17

                     1ST PERFORMER
       What's that you say about The 
       Nicholas Brothers?
 
                     2ND PERFORMER
       They've got a hot new number.
 
                     3RD PERFORMER
       Brother, I bet it's a winner!

WILBUR and the STAGEHANDS finally clear out of the way. 

DOROTHY and AUNTIE MAMA’s eyes meet and hold.  DOROTHY gives her a slight wave, smiling brightly.  She mouths the words, “Did you like the show?” 

AUNTIE MAMA answers DOROTHY with a look of blistering condemnation.

VIVIAN and ETTA, catching AUNTIE MAMA’s angry look to DOROTHY, draw close to her in a show of support.

                        VIVIAN
       Uh-oh.  See?  I tried to tell you 
       but you wouldn't listen.  Auntie 
       Mama is fit to be tied.  She's 
       gonna read us the Riot Act the 
       moment we set foot in the dressing 
       room.

DOROTHY inhales deeply and her eyes fill with fresh resolve. 

                        DOROTHY
                (shaking her head)
       Not us, Vivee.  Me.

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