13

INT. HOWARD THEATRE—STAGE LEFT WINGS—CLOSE ON. DAY.

AUNTIE MAMA, reacting in shock.

INT. HOWARD THEATRE—STAGE—AUDIENCE. DAY.

The 1ST CLASSMATE’s pals grab him before he can climb on the stage, deposit him in a seat and laughingly stand watch over him.

THE DANDRIDGE SISTERS continue SINGING without missing a beat.  They dance across the stage playing to the AUDIENCE.

DOROTHY, her eyes sparkling mischievously, wags a scolding finger to the seated 1ST CLASSMATE.  LAUGHTER and APPLAUSE rise up from the delighted AUDIENCE.

HAROLD, smiling, shakes his head in admiration. 

                        HAROLD
       Look at that!  She has the crowd in 
       the palm of her hand.
 
                         LOLA
                (frowning, enviously)
       Honestly, I don't get it.  What's so
       special about her?  What's she got     
       that I ain't got in spades?

HAROLD, keeping his eyes on DOROTHY, answers LOLA with one word: