The Story

I'm Hip

As a counterpoint to Betsy's untouchable 'angelic' womanhood, Travis finally meets Iris (Jodie Foster) on the tenement streets, a 12 1/2 year old prostitute (homeless runaway) managed by a small-time pimp "boyfriend" named Matthew or "Sport" (Harvey Keitel) The head-banded, T-shirted, long-haired, greaser pimp first mistakes Travis for an undercover cop, extending his crossed wrists as if to be handcuffed. After suspiciously checking each other out and verbally sparring, they both find each other 'clean' and then negotiate a price.