MovieChat Forums > The Panic in Needle Park (1971) Discussion > Bobby's Jacket? And 'Making the Buy' Sc...

Bobby's Jacket? And 'Making the Buy' Scene?

posted 16 years ago by TaliesinForever
4 replies | jump to latest

Hello all,

Does anyone know the significance of or the meaning of what was on the back of Bobby's jacket? (ED and something written above that...)

Also, why was everyone whispering and speaking in hushed tones during the buy scene from the major dealer? They all had masks on, presumably, to prevent them from breathing in the dust and/or to prevent contamination, but I couldn't understand the significance of the overall quiet in the room, other than to underscore the gravity of the situation.

-- thoughts?

[–] cmb_1455 16 years ago

Have you ever been involved in a drug purchase before (besides marijuana)? In this situation, Bobby is a peon. He is only one rung above "junkie", being a "junkie who sells to other junkies." The last thing that any drug dealer wants inside of his shop is talk, especially the talk of a junkie who's hooked.

If you had just dropped several hundred (or even thousands) of dollars for a good bag of H, the last thing you wanna do is start yapping your mouth.

Also, the reason the workers were quiet is because they're working. They're paid to be there and cut up Heroin, that's all they do all day every day. Their dealer would have fired them if they would have been yapping away talking gossip at his drug-cutting table.

I think the scene accurately portrays the tension that one experiences when he or she makes her first big drug buy and is introduced to "The drug shop." It's such an awe-inspiring moment that one is speechless, and can only watch intently.

Hope this helps to clear up the scene.

[–] TaliesinForever 16 years ago

Yes, it does; thank you so much for your response.

And no, I've never been involved in a drug purchase before, besides marijuana. I see what you mean -- Bobby truly is nothing more than a peon in this game... The workers, too, are doing what they are being paid to do.

Very insightful, cmb, and I so appreciate your time answering my rather-involved question. One can only imagine the feeling of making one's first "big drug buy." Awe-inspiring filmmaking to say the least.

Thanks for clearing up the scene, sir/ma'am.

Regards,

TaliesinForever

[–] iPadCary 8 years ago

Why do you exclude marijuana?

And what's wrong with "yapping", as you put it, at the dope table?
Chatting with fellow co-workers makes for a more .... smoothly-running enviornment.
Wouldn't the dope peddler not want a bunch of Grumpy Guses possibly
screwing up the delicacy of the quality-cutting process, potentially lessening profits?

You say thousands of dollars were hanging in the balance here.
Well, with that kinda lettuce floating around, you'd think one would
take every precaution possible! I mean, you don't hafta be Toma to figue that one out!

[–] psedge 8 years ago

I too wondered what the "ED" and other writing on the jacket meant. Anyone know?