Dessie Blue
DESSI BLUE
Screenplay by: Verity Hill & Canon Holt
Story by: Verity Hill & Canon Holt
WORKING SCRIPT
P. 17
EXTERIOR – LAFAYETTE THEATRE – NIGHT
132nd Street& 2nd Avenue: Odessa Johnson stands outside the Lafayette surrounded by hundreds of people waiting to get in. The lit theater marquee sign above reads Macbeth. Scalpers wave tickets to the mostly Black theatergoers, men in their coats and sharp-brimmed hats, women dressed in their finery with freshly-pressed hair. Odessa cranes her neck, trying to see above the crowd, obviously looking for someone. She’s jostled by several people.
DESSI
Hey! Watch it!
She clutchesher hat when it’s almost knocked off her head and she’s shoved into a girl in the crowd.
DESSI
’Scuse me. Everybody’s trying to get in.
TILDA
It’s alright. And if they ain’t got a ticket, they can forget it. ‘Lessen they plan to pay five dollars.
DESSI
I was kinda hoping I’d get one. A friend of mine was bringing me some money she owes me so I could buy a ticket.
Dessi cranes her neck again.
DESSI
But I ain’t seen her. Not that I could find her in this crowd anyway.
TILDA
Hmmmph. I got a ticket I’ll sell you. My old man bought ’em, but he late. Bet I’d find him with that other one.
DESSI
He cheating on you?
Tilda offers a mischievous grin.
TILDA
Yeah. With his wife.
Both girls laugh.
DESSI
I’m Odessa Johnson, but you can call me Dessi.