Lenny+Bruce+still+good+after+40+years

This monologue was used with others as evidence in one of the trials of Lenny Bruce, who died on August 3rd, 1966. The mugshot on the right was taken on 27th April, 1963.
=Thank you, Mask Man=

//[In this sketch, townspeople upset with the Lone Ranger's refusal of thank-yous for his help, demand--at gun point--that the cultural icon explain his unwillingness to receive their expressions of gratitude.]//


 * Redneck:** Mask Man: What's your story, buddy? You know Mr. Di Angelo, he's hoppin' ass mad at you. His momma made all those hot pancakes and you run'd off. Run'd off and didn't wait for nuthin. How come you're so snobby you can't accept love or thank you from nobody?


 * Lone Ranger:** I'll explain--take your goddamn hands off me, you barbarians. The reason I never wait for thank you…see…ah... Supposing for once I wait for thank you?


 * Redneck:** Thank you, Mask Man.


 * Lone Ranger:** What's that?


 * Redneck:** Thank you, Mask Man.


 * Lone Ranger:** Thank you, Masked man? Goddamn it, I like that! Let's hear it once again, son.


 * Redneck:** Thank you, Mask Man.


 * Lone Ranger:** Thank you, Masked Man, ain't that sweet?


 * (In background):** Mask man, help Mask Man, help we're being robbed, get the Mask Man!


 * Lone Ranger:** Don’t break my balls now. I've helped you people a lot. I'm entitled to take one week off to get some thank-yous. You're not gonna get nuthin' if you keep it up. All right, let's have it again.


 * Redneck:** Thank you, Mask Man.


 * Lone Ranger:** I'm gonna get a book, that's all, screw these people. I'll get a //Thank You Mask Man// book. I'll put it in the book. They'll say, "You in the shingle business?" I'll say, "You think I'm in the shingle business? - look at this: 'Thank you, Masked Man. The.people of Long Island.' Look at all the 'Thank you, Masked Mans'"….I'm going down to the mailbox to see if the 'Thank you, Mask Man" has been here today... Someone's been fooling with my mail, I know it. Someone is foolin' with my mail! Where is my 'Thank you, Masked Man?' There are no more 'Thank you, Mask Mans.'. //"The Messiah returned during the night."// The Messiah? What has this to do with me? //"Well, you see men like yourself you thrived upon the continuance of segregation, violence and disease. Now that Messiah has returned all is pure. You're in the shit house."// Well then, I'll make trouble because I'm geared for it and I must have a 'Thank you, Masked Man.' That's why I always ride off and never wait for 'thank you.'


 * Redneck: Man:** You show up and talk some shit buddy! I got a goddamn headache. My head hurts me. What the hell you talking about -"Thank you, Mask Man--the people of Long Island"? Look, I work for the city. You know what I mean, buddy? I got a job to do. Now look, I'm here to see you accept a present, just one present. Do it for the kids and we'll get the hell out of here. What do you say?


 * Lone Ranger:** Alright, for the children I'll do it. Give me… give me… no ashtrays… Anything I like?


 * Redneck:** Anything. Just take a whip, or a doll--any of them of things on the top shelf.


 * Lone Ranger:** I tell you what…Anything? Give me that Indian over there.


 * Redneck:** Who's that…Tanto?


 * Lone Ranger:** Yes, Tanta…I want Tanta the Indian.


 * Redneck:** What you talking about? You can't have Tanto.


 * Lone Ranger:** Bullshit…You make the deal. That's what I want. I want Tanta the Indian.


 * Redneck:** You gonna get you a Tanta buddy. His name ain't Tanta it's Tant-o. What the hell you want Tanto for?


 * Lone Ranger:** To perform an unnatural act.


 * Redneck:** What?


 * Lone Ranger:** To perform an unnatural act.


 * Redneck:** Oh…Mask Man is a fag. Ah…ah…fag man. A dirty fag, you dang queer you. The Mask fag man, ain't that a kick in the ass. Bet you got mascara under that damn mask ain't you? A dang queer, I never knew you a fag Mask Man.


 * Lone Ranger:** I'm not a fag, but I read a lot about it and read expose and I want to try it now to see how bad it is, just once. I like what they do with fags anyway. Their punishment is quite correct. They throw them in jail with a lot of men. Very clever hum…hum…


 * Redneck:** Wash him up and get him ready.


 * Lone Ranger:** Tell you what - give me the horse too.


 * Redneck:** Whaaafaar?


 * Lone Ranger:** For the Act.


 * From: http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/bruce/brucemonologues.html**

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