR CERTAIN OUR LOVE WONT GO STALE Buck and Blanche kiss passionately. The women react. Jesus, close your eyes. Blanche I aint goin back. YES BUCK YOURE GOIN BACK But baby-TRISH BUCK BLANCHE BUCK
SCENE 4: THE WOODS Dusk. Bonnie lies on a blanket and writes in a small notebook as Clyde sits on the hood if her car and drinks alcohol from a jar. CLYDE --So, I figure the first thing is to hit someplace with a payroll. Gas station., grocery store -cant do nothin without cash. Once I get that, I hightail it to another state. Maybe in the Northeast. Cops cant cross state lines. And they aint gonna be lookin for me in Ohio or New York. After that, Im a free man. I can do whatever I want. And you know what? BONNIE (without looking up) CLYDE BONNIE
What?
CLYDE (contd)
BONNIE Just cause Im smilin doesnt mean-I was talkin about mine. CLYDE
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BONNIE (laughs) I should get home. And you want to see your folks-CLYDE That can wait. What are you writin? Poem. What kinda poem? Kind thats gonna be published. Wow. BONNIE CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE
BONNIE Yeah, youre gonna see my face in the movies and my poems in the magazines. (envisions) Poetry by Bonnie Parker. And a beautiful picture of me to go long side it. Like this one. She pulls a photo from her bag and hands it to Clyde. BONNIE (contd) Thats what you call a glamour shot. CLYDE This is the best picture Ive ever seen in my whole life! BONNIE Its a little old now but Im gonna get a new one. In a nice hat. I look good in hats. I got a hat face. Read me your poem. You like poetry? CLYDE BONNIE
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CLYDE Youre writin about me?! You wrote a poem bout me?!... Oh, you are so in love, sugar.
(reads) Billy said to the Barrow boy, Is this the way you ride?
In a Ford Sedan Delux Se--
BONNIE
CLYDE
BONNIE Theres a rhythm, a flow to these things. Im sorry. I appreciate the enthusiasm but-My lips are sealed. CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE He kisses her then lies back down on the blanket.
(reads) Billy said to the Barrow boy, Is this the way you ride? In a car that does its ninety per Machine guns at each side?
Dang! I only had my pinto horse And my six-gun tried and true. I could shoot but they got me. And someday they will get you.
BONNIE
CLYDE BONNIE
CLYDE What are you writin that for? Thats a lousy thing to write! Its dramatic. BONNIE
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CLYDE BONNIE
CLYDE It is when you write stuff like that. BONNIE You dont know crap bout poetry. I am gonna be famous for my poetry and my acting career. Dont you ever call my poetry stupid just because your thick head cant appreciate it! Silence. Man, I want you right now. CLYDE (contd) CLYDE I know they aint never gonna get me. I know I am gonna be so far gone from this miserable place, no one will ever find me. And then Im gonna be in control of my own goddman life!
BONNIE Shoulda thought of that before you called my poetry stupid. Clyde laughs. BONNIE (contd) (smacks him with notebook) CLYDE
BONNIE Dont you ever laugh at me! Im gonna be famous. Im gonna be a poet and an actress and a singer. CLYDE Singer, huh? Let me hear somethin. Im not in the mood. BONNIE
CLYDE Aw, come on, sugar. I wanna hear you sing. Unless thats also gonna be about me gettin shot up. Bonnie smiles. CLYDE (contd) Come on. Youre at a nightclub in that there Atlantic City. Me and Capone are sitin ring side. The crowds goin crazy. (imitates cheering crowd) Bonnie! Bonnie! Bonnie! Bonnie becomes entranced.
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BONNIE HOW 'BOUT A DANCE WHAT DO YOU SAY I GOT SOME MOVES THAT I'D LOVE TO SHOW YA Now, thats nice. CLYDE
BONNIE LET'S FIND A SPOT AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY That is one of my favorites. CLYDE
BONNIE HOW 'BOUT A DANCE IT'S ALWAYS FUN COME OVER HERE LET ME GET TO KNOW YA CAN'T BEAT A BAND TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS HON YOU LOOK SO HANDSOME Clyde shines the car headlights on Bonnie. HOW 'BOUT A DANCE LET'S MAKE A START MUSIC LIKE THIS CAN REALLY THROW YA YOU'LL LOSE THE BLUES AND YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HEART TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR EVEN THE MOON LOOKS JUST RIGHT I'M SURE THE CROWD WILL MAKE ROOM ON THE FLOOR WHEN THEY SEE YOU LOOK LIKE YOU DO SO HOW 'BOUT A DANCE LET'S MAKE A START MUSIC LIKE THIS HON CAN REALLY THROW YA YOU'LL LOSE THE BLUES AND YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HEART YOU'LL LOSE THE BLUES AND YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HEART Bonnie and Clyde kiss as the Parker home forms around them.
SCENE 5: PARKER HOME Bonnie and Clyde continue to kiss passionately. Bonnie? Your mamas home? EMMA (O.S.) CLYDE BONNIE (shouting up)
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CLYDE Why didnt you tell me your mamas-Emma enters. What on Earth are you-Who are you? I-EMMA
BONNIE Mama, this is Clyde Barrow. Hes a cousin of my friend, Charlenes. Evenin, Mrs. Parker. CLYDE
EMMA Why are you in my house this time of the evening? I-CLYDE
BONNIE Hes passin through on his way to Ohio to begin a job in printin. Printin, huh? Uh, yes maam. EMMA CLYDE
EMMA Not many men have a job these days. No maam. CLYDE
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CLYDE Colored boy taught me when me and family lived under the viaduct. You lived in one of those camps? BONNIE
CLYDE Pa was a sharecropper over in Henderson County when the land dried up. We left our farm, headed for Dallas and lived in a tent, under the Oak Cliff viaduct for near three years. EMMA Well, Clyde, you may sleep on the sofa. (to Bonnie) Theres an extra sheet in the bedroom. (to Clyde) Im afraid we dont have an extra blanket or pillow. Thats alright. CLYDE
EMMA (as she goes) Bonnie, Ill expect you up very shortly. Yes, mama. Almost immediately. Mama-BONNIE EMMA BONNIE
EMMA Your husband will be home, you know. Emma exits. You got a husband?! Baby-CLYDE BONNIE
CLYDE I mean, thats somethin you should tell a fella! BONNIE I had a husband. Went to jail about three years ago. Still there? CLYDE
BONNIE No. Just not interested in bein a husband. Bonnie takes the ukulele out of his hands as she climbs on top of him.
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BONNIE (contd) Is that really what you wanna talk about right now? She kisses him on the mouth. He carries her to the floor. They kiss and passion builds until... A knock at the door. You expecting anybody? No. CLYDE BONNIE Clyde looks out the window. CLYDE Oh shit! Its the laws. Meet me tomorrow mornin. Eight O'clock. 145 Oak Grove over in Harrison. Whistle or throw somethin at the second floor window on the corner. Clyde runs out the back. Bonnie opens the door to find Ted. BONNIE Ted? What are... what are you doin here? TED Followin some leads on a prison break. Since I was in the neighborhood I figured Id stop by, you know, and make sure you and your ma are okay. Were fine. Thanks, Ted. BONNIE He steps into the room. TED Jeez, last time I was in this house was when your grandma died. That was a long time ago. BONNIE
TED You know, that was the first time I ever saw a dead body. I mean, she was wearin lots of make-up and all but you could still see she was dead. BONNIE (laughs, then) I hated seein her like that. TED And I remember how we both hid under your front porch. Eatin buttermilk pie. And playin cards. BONNIE TED Bonnie smiles.
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TED And keep this door locked, alright? Alright, Ted. BONNIE He leaves.
SCENE 6: BLANCHES APARTMENT The following morning. Buck carries Blanche into the living room. BUCK I think most folksd be shocked to learn just how un-Christian you are in bed, Mrs. Barrow. BLANCHE Why daddy, you hush that mouth of yours. BUCK Im gonna miss that over the next eight months. BLANCHE The time youre away is going to fly by. Youll see. And Ill work. The salons still busy. No matter how bad things get, women always find money for their hair. Eleanors kids havent seen real milk in over a year, but that woman gets her color done every two months. I love you, Blanche. I love you, Daddy. BUCK BLANCHE They kiss. Suddenly, a BOTTLE COMES FLYING IN through the open window. What in Gods name-Its Clyde. BLANCHE (contd) BUCK Buck leans out the window and gives the all clear. BLANCHE Marvin Ivan Barrow, youre using our home as a criminal rendezvous point! BUCK Aww, come on Blanche, its just Clyde.
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BLANCHE Which makes this a criminal rendezvous point! I want him outta here as fast as possible, you hear? Hes my brother. That man puts the Hell in hello. BUCK BLANCHE Three slow knocks on the door followed by three quick knocks. BLANCHE (contd) Youre like children with your flyin bottles and secret knocks. She goes off to the bedroom. Clyde enters. Hey! You okay? I'm fine. You look like shit. CLYDE BUCK CLYDE BUCK
CLYDE Slept in the woods. You see the papers today? Nope. BUCK Clyde whips a newspaper out of his pocket and hands it to Buck. BUCK (contd) (reads) Buck and Clyde on Barrowed Time. (to Clyde) What the hell does that mean? CLYDE It means were on the front page headline! Right along side Al Capone! Dang! BUCK
CLYDE Remember when we saw Capone ridin through town, middle of the afternoon, in a---white Model T Roadster! CLYDE & BUCK
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CLYDE Thats gonna be us, Buck. Drivin the open road in a Model T, or you ever see a picture of one of those MGs over in Europe? They got a four speed gear box with a top speed of sixty five miles per hour! Dang! BUCK
CLYDE AINT NO CAR TOO SMART FOR ME GOT THE WHOLE THING FIGURED OUT TWO DOOR, HARD TOP, MODEL T LIMOUSINE OR RUNABOUT PUT ME BEHIND A WHEEL AND STAND WELL BACK LIKE A CRACKERJACK I'LL GET YOUR HEART PUMPIN' ! BUCK AINT NO CAR THAT YOU CAN'T DRIVE I WOULD BET MY LIFE ON THAT HOT ROD, ROADSTER, PICK-UP TRUCK FORTY MILES IN NOTHIN' FLAT CLYDE AINT NOTHIN' BETTER THAN TO DRIVE THROUGH TOWN WITH THE THROTTLE DOWN WATCH THE OLD FOLK JUMPIN' BUCK & CLYDE
CLYDE WHEN I DRIVE WHEN I DRIVE I'M IN LOVE I'M ALIVE AND I FORGET ABOUT EVERYTHING I HATE WHEN I DRIVE WHEN I DRIVE I CAN REACH SIXTY FIVE I WONT PAY THE LAW NO MIND THEYLL ALWAYS BE BEHIND AND MAN THAT JUST FEELS GREAT! BUCK HEY LOOK, THERE'S DANGER UP AHEAD HERE COMES A CURVE CLYDE WILL YOU STOP TUGGIN' AT MY SLEEVE JUST HOLD YOUR NERVE GIVE ME A FULL TANK AND AN OPEN ROAD AND WATCH ME EXPLODE - LOOK AT ME I'M DRIVIN' WHEN I DRIVE WHEN I DRIVE I'M IN LOVE I'M ALIVE AND I FORGET ABOUT EVERYTHING I HATE BUCK WHEN YOU DRIVE WHEN YOU DRIVE LIFE JUST FLIES WHEN YOU DRIVE
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BUCK & CLYDE WE ARE THE HEROES WHO THE PEOPLE LOOK UP TO AND BROTHER THAT FEELS GREAT CLYDE/BUCK I CAN FLOAT I CAN FLY THIS IS HOW I WANNA LIVE AND DIE I'M IN LOVE I'M ALIVE WHEN I DRIVE... A whistle from the street draws Clyde to the window. Shes here! Whos here? Clyde? CLYDE BUCK Clyde rushes out. Blanche re-enters from the bedroom. Is he gone? I think hes comin back. Why? BLANCHE BUCK BLANCHE
BUCK I think he went outside to get a girl. A girl? Thats what he said. BLANCHE BUCK
BLANCHE When on earth did Clyde find time to meet some tart? Clyde re-enters with Bonnie. Excuse me? BONNIE
CLYDE Bonnie, this here is my brother, Buck. Pleased to meet you. BONNIE
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BUCK (shakes hands) Bonnie puts her arms around Clyde. Clyde turns and kisses Bonnie.
He-hem...
He-hem...
CLYDE (to Bonnie) And that there is my sister-in-law, Blanche. Pleasure. All mine. BLANCHE BONNIE
CLYDE (to Buck) How you feelin', Buck? You feelin' strong? Why? I got some ideas. What kinda ideas? Buck. BUCK CLYDE BUCK BLANCHE
CLYDE Ideas that are gonna get you out of this dump. No offense, Blanche. Buck. BLANCHE
CLYDE I figure first we hit up a place with a payroll -- gas station, clothing store-BUCK! What is your problem, woman? BLANCHE CLYDE
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BUCK (reluctant) I uh... kinda got a plan, too. Lets hear it. CLYDE
BUCK Im uh... Im goin back to... to pri...son. Youre goin back to where? ...Im goin back to pri...son. CLYDE BUCK
CLYDE I swear it sounds like youre sayin-BLANCHE Buck's gonna go back and finish his sentence. And if you had any sense youd do the same. CLYDE (to Buck) What is she talkin' about? Blanche decided-BUCK A slap from Blanche. BUCK (cont'd) --And me -- you know, the both of us -- that the best thing is for me to go back -- finish out my sentence. You know, and then we can drive after that. I feel like Im losin my mind here. CLYDE
BUCK Me and Blanche, we wanna start fresh. BLANCHE No runnin, no hidin, no bottles flyin in through windows. BONNIE (to Clyde) Maybe you should go back, too. How long would it be-CLYDE (shoves Bonnie away) Goin back aint what I do!
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BLANCHE Its the only way to wipe the slate clean. CLYDE You can wipe all you want, Blanche. Aint never gonna be clean. It dont make no difference what we do -- they been arrestin us since we was kids. BLANCHE Youve been stealing since you was kids. Even when we didnt. CLYDE BUCK (to Blanche)
That is true.
CLYDE How many times they come by our tent and haul us in for no damn reason? Plenty. When I worked over at Masons-For a week. BUCK CLYDE BLANCHE
CLYDE --they come by and pat me down. Right in front of customers. Now, hows a man supposed to keep a job? Dont make no difference what we do The laws are gonna keep comin after us. Not if you seek forgiveness. BLANCHE
CLYDE The sheriff dont give a rats ass about no forgiveness. BLANCHE Forgiveness from the Lord, Clyde. That is the only thing that will truly set you free. CLYDE I aint never gonna be set free, Blanche. Freedom is somethin I gotta steal. (to Buck) Whats it gonna be, Buck? There is a moment as Buck looks at his brother and then at his wife. BUCK Im goin back, Clyde. I wanna start fresh. CLYDE (starts to lose control) And what are you gonna get when you get out?! Youre gonna come back here?! And work doin what?! Pickin up scrap metal for three cents a load?! Or maybe with Pa at the gas station, prayin somebody rich enough to still own a car stops in!
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(shoves Buck) And what are you gonna eat?! Huh?! Im gonna be in control of my life.! Im gonna live the way I want! Out on the open road! You have yourself a nice time locked up in that cage! (to Bonnie) Lets go, sugar.
BONNIE Maybe your brother has the right idea. Maybe goin back-CLYDE My brother can do what he wants. Clyde Barrow aint never gonna set foot inside a prison again. BONNIE So maybe we go someplace else. We want to get out of Dallas anyway. You could find a job someplace and work. I want you to be a man, honey, not a thug. Slap. Clyde smacks Bonnie across the face. CLYDE Dont you ever talk that way to me, sugar. Slap. Bonnie smacks Clyde across the face. BONNIE Dont you ever raise a hand to me, baby. There is a moment as everyone is silent. Clyde walks out. BLANCHE (to Bonnie) My advice to you is to stay far away from that man. Bonnie says nothing and leaves. A CHOIR begins to hum. BLANCHE (contd) (to Buck) Dont you look at me like that, Daddy. You know Im right. If he wants to descend to the depths of Hell he doesnt need to drag anyone else down there with him. Not you, not me, not that poor misguided trash he picked up last night. BUCK I thought you said it was wrong to judge. BLANCHE That was not a judgement. It was an observation. A Preacher appears as Blanche helps Buck on with his jacket and straightens his tie. PREACHER GODS ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN HELL NOT TURN YOU AWAY HE IS THERE TO LEAD THE WAY FOR YOU THROUGH EACH NIGHT AND DAY
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Blanche puts on her hat, gets her handkerchief and picks up her bible. PREACHER (contd) GODS ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN YOUR VOICE IS ALWAYS HEARD EVEN THOUGH YOUR PRAYERS ARE SILENT PRAYERS HE HEARS EVERY WORD Blanche and Buck leave their apartment.
SCENE 7: A RIVER BEHIND A CHURCH / VARIOUS LOCATIONS The Preacher stands with his Congregation at the riverbank as Blanche and Buck approach. Bucks parents, Henry & Cumie, look on. PREACHER NO ONE NEEDS TO FEEL ALONE TURN TO HIM AND WHEN YOU DO HIS LIGHT WILL SHINE AND PEACE WILL COME TO YOU GODS ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN AND EVERYONES HIS FRIEND WHEN YOU FIND HIM ALL YOUR DARKEST FEARS WILL COME TO AN END FEARS COME TO AN END The Preacher takes Buck in his arms, leans him back and baptizes him in the river. RUN TO HIS ARMS IF YOU SEEK SALVATION WASH YOUR SINS AWAY THIS IS THE TIME FOR SOME JUBILATION COME TO HIM TODAY GOD DOESNT SPEAK OF RETRIBUTION EVERYONES SOUL IS SAVED HE WILL FORGIVE EVEN THOSE WHOVE MISBEHAVED Sheriff Schmid and Bud approach. He handcuffs Buck. Cumie kisses him and Henry pats his shoulder. Blanche kisses her husband farewell. Buck is escorted off. UNDO THE CHAINS THAT YOUVE TIED AROUND YOU YOUR HANDS HOLD THE KEY YOURE GONNA FEEL THINGS THAT WILL ASTOUND YOU SOON YOU WILL BE FREE BE PROUD TO JOIN HIS CONGREGATION TAKE A WALK IN THE SUN YOURE WELCOME HERE THERE IS ROOM FOR EVERY... YOURE WELCOME HERE THERE IS ROOM FOR EVERY... YOURE WELCOME HERE THERE IS ROOM FOR EVERYONE Praise the Lord!
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The congregation raise their hands as the spirit moves them. GODS ARMS GODS ARMS ALWAYS OPEN ALWAYS OPEN YOU GOTTA RUN RUN TO HIM HELL SET YOU FREE HELL SET YOU FREE COME ON JOIN GODS ARMS HIS CONGREGATION ALWAYS OPEN GODS ARMS RUN TO HIM THEY HOLD THE KEY HE HOLDS THE KEY NO MORE RETRIBUTION GODS ARMS NO NO PREACHER (contd) CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER
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GODS ARMS
CONGREGATION The Preacher and Congregation freeze with their hands in the air. Lights up on Clyde pointing a gun. On scrim: GALVESTON MAN HAS CAR STOLEN AT GUNPOINT.
CLYDE Put the keys on the seat and step away from the car. (re gun, threatening) I dont want to have to use this gun, mister, but Ill tell ya right now I will blow your... Are those seats leather? Dang, that is a beautiful car. You are one lucky fella. I mean, well you know, until now. He runs off. GODS ARMS GODS ARMS ALWAYS OPEN ALWAYS OPEN YOU GOTTA RUN RUN TO HIM HELL SET YOU FREE HELL SET YOU FREE PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION The Preacher and Congregation freeze with their hands in the air. Lights up on Clyde. On scrim: GUNMAN HOLDS UP DRESS SHOP CLYDE Oh would you look at that dress. Bonnie is gonna love that dress. (pulls out a gun) Put it in the bag. Come on. Come on. Hey, you got a gift card?... (dictates with gun) To Bonnie. I cant wait to rip this off you. He runs off.
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During the following we see various headlines. On scrim: TEXACO STATION STICK UP On scrim: GUNMAN STRIKES AGAIN IN TURTLE CREEK On scrim: AARONS FIVE & DIME ROBBED GODS ARMS GODS ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN ALWAYS OPEN YOU GOTTA RUN RUN TO HIM HELL SET YOU FREE HELL SET YOU FREE GODS ARMS GODS ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN ALWAYS OPEN YOU GOTTA RUN RUN TO HIM DAY BY DAY HE HOLDS THE KEY COME ON CHILDREN PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION PREACHER
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CONGREGATION PREACHER CONGREGATION The Preacher and Congregation freeze with their hands in the air. On scrim: SHERIFF CAPTURE ESCAPED CONVICT Lights up on the Sheriff pointing a gun.
SHERIFF Clyde appears with his hands in the air. Ted appears with a gun on him.
SHERIFF (cont'd) Finger off the trigger, son. Now, place the gun on the ground. Clyde places the gun on the ground. Step away from the weapon. SHERIFF (cont'd) Ted takes the gun.
Cuff him.
(to Ted)
SHERIFF (cont'd)
Ted places Clydes hands behind his back and cuffs them. GOD'S ARMS' ALWAYS OPEN GOD'S ARMS' ALWAYS OPEN GOD'S ARMS' ALWAYS OPEN GOD'S ARMS' ALWAYS OPEN PREACHER & CONGREGATION
Ted leads Clyde to a prison cell. YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH Clyde spits at Ted. Ted punches him. AMEN PREACHER The cell door closes and locks.
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SCENE 8: MCLENNAN COUNTY JAIL A row of jail cells. Trish stands outside her husbands cell. Blanche stands outside Bucks cell. BLANCHE --And Im painting the bedroom a nice soft blue. Not too feminine. BUCK There aint gonna be no work, Blanche. BLANCHE Well get by. Youll find somethin. Doin what? BUCK
BLANCHE I dont know. I dont know. But well find a way. The good Lord will-Screw the good Lord. Buck. BUCK BLANCHE
BUCK The good Lord aint done nothin for anybody I know. And hes been letting the guards kick the shit out of Clyde. BLANCHE Well, the good Lord, better than anybody, knows that Clyde needs a good shit-kicking. Blanche exits. At another cell, Trish talks to her incarcerated husband, Joe. JOE You swear youre bein faithful to me, Trish? I swear. TRISH
JOE If I ever find out you cheated on me. TRISH Honey, I promise -- you will never find out I cheated on you. Trish exits. Bonnie enters and is stopped by a guard. He looks through her purse. Ted notices Bonnie. Bonnie? TED He waves off the guard. The guard leaves.
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Ted.
BONNIE
TED Ive been meanin to come by the diner this week but Ive been busy as hell. Evictions mostly. Thought maybe you would want to make it up to me. Ted-BONNIE
TED Let me take you out to dinner tomorrow night. BONNIE I dont know. I mean, I dont think I can. What are you doin here? Just visiting somebody. Who? Clyde Barrow. Clyde Barrow? You know him? Hes a friend of a friend. TED BONNIE TED BONNIE TED BONNIE
TED I dont know who your friend is, but I can tell you that Barrow is a bad seed. Youd do yourself a favor to keep a good distance. Thanks for the advice, Ted. BONNIE She walks off. Ted watches after her as she arrives at Clydes cell. Bonnie! CLYDE She reaches through the bars and kisses him. How ya doin, sugar? CLYDE (contd)
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BONNIE How am I doin? Im miserable without you. I cant think about nothin else but you. CLYDE Im sorry, sugar. Sorry you gotta go through this. BONNIE When you get outta here youre goin straight, you understand? CLYDE I got a friend knows a guy in construction in Worcester, Mass. BONNIE Id go anywhere on this earth with you, baby. CLYDE And if it dont pan out -- they got places to rob up there just the same as here. BONNIE No more hold ups, baby. We are gonna start clean. Okay, sugar. I brought you a picture, baby. CLYDE BONNIE She gives him a photo. They continue under... TED I GIVE YOU FAIR WARNIN' HE'S NO BED OF ROSES SWEET BONNIE I CAN'T SEE HIM FINDIN' THE TIME TO RAISE CHILDREN HELL NO HE'S WILD AND HE'S RECKLESS AINT NOTHIN' BUT TROUBLE YOU'RE BETTER WITHOUT HIM YOU THINK HARD SWEET BONNIE AND THEN YOU SHOULD THINK ONCE AGAIN ! WE BOTH KNOW YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN HIM WHY YOU DESERVE SOMEONE WHO'S THERE ALL THE TIME SOMEONE WHO THINKS CRIME DON'T PAY I STILL SEE THAT SNOWY WHITE DRESS YOU WORE...!YEP PLAYIN THE ANGEL IN SOME DUMB SCHOOL PLAY FOR A WHILE I THOUGHT THAT YOU WOULD FLY AWAY The Guard enters and escorts Bonnie away. She stops when she sees Ted. She walks past him. I STILL SEE THE APPLE-CHEEKED GIRL YOU WERE...! YEP HIDING IN TREETOPS AND FEEDING THE BIRDS MAKIN' UP RHYMES HOW YOU LOVED PRETTY WORDS CLYDE (in his cell) YOU COULD FIND SOMEONE THAT PEOPLE RESPECT
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A MAN WHO IS RICH AND SMART SOMEONE WHO'S KNOWN IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES AND KNOWS THE GOOD BOOK BY HEART ! BUT I KNOW
...BUT I KNOW
(echo)
TED
CLYDE & TED YOU WONT DO BETTER THAN ME... NO NOT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO LOVE THAT IS TRUE THERES NO MAN WHO COULD LOVE YOU LIKE I DO
SCENE 9: CINDERELLA BEAUTY PARLOR / AMERICAN CAFE At the Cinderella Beauty Parlor, Blanche cleans up as Eleanore puts on her coat. ELEANORE Good luck with the hearing tomorrow, Blanche. BLANCHE Pray the Good Lord brings my daddy home to me tomorrow. I will. ELEANORE She starts to go then turns back. Blanche? What? ELEANORE (contd) BLANCHE
ELEANORE ...I just hate to see you get hurt, honey. Im not gonna-BLANCHE
ELEANORE That man of yours has been in and outta jail ten times-Seven. All Im sayin is, chances are-BLANCHE ELEANORE
BLANCHE I asked you to pray, Eleanore, not to judge. If you cant do that--
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Im sorry.
ELEANORE She leaves. Blanche continues cleaning up. American Cafe Bonnie cleans up as Emma waits at the counter.
BONNIE Charlie says hes only gonna be able to keep me on another week. There arent enough-EMMA Margaret Cummings said she saw you get on the bus to Eagle Rock yesterday. Whered you go? BONNIE Mustve been someone else. Someone who looks like me. No. She was sure it was you. I really dont see-EMMA BONNIE
EMMA Why are you lying to me, Bonnie? What is so awful that its causing my daughter to lie to her mama? BONNIE (blurts it out) EMMA
BONNIE You and me both know Roy aint never comin back. And I wouldnt want him if he did. EMMA Howd you meet a boy lives in Eagle Rock? BONNIE He doesnt live there. Hes... just staying there for a short time. EMMA Theres nothing in Eagle Rock except the penit-(realizes, horrified) Bonnie Parker. Youre flirtin with a convict? Im not flirtin. What is goin through your head? I love him, ma. BONNIE EMMA BONNIE
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EMMA You love who?! Who do you love?! Clyde Barrow. BONNIE
EMMA (placing the name) Clyde Barrow... The boy who spent the night at our home? Bonnie nods. EMMA (contd) You said he was headed up north to a job. I love him mama! BONNIE
EMMA You dont know him! And what you do know aint so good. BONNIE I know him, mamma. I know everything I-EMMA Hes a convict you met a few months ago. BONNIE You always said you and daddy was love at first sight. EMMA Do not compare some convict to your father! Your daddy was a fine upstanding citizen. He earned a good living and was a good father to you and a good husband to me. Dont you ever compare your daddy to a convict. Ill see you at home. Emma walks out. Bonnies left alone. She takes a glass and smashes it on the floor. BONNIE I KNOW MY HEART DON'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ALL I KNOW IS THAT I NEVER FELT LIKE THIS AND BESIDES I WOULDN'T CHANGE HIM IF I COULD NO MAN'S ALL GOOD Lights up on Blanche in the beauty parlor. BLANCHE I ALWAYS KNEW WHAT I WAS TAKING ON BUT I ALWAYS FELT THAT I COULD CHANGE HIS WAYS EVEN IF MY MAN WILL NEVER FALL IN LINE I'M GLAD HE'S MINE BONNIE & BLANCHE 'COS YOU LOVE WHO YOU LOVE AND YOU CAN'T HELP HOW YOU'RE MADE YOU DON'T HAVE NO SAY YOUR HEART DECIDES IT'S THAT SIMPLE I'M AFRAID YES YOU LOVE WHO YOU LOVE
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COMMON SENSE MAY SAY IT'S WRONG THERE'S A PART OF HIM YOU KNOW IS WILD MAYBE THAT'S WHAT MADE YOU LOVE HIM ALL ALONG BONNIE I ONLY CARE THAT HES MINE AND I AM HIS THERE AINT NO RULES THATS HOW IT IS MOST GIRLS WOULD HATE TO BE STANDING IN MY SHOES BUT TRUE LOVE'S SOMETHIN YOU DON'T CHOOSE BONNIE & BLANCHE CAUSE YOU LOVE WHO YOU LOVE AND YOU GO WITH WHAT YOU FEEL BLANCHE AND YOU NEVER THINK WHAT'S DOWN THE ROAD WHILE THE FAIRY TALE SEEMS REAL Bonnie steps out of the diner. Blanche steps out of the beauty parlor. BONNIE & BLANCHE OH YOU LOVE WHO YOU LOVE COMMON SENSE MAY SAY IT'S WRONG BONNIE THERE'S A PART OF HIM YOU KNOW IS WILD MAYBE THAT'S WHAT MADE YOU LOVE HIM ALL ALONG BONNIE & BLANCHE COULD BE THAT'S WHAT MADE YOU LOVE HIM ALL ALONG Bonnie and Blanche find themselves in a court room.
SCENE 10: A COURTHOUSE Clyde and Buck stand before the Judge. Blanche and Bonnie sit with Henry and Cumie. Sheriff Schmid, Ted and reporters stand off to the side. JUDGE Marvin Ivan Barrow. The court has reviewed your record and for turning yourself back in and for your good behavior you shall be released into the custody of your wife, Blanche Caldwell Barrow. Amen! Amen! Daddy! BLANCHE A cop takes the handcuffs off Buck. Blanche runs to him and they hug. JUDGE Clyde Chestnut Barrow. You have been found guilty of seven counts of robbery over fifty dollars and are sentenced to receive two years on each count. What does that mean? CUMIE
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JUDGE Plus an additional two years for your escape. I dont understand! CUMIE
JUDGE For a total of sixteen years at the Eastham Penitentiary. No! No! CUMIE She rushes to Clyde but is immediately restrained by a cop. Ma! Let her go! CLYDE Before anyone knows what happened, Clyde has his handcuffed hands around the cops throat and throws him to the floor. Ted pulls his gun on Clyde. My boy! Do not hurt my baby! Take him! CUMIE SHERIFF They walk Clyde out. Im sorry, ma. I love you, baby! I love you too, sugar! CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE Cops take Clyde away as the Sheriff talks to reporters. SHERIFF I think this sends out a strong message that in these hard times we will not tolerate criminal behavior of any kind. Clyde Barrow will be servin sixteen years hard labor at Eastham Penitentiary.
SCENE 11: PARKER HOME Emma enters with a disgruntled Bonnie. You look beautiful. EMMA
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EMMA Youre makin the right decision. Its been six months since that hoodlum of yours-Stop calling him that. --has been in jail. BONNIE EMMA
BONNIE I will never love anybody else the way I love Clyde, mama. EMMA Honey, you think your father was the first man I ever fell in love with? Before I was your mamma, I was a girl. But I understood that love can be blind. And in this life you need to see clearly. You need to find a stable, responsible young man who can provide for you all the things you deserve, darling. And then love... real love... comes from that. Emma pins a brooch on Bonnies lapel. BONNIE ...Im too young for a brooch, mama. EMMA This brooch belonged to your grandmother. That is my point. BONNIE
EMMA Youre makin the best decision. The hearts not always right, Bonnie. Emma leads Ted in. He wears a suit and caries a box of chocolates. Hiya, Bonnie. Hiya, Ted. I like your brooch. TED BONNIE TED Bonnie hangs her head as he escorts her out.
SCENE 12: EASTHAM PENITENTIARY Two guards help a beaten Clyde into his cell. CLYDE You gotta keep him away from me. GUARD #1 Who? Ed Crowder? He seems like a nice enough fella to me.
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GUARD #2
CLYDE Im beggin you. You know what hes doin to me. GUARD #1 Ed Crowders just bein friendly. He likes you. You should take that as a compliment. The guards laughs as they lock the bars and leave. CLYDE I CAN'T TAKE NO MORE OF THIS THIS NIGHTMARE HAS TO END IN THIS GOD FORSAKEN PLACE DEATH WOULD BE A WELCOME FRIEND ! I COULD PAY A CROOKED GUARD TO KILL ME, YEAH, THATS IT BETTER THAT THAN SIXTEEN YEARS DYIN SLOWLY BIT BY BIT ALL I DID WAS ROB A FEW STORES JUSTICE HERE DONT FIT THE CRIME IVE BEEN BROKEN BY THE DEVIL JUSTICE IS A WASTE OF TIME ! I WON'T GET TO HEAVEN WHY NOT RAISE A LITTLE HELL Guard #1 enters with Bonnie. GUARD #1 Hey Clyde. Your other girlfriend is here. BONNIE (to Clyde) Oh my god... What happened to your face? Baby, whats goin on? Cant I complain? Cant I do something? (yells out) Somebody help him! CLYDE (whispers) The gas station. Theres a gun hidden under the porch. Guard #1 rushes back on. What seems to be the problem? Look at him! GUARD #1 BONNIE
GUARD #1 Yeah. Heard he took a pretty bad fall down the stairs to the yard. BONNIE That doesnt happen from a fall! That doesnt happen by accident!
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GUARD #1
CLYDE Ill take care of this. You just get me what I asked for. The Guard takes Bonnies arm. Get your hands off me! BONNIE He releases her. BONNIE (cont'd) Im comin by here every day. Every day. She leaves. GUARD (to Clyde) Ill be back to get you later. Ed Crowder wants to see you again. The guard leaves. CLYDE HELL SEE ME BUT ITS THE LAST TIME THAT FILTHY SCUM HAS GOTTA GO BY TONIGHT IT WILL BE OVER WHEN I STRIKE THE FATAL BLOW NO WAY OUT I GOTTA DO THIS HIM OR ME OKAY LETS PLAY NEVER KILLED BUT NOW I HAVE TO TIME TO MAKE ED CROWDER PAY ! I WON'T GET TO HEAVEN SO LET'S RAISE A LITTLE HELL NO WAY I'LL SEE HEAVEN SO LET'S RAISE A LITTLE HELL Clyde retrieves a pipe from under a floorboard. He turns upstage and begins wailing away with the pipe. On scrim: NEWSPAPER HEADLINE READS EASTHAM INMATE BEATEN TO DEATH. NO SUSPECT.
SCENE 13: VARIOUS LOCATIONS Barrow gas station Bonnie searches around the pump. She finds the hand gun. Henry and Cumie enter. Bonnie quickly hides the gun. CUMIE Here are some things for Clyde. Theres a pair of shoes and a bible.
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CUMIE I dont know what hed do without you. Youre the one ray of sunshine in his whole life. Bonnie puts the gun in the bag and exits. Eastham Penitentiary CLYDE WELL WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A WAITRESS FROM ROWENA WOULD HAVE HAD THE BALLS TO BUST ME OUT MY OLD FORTY FIVE AND WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT A FARM BOY FROM TELECO WOULD OUTSMART THE SMARTEST LAWMEN AND WALK OUT OF HERE ALIVE Bonnie carries the paper bag as she passes the guard. Stop. GUARD She stops. Gimme the bag. GUARD (cont'd) She nervously hands him the bag. He dumps out the contents: A pair of old shoes and a bible. No gun. Bonnie starts to go. GUARD (contd) Wait a minute. I gotta search you. He puts her arms up in the air. He pats her down, starting at her waist and moving up her sides to brush against her breasts. Are you done? No. BONNIE GUARD He crouches down and pats his way up her right leg. High up her leg. BONNIE (puts down her hands) You having yourself a nice time? Get your hands up! GUARD She puts her hands back in the air. He reaches over to her left ankle and pats his way up her leg. He suddenly stops when he hits her thigh.
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Whats this?
GUARD (contd)
BONNIE My mamma doesnt like me smokin. Bonnie retrieves a pack of cigarettes that was tucked in her garter. You got five minutes. GUARD Bonnie heads to Clyde. CLYDE MY NAME IS GONNA MAKE THE HISTRY BOOKS TOO BAD I WON'T BE HERE I MAY HAVE STARTED OUT WITH SMALL TIME CROOKS IN A YEAR OR TWO I'LL BE AS KNOWN AS CHICAGO'S AL CAPONE They kiss. Clyde reaches into Bonnies blouse and takes the gun that was hidden in her brassiere. He tucks it into his waistband. Bye baby. See you soon, sugar. BONNIE CLYDE
CLYDE (contd) THANKS TO YOU BONNIE BABE I CAN MAKE PLANS AGAIN I GOT LOT OF REASONS TO KEEP LIVIN ITS TRUE THAT LOVE CAN SET YOU FREE AND THIS WORLD WILL REMEMBER ME The guard approaches and opens the gate to hand Clyde the shoes and bible. Clyde pulls the gun from his waistband. The guard puts his hands in the air. Clyde shoves him the cell and hits him across the face with the pistol. The guard goes down. Clyde locks the bars and runs off. The Parker home Ted talks to Emma. What do you mean shes gone?! Shes headed to Utah. When? Last night. TED EMMA TED EMMA
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(upset)
TED
EMMA (shaken) No... No, no... That boys in prison. No, hes not. He busted out. TED In limbo Bonnie rushes to Clyde whoholds a gun as he counts some stolen bills. BONNIE YOU SAID YOUD GO STRAIGHT CLYDE I WANNA BE IN MOVIES I CANT NAME ONE MOVIE STAR WHOS DOIN ROBBRIES ON THE SIDE I KNOW IN MY HEART BABE THAT HOLLYWOOD IS CALLIN HOW CAN I BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT IF WE ALWAYS HAVE TO HIDE CLYDE WE'LL NEED SOME DOUGH TO GET TO HOLLYWOOD ONE OR TWO JOBS SHOULD DO BONNIE BUT AFTER THAT WE WILL BE DONE FOR GOOD CLYDE BABE WHEN HOLLYWOOD GETS HOLD OF YOU THEY'LL BE SAYING CLARA WHO Clyde and Bonnie run off. Blanches apartment Buck enters reading a newspaper. BUCK (calls off) Blanche! Look at this! Front page! Blanche rushes on. What?! BLANCHE
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BUCK He busted out! Clyde busted out again! Son of a bitch! BLANCHE I have no interest in your brothers doins. In limbo Ted talks with Sheriff Schmid. It dont make sense! TED
SHERIFF Well, how else did Clyde Barrow get a gun smuggled in? TED I dont know. But Bonnies not a criminal. I know her. Im telling you shes innocent. So where is she? Her ma said she went to Utah. And thats your proof? SHERIFF TED SHERIFF
TED Shes a good girl. Straight A student. Shes got a job. It dont make sense. SHERIFF Shes the only one who couldve done it. I know her. Maybe you dont. TED SHERIFF Blanches apartment Buck and Blanche continue. BUCK (reading) Clyde Barrow somehow got a gun smuggled into his cell, pulled it on the guard and demanded the he be set free. (to Blanche) Hes free, Blanche! Hes a fugitive. BLANCHE
BUCK They aint never gonna catch him. No one drives like Clyde. (back to paper) Dang. Hes famous!
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A Dirt road Bonnie & Clyde appear driving a 1931 Ford roadster. CLYDE NO NEED TO RUSH EVERYBODY GETS OUR AUTOGRAPHS 'HELL OF A RIDE WILL BE THE WORDS ON OUR EPITAPHS BOTH TWO LIVING LEGENDS THAT'S WHAT WE WILL BE AND THAT'S OKAY WITH ME EVERY PLACE THAT WE GO FOLKS'LL TURN THEIR HEADS THEY'LL BE HOLLERING FROM DODGE TO DENVER WE ARE THE PAIR THAT THEY'LL DISCUSS YES THIS WORLD WILL REMEMBER US WE ARE MAKING DANG SURE THAT WE LEAVE OUR MARK YOU DONT LEAVE YOUR MARK BY DIGGIN DITCHES NO WONDER WERE WHO THEYLL DISCUSS YES THIS WORLD WILL REMEMBER US CLYDE THIS DAG WORLD WILL REMEMBER US BONNIE THIS COLD WORLD WILL REMEMBER US CLYDE & BONNIE NO WAY THEY WONT REMEMBER US End of Act One.
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ACT TWO
SCENE 1: VARIOUS LOCATIONS A bread line in silhouette. On scrim: IMAGES OF BREAD LINES, FARMS FOR SALE, THE UNEMPLOYED, ETC. Lights up on the Preacher. !!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PREACHER I DONT CARE HOW HARD THE HARDSHIP NO ONE HAS A RIGHT TO STEAL AND YOU CANNOT BUY YOUR SOUL BACK GOD DON'T MAKE THAT KINDA DEAL WHEN YOUR PRAYERS ALL GO UNANSWERED AND THE DUST IS GETTING WORSE WHEN YOU LIVE NEAR OPEN SEWERS WITH JUST PENNIES IN YOUR PURSE THAT IS WHEN THE GOOD LORD WILL BECOME YOUR SAVIOUR HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE LIGHT WE ARE ALL GODS CHILDREN HIS ARMS ALWAYS OPEN WE MUST ALL DO WHAT IS RIGHT ! YOU MAY BE IN DEBT WAKE UP IN A SWEAT BUT LETS NOT FORGET YOU WERE MADE IN AMERICA WE MAY BE IN DEBT WAKE UP IN A SWEAT BUT LETS NOT FORGET WE WERE MADE IN AMERICA WE WERE MADE IN AMERICA BREAD LINE FOLKS
In limbo Clyde & Bonnie. BONNIE (nervous) Wait, wait. So, all I gotta do is sit in the car while you hold up the store, right? And keep the engine runnin. Oh my God, Im nervous. CLYDE BONNIE
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CLYDE Maybe you shouldnt be doin this. BONNIE (suddenly) Wait a minute. Did you see the movie, Shadow of the Law? No. CLYDE
BONNIE Clara Bow has no choice but to join a criminal gang -- so she pretends to go crooked. But really shes carefully plottin her-Bonnie. Okay. Im ready now. CLYDE BONNIE They run off. MAN #3 YOU CANT BLAME EM, WHO COULD BLAME EM? AINT THEIR FAULT THEY TURNED TO CRIME MAN A BAR OF SOAPS A LUXURY DONT GET MUCH CHANGE FROM A DIME MAN & WOMAN #1 YOU CANT BLAME THOSE KIDS FOR WANTIN TO FILL UP THEIR SHOPPING BAGS MAN & WOMAN #2 CITY HALL IS LOW ON KINDNESS BUT IT DONT RUN OUT OF FLAGS ALL THEY BOTH GREW UP HUNGRY THEY WERE HEADING NOWHERE THANKS TO GOOD OLD USA PREACHER ALL WHO SIN MUST ANSWER AND THESE TWO WILL ANSWER THEY WILL FACE A JUDGEMENT DAY Barrow gas station Buck talks with Henry and Cumie. CUMIE Have you heard from your brother? BUCK I got a letter. Him and Bonnie are okay. (hands her letter) Make sure you burn it.
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HENRY What the hell is he thinkin bustin outta prison again? BUCK Clyde aint never gonna stay in prison. HENRY Papers say hes been robbin again. Pa. Folks are callin him a hero. BUCK
BREAD LINE FOLKS SURE THEY ROBBED SOME MEN AND THEY WILL AGAIN POOR KIDS AH BUT THEN THEY WERE MADE IN AMERICA THEY HAD HOLES IN EVERY SHOE NO DREAM CAN COME TRUE THEY STOLE WOULDNT YOU... WE MAY BE IN DEBT WAKE UP IN A SWEAT BUT LETS NOT FORGET WE WERE MADE IN AMERICA WE MAY BE IN DEBT WAKE UP IN A SWEAT HOW CAN WE FORGET WE WERE MADE IN AMERICA WE WERE MADE IN AMERICA MADE IN AMERICA Clyde enters, brandishing a shot gun. Everyone puts their hands in the air. MAN ALL
SCENE 2: MCGUIRE'S GENERAL STORE Clyde is in the middle of a hold up. CLYDE (brandishing a gun) I dont want to see nobody with their hands lower than their ears. Now, everybody move it along over here. The customers move across the store. CLYDE (contd) (to shopkeeper) Not you. Okay, open up the cash register. Come on. All of it. Son, think about-CUSTOMER
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CLYDE
(to shopkeeper)
SHOPKEEPER CLYDE (points gun at him) SHOPKEEPER He crouches down and nervously works the dial.
CLYDE SHOPKEEPER Unseen by Clyde, Deputy Bud Russel enters, gun drawn. CLYDE (to Shopkeeper) SHOPKEEPER BUD (nervous) Clyde turns to face Bud.
Jesus.
CLYDE
BUD Raise your hands and put the gun down. CLYDE I cant put the gun down if Im raisin my hands. BUD You know what I mean. Put the gun down and then put your hands in the air. What if I say no? Everybody out. CLYDE BUD Customers start to go.
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Nobody moves.
CLYDE (contd) Seems we got ourselves a standoff. Drop the weapon. BUD
CLYDE You really think you can pull that trigger? You really wanna find out? Now, I am gonna walk outta here. Not gonna happen. Listen to me, Deputy... Drop the gun. BUD CLYDE BUD CLYDE BUD Clyde and Bud are frozen in a stand-off, each pointing his gun at the other. And then we hear TWO GUN SHOTS! A RED SPOT appears in the center of Buds chest. BLOOD SPREADS OUT over his white shirt. Screams as Deputy Bud Russel drops to the floor, dead. Clyde stares down at the body. Young Clyde runs on with his rifle. YOUNG CLYDE BANG BANG YOURE DEAD BANG BANG YOURE DEAD AINT NOTNIN I CANT DO WITH A GUN Young Clyde runs off.
SCENE 3: CLYDE & BONNIES HIDEOUT Bonnie is asleep in bed when Clyde enters. He stands frozen then tosses the bag on the dresser. Bonnie bolts up. BONNIE Jesus, Clyde! You scared the life outta me. Come to bed, baby.
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Clyde doesnt move. BONNIE (contd) Whats the matter, baby?... Whats goin on?... Clyde?... Clyde. Look at me. CLYDE (still dazed) I was holding up a grocery store over in Hillsborough. Easy money, you know? In, out, nobody gets hurt. A grocery store. And this stupid idiot cop comes in and tries to be a hero...
Clyde?
(afraid)
BONNIE
CLYDE
What happened, Clyde? I had no time. What happened? ...No... No... It was him or me, sugar. I cant stay. Bonnie.
(realizes)
CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE
BONNIE I GOTTA GET OUT NOW WHILE I STILL CAN WHILE IM STILL IN THE CLEAR She grabs her suitcase and throws it on the bed. Bonnie! CLYDE
BONNIE THE DREAM IS DONE, ITS OVER NOW GOTTA GET ME OUTTA HERE Bonnie takes clothes from the dresser and throws them in the suitcase. CLYDE DONT SAY THAT WERE BOTH IN SHOCK WE NEED TO THINK THIS THROUGH
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IT AIN'T MY FAULT I HAD NO CHOICE NOTHIN' I COULD DO BONNIE WITH THAT BULLET YOU SHOT HIM AND YOU SHOT ME CLYDE HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE She gets dressed. CLYDE IT'S TOO LATE TO TURN THE CLOCK BACK I WOULD DO IT IF I COULD WE COULD TALK BOUT THIS FOREVER BUT IT STILL WONT DO NO GOOD WOULDNT HURT YOU FOR THE WORLD BABE BUT WELL GET THROUGH THIS SOMEHOW BONNIE I'LL GET THROUGH THIS 'COS I'M LEAVIN' NOT TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW THOUGHT I'D SIGN WITH MGM I WONT SEE THAT DREAM DIE CLYDE I DON'T GIVE A DAMN 'BOUT MGM AND DONT YOU SAY GOODBYE Clyde tosses the suitcase off the bed. CLYDE (contd) HOW CAN YOU THINK OF LEAVIN' GET THOSE THOUGHTS OUT OF YOUR HEAD YOU AIN'T GOIN' NOWHERE CLYDE I MEANT WHAT I SAID BONNIE
CLYDE (grabs her) YOU COME HERE RIGHT NOW SHOW ME THAT BONNIE SMILE BABE I NEED TO SEE THAT SMILE They struggle. IT'S TOO LATE TO SAY IM SORRY IT'S TOO LATE FOR ALL OF THAT I CANNOT CHANGE WHAT HAS HAPPENED LET'S FACE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT YOU GOT EVERY RIGHT TO BE MAD BUT LET'S MOVE ON ANYHOW WE WERE BORN TO BE TOGETHER IT'S TOO LATE TO TURN BACK--
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He kisses her. She fights it but then finally gives in and kisses him passionately, desperately. BONNIE MY MISTAKE WAS LOVIN YOU EVEN IF I WALKED AWAY MY HEART WONT LET ME GET FAR I WOULD DIE WITHOUT YOU CLYDE CLYDE I WOULD DIE WITHOUT YOU BABE NOW LOOK HOW ALIVE WE ARE CLYDE & BONNIE
ITS TOO LATE TO TURN THE CLOCK! BACK ITS TOO LATE FOR ALL OF THAT ITS TOO LATE TO BEG FORGIVENESS LET'S FACE WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT BONNIE I KNEW I WOULD MAKE THE HEADLINES BUT I WASNT SURE JUST HOW BONNIE & CLYDE FEEL OUR JOURNEY IS JUST STARTIN AND ITS TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW! ITS TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW They lie down on the bed and begin to make love.
SCENE 4: BLANCHES APARTMENT Buck reads a letter aloud as Blanche listens. BUCK (reads) -- And then, theres this grocery store in Hillsborough Im gonna hit. Easy money. In, out, nobody gets hurt. I figure we can rob my first bank next week. Im casin out a couple of places. I will keep in touch and I will find a way to see you and the folks. Your brother, Clyde. He burns the letter. BUCK (contd) Say what you want about Clyde but he never forgets family. BLANCHE Maybe you could ask him to try harder. BUCK Dont you ever want it just a little bit, baby? Want what? BLANCHE
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BUCK
BLANCHE I have everything I want. And it pains me that you dont, Daddy. BUCK Baby, I have everything I want too... But theres still things I want. And Id like to give you everything in the world. BLANCHE You stop that. I dont have room for everything in the world. BUCK Nice clothes... Someone doin your hair... Good food... A fine bed... I mean it, Daddy. Stop. BLANCHE
BUCK Think how nice itd be, baby. Buyin anything you want. Its the American dream, sugar. BLANCHE I aint interested in no American dream, daddy.
JUST AN ORDINARY LIFE EASY DAYS AND QUIET NIGHTS LAZY WALKS BESIDE A STREAM NOW THATS WHAT YOU CALL A DREAM
But baby, you and me, we could-BUCK BLANCHE
NO IDEAS AND NO BIG PLANS HAPPY WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE NO ONE WITH A SCAM OR SCHEME NOW THATS WHAT YOU CALL A DREAM THESE DREAMS OF YOURS MAKE NO SENSE AT ALL
ITS WHATS INSIDE NOT WHATS OUT THERE WE BOTH COULD HAVE A PERFECT LIFE AND NOT GO ANYWHERE YOU MISS A LOT WHEN YOU ASK TOO MUCH YOURE ALL I NEED NOT ONE THING MORE BUCK ALL I EVER WANTED IS ON THIS SIDE OF THAT DOOR
CHILDREN PLAYIN IN THE BARN BUCK IS ROCKIN IN HIS CHAIR IN THE HOUSE THE CANDLES GLEAM NOW THATS WHAT YOU CALL A DREAM IN THE HOUSE THE CANDLES GLEAM. NOW THATS WHAT YOU CALL A DREAM
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He kisses her. A knock on the door. BUCK If thats the landlord, you tell him Im not here. Sheriff Schmid and Ted enter. BLANCHE Good afternoon Sheriff. Deputy. Is there something we can help you with? SHERIFF We thought you might have some idea of your brothers whereabouts. I have no idea where Clyde is. BUCK
SHERIFF Two brothers get arrested together, break out of prison together, seems to me you boys are real close. I find it hard to believe you dont keep in touch. Like I said. Maybe a couple weeks in jail-NO! Clyde writes us is all. BUCK SHERIFF BLANCHE
SHERIFF Did he tell you he killed my deputy? Oh Lord have mercy. Is Bonnie with him? Yes. I want the letters. I burn em after reading em. We could lock you up right now. For what? BLANCHE TED BLANCHE SHERIFF BUCK TED BUCK
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TED
BLANCHE He doesnt write back! You cant arrest a man for receiving mail. SHERIFF You hear from Clyde Barrow again, we want the letter. He exits. TED And you tell him I will not rest until I get him. And I will get him. Same as Im gonna get you again one of these days. Go to hell. Buck! BUCK BLANCHE Ted draws his gun and holds it to Bucks head. BLANCHE (contd) Oh my God! No! Please! Hes a good man! TED (losing control) Hes a piece of shit. Just like his brother. Ted regains his composure, holsters his gun and leaves.
SCENE 5: BARROW GAS STATION / CLYDE & BONNIES HIDEOUT, OKLAHOMA Clyde, wearing a suit, talks with Cumie and Henry. CUMIE I have been worried sick about you! Im okay, ma. Im okay. And Bonnie? Were okay. CLYDE CUMIE CLYDE
CUMIE The papers said you killed a police officer. Clyde is silent. Cumie notices the gun inside his jacket. CUMIE (contd) I dont know you anymore, do I? Not since you went to that prison.
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CLYDE
CUMIE It aint safe for you to be here. The laws keep comin round. I wanna see you again. I dont think-CLYDE CUMIE
CLYDE Well meet somewhere. Ill get a message to you and Pa. No. No! CUMIE Cumie hugs Clyde then rushes off. Clyde turns to his father. They regard each other. Clyde takes cash from his jacket and holds it out to Henry. Henry reluctantly takes it. Neither utters a word. Clyde leaves. Henry puts the cash in his pocket and heads wearily back to work. Clyde watches his father from a distance. CLYDE WHAT WAS ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU PA HATE TO SAY AINT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME PLOWIN FIELDS AND PLANTIN SEEDS TIL YOUR MIND AND BODY BLEEDS NO WAY UP BEFORE DAWN AND YOU STOP WHEN YOU DROP THEN YOU ASK YOUR GOD TO FORGIVE PRAYIN FOR RAIN WITHOUT RAIN THERES NO CROP THIS AINT NO WAY TO LIVE WHAT WAS ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU PA WILL NOT SATISFY YOUR WAYWARD SON JESSE JAMES HAD MUCH MORE FUN BUILDIN DREAMS WITH JUST A GUN THATS HOW THE WEST WAS WON Clyde and Bonnies hideout Bonnie wears a negligee as she sits at the vanity. BONNIE WHAT WAS ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU MA GOTTA SAY AINT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME MAKIN PUNCH AND BAKIN PIES PAINTIN BARNS AND SWATTINGFLIES... OH NO WRITIN A DIARY IS TOUGH AROUND HERE BORING AS HELL - SORRY MA I WANT TO WEAR DIAMONDS ONE STUD FOR EACH EAR BRIGHT AS THE MORNING STAR
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Clyde enters with a gift box. Bonnie opens it and takes out a new dress. She puts it on during the following. WHAT WAS ALWAYS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU MA WILL NOT SATISFY YOUR LITTLE GIRL MORE TO LIFE THAN POTTIN PLANTS I DONT WANNA MISS MY CHANCE IM LOOKIN FOR ROMANCE CLYDE THIS COUNTRYS HAD ITS DAY DEPRESSION AND BREAD LINES ARE ALL THAT TOMORROW WILL BRING Tell em Clyde. BONNIE
CLYDE THE BIBLE HAS GOT IT WRONG JUST LOOK AT THE POOR, BABE THE MEEK DONT INHERIT A THING Bonnie lifts up a plank in the floor. She takes out a leather bag. She retrieves a small hand gun. Clyde tucks it into her garter. She stakes out a sawed-off shotgun and hands it to Clyde. CLYDE & BONNIE THERE AINT NOTHIN GOOD ENOUGH FOR US KID WE DESERVE ALL WE ARE GONNA GET THIS WORLD SHOULD BE NOTIFIED ITLL BE A BUMPY RIDE THANKS TO BONNIE AND CLYDE A bank forms around them. Angry customers confront a teller.
SCENE 6: A BANK Clyde threatens the crowd with the shot gun. Bonnie holds the leather bag. Both have new-found confidence and swagger. CLYDE Alright, everyone, this here is a hold up. I dont want to see nobody with their hands lower than their ears. One of the customers, Archie, speaks up. ARCHIE (nervous) Youre Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker, aint ya? Yes we are. CLYDE
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ARCHIE BONNIE Bonnie approaches Archie, who gives a scrap of paper and a pencil.
ARCHIE BONNIE
She goes back to Clyde. Whys your name come first? CLYDE
BONNIE Bonnie and Clyde sounds better than Clyde and Bonnie. CLYDE Clyde and Bonnie sounds just fine to me. BONNIE Bonnie & Clyde rolls off the tongue better. Theres a melody to it. CLYDE (to Archie) Hey, Archie. Which you think sounds better, Clyde and Bonnie or Bonnie and Clyde? C-C-Clyde and Bonnie. ARCHIE
BONNIE Shoot, hes just sayin that cause you got the gun. Bonnie takes the gun from her garter and points it at Archie. Now which you like better? BONNIE (contd) Archie faints. See? BONNIE (contd)
CLYDE Well talk about this when we get home. (to Teller) Now, my partner here is gonna approach the counter with a bag that I would like very much for you to fill with cash. Im afraid I cant do that. TELLER
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CLYDE
TELLER I cant fill your bag with cash because there isnt any. This heres a bank, aint it? Yes, but -CLYDE TELLER CLYDE (looks around) TELLER
CLYDE Then what are all these folks doin here? Tryin to get our damn money. Theyre sayin the bank is broke. Not a nickle in the drawers. CUSTOMER #1 CUSTOMER #2 TELLER
CLYDE Youre tellin me Im robbin a bank with no money? Complaint forms are over there. TELLER
CLYDE You own every piece of land in the county -- everybodys home, everybodys damn farm. How can you have no money?! TELLER Who are we going to sell the farms to? No one can afford to buy them. I should shoot you right now. Come on, Clyde. What kind of stupidity-Come on, baby. CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE BONNIE Clyde starts to go then turns back.
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CLYDE (points shotgun at Teller) I lived in a camp three miserable years! Bank took the farms of near everybody I know! CUSTOMERS Took mine! / Took every penny I had! / Let him have it! / Hell, shoot up the place! Clyde. BONNIE
CLYDE No money. In a bank. What the hell is this country comin to!? Clyde turns and starts to walk out. The Teller pulls out a gun and shoots. BANG! Clyde is hit in the shoulder. He drops the shotgun. Clyde! BONNIE Clyde pulls a pistol from his jacket and shoots. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Blood gushes from the Tellers chest as he slides down the post. Clyde and Bonnie run.
SCENE 7: BLANCHES APARTMENT Buck stands with a suitcase in hand as he confronts Blanche. I gotta go to him. He needs me. I need you, Daddy. I need you. BUCK BLANCHE
BUCK Clydes been shot. Hes in trouble. BLANCHE Clydes always in trouble! Clydes always gonna be in trouble! Hes not your responsibility, Buck! BUCK Hes my brother. Maybe I can get him to stop runnin and come back. It is too late for Clyde. BLANCHE
BUCK Its never too late. You taught me that. Dont you walk out that door. I gotta go, Blanche. BLANCHE BUCK
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BLANCHE Youre not goin because you want to bring Clyde back! There aint nothin here for me! BUCK The words hit Blanche like a punch in the stomach. BUCK (contd) (takes her in his arms)
BLANCHE You walk out that door, Daddy, its over. (pause) I mean it. Buck kisses her. He picks up his suitcase and leaves. Blanche stands frozen then runs after him.
SCENE 8: CLYDE & BONNIES HIDEOUT, LOUISIANA Clyde sits, shirt off, as Bonnie treats the wound in his shoulder. OW!... Shit!... Its okay... Shit!... I cant do it! CLYDE BONNIE
CLYDE Just get a good firm grip on the bullet and then yank it out as hard as you can. I cant! BONNIE
CLYDE Dont even think about it. Its like removin a splinter. BONNIE (disgusted) There is a hell of a lot more blood here than a splinter. And I can see clear inside your shoulder! She shows him the bloody rag. CLYDE Aw, dont show me that. Close your eyes. Close em! Bonnie closes her eyes. Feel for the bullet. CLYDE (contd) She does so.
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CLYDE (contd) Pinch it hard between your fingers. She does so. Pull!! CLYDE (contd) She yanks out the bullet. Clyde screams out. BONNIE Jesus, that was disgusting! You okay? Im okay. CLYDE She pours alcohol on the wound. Clyde screams out in pain. She drinks the alcohol then wraps the wound. BONNIE I figured wed be halfway cross the country by now. Well, were outta West Dallas. I want to stop running. We just need to lay low. Im sick of runnin-We gotta keep movin. CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE
BONNIE --and drivin. Im sick of the car. I want to settle down. We settle down, Im dead. So this is it?! This is our life?! Sugar-CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE
BONNIE I shoulda left ya when I had the chance! CLYDE (pause) Well find someplace we can stay for a while. Theyre lookin for us in Kansas. Were fine so long as we stay here in Oklahoma. (pause) Well find an apartment. Somethin nice.
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BONNIE You heard them all. And the one Im working on now aint done. CLYDE Read me what you got. Read me anything. I aint done yet! I dont care! ...Okay. But I aint done. I understand. BONNIE CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE
BONNIE (reads) You've read the story Jesse James Of how he lived and died. If you're still in need Of something to read Here's the story of Bonnie and Clyde. (off Clydes look) Nothin rhymes with Clyde and Bonnie What about... Oh, go head. CLYDE
BONNIE (reads) Bonnie and Clyde are the Barrow gang, I'm sure you all have read, How they rob and steal, And those who squeal Are usually found dying or dead. CLYDE Like that there bank teller. Bam! Bam! Bam! BONNIE There's lots of untruths to these write-ups They're not as ruthless as that Their nature is raw They hate all the law The stool pigeons, spotters and rats.
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CLYDE You got the lingo baby, you got the lingo. That is good. Send it to the papers. Theyll print it. BONNIE (excited) Really? You think theyd really print it? CLYDE Theyll print anything that has to with us. BONNIE Oh my God, Im gonna be published!
SCENE 9: SHERIFFS OFFICE SHeriff Schmid and the newly appointed Deputy Johnson listen to Ted as he reads the newspaper aloud. TED (reading newspaper) They call them cold-blooded killers, They say they are heartless and mean. But I say this with pride-- Governor Miriam Furguson enters. The first woman tough enough to do a mans job. GOV. FERGUSON (reading newspaper)
--That I once knew Clyde When he was honest and upright and clean.
TED/JOHNSON/SHERIFF Governor Ferguson. / Hello Governor. / What brings you here, Goveneour? GOV. FERGUSON The bitch has killed four people and theyre printing her poetry like shes Emily friggin Dickenson! We look like fools. I got a warden who cant keep criminals locked up and a sheriff who cant catch em when they escape. Governor, in all fairness-SHERIFF
GOV. FERGUSON Fairness? Two police officers and two civilians are dead. And public opinion is Bonnie and Clyde are heroes. There is no fairness, Sheriff. TED I swear to you, we are on their trail, Governor. GOV. FERGUSON Ive read the reports. You have no idea where the hell they are. SHERIFF You know what Im workin with here. I got no money, no resources. I got three deputies sharin two shot guns for chrissakes.
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DEPUTY JOHNSON We almost had him in a road block but the guy drives like the devil. Before you know it, hes at the state line. Detective Frank Hamer enters. Beyond confident with lots of swagger. HAMER Thats cause Clyde steals the fastest cars out there while you drive the heaviest cars built. Your police cars werent built for speed, they were built for back roads. Which is why even if you caught him you couldnt catch him. Who the hell are you? Frank Hamer. SHERIFF HAMER
GOV. FERGUSON I contacted retired Texas Ranger, Captain Frank Hamer, and convinced him to accept a commission. A commission to do what? SHERIFF
GOV. FERGUSON Hunt down Bonnie & Clyde. Gentlemen. She leads them to the sheriffs desk.
SCENE 10: CLYDE & BONNIES APARTMENT, OKLAHOMA Clyde lies back in a bathtub and fiddles around on his ukulele as Bonnie sits on the edge of the tub and looks through a magazine. BONNIE True Detective says the cops are lookin for us in Louisiana and Missouri... Ooo, and listen to this -(reads) Escaped with Bonnie Parker, the ravishin redhead. Thats you, sugar. CLYDE
BONNIE Ravishin... I like that. Its more than beautiful. Its... You. CLYDE
BONNIE I wish there was a picture. They should have pictures to go along with this. CLYDE We dont want pictures, sugar. The job is hard enough. Pictures is the last thing we need.
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BONNIE Just seems a shame not to have a nice big picture of me to go along side where it says ravishin redhead. Or the cover! I want my picture on the cover! Who do we gotta hold up to get my picture on the cover?! CLYDE You dont need no picture, baby. Once someone sees your face, theres no way theyre ever gonna forget it. Youre just partial. Hell I am. BONNIE CLYDE Clyde plays a melody on ukulele. CLYDE (cont'd) I START THINKIN BOUT MY BONNIE You wrote a song for me? FROM THE MINUTE I WAKE UP Oh you are so in love, baby. BONNIE CLYDE BONNIE
CLYDE AND THAT FEELIN IS THE BEST I EVER HAD BONNIE Ravishin and a song... this is a fine day. CLYDE SHE IS IN MY SHAVING MIRROR SHE IS IN MY COFFEE CUP I MUST BE IN LOVE OR ELSE IM GOIN MAD This just might be the finest-BONNIE
CLYDE I cant sing if youre gonna do that. I wont say another -BONNIE
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I understand.
BONNIE
CLYDE I WOULD LIKE TO WRITE TO BONNIE TELL THE GIRL THE WAY I FEEL BUT IM BETTER WITH A CAR THAN WITH A PEN USED TO BE IM ONLY HAPPY WHEN IM SAT BEHIND A WHEEL NOW I DONT CARE IF I EVER DRIVE AGAIN THAT GIRL'S GOT SOMETHIN NOTHIN' SCARES HER ONLY PIECE OF LUCK THAT'S EVER COME MY WAY CAN'T WAIT TO TELL HER HOW MUCH I'VE MISSED HER FEEL SORRY FOR JAMES CAGNEY 'COS HE'S NEVER KISSED HER I START DREAMIN ABOUT BONNIE JUST AS SOON AS IM ASLEEP THEYRE THE KIND OF DREAMS THAT KEEP YOU IN YOUR BED I AM MAKIN LOVE TO BONNIE AND THAT SURE BEATS COUNTIN SHEEP GOT A FEELIN THERE ARE GOOD TIMES UP AHEAD They kiss. Did you hear something? No. CLYDE (contd) BONNIE CLYDE (whispers) Bonnie turns off the lights. Clydejumos out of the bath, wraps a towel around his waist and grabs his shotgun. BONNIE (whispers) CLYDE Suddenly, theres three knocks on the door. Theyre soon followed by three fast knocks. BONNIE (relieved)
Lights.
Anything? Shhh.
Its Buck.
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Hes here!
BUCK CLYDE BUCK Blanche enters wearing jodhpurs and a blouse. Clyde whips around, pumps his shot gun. Blanche screams.
Just Blanche.
BUCK (contd) Clyde lowers the shotgun. Blanche calms herself down.
BONNIE
BLANCHE (re jodhpurs) Theyre fashionable and theyre comfortable in the car. CLYDE (hugs him) Son of a bitch! You came! BLANCHE Your brother came to try to talk you into comin back-Blanche. --To give yourself up. BUCK BLANCHE
CLYDE I give myself up, Blanche, I get the chair. And as happy as that would make you, Im gonna pass. (to Buck) Take a look at this place! They head off. Bonnie follows then stops and turns to Buck BONNIE Hey Buck, did you see True Detective? They called me a ravishin redhead! They exit, leaving Blanche alone.
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Redhead? Please.
BLANCHE
(as she goes, heavenward) That was not a judgement, Lord. Just a professional opinion.
She exits.
SCENE 11: THE WOODS A nervous Emma stands waiting in the dark woods. Bonnie?... Bonnie? EMMA Emma turns to see headlights as we hear a car approach and stop. We hear a car door open and close. Bonnie rushes on. Mama. BONNIE
EMMA Oh my God! My baby! Are you all right? Im okay, Mamma. BONNIE
EMMA My precious baby. Listen to me, honey. Youve got to give yourself up. Youve got to-Clyde walks on. Silence. Mama, you remember Clyde. BONNIE Emma says nothing. Evenin, Mrs. Parker... CLYDE Emma says nothing. CLYDE (cont'd) Been a while... Bonnie does nothin but talk about you. Shes always tellin me how much she loves you and misses you and I told her she can come see you anytime she wants. We can always find a way. We will always find away. Emma is silent. CLYDE (cont'd) I want you to know... Im gonna take good care of Bonnie. I love her more than anything in this world. Oh, and we also wanted to give you this. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a small envelope. He holds it out to Emma.
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CLYDE (contd) Theres fifty dollars there. I know how hard times is and... we wanna help any way we can. Emma doesnt move. Clyde sets the envelope next to a tree. Ill give you some privacy. CLYDE (contd) Clyde walks off. BONNIE I know how hard this must be for you, mama. But I swear, Clydes a good man. Listen to me, honey. He loves me. Bonnie. EMMA BONNIE EMMA BONNIE (starts to cry) EMMA
BONNIE (pulls herself together) Im okay. Ive just missed you is all. EMMA Listen to me. Ted says youll only get a prison sentence if you come in now. Mama-BONNIE
EMMA And while thats bad, still and all, its nothing compared to what may happen before this is over. Mama-BONNIE
EMMA Id be happier with you in prison than like you are honey. Im not gonna leave him. BONNIE
EMMA LISTEN TO ME!... I cant live like this. I cant live knowing you could be dead any minute.
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BONNIE Im the only one alive, mamma. Me and Clyde are the only ones alive in this whole damn place. Everybodys walkin round dead but me and Clyde. We hear Clyde whistle. I gotta go. No! I gotta go, Mama. Dont leave, Bonnie. Dont leave! Ill see you again soon. BONNIE (contd) EMMA BONNIE EMMA BONNIE
EMMA Come home with me! Im beggin you. Emma gets down on her knees. Please. EMMA (contd)
BONNIE Well get a message to you and well meet someplace soon. I promise. Dont leave! Bonnie! EMMA Bonnie disappears into the dark woods. Emma watches after her. She starts to go, then turns back, picks up the envelope and exits.
SCENE 12: SHERIFFS OFFICE / VARIOUS LOCATIONS Sheriffs office A map of Texas on the wall. Pushpins in locations of murders. Sheriff Schmid, Deputy Johnson, Hamer, Ted go over papers, reports, maps, etc. HAMER --and now Ive got Hoover and Roosevelt breathin down my damn neck! SHERIFF Why the hell are they gettin involved? HAMER Because Barrow and his brother just broke into the West Texas Armory.
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TED
HAMER Enough weapons to start a small war. Including three Browning Automatic Rifles. Holy shit. DEPUTY JOHNSON A dirt road With a stolen car running behind them, Clyde and Buck unpack the automatic rifles from a crate. Holy shit. BUCK
CLYDE IT'S THE END OF SMALL TOWN THINKIN SAY GOODBYE TO FORTY FIVES NOW OUR DREAMS ARE SO MUCH BIGGER THESE ARE GONNA CHANGE OUR LIVES BEEN A LONG TIME COMIN SO LETS RAISE A LITTLE HELL Buck hides the crate and they run off. Sheriffs office Bob Alcorn joins Sheriff Schmid, Deputy Johnson, Hamer, Ted. HAMER This is Bob Alcorn. Best sharpshooter this side of the Mississippi. What the hell are you plannin? SHERIFF
HAMER I want to walk down Main Street with Clyde Barrows head on a stick. ALCORN Just get me within three hundred yards of him and Ill put a bullet through his neck. TED Since when did we get into the business of murderin people? DEPUTY JOHNSON (hangs up phone) --Topeka Sheriffs office said they had a bank robbery a few hours ago. The Barrow Gang. How do they know? Parker signed autographs. (pause) Another teller was killed. GOV. FERGUSON DEPUTY JOHNSON
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The woods Clyde and Buck rush on with their automatics. He hear dogs barking in the near distance and can see the flashlights of a posse. CLYDE WHY DO FOLKS WANT TO BE HEROES WHY DO THEY LOVE STANDIN TALL WHY DONT THEY JUST HAND IT OVER AINT THEIR MONEY AFTER ALL WE WONT GET TO HEAVEN SO LETS RAISE A LITTLE HELL Come on! BUCK & CLYDE
CLYDE They run off. Sheriffs office Sheriff Schmid, Hamer, Deputy Johnson, Alcorn and Ted.
DEPUTY JOHNSON Missouri police report that two couples matchin the description of the Barrow Gang have been livin at 1521 Joplin Street for the past three weeks. And get this, when the garage door was open, one neighbor reported seein what she described as a box of guns. HAMER If we drive through the night we can be in Joplin midday tomorrow. TED We dont have jurisdiction in Missouri. HAMER I dont give a crap about jurisdiction. I was hired to do a job. Lets go get em All leave, except for Ted. TED ALL I WANT TO DO IS SAVE HER THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS NOW CLYDE TOOK EVERYTHING GOD GAVE HER I WONT REST UNTIL I FINLLY SEE BARROW DIE Hideout Clyde and Buck enter. Buck now wears a new suit. Clyde sets his brothers hat and straightens his tie. CLYDE BIG TIME IS AROUND THE CORNER I CAN FEEL IT IN MY BONES
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WE ARE GONNA BE MORE FAMOUS THAN A HUNDRED AL CAPONES WE WONT GET TO HEAVEN SO LETS RAISE A LITTLE HELL IM COMIN FOR YA BEEN A LONG TIME COMIN SO LETS RAISE A LITTLE HELL CLYDE & BUCK
TED CLYDE/BUCK/TED
SCENE 13: JOPLIN APT Morning. Bonnie cleans a gun at the table while Blanche nervously paces in her nightgown. BLANCHE The two of them are out doin God knows what and you can just sit there like that. Yes I can. Youre as crazy as he is. BONNIE BLANCHE
BONNIE You keep talkin like that and you just might be the first person I kill. BLANCHE (pause) The two of you deserve each other. Yes we do. BONNIE
BLANCHE I dont understand. Youre an attractive woman. Im sure you could have any man you set your sights on. Why are you here? Why are you here, Blanche? BONNIE
BLANCHE I am tryin to stop my husband from getting himself killed. For some stupid reason he feels obliged to be here. BONNIE Maybe theres just not enough excitement to keep him at home. BLANCHE Our life would be perfect if it wasnt for you and Clyde. BONNIE You just think youre so much better than everybody, dont you?
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BLANCHE I am just trying to be the best person I can be in the eyes of the Lord. BONNIE And has that been fun, Blanche? You enjoyin life? BLANCHE I am grateful for every day I spend on Gods good Earth. BONNIE Take a look around, Blanche. Gods good Earth is dried up. Its dead. BLANCHE You are so completely and utterly lost, all I can do is pray for you. BONNIE Dont waste your time, Blanche. I have everything I want. BLANCHE (pause) You know, theyre going to kill Clyde when they catch him. If they catch him. BONNIE
BLANCHE And theyre probably going to kill you, too. They better. BONNIE
BLANCHE You cant tell me you aint scared. BONNIE DYIN' AINT SO BAD NOT IF WE BOTH GO TOGETHER ONLY WHEN ONE'S LEFT BEHIND DOES IT GET SAD BUT A SHORT AND LOVIN' LIFE THAT AINT SO BAD Blanche walks out. I ONLY HOPE TO GOD THAT I GO FIRST I COULDN'T LIVE ON MEMORIES I'M SORRY BUT I'M NOT THAT STRONG THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN LIFE YOU CAN'T REPLACE A LOVE LIKE OURS DON'T HAPPEN TWICE WHEN ALL HIS DAYS ARE THROUGH MINE WILL BE TOO She gets her notebook, sits down and writes. DYIN' AINT SO BAD NOT IF YOU BOTH GO TOGETHER ONLY WHEN ONES LEFT BEHIND DOES IT GET SAD BUT A SHORT AND LOVIN LIFE THAT AINT SO BAD She puts down the notebook.
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I'VE MET BOYS WHO TALK 'BOUT FARMS AND HORSES AND THEY DON'T DO MUCH FOR ME I DONT NEED TO END UP IN A ROCKING CHAIR SEEMS YOU GET TO LIVE YOUR LIFE JUST ONCE AND IF THATS HOW ITS GOTTA BE THEN I'D RATHER BREATHE IN LIFE THAN DUSTY AIR DYIN' AINT SO BAD NOT IF YOU BOTH GO TOGETHER ONLY WHEN ONE'S LEFT BEHIND DOES IT GET SAD BUT A SHORT AND LOVIN' LIFE NO, A SHORT AND LOVIN' LIFE THAT AINT SO BAD Three knocks on the door. Blanche rushes in. She wears her jodhpurs and blouse. Three quick knocks follow. Clyde and Buck enter. Clyde carries a leather bag. BLANCHE (runs to Buck) CLYDE BONNIE (goes to Clyde) BLANCHE BUCK BLANCHE BUCK CLYDE BLANCHE
What were you doin in Prescot? We went to have lunch-And rob the bank! Sweet Jesus.
BUCK Police near caught us, but you shoulda seen Clyde drive! Man! CLYDE Ford Deluxe sedan. It just dont get no better. Clyde turns on the radio. Music plays.
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BUCK (to Blanche) Baby, wait til you see what I got you. Buck unwraps a small cake. Try some of this cake. Did you steal it? BUCK (contd) BLANCHE
BUCK No. I bought it. You know, with the money we stole from the bank. Buck puts a piece of cake in Blanches mouth. BLANCHE Oh - my - heavens! That is the most heavenly thing I have ever tasted in my entire life. BUCK Got it at a general store in Texarkana. Guy said they just come out. Its called a... (reads off package) ...a Twin-kee. RADIO ANNOUNCER That was the Goodrich Zippers Orchestra, featuring the incomparable Henry Burr. Now, How Bout a Dance? Baby, its our song! BONNIE How Bout A Dance plays. Bonnie starts swaying and singing to herself. CLYDE Come on, sugar, sing for us. (to Buck & Blanche) Ladies and gentlemen, that beautiful redhead who-Ravishin. BONNIE
CLYDE That ravishin redhead who held up your bank is now gonna hold up your heart with her rendition of How Bout A Dance. BONNIE HOW 'BOUT A DANCE WHAT DO YOU SAY? I GOT SOME MOVES THAT I'D LOVE TO SHOW YA LET'S FIND A SPOT AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY Is she somethin? CLYDE Clyde pulls Blanche up and dances with her. Buck sings with Bonnie.
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ALL HOW 'BOUT A DANCE IT'S ALWAYS FUN COME OVER HERE LET ME GET TO KNOW YA CAN'T BEAT A BAND TO LIFT YOUR SPIRITS HON As the others continue to sing, Clyde makes his way over to the window. Whats goin on, baby? BONNIE CLYDE (peers out the window) BLANCHE Clyde grabs a machine gun. Bonnie quickly shoves the money back in the case. BLANCHE (contd) Oh my God! No! No! You gotta give yourself up! Buck grabs a machine gun. BLANCHE (contd) (grabs Buck, screaming) No Daddy! Dont! Dont! Shut her up! Shut her up! CLYDE
BLANCHE Youre crazy! Were gonna get killed! Shut her up! CLYDE Buck covers Blanches mouth with his free hand. She continues screaming. Shut up! BUCK Bonnie rushes to cover Blanches mouth as Buck runs to the other window. Were gonna die! Daddy! Shut up, Blanche! Were gonna die! BLANCHE BONNIE BLANCHE
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CLYDE (peers out window) Theres one behind the tree. Ted Appears with an automatic rifle. BUCK Theres another one hidin behind the white car. Another cop appears with an automatic rifle. BONNIE (peers out window) Two more comin round the back. Schmid and Alcorn appear with automatic rifles. What are you gonna do, Clyde? BONNIE (contd)
CLYDE Were gonna shoot our way outta here. Just like we done in Belleville. No! Oh God! No! BLANCHE Blanche rushes over to stop Buck but Clyde steps in front of her, threatening her with his gun. Blanche collapses and sobs uncontrollably. Buck pushes Clydes gun away. CLYDE Buck, we get downstairs into the garage-Dont listen to him, Daddy! BLANCHE
CLYDE We get the automatics out of the car, open up the door, guns firin. Itll scare the shit out of them! Buck! No! BUCK BLANCHE
CLYDE (to Bonnie) Soon as were firin, you start shootin from up here. Okay, baby. BONNIE
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Bonnie gets into position under the window. Blanche continues sobbing. Were gonna get out of this. BUCK He kisses her. Just then... BAM! BAM! BAM! Screams and mayhem. The sound is deafening as the cops unleash a barrage of bullets. Bonnie stands and fires a single shot out the window. Everyone freezes. Young Clyde appears sitting on a chair in the apartment. Clyde moves around and through the eerie scene as he addresses Young Clyde. CLYDE It all comes so quick and it happens so fast -- youre there and theyre there -- theyve got guns and youve got guns -- you know its going to be you or them and theres no time to think about anything else. You grit your teeth and come down on it. Then its over and done and theres no goin back. You killed a man. You see him lyin there if you have time to wait and look. Lifes gone. You took it. And hell never live and breathe and laugh again. But if hed beat you to it, youd be lying there like that. It gets mixed up. The whole business. Them killing you, you killing them. You wonder why you were born. Why anybody was born. Why God should bother with the whole mess. Right Sheriff? Clyde aims his gun at the Sheriff. He pulls the trigger and BAM! Sheriff Schmid drops to the ground. Everyone unfreezes as machine gun fire resumes and all hell breaks loose.
SCENE 14: THE WOODS / VARIOUS LOCATIONS Blanche cradles a wounded Buck in her arms. Both are covered in blood. Clyde ties a tourniquet around Bonnies bloody leg. That better, sugar? My legs burnin. CLYDE BONNIE
CLYDE We gotta keep movin. You gonna be able to walk? I dont think so. Buck needs treatment! BONNIE BLANCHE
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Theyre on our tail, Blanche. He needs to be in a hospital! We cant go to a hospital! He needs a doctor! Hes beyond a doctor, Blanche!
BLANCHE Hes your brother! Your flesh and blood! Youre just gonna leave him die here?! CLYDE You better come with us, Blanche. I am not gonna leave him here. Go with them, baby. No. BLANCHE BUCK BLANCHE Clyde is silent. He lifts Bonnie up and carries her off. BLANCHE (contd) (screams after him)
Youre an animal!
BLANCHE Dont you be sorry. You just stay with me, you here? BUCK I... didnt think it would be like this. I know, Daddy. BLANCHE
BUCK I... I just wanted to get us started... BLANCHE And were gonna move on from here. Were gonna put all this behind us. You just hang in there, Daddy. BUCK I want you to go back home, Blanche.
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BLANCHE I am not goin without you, Daddy. Were gonna get you well and we are gonna go far away. Dont you remember New Mexico, Daddy? I do, baby. I do. BUCK
BLANCHE NO ONE NEEDS TO FEEL ALONE TURN TO HIM AND WHEN YOU DO HIS LIGHT WILL SHINE AND PEACE WILL COME... Buck dies in her arms. The Preacher and Congregation continue as Ted and Hamer, guns drawn, approach Blanche. Both men wear torn, blood stained shirts. BLANCHE (contd) No! You killed him! He was a good man and you killed him! Hamer lifts her up and cuffs her. PREACHER GODS ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN! HELL NOT TURN YOU AWAY! HE IS THERE TO LEAD THE WAY FOR YOU! THROUGH EACH NIGHT AND DAY TED Blanche Barrow, you are under arrest for the aiding and abetting of known fugitives, armed robbery, bank robbery, suspicion of murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Henry and Cumie appear and prepare a grave as Blanche gets processed in prison. PREACHER GODS ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN! YOUR VOICE IS ALWAYS HEARD! EVEN THOUGH YOUR PRAYERS ARE SILENT PRAYERS! HE HEARS EVERY WORD! Henry and Cumie prepare a grave. NO ONE NEEDS TO FEEL ALONE! TURN TO HIM AND WHEN YOU DO! HIS LIGHT WILL SHINE! AND PEACE WILL COME TO YOU! Henry and Cumie lay Buck in a grave. GODS ARMS ARE ALWAYS OPEN! AND EVERYONES HIS FRIEND! WHEN YOU FIND HIM ALL YOUR DARKEST FEARS! WILL COME TO AN END! FEARS COME TO AN END! AMEN
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SCENE 15: SHERIFFS OFFICE Ted, Alcorn and Hamer are exhausted after the gun battle in Joplin and being up for three days straight. Deputy Johnson rushes in with a folder. DEPUTY JOHNSON We got the pictures from the camera in Joplin. He spreads them out on the desk. The men gather around to look. On scrim: SCATTERED PHOTOS OF THE BARROW GANG HAMER Look at em. They look like theyre celebratin. Ted pulls one photo from the pile. On scrim: PICTURE OF BONNIE AND EMMA HOLDING A RABBIT. TED (surprised) This is Bonnie and her mother. ALCORN (looks over Teds shoulder)
TED (realizes) This wasnt taken that long ago. Which means they came back here so Bonnie could see her ma. Whens the last time they were in Dallas? October. And before that, April. Easter. Explains the rabbit. HAMER DEPUTY JOHNSON
ALCORN And what were they here for in October? Halloween? You got any pictures of them with a pumpkin? Whats the date in October? TED
The Fourteenth.
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ALCORN Youre tellin me two murderers are riskin capture just so they can see their folks. I think so. TED
HAMER You havent staked out the parents?! TED Weve never had the money or man power. HAMER (to Johnson) Get a wire tap on the parents phones. TED Well take shifts stakin out the homes. HAMER And get those pictures to the papers. ALCORN When we find out where theyre meetin, well scout the route and find a good vantage point. We can hit the car on the road with automatics. TED Were not gonna open fire on a movin car. Yes, we are. No, were gonna try for an arrest. HAMER TED
ALCORN They shot their way through nine officers in Joplin! Including a sheriff! Sheriff. HAMER (to Ted) Clyde Barrow has no intention of givin himself up. Ever. What about Bonnie? TED
HAMER Her fate was sealed the day she busted him out of Eastham. Next time they see their folksll be their last. Hamer, Alcorn and Deputy Johnson exits. Ted stays behind. He picks up the folder of photographs and looks at them. TED I STILL SEE THE APPLE-CHEEKED GIRL YOU WERE...! YEP HIDING IN TREETOPS AND FEEDING THE BIRDS MAKIN' UP RHYMES HOW YOU LOVED...
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SCENE 16: A DIRT ROAD Night. The Ford Sedan Delux is parked with its headlights on. Young Bonnie stands on one side while Adult Bonnie writes in her notebook on the other. Clyde enters with a rifle and shoots at bottles off stage. YOUNG BONNIE IT MUST BE GREAT TO BE CALLED THE!'IT GIRL' YOUR FACE ON EVERY MAGAZINE THAT'S WHERE I'M GONNA END UP ONE DAY TRUST ME Young Clyde runs on with his rifle. YOUNG BONNIE I WANNA BE HER I WANNA BE HER DRESSED IN STYLE LIKE CLARA I CAN SEE ME CAN YOU SEE ME THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT THE PICTURE SHOW BANG BANG LIKE CLARA... YOUNG CLYDE I WANNA BE LIKE AL CAPONE HES MY HERO AL CAPONE I WANNA BE YOU BANG BANG
YOUNG CLYDE YOUNG BONNIE Young Bonnie slowly walks off in one direction as Young Clyde runs off in the other. Clyde fires his hand guns BAM! BAM! BAM!
BONNIE Its gonna take at least fifteen, sixteen hours from here to West Dallas. Clyde doesnt respond BONNIE (cont'd) Baby, if we dont leave soon, our folks are gonna be standin in the middle of the woods all alone. And I know my mamas bringin food. CLYDE How am I gonna face my folks?... I killed Buck. No you didnt. They gotta hate me. No. Its my fault. BONNIE CLYDE BONNIE CLYDE
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Buck made his own decisions. I should be dead, too! Were gonna be, baby. I finished our poem. Im not in the mood.
BONNIE Clyde takes out his hand gun and fires away at nothing. BONNIE (contd)
(pause)
CLYDE He swipes the notebook to the floor.
BONNIE Some day they'll go down together. They'll bury them side by side. To few it'll be grief, To the law a relief, But it's death for Bonnie and Clyde. She sits beside him and puts her arms around him. BONNIE (contd) Sorry, baby. Nothin rhymes with Clyde and Bonnie. He laughs. She laughs. BONNIE (contd) SEEMS YOU GET TO LIVE YOUR LIFE JUST ONCE AND IF THATS HOW ITS GOTTA BE THEN I'D RATHER BREATHE IN LIFE THAN DUSTY AIR DYIN' AINT SO BAD BONNIE & CLYDE NOT IF WE BOTH GO TOGETHER ONLY WHEN ONE'S LEFT BEHIND DOES IT GET SAD BUT A SHORT AND LOVIN' LIFE A SHORT AND LOVIN' LIFE A SHORT AND LOVIN' LIFE THAT AINT SO BAD BONNIE Come on, baby. We dont want to miss our folks. He scoops her up and carries her to the car. CLYDE (thinks, then) BONNIE
Ha-ney. What?
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CLYDE Honey rhymes with Bonnie. You know, if you say it, ha-ney. A lot of folks say it, ha-ney. My ma says it ha-ney. Shes bringin biscuits and ha-ney. BONNIE (laughs) She kisses him. Clyde starts the car. On scrim: HEADLINES AND GRAPHIC IMAGES OF CLYDE AND BONNIE DEAD. BONNIE (contd) YOULL LOSE THE BLUES AND YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HEART Bonnie rests her head on Clyde shoulder as he drives. End of show.