West Side Story

http://www.aellea.com/script/westside.txt

The progression from disagreement to violence between opposing factions is not readily available to the denizens of this forum, nor is the hierarchical structure and cohesion of a gang available, but the recent dialogues here have led me to find the original script of West Side Story, above. Those of you who are interested and capable of searching text for “Doc” can find the various scenes in which the character called Doc interacts with gang members. The “village idiot” as he calls himself, asks questions and makes comments about the path the gangs are on. These exchanges are worth considering in light of the exchanges on this forum. The only thing that distinguishes this forum from West Side Story’s gangs is this limitation: our only weapons are words — but words have consequences. Somebody could snap and act out elsewhere from this forum.

Certainly it isn’t respect for civility that keeps us from violence.

Here’s a sample:

DOC
Curfew, gentlemen. And lady. Baby John, you should be home in
bed.

BABY JOHN
We're gonna have a war council here, Doc.

DOC
A who?

A-RAB
To decide on weapons for a big-time rumble!

SNOWBOY
We're gonna mix with the PRs.

DOC
Weapons. You couldn't play basketball?

ANYBODYS
Get with it, buddy boy.

DOC
War councils-

ACTION
Don't start, Doc.

DOC
Rumbles...

ACTION
Doc-

DOC
Why, when I was your age-

ACTION
When you was my age; when my old man was my age; when my brother
was my age! You was never my age, none a you! The sooner you
creeps get a hip to that, the sooner you'll dig us.

DOC
I'll dig you early graves, that's what I'll do.

A-RAB
Dig, dig, dig-

DOC
What're you gonna be when you grow up?

ANYBODYS [wistfully.]
A telephone call girl!
[The store doorbell tinkles as Riff enters with Velma.]

SNOWBOY
Riff, hey!

ACTION
Are they comin'?

RIFF
Unwind, Action. Hey, Doc, Tony here?

DOC
No, Riff, it's closing time.

ACTION [to Riff]
What d'ya think they're gonna ask for?

A-RAB
Just rubber hoses, maybe, huh?