Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway (1976 TV Movie)

Marguerite DeLain: Frankie Lee

Quotes 

• Frankie Lee : [Frankie Lee is talking to Gloria, another hooker in her pimp Swan's stable. Frankie is showing off a brand new Swan tattoo on her leg]  My price is gonna' go up with this.

  Gloria : Swan not gonna' like it, Frankie.

  Frankie Lee : [indignantly]  I'm doin' it for him!

  Gloria : Swan don't like his girls to look like they hookers.

  Frankie Lee : Hey! I look like a hooker 'cause that's what I am. I'm 17, girl, and this rose is fadin' fast! I gotta' jazz it up.

• Dawn Wetherby : [desperate for work, Dawn seeks out Frankie Lee for career advice. She finds Frankie on Hollywood Blvd and asks her about her chosen profession]  How long have you been a -

  [she can't say it] 

  Frankie Lee : [laughs]  Feels like forever. But I figured: Might as well sell it. Ain't worth singin' about. Hey. I left home like you. Thinkin' I was gonna' find something. Grits! That's what I found.

  [grimly] 

  Frankie Lee : You got no choice. Believe me.

  Dawn Wetherby : I don't know if I could do what you do. I'm not -

  [struggling for the word] 

  Dawn Wetherby : - experienced.

  Frankie Lee : [small laugh]  Do you think they care?

• Frankie Lee : [after chasing off a mugger who took money from Dawn]  How much he get from you?

  Dawn Wetherby : Five Dollars.

  Frankie Lee : [tosses Dawn five dollars from the mugger's loot]  This street gonna' eat you up, girl. Got a place to stay?

  Dawn Wetherby : Sure.

  Frankie Lee : [smiles]  Just remember. Us girls don't ever have to go hungry.

  [winks and starts to leave] 

  Frankie Lee : My name's Frankie Lee. You need help? Ask for me. Everybody knows Frankie Lee.