EXT. HOWARD THEATRE—BACKSTAGE ALLEY. DAY.

HAROLD gazes deeply into DOTTIE’s eyes, smiling with sincerity.

                        HAROLD
       You couldn't be further from the 
       truth.  You are by no means "cheap,"
       Dottie.  Not to me.  You've already
       cost me a great deal.
 
                        DOTTIE
                (incredulously)
       In what way?
 
                        HAROLD
       My timing—something vital to a tap 
       dancer—is completely out of whack 
       because I can't get you outta my 
       head.  It felt like I had two left
       feet this morning while practicing.
                (DOTTIE almost smiles)  
       No jive.  No one has ever had this 
       effect on me before.

DOTTIE pulls a hard look at him. 

                        DOTTIE
       No one?
                (HAROLD shakes his 
                 head)
       Not even a single, solitary chorus 
       girl?

HAROLD takes both of her hands in his and gently draws her close to him.