Wish Upon A Christmas Star Part 2

Bruno Martelli is taken aback by Holly’s kiss on the lips. It seemed to overstep the boundaries of the friendship they had established the previous year. Still he shrugs that off and hugs the enthusiastic Holly back.

Bruno: “Holly, what are you doing here? Caruso tells me the kids from the school don’t hang out here anymore.”

Holly looks deep into Bruno eyes: “No there’s a bowling place we go to now. The owner there lets us perform there without any hassles. But what about you? What are you doing here I thought you were in L.A.?"

Bruno nods, feeling a little uncomfortable: “Yeah, I was but things got a little complicated there so I thought I’d come home for the holidays.”

Holly continues looking at Bruno: “Well it’s great to see you. Why didn’t you tell us you were back I’m sure we could arrange a crowd to come over here and welcome you back.”

Bruno grimaces: “I’m not sure Caruso would be happy with that. Besides I was just looking for some peace while I was back. Things got a little stressful in L.A. and I guess I’ve come home to lick my wounds. So I’d be grateful if you didn’t say anything to anyone at school. I’ll see them when I’m ready.”

Holly knows how he feels. She becomes concerned and gently squeezes his hand: “Bruno, what happened? Are you okay?”

Before Bruno can reply a man at a nearby table calls over: “Waiter can I get some service please?”

Bruno is relieved to get out of the conversation: “I’ll be back in a moment Holly, I’ll just see to this gentleman first.”

Holly smiles as she watches him go. She notices a star shining on the Christmas tree in the opposite corner of the room. She remembers that as a child her Mother had always said that she should wish on a star at Christmas for Father Christmas to hear what she wanted. Closing her eyes she makes a wish, then looks over at Bruno and smiles!

Danny walks down the street and sees Leroy watching Chris perform.

Danny calls out: “Hey Leroy, you coming in? I need to talk to you.”

Leroy looks back into the room. Still angry with his friends he doesn’t feel like socialising: “No there’s somewhere I need to be I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

With that Leroy walks off up the street. Danny watches him for a second then heads into Lou’s to catch the end of Chris’ song.

Danny smiles as Chris and Cleo come off stage: “Guys I’m glad you’re all here I need to talk to you.”

Lou notices Cleo coming off from the stage and angrily rushes over: “How many times have I got to tell you tonight? You’re here to work, not watch TV or perform on stage. So if you want paying then do some work.”

Doris smirks: “Nice Christmas spirit Lou!”

Lou glares at her and Doris rolls her eyes.

Cleo feels annoyed: “I am helping you out here and I haven’t had a break. I wasn’t even supposed to be working remember.”

Jesse offers his support: “Come on Lou give her a break, it’s Christmas time.”

Lou shakes his head as he starts to walk away. Looking back he calls out: “Five minutes then I want you back waiting tables and I’m docking your pay for this.”

The friends all sit down around the table.

Danny: “Listen guys, I need you help!”

Doris jokes: “Oh no Amatullo wants something again!”

The kids laugh and Danny pulls a face at her.

Danny: “Seriously my Pop needs us to put a show together for the Knights of St Anthony Christmas show. He was let down at the last minute. Chris, Cleo a number like you just did would be great and Jesse you did that song in dance class today so it’s not going to take too much to put together. What do you say?”

Nicole asks: “When is it?”

Danny: “The 22^nd”

Gasps go out around the group.

Doris: “Amatullo that’s a week and an a half away. It’s a tall order to put a whole show together and rehearse it before then.”

Danny nods: “Yeah I know, But if anyone can do it, we can. Besides Miss Grant is working on a show for the seniors so if we use the numbers from that and throw in a couple of Christmas routines it won’t take that much work. Come on guys it’s for a good cause.”

Danny looks around the table at each of the faces of his friends.

Chris is first to speak: “Count me out!”

Danny is shocked: “What? You’re turning down a chance to perform?”

Chris shakes his heads: “It’s not that I don’t want to perform. My family will be out of town visiting my older sister Eve, so I won’t be here on the 22nd.”

Danny nods understanding his friend’s problem: “Okay,What about the rest of you?”

Lou had overheard: “Cleo your 5 minutes is up and you’re roistered to work that day!”

Cleo gets up to go back to work and gives a weak smile to Danny as an apology.

Nicole turns to Danny: “I’m sorry Danny I’d love to help but it’s Mom’s birthday that day and we’re having a big party. Jesse’s coming too.”

Danny nods feeling disappointed as he looks directly at Doris: “Well Schwartz are you in?”

Doris shrugs: “You think that just the two of us can pull this off? You’ve got more faith than I have.”

Danny sighs “Come on Schwartz, we’ve got the seniors show, we can do this!”

Doris reluctantly agrees: “Okay if you get Miss Grant to agree then I’m in, but why do I have the feeling that I’m going to regret this?”

Dwight has sat silently throughout the conversation now he clears his throat to get Danny’s attention: “What about me Amatullo?”

Danny is surprised by the question: “What about you?”

Dwight: “Well I’m happy to help!”

Danny is hesitant: “What you and your Tuba?”

Dwight is indignant: “It’s a sousaphone!”

Danny shrugs: “Okay, what you and your sousaphone?”

The others laugh and Dwight becomes frustrated: “Yes me and my sousaphone. From where I’m standing that’s pretty much all you’ve got at the moment.”

Danny smiles: “I tell you what, don’t call me, I’ll call you!”

The others laugh again, much to the frustration of Dwight.

At Caruso’s Bruno finally makes his way back to Holly: “Sorry things have got a little busy. Can I get you something?”

A smile crosses Holly’s face: “How about a date?”

Bruno is taken aback by the question and Holly sees his reaction and quickly starts to back track.

Holly: “I don’t mean a date date. It’s just I’d love to go ice skating and I don’t have anyone to go with.”

Bruno is slightly relieved: “What about Danny and Doris?”

Holly sighs: “Well I guess I could ask them but...”

Bruno sees the disappointment in Holly’s face and interrupts: “Okay, I’m in but just as friends okay?”

The smile returns and Holly’s face lights up: “That’s great and of course just as friends. I wasn’t meaning anything more.”

Bruno nods: “Now, can I get you something that is on the menu?”

Holly smiles again: “Just some lemon tea please.”

The next morning Danny walks along the snowy sidewalk, almost slipping on the snow. An arm reaches out to stop him from falling. Danny looks up to see Leroy smiling back at him.

Leroy remarks: “I thought you needed some help there.”

Danny smiles: “Thanks man, I can’t afford to injure myself. I’ve got a Christmas show to organise.”

Leroy looks at him curiously: “What show?”

Danny: “It’s for my Pop, the Knights of St Anthony Christmas show. You want to help?”

Leroy: “When have you known me to turn a chance to dance?”

Danny smiles: “That’s great, thanks man.”

At that moment a bus pulls up and a tired looking Lydia steps off of it and on to the sidewalk, she sees them and calls out: “Morning boys!”

Danny sees his opportunity: “Miss Grant can I ask you something?”

Lydia fixes him with a stare: “As long as you’re not looking for any help with anything. I’ve got my hands full with the seniors show and my family are coming to me for Christmas so I’m cooking and lots to organise”.

Leroy smirks: “You’re cooking?”

Lydia indignantly: “Yes, what of it?”

Leroy: “Oh nothing!”

Lydia looks at him suspiciously and then turns her attention back to Danny: “So come on spit it out. What is it that you want?”

Danny hesitates: “Well, it, is a sort of a favour, but you don’t really have to do very much.”

Lydia raises an eyebrow: “Then why does it sound like I do?”

Danny shakes his head: “No no, it’s just I’ve got to put a show together for my Dad at the last minute and I was wondering if I could use part of the seniors show?”

Lydia ponders for a moment: “I don’t know Danny. We still have so much work to put in on that show and it’s still developing. It’s really important and I don’t want the dancers to get distracted doing something else. I haven’t got any time to work on anything else and neither have the dancers. This is really important for them and distractions could mean they miss out on some big opportunities, I know you can understand that. I’m really sorry but my answer has to be no and I don’t want to see any of the dancers getting involved in something else either. I need them focused. You know how hard it is to get them to rehearsals as it is.”

With that she shoots a sideways glance at Leroy who pulls a face back at her.

Danny feels very disappointment but nods his understanding to Lydia, who sees his disappointment.

Lydia: “I am sorry Danny. I would help if I could but I just don’t see how that is possible.”

She then turns to Leroy: “I don’t want to see you involved. I need you fresh and focussed for the show. There’s a lot riding on your shoulders, so there’s extra rehearsal tonight after school and each night this week.”

Leroy has scheduled to work at Lou’s and doesn’t want to let him down again for fear he may have no job left at all: “But Miss Grant.....”

Lydia interrupts him: “Child, I don’t want to hear no excuses, if I can rearrange my hectic schedule to help you, then you can rearrange yours! Remember that’s what this show is all about. Helping you and the other seniors get the best start that you can when you graduate.”

Leroy falls silent knowing his teacher is right. He looks at Danny with an apologetic look: “Sorry man!”

Lydia heads into the School, followed by Leroy, who turns and calls to Danny: “You comin’?”

Danny calls back: “I’ll be there in a minute”.

Danny’s attention has been caught by Shorofsky who is walking along the opposite sidewalk.

Danny rushes over to him: “Mr Shorofsky how would you like to play Father Christmas?”

Shorofsky stops, scratches his white beard and gives Danny a surprised look: “Mr Amatullo, this may surprise you but I can’t say that playing Father Christmas is on my list of things to do. After all I am Jewish!”

Danny detects a note of sarcasm in the old man’s voice.

Danny tries asking again: “Come on Mr Shorofsky, it’s for a good cause. All you have to do is put the suit on and say Ho Ho Ho a few times.”

Danny’s argument fails to convince Shorofsky, who continues to use the sarcastic tone: “As tempting as you’ve made the offer I think I’ll pass. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to get into school.”

With that he disappears up the steps and into the school. Danny can’t believe his bad luck and how difficult he’s finding convincing people to help with the Christmas show.

In the music booth Doris sits playing her guitar, putting the finishing touches to a Christmas song that she’s trying to write. She adds the last couple of notes to the sheet music and after giving the paper the once over starts to sing the song.

“Windshields kissed in snow on this endless interstate,

Over fields we go, laughing all the way.

We sing Love, Love, Love, It’s glorious.

Friends and family near. No more judgements, no more fear.

All is calm, all is bright. Everyone will hold this light and sing

Love, Love, Love, It’s glorious.

Sleep in heavenly, (in heavenly)

Sleep in heavenly (in heavenly)

Believe in heavenly (in heavenly peace.)

I have heard the angels, sweetly singing on the plane

And I’ve heard the mountains, echoing their sweet refrain.

They Sing Love, Love,

Love, Love, Love, it’s glorious.

Love, Love, Love, it’s glorious.

Love, Love, Love, It’s Glorious.

Sleep in heavenly, (in heavenly)

Sleep in heavenly, (in heavenly)

Believe in heavenly (in heavenly peace)”

As the last note sounds out she smiles to herself, please with the results.

In the teacher’s lounge Mrs Berg sits at the table sipping coffee and looking worried. Lydia is pouring herself a coffee and Sherwood and Reardon sit on the sofa discussing Sherwood’s problem of Morloch wanting an invitation to Christmas lunch.

Sherwood: “Oh David, I don’t know how I’m going to get out of it!”

David laughs: “Just try and avoid him!”

Sherwood sighs: “That not easy in this school.”

Shorfosky enters and notices the upset look on Mrs Bergs face: Are you okay Mrs Berg, you seem upset?”

Mrs Berg lets out a big sigh: “Oh it was so terrible. Did you see it?”

Shrofosky shrugs not sure what she is talking about but Mrs Berg doesn’t notice and continues.

Mrs Berg sobs: “Oh, those poor children, starving to death in Ethiopia. It was just so upsetting...”

Mrs Berg’s voice trails off and tears well up in her eyes. She pulls a lace handkerchief from her pocket and dries her eyes. The other teachers, feeling concerned, all turn to watch the older woman, while Lydia walks over and gives her a comforting hug. At that moment Morloch enters the room. He sees Mrs Berg being emotional and Lydia comforting her and shakes his head.

Morloch snaps: “What’s wrong with you bleeding hearts now? Has one of the little tinkerbells lost her favourite tutu or something?”

Lydia flashes him a harsh look while Mrs Berg becomes even more upset.

Mrs Berg: “Oh Mr Morloch, no!, Oh my goodness, oh my! ..... oh dear, Surely even you couldn’t be that heartless?”

With that she bursts into tears and rushes out of the room, with her handkerchief in hand covering her mouth and nose. Morloch looks around the room at the faces of the other teachers, not having a clue as to what is wrong with Mrs Berg.

Morloch asks: “Why is everyone in this school so sensitive about everything? Can’t we just have a normal day without someone bursting into tears over the slightest thing.....”

Angry with Morloch’s attitude Sherwood interrupts: “MR MORLOCH!, if you took a moment to find out what is going on before you barge in with your derisive comments you’d discover Mrs Berg is upset after watching last night’s news report on the people starving to death in Ethiopia. If you’d seen the report then you’d know how horrific some of those pictures were and how upsetting they are for any normal human beings that have feelings. I think you owe Mrs Berg an apology.”

With that Sherwood grabs her bag and a pile of books and storms out of the room. Lydia looks accusingly at Morloch while David just shakes his head.

Morlcoh looks at the floor feeling guilty for his comments and becomes very defensive: “Of course I have feelings. Despite what you people may think I’m not an ogre. Of course that news report was heartbreaking, but... I didn’t know that’s what had upset Mrs Berg.”

Shorofsky turns to leave: “You sure know how to empty a room, don’t you?”

Lydia: “Well if you ask for my opinion I think you owe both Elizabeth and Mrs Berg an apology.”

Morloch snarls at her: “I didn’t ask for your opinion!”

Lydia indignantly: “Then consider it an early Christmas gift! It’s probably the only one that you’re going to get!”

With that Lydia too leaves the room, with Reardon following behind leaving Morloch alone. He looks around the empty room shaking his head.

Lydia and David walk into the lobby and up the main corridor.

David calls after the dance teacher: “Wait up I need to ask you something!”

Lydia snaps: “Walk and talk dear, walk and talk. Time is money and I’m broke!”

David takes a deep breath: “We’ll I had an audition for a Broadway show last night and I’ve got a call back for a vocal audition.”

Lydia becomes excited: “Oh David that’s great news.”

David: “Well I was rather hoping that you’d help me out to prepare for the audition after school tomorrow night?”

Lydia signs: “Why is it everyone needs my help today? I’m sorry David but I have rehearsal for the senior’s show tomorrow and every night. I’d love to be able to help you I really would but I don’t think I’m going to be able to.”

David is disappointed: “Thanks anyway, I’m sure I’ll be okay without any help.”

Danny stands in Morloch’s office: “Please Mr Morloch. I just need the auditorium to put on a Christmas show for the knights of St Anthony. It’s very important to my Father.”

Morloch shakes his head in despair: “There’s no good begging Amatullo, the answer is still No!”

Danny protests: “But Mr Morloch, you haven’t even heard me out yet.”

Morloch: “I don’t need to. The fact is we simply aren’t insured for outside organisations to put on shows in our auditorium and that’s the end of the matter! Now get out of my office and back to class!”

Danny feels totally dejected but as he reaches the door he stops and turns back giving things one last go: “Okay so we can’t hold the show here but how about helping in other ways? How would you like to play the important role of Father Christmas?”

Morloch looks at him sternly: “Do I look like Father Christmas to you?”

Danny hestitates: “Well, no but with a fake beard and a suit I’m sure you could do a good job.”

Morloch doesn’t have the patience to listen to anymore and yells: “Out Amatullo!”

Danny: “So is that a NO?”

Morloch snaps: “OUT!”

Dwight Mandenhall has had a crush on Holly all year. He knows she doesn't even notice him but still he can't fight the wonderful feelings he has when he's close to her. He sits in the music class mesmerised by Holly, who is performing a song with Jesse as Mr Shorofsky plays the piano:

“Spiralling and trembelling snowflakes tumble down.

Fluttering like angel wings, like diamonds on the ground.

Autumn Leaves are gone now. Winter winds blow cold.

I dance through December with your hand to hold.

Oh it’s you I miss the most every time it snows.

Carollers and revellers their songs are bittersweet.

The treats are full but they can’t fill the emptiness in me.

Christmas lights are sparkling, still they lack a glow.

Everything reminds me you’re too far from home.

Always you I miss the most every time it snows.

Please come back. Please come back. Back to me, My Love

I need you here, in my life.

I cry frozen tears.

Spiralling and trembleing the snowflakes tumble down.

Fluttering like angel wings they fall without a sound.”

Shorofsky: “Very nice Miss Laird, you too Mr Velasquez.”

Dwight watches wishing Holly was singing to him.

Later that day Danny sits on his bed, thinking about what a dreadful day he’s had and how he still only really had Doris helping him out but no venue, no dancers and no Santa. He sighs not quite sure how he’s going to pull things off. At that moment his father pokes his head around the door.

Carmine Amatullo: “I just wanted to check how things are going? If it’s too much I can get someone else involved?”

Danny shakes his head: “No Pop, it’s all going great. I’ve got so much organised I don’t need any help. This will be the best Christmas show that the Knights of St Anthony have ever seen.”

Carmine happily pats his son on the back: “That’s great Danny. I wasn’t sure you’d be able to pull this off so I’m glad that it’s coming together. I can’t wait to see it. I’m proud of you son.”

Danny gives a weak smile as his father closes the door. He looks up to the heavens: “What am I going to do?”

To be continued.....