Last Exit to Brooklyn

Georgette is a transgender woman in New York City. She defies the male gender that she was assigned at birth, embracing her female identity and declaring herself a “hip queer” (18), though her family violently disapprove of her drug use, clothing, and makeup. She is a sex worker and loves a man named Vinnie, who is hesitant to show her any affection in public. Vinnie started stealing cars at a young age and has been to jail. Every time he is released, he returns to the Greek diner and continues stealing cars. He likes Georgette’s attention but suggests to his friends that he is not interested in her, even while privately flirting with her.

Vinnie laughs when Harry, one of Freddy’s friends, waves a knife at her and jokes about castration. Vinnie joins Harry’s game: They make Georgette dance while throwing a knife at her feet. They are shocked when the knife hits her in the leg. As the other diner customers laugh, Georgette looks to Vinnie for sympathy. He laughs then helps to dress the wound. When she suggests that she go to the hospital, Vinnie is worried that the police will throw him back in jail, so he insists on taking her home; Georgette is terrified of how her violent brother will react, and she does not want to spend a week recovering in her home, especially if she goes through drug withdrawal at the same time.