----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Rick Ferncase pointed out the frequent sodomic references in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction. Continuing in this scatalogical vein, did anyone notice the apparent importance of the toilet ritual in Tarantino's films? As far as I recall, Tim Roth has his most testing time in RD proving himself an OK guy (real vilain) in the gents toilet. Isolated incident? Think again. Pulp Fiction positively revolves around visits to the toilet. And the important events that happen immediately after the characters have relieved themselves must surely point to a significant fascination of the author(s) to this bodily function. Vincent Vega gets left alone to think of something interesting to say whilst Mia is 'powdering her nose'; it is to the sanctuary of the toilet that Vincent turns to collect his cool, and resolves to just go home and jerk off, upon return to the Wallace home. At the end of the film Vincent disappears to the loo (with his book) in the restaurant, only to find a siege when he came out. It was this same book that he was clutching as he emerged from the toilet in Butch's flat, and into which he was blown as his own weapon was turned against him. Live by the sword, die by the sword. As if that wasn't all, the 'Fourth Youth' was hiding in the john as his mates were executed in the room next door and from which he charged, canon blazing, 'firing blanks', and eventually died. This is an important scene because it is from this event that Jules is enlightened by the revelation of divine intervention, as all of the bullets hit wide of their mark. Pulp Fiction, in other words, could be described as a series of interlocking stories based around the use of toilets. I jest a little. What exactly happens in Tarantino's toilet that causes these associations with deep contemplation, sexual innuendo, resolution inspiration and death? The Romans, I have heard, were very cautious of being caught in the act - so much so that public toilets became communal gatherings for relieving oneself of the days worrys, amongst other things. Some of the toilets were emblazoned with a protecting goddess. Perhaps this is heresay. Maybe someone else has a more learned idea on this. I suspect that Rick Ferncase's point about matters anal/sexual fit in here somewhere. David Moon Rick Ferncase writes: I wish someone would address the fascination Mr. Tarantino exhibits in his films for male sodomy. There is the prolonged suggestive rough-housing between Mr. Blonde and Nice Guy Eddie, as well as the graphic if somewhat less-than-credible act perpetrated upon Marcellus by the gun shop proprietors. American exploitationist cinema has always rested upon the twin pillars of sex and violence. Of course Tarantino has a well-documented taste for violence; but he scarcely gives romantic sex its due. He doesn't seem comfortable with heterosexual expressions of sex, but the scatology aspect of buggery seems to have immense appeal for him. What's going on here? -r. k. ferncase [log in to unmask]