FYI: no, I don’t live in Poughkeepsie
All you people who asked me if I was in Poughkeepsie (including the person who invited me to lunch), no, I wasn’t. That reference to picking my feet in Poughkeepsie (below) came from The French Connection.
People, if you don’t know this movie, get on it! It’s required watching. Wanna see great 1970’s New York, the best car-subway (not subway car) chase scene ever? The craziest interrogation lines? Here’s where the Poughkeepsie ref comes from:
RUSSO
Who killed the old Jew in the laundromat?
BLACK PUSHER’s brow furrows, looks up just a little.
BLACK PUSHER
I don’t…
DOYLE
Ever pick your feet in Poughkeepsie?
BLACK PUSHER
What?
DOYLE
Did you ever pick your feet in Poughkeepsie?
BLACK PUSHER
I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.
DOYLE
Were you ever in Poughkeepsie?
BLACK PUSHER
No… yeah…
DOYLE
Did you ever sit on the edge of the bed, take off your socks and stick your fingers between your toes?
BLACK PUSHER
Man, I’m clean.
DOYLE
You made three sales to your roaches back there. We had to chase you through all this shit and you tell me you’re clean?
RUSSO
Who stuck up the laundromat?
DOYLE
How about that time you were picking your feet in Poughkeepsie?
The BLACK PUSHER’S eyes go to RUSSO in panic, looking for relief from the pressure of the inquisition.
RUSSO
(in pain)
You better give me the guy who got the old Jew or you better give me something or you’re just a memory in this town.
BLACK PUSHER
That’s a lot o’ shit. I didn’t do nothin’.
The BLACK PUSHER’s eyes are on DOYLE, frozen in confusion and fear.
DOYLE
You put a shiv in my partner. Know what that means? All winter I gotta listen to him gripe about his bowling scores. Now I’m gonna bust your ass for those three bags -then I’m gonna nail you for pickin’ your feet in Poughkeepsie.
