Taxi Driver: Final Scene

CUT TO: EXT. PLAZA HOTEL - NIGHT

Four cabs stand in the waiting line in front of the hotel. Near the entrance, TRAVIS and WIZARD stand in the light talking.

TRAVIS' hair is almost fully grown back to its normal length. TRAVIS wears the same clothes -- cowboy boots, jeans, western shirt, Army jacket -- but he isn't wearing a gun. There is a thick scar on the left side of his neck.

Wizard is speaking.

WIZARD: A private-owner wanted to swap wheels. Now my tires were brand new. "Give me a couple days," I says.

CHARLIE T. parks his cab in line and walks toward TRAVIS and WIZARD.

CHARLIE T: Howdy Wizard, Killer.

CHARLIE T. points his pistol/finger at TRAVIS, fires, says "Pow" and laughs.

CHARLIE T (CONTD) (casual joking): Don't mess with the Killer.

TRAVIS (smiles): Hey Charlie T.

WIZARD: Howsit, Charlie? (pause) Hey Travis, I think you gota fare.

They all turn. P.O.V. of DOORMAN closing rear door of TRAVIS' taxi.

TRAVIS: Shit. (runs off)

CHARLIE T: Take it slow, Killer.

TRAVIS waves back to CHARLIE T. and WIZARD as he runs around cab and jumps in the driver's seat. TRAVIS' taxi pulls away.

C.U. TRAVIS at the wheel. A FEMALE VOICE says:

FEMALE VOICE: 34 East 56th Street.

TRAVIS recognizes the voice. He looks in the rear-view mirror: It is BETSY. TRAVIS says nothing: he heads toward 56th Street. After a silence, BETSY speaks:

BETSY: Hello, Travis.

TRAVIS: Hello, Betsy.

There is an uneasy pause.

TRAVIS: I see where Palantine got the nomination.

BETSY: Yes. It won't be long now. Seventeen days.

TRAVIS: Well, I hope he wins.

There is another pause.

BETSY (concerned): How are you, Travis? I read about you in the papers.

TRAVIS: Oh, I got over that. It was nothing, really. The papers always blow these things up. (a beat) A little stiffness. That'll go away. I just sleep more, that's all.

EXT.

TRAVIS' taxi pulls up to 34 East 56th Street.

TRAVIS: Here we are.

BETSY digs in her purse.

TRAVIS (protesting): No, no, please. This fare's on me. Please.

BETSY: Thank you, Travis.

BETSY gets out of the cab and stands by the right front window, which is open.

TRAVIS prepares to drive away.

BETSY: Travis?

TRAVIS: Yeah.

BETSY: Maybe I'll see you again sometime, huh?

TRAVIS (thin smile): Sure.

BETSY steps away from the curb and TRAVIS drives off. She watches his taxi.

CAMERA FOLLOWS TRAVIS' taxi as it slowly disappears down 56th Street.

SUPERIMPOSE TITLES: THE END