Reel (Hollywood Renaissance #1) - Kennedy Ryan Page 0,35
catches her arm and snatches the slouchy hat from her head.
* * *
DESSI
You gonna dance with that hat on?
* * *
She hangs the hat on a nearby hook, looks around, checking for any witnesses, and pulls Tilda into her arms.
* * *
DESSI
And you forgot my kiss.
* * *
She cups Tilda’s face and kisses her, rubbing her back intimately.
* * *
TILDA (WHISPERING AND PULLING AWAY)
You crazy! You gonna get us fired, Bama.
* * *
DESSI
Buchanan don’t care ’bout two girls kissing.
* * *
TILDA (WHISPERING)
I’ll kiss you when we get home. I need to find a man to kiss tonight so we can make rent.
* * *
DESSI
Don’t say that, Till. Don’t do that. I told you we’ll figure it out. You don’t have to—
* * *
TILDA
Look, I been on my own since I was fourteen and I been knowing what’s what since then. Don’t make me no never mind if I gotta give a little something up to get a little something back.
* * *
DESSI
What about a rent party? Folks from the third floor raised all their rent in one night last month.
* * *
TILDA
You ain’t gonna find my hand out asking for something I can get myself. They oughta be ashamed, charging Negroes twice as much when we ain’t got half what they got.
* * *
DESSI
Well, we know shame don’t come in white.
* * *
TILDA
Sho don’t.
* * *
She gestures to the red dress hugging her curves.
* * *
TILDA
But rent come in red.
* * *
Dessi pulls Tilda into a hug and kisses her neck.
* * *
DESSI
How about you let me find a way? Give me tonight to raise the rent. You know he can’t do it like I can.
* * *
They exchange a heated glance before Tilda shakes her head.
* * *
TILDA
That don’t pay the rent, Bama.
* * *
DESSI
Gimme ’til tomorrow. I’ll raise the rent. Come home with me tonight. Save all your kisses for me.
* * *
A tall Black man dressed impeccably walks in and they pull apart.
* * *
CHARLES BUCHANAN
You girls ready? We got a crowd out there tonight.
* * *
DESSI AND TILDA IN UNISON:
Yes, Mr. Buchanan.
* * *
VIEW ON SAVOY BALLROOM FLOOR
Dessi and Tilda rush out into the beautifully decorated ballroom, packed with dancers. The atmosphere is electric. Both bandstands are filled with musicians.
* * *
CHARLES BUCHANAN (TOUCHING DESSI’S SHOULDER AND POINTING TO A TALL MAN ACROSS THE ROOM)
Got you one.
* * *
Dessi’s head turns in the direction Buchanan points and she spots the man. She takes Tilda’s arm and whispers in her ear.
* * *
DESSI
Don’t forget. Gimme ’til tomorrow to get the money. Meet me back at the coatroom when the shift ends.
* * *
Tilda hesitates, nods, and then heads off for the man she’s supposed to teach to dance. Dessi approaches the one Buchanan pointed out, a tall, well-dressed man.
* * *
DESSI
Wanna dance?
* * *
He looks down at her, his smile widening.
* * *
CAL HAMPTON
I do now. I’ll follow your lead any night.
* * *
DESSI
You know this is just for a dance, right?
* * *
CAL
Might start that way. You never know.
* * *
DESSI
Oh, I know. We dancing?
Dessi starts teaching Cal the basics of a few dances. They laugh when he steps on her toes and can’t get the steps right.
* * *
DESSI
You’re no good at this.
* * *
CAL
I’m good at other things.
* * *
DESSI
Not at flirting either.
* * *
CAL
I mean my horn. I’m a trumpet player.
* * *
DESSI
Oh. A musician, huh? I don’t believe you.
* * *
CAL
I can prove it, but I had to leave my trumpet in coat check. Come with me to the Radium Club when you get off. See for yourself.
* * *
DESSI
When I get off? We don’t shut down ’til three o’clock in the morning.
* * *
CAL
Night’s just gettin’ started. Jam sessions and breakfast ’til the sun comes up. Just over off 142nd Street. Whatta ya say, doll?
* * *
DESSI
I say don’t call me doll, and I don’t think so. Me and my roommate gotta get home.
* * *
CAL
If you change your mind . . .
* * *
DESSI
I won’t, but thanks for stepping on all my toes with your two left feet.
* * *
They laugh and Dessi leaves for the next customer. Cal stands on the sidelines and watches her go with a smile.
* * *
VIEW ON DANCE FLOOR
Dance sequence/montage showcasing the lindy hop, the flying charleston, snakehips and rhumboogie. Cal stands by all night, not dancing again, but watching Dessi from the sidelines. At the end of the night, Dessi thanks her last customer and looks around for Tilda. When she doesn’t see