Reel (Hollywood Renaissance #1) - Kennedy Ryan Page 0,36
her, she heads for the coatroom, collects her hat and exits the building.
* * *
EXTERIOR – LENOX AVENUE – OUTSIDE THE SAVOY – NIGHT
Dessi stands on the street, scanning the well-dressed people leaving the Savoy. Cal approaches her, holding up his trumpet case for her to see.
* * *
CAL
Told ya I was a musician.
* * *
DESSI
Hmmmmh. If you say so.
* * *
CAL (LAUGHING)
I’ll show you if you come with me to the Radium. You been on the track all night. Come have some breakfast.
* * *
DESSI
No, I ain’t—
* * *
She spots Tilda with a well-dressed man headed in the opposite direction. Tilda looks over her shoulder at Dessi guiltily and then shrugs. Dessi glances down at the sidewalk and blinks away tears.
* * *
CAL
It’ll be a good time. Best music in the city. White boys show up, too. Benny Goodman and Harry James came last week. And best grits you ever had.
* * *
Dessi looks in the direction Tilda went, seeing her red dress swallowed by the late-night crowd. She forces a smile and looks up at Cal.
DESSI
Did you say grits?
* * *
CAL (LAUGHING)
Best in Harlem. Come on.
* * *
EXTERIOR MOVING SHOT on Cal and Dessi talking inaudibly with a jazz music bed under the shots as they walk the few blocks to the Radium Club.
* * *
INSERT shots of Harlem nightlife, buildings lit up, Tillie’s Chicken House, The Log Cabin, the Theatrical Grill, well-dressed white patrons entering the Cotton Club, and finally ending on the entrance to the Radium Club.
* * *
INTERIOR - RADIUM CLUB – NIGHT
When Cal and Dessi enter, the club is filled with smoke and people and music. A dimly lit stage sits in the center of the room, and a small band tunes up.
* * *
CAL
I gotta get up there. I was waiting for a certain hostess to finish her shift and now I’m late.
* * *
DESSI
Oh, you in the band?
* * *
CAL
I am tonight.
* * *
DESSI
What y’all playing?
* * *
CAL (PULLING HIS TRUMPET FROM ITS CASE)
“Body and Soul” is the only one I know for sure. We kinda just figure it out as we go some nights.
* * *
Dessi starts humming “Body and Soul.”
* * *
DESSI
Oh, I love that song.
* * *
CAL
You sing?
* * *
DESSI (LAUGHING)
For an audience of none.
* * *
CAL
You sound like you can do a lil’ something.
* * *
DESSI (SHRUGS)
I’m okay, but I get scared.
* * *
CAL
Well order you some breakfast and I’ll be back on our first break.
* * *
Cal heads up to the stage. Time lapse of Dessi eating and enjoying her pancakes and grits while Cal’s band plays. Montage ends with the sun rising outside, illuminating the room.
* * *
CAL (INTO MICROPHONE ONSTAGE)
Looks like we’re the last ones standing. Well, I think we saved the best for last. I got a special treat for you.
* * *
Turns and whispers to the band members, who nod.
* * *
CAL
Making her debut right here at the Radium Club singing “Body and Soul,” my very good friend who I just met tonight, Odessa Johnson.
* * *
Dessi gapes at him with a mouthful of grits.
* * *
CAL
Don’t be shy and don’t make me look like a fool up here. Come on, Odessa.
* * *
The few patrons still remaining give Dessi encouraging applause and wolf whistles. Dessi stands up like she’s headed for the stage, but dashes for the door. Cal runs, catches her around the waist and drags her to the stage.
* * *
DESSI
You crazy? I can’t sing.
* * *
CAL
I heard you. I think you can, and you won’t know ’til you try.
* * *
Cal hands her the mic and picks up his trumpet, standing beside her.
* * *
CAL
I’ll be right here, and there’s hardly anybody still around. What you got to lose?
* * *
The first strains of “Body and Soul” begin. Dessi holds the mic awkwardly, flicking nervous glances around the club. She begins haltingly, and continues with growing confidence.
* * *
DESSI
My days have grown so lonely,
For you I cry, for you dear only,
Why haven't you seen it,
I'm all for you body and soul
* * *
I spend my days in longin',
You know it's you that I am longin',
Oh, I tell you I mean it,
I'm all for you body and soul
* * *
I can't believe it,
It's hard to conceive it,
That you'd throw away romance
Are you pretending,
It looks like the ending,
Unless I can have one more chance to prove, dear
* * *
My life a wreck you're making,
You know I'm yours for just the taking,
Oh, I tell you I mean it,
I'm all for you body