A character in Taxi Driver (1976)

Betsy quotes from Taxi Driver (1976)

Cybill Shepherd

2nd most-quoted character in Taxi Driver (1976): in 9 of its 49 quotes
Most scenes with: Travis Bickle (8)

Scenes with Betsy

9 scenes
Tom

Now look, you have to emphasize the mandatory welfare program. That's the issue that should be pushed.

Betsy

First push the man, then the issue. Senator Palantine is a dynamic man, an intelligent, interesting, fresh, fascinating...

Tom

Forgot sexy.

Betsy

...man. I did not forget sexy.

Tom

Listen to what you're saying. You sound like you're selling mouthwash.

Betsy

We are selling mouthwash.

Tom

Are we authorized to do that?

Betsy

And why do you feel that you have to volunteer to me?

[smiling slightly]

Because I think that you are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

Betsy
[pause]

Thanks. But what do you think of Palantine? ...Charles Palantine, the man you're volunteering to help elect President.

Well, I'm sure he'd make a good President. I don't know exactly what his policies are, but I'm sure he'd make a good one.

Betsy

Do you want to canvass?

Yeah, I'll canvass.

I'll tell you why. I think you're a lonely person. I drive by this place a lot and I see you here. I see a lot of people around you. And I see all these phones and all this stuff on your desk. It means nothing. Then when I came inside and I met you, I saw in your eyes and I saw the way you carried yourself that you're not a happy person. And I think you need something. And if you want to call it a friend, you can call it a friend.

Betsy

Are you gonna be my friend?

Yeah. What do ya say? It's a little hard standing here and asking...Five minutes, that's all, just outside. Right around here. I'm there to protect ya. [He quickly flexes both arms, causing her to laugh] Come on, just take a little break.

Betsy

I have a break at four o'clock and if you're here...

Four o'clock today?

Betsy

Yes.

I'll be here.

Betsy

I'm sure you will.

All right, four p.m.

Betsy

Right.

Outside in front?

Betsy

Yeah.

OK. Oh my name is Travis. [He extends his hand to her] Betsy?

Betsy

Travis.

Appreciate this, Betsy.

I know what you mean. I've got the same problems. I gotta get organized. Oh little things, like my apartment, my possessions. I should get one of those signs that says 'One of these days I'm gonna get organizized.'

Betsy

You mean 'organized'?

Organiziezed. Organiziezed - it's a joke. O-R-G-A-N-E-Z-I-E-Z-D.

Betsy

Oh, you mean 'Organizized'. Like those little signs they have in offices that say "Thimk".

[about Tom]

I would say he has quite a few problems. His energy seems to go in the wrong places. When I walked in and I saw you two sitting there, I could just tell by the way you were both relating that there was no connection whatsoever. And I felt when I walked in that there was something between us. There was an impulse that we were both following. So that gave me the right to come in and talk to you. Otherwise I never would have felt that I had the right to talk to you or say anything to you. I never would have had the courage to talk to you. And with him I felt there was nothing and I could sense it. When I walked in, I knew I was right. Did you feel that way?

Betsy

I wouldn't be here if I didn't.

...That fellow you work with. I don't like him. Not that I don't like him, I just think he's silly. I don't think he respects you.

Betsy

I don't believe I've ever met anyone quite like you.

Betsy

You know what you remind me of?

What?

Betsy

That song by Kris Kristofferson. [She's referring to the song Pilgrim Chapter 33]

Who's that?

Betsy

A songwriter. 'He's a prophet...he's a prophet and a pusher, partly truth, partly fiction. A walking contradiction.'

You sayin' that about me?

Betsy

Who else would I be talkin' about?

I'm no pusher. I never have pushed.

Betsy

No, no. Just the part about the contradictions. You are that.

Betsy

You've got to be kidding.

What?

Betsy

This is a dirty movie.

No, no, this is, this is a movie that, uh, a lot of couples come to, all kinds of couples go here.

Betsy

Are you sure about that?

Sure. I've seen 'em all the time.

Where are you going?

Betsy

Have to leave now.

Why?

Betsy

I don't know why I came in here. I don't like these movies.

Well, I mean, I, you know, I didn't know that you, you would feel that way about this movie. I don't know much about movies, but if I...

Betsy

Are these the only kind of movies you go to?

Well, yeah, I mean I come - this is not so bad.

Betsy

Taking me to a place like this is about as exciting to me as saying: 'Let's ****.'

Uh. There are other places I can take you. There are plenty of other movies I can take you to. I don't know much about them but I could take you to other places...

Betsy

Hello, Travis.

Hello. [Long pause as they exchange looks in the rear-view mirror] I hear Palantine got the nomination.

Betsy

Yeah. It won't be long now. Seventeen days.

I hope he wins.

Betsy

I read about you in the papers. How are you?

Oh, it was nothin' really. I got over that. Papers always blow these things up. Just a little stiffness. That's all. [The cab arrives at her destination and she steps out, speaking to him through the open, driver side window]

Betsy

Travis? How much was it?

So long...

Other characters in Taxi Driver

More Cybill Shepherd characters