Dessi Blue
INTERIOR – PARIS – NIGHT — 1956
In their Paris apartment,Cal is dressing for the evening, tying his tie in the mirror. Dessi sits on their bed wearing only a slip and stockings, hair and makeup done, a sequined evening gown laid out on the bed beside her. She’s reading a letter, and a diamond wedding ring glints on her ring finger. A young girl rushes into the room and crawls into Dessi’s lap.
DESSI (STROKING HER DAUGHTER’S HAIR)
Hey, kitty-cat. Shouldn’t you be in bed?
KATHERINE
I wanted a glass of water, and Madame Charbonnet said I could say goodnight before you and Papa leave. Where are you singing tonight, Maman?
DESSI
The band’splaying at Le Caveau de la Huchette. Go drink your water and then bed, you hear me, little girl? We’ll be home when you wake up in the morning.
KATHERINE
Oui, Maman.
DESSI (PATS HER BOTTOM)
Tell Papa goodnight and go to bed.
Katherine walksover to Cal at the mirror and he scoops her up, tickling her and making her laugh. A plump, dark-haired woman comes to the door.
MADAME CHARBONNET (WITH A HEAVY FRENCH ACCENT)
Katherine, ma cherie. Leave your parents to dress. They must leave soon.
Cal kisses Katherine’s hair and sets her on the floor.
KAHTERINE
Bon soir.
Madame Charbonnetand Katherine leave the room. Dessi picks the letter up again and starts to read.
CAL
That little girl don’t know if she coming in French or going in English. Dessi, you can read that letter later. The band’ll be waiting.
Dessi laysthe letter on the bed, but doesn’t move to put her dress on.
DESSI
Mama’s sick, Cal.
Cal pausesin pomading his hair.
CAL (LOOKING AT DESSI IN THE MIRROR)
What kind of sick?
DESSI
The letter is from my Cousin Dorothy. It’s cancer. Mama wasn’t gonna tell me.