joe knows little about the realities of both new york and his chosen job, and he soon finds himself homeless, with no money and only rare chances to earn any. when he first meets rico "ratso" rizzo (hoffman's character), ratso (tricks) joe out of $20, but when they met again, ratso offered to share his "place", which turned out to be a room in a condemned building. the two became friends. ratso shares what he knew about new york with joe, and became his "manager" (pimp), and joe shares any money he makes with ratso. ratso is sick, probably with tuberculosis, and as time goes on he depends more and more on joe. ratso plans to move to florida before winter starts.