Miss Blue, you have mail.
DESSI (SMILES BRIGHTLY AND TEARS THE LETTER OPEN)
Cal, you done talked her up. It’s from Tilda.
CAL
Oh, good. She alright? What’s she say?
Dessi’ssmile falls and she grips the edge of the hotel front desk for support. A newspaper clipping floats from the letter and lands on the floor. Camera zooms close to show Tilda and a nightclub owner pictured in a wedding announcement. Scribbled at the bottom of the picture are the words “I had to. Forgive me.”
CAL
Oh, Dessi.
Dessi swipes at a few tears,shoving the letter and the newspaper clipping into her beach bag.
DESSI
It’s alright. I’m alright. Dessi Blue always gon’ be alright.
CAL
You want to rest for a bit? I can tell the boys we’ll do the same songs. No need to rehearse and give you some time to—
DESSI
No. I don’t need no time.
Dessi digsthrough the pile of music in the basket until she finds the song she’s looking for.
DESSI (SHOVES THE SONG AT HIM)
We doing this one.
CLOSE ON SHEET MUSIC:Song is “Walk Away”
INTERIOR – HOTEL DU CAP DINING ROOM – NIGHT
Dessi wearsan evening gown and stands in a spotlight on the small stage in a roomful of patrons eating and listening. The band plays behind her—piano, saxophone, drums, and Cal on trumpet. With tears in her eyes, she sings “Walk Away.”