Wish Upon A Christmas Star Part 6

Leroy yells at Morloch: "I didn't do it I tell!"

Morloch isn't convinced: "Look Johnson, everyone knows you are struggling for money and you were overheard telling Miss Grant that you'd get the money some how! Then suddenly the charity money is stolen!"

Leroy feels agitated: "Yeah, well just because I said that doesn't mean I stole any money!"

Morloch softens his voice: "Look kid, I know times are hard but if you just tell the truth and give the money back I'm sure we'll be easy on you."

Leroy is indignant: "I am telling the truth. I ain't no thief!"

Morloch’s tone hardens again: "Well, if no one owns up then we'll have to call in the police and I can't guarantee they will be easy on you. It maybe Christmas but theft is still theft!"

Leroy shakes his head in frustration: "Just because I'm black, poor and from the ghetto don't make me a thief. Bring in the police if you like, they can't do anything to me because I ain't taken the money."

Morloch becomes cautious: "Whoa slow down there fella, no one is saying this is anything to do with you being black!"

Leroy glares at the vice Principle: "Yeah well what is it about then?"

In the office Lydia, Sherwood and Shorofsky are at the cubby holes and Mrs Berg is behind the counter beside herself: "Oh my why did Leroy do it?"

Lydia overhears and is puzzled: "Excuse Me! what did you say about Leroy?"

Mrs Berg is upset and pats her face with her white lace handkerchief: "Oh Miss Grant, Leroy stole the charity money. He's in with Mr Morloch right now."

Lydia is shocked and looks at Elizabeth in disbelief: "Leroy stole the money? surely there is some mistake!"

Mrs Berg points out: "Oh Mr Morloch doesn't make mistakes!"

Lydia and Elizabeth exchange sceptical glances and Shorofsky asks: "What evidence does he have to prove Leroy did it?"

Mrs Berg pulls a confused face: "Well I'm not really sure but he seemed to know straight away that it was Leroy."

Anger begins to surge inside of Lydia: "I bet he did!"

In the Auditorium Dwight and some of his friends from the brass band play some Christmas music. Jesse and Chris try to hide their amusement. Chris shakes his head: "Man, is this what Amatullo thinks is Christmas entertainment. This stinks!"

Jesse adds: "It's got a long way to go before it’s as good as stinks!”

Nicole tries to be more positive: "Come on guys, they are doing their best with what they've got!"

Jesse feels frustrated that Nicole is yet again taking Danny's side but bites his tongue to avoid another argument.

Doris sits alone at the back of the auditorium looking miserable. Holly enters and approaches the main group of students. She notices Doris and asks: "What's wrong with Doris?"

Nicole shakes her head: "It's some kind of argument with Danny. I'm not really sure of all the details, it's something to do with someone called Bruno!"

Holly almost jumps at the sound of Bruno's name: "Bruno, what about him!"

Nicole shrugs and Chris tries to explain: "Apparently Bruno is back in town, Danny knew and didn't tell Doris so she's feeling hurt and left out!"

Holly is confused: "But how did she know? I mean, how did she find out Bruno is back?"

It's now Chris' turn to shrug: "Beats me, but she does and she's not happy!"

Holly stands watching Doris for a moment wondering if she also knows about her relationship with Bruno.

Danny then launches into an up-tempo Christmas song which lightens the mood and has the other kids clapping along. Doris however gets up and leaves the auditorium.

"Only one gift on my list

I don't have to check it twice

I'm gonna have to count of St. Nick

Maybe he can make it right

I know but I'll try anything

And miracles have happened

And I think I hear those sleigh bells ring

Oh oh

I gotta get the Christmas spirit

I can't get anywhere near it

But I'm here hoping desperately

I'll do it up with all the trimmings

Christmas tree and carols singing

Anything to bring my baby back to me

All I want's a happy ending

Waiting there when I get home

I don't want to wind up spending

Another winter all alone

I hope it's not too much to ask

I'm sure you must be busy

So I'll try to end this story fast

Oh oh

I gotta get the Christmas spirit

I can't get anywhere near it

But I'm here hoping desperately

I'll do it up with all the trimmings

Christmas tree and carols singing

Anything to bring my baby back to me

I gotta get the Christmas spirit

I can't get anywhere near it

But I'm here hoping desperately

I'll do it up with all the trimmings

Christmas tree and carols singing

Anything to bring my baby back to me

Santa bring my baby back

Santa bring my baby back

Santa bring my baby back to me

Santa bring my baby back

Santa bring my baby back

Santa bring my baby back to me"

Leroy storms out of Morloch's office in to the main school office. Lydia sees him and tries to talk to him but Leroy is too angry to stop and just storms on past. Morloch is close behind and calls over to Mrs Berg: "Well it looks like you'll need to call the police, he's not going to confess!"

Elizabeth tries to intervene: "Mr Morloch is it really necessary to call the police?"

Morloch is blunt: "We have a thief at our school, so yes I think it's necessary to call the police. What is the alternative? All sit around the piano and have a little sing song?"

Elizabeth rolls her eyes. Lydia has so far been quiet apart from the frustrated tapping of her fingers on the office counter but she can hold back no longer: "Mr Morloch! Don't you think we are being a little hasty here accusing people and bringing in the police?"

Morloch takes a deep breath to help him remain calm: "No miss Grant I don't think we're being hasty here. When will you people wake up and realise that we are preparing these kids for the real World. In the real World there's not always a happy ending followed by everyone singing and dancing to forget the problem! These kids have to realise that there are consequences to their actions!"

Lydia snaps angrily: "Well, in the real life, people usually have to have more than some circumstantial rubbish to go accusing other people of theft! Don't you realise how much time and effort we have all put into Leroy. He could barely read when he came to this school and was only interested in dancing. Now he works really hard at his academics so he can be in the shows. I've seen him grow and mature over the years into a fine young man. He tutored Chris Donlan when he first came to the school and I've seen him give up the lead in a show to train with Billy Hall to give him a shot. Leroy is turning into a fine teacher because the kids listen and respect him. He's on their level. I've just seen him give up the lead in the next show purely so he can work hard and buy his mother a plane ticket so they can be together for Christmas. Then you come in here and try to undo all that hard work."

Morloch shakes his head in despair: "The way I heard it, you'd already given the lead in the show to Michael, so Leroy actually only gave up being in the chorus!"

Lydia starts to yell: "What does it matter what he gave up?"

Realising she is shouting, Lydia takes a deep breath, rubs her forehead with her hand and continues in a calmer tone: "The point is the Leroy I know is not a thief. However, he certainly doesn't need the police hassling him."

Morloch quips: "If he's done nothing wrong then he hasn't got anything to worry about!"

Lydia shouts again: "Really, well you know him and you've already got him tried and sentenced! In the real world how understanding are the police going to be of a young black guy! All they are going to see is a thug from the wrong side of town. Real life is not as simple as you've done nothing wrong, so you haven't got anything to worry about. Certainly not when you're someone like Leroy! Tell him Elizabeth, he might just listen to you!"

Elizabeth realises that Lydia is struggling to keep hold of her temper so takes on the argument in a much calmer voice: "Mr Morloch, Lydia is right. Haven't you been here long enough to understand what this school is about, what the kids in this school are like? They aren’t like other teenagers, they aren't doing drugs, they aren't drinking alcohol or staying out all night partying. They work hard at academics, they come in here all hours practicing their chosen art or for the next show. When will you ever learn that!"

Morloch looks at Elizabeth for a moment before answering: "Miss Sherwood, no matter how wonderful an image you paint of these kids, the fact of the matter is that someone in this school is a thief. Maybe it's not Leroy but one of your prima donnas has stolen money that was meant for starving children."

The conversation has reached an uncomfortable stalemate and everyone stands in silence feeling awkward. At that moment Reardon enters the office and notices the tension. Cautiously he walks up sees Mrs Berg: "There you are Mrs Berg I was looking for you."

He pulls out a wad of dollar bills and hands them over to her. Mrs Berg is shocked: "My, Mr Readon I'm shocked, How could you take the money?"

David sheepishly looks around at the other members of the faculty who are looking at him: "I didn't take it. I found it in the teacher's lounge. I assume you've accidently left it there and would be worried you'd thought you'd lost it!"

Mrs Berg takes the money and puts it back into the empty jar: "Oh my, I seem to have made a mistake the money wasn't stolen after all!"

Lydia looks at Morloch and gloats: "Well someone owes Leroy Johnson an apology!"

Morloch pulls a face at the dance teacher before picking up the jar of money from the counter: "I think I better take this for safe keeping!

Morloch then turns to Elizabeth: "Oh Miss Sherwood, now the situation with the money has been cleared maybe we can discuss that other matter?"

Elizabeth looks at him in disbelief, shakes her head as she picks up her bag and walks out of the office."

Morloch starts to go after her: "Oh Miss Sherwood.."

Shorofsky blocks the door and advises: "Maybe after this latest argument you've created it might be advisable to let things calm down before you go asking for favours!"

Morloch realises that the music teacher is probably right so makes his way back to his office.

Mrs Berg sighs: "Oh well, let's hope the rest of the day isn't so eventful! And thank you Mr Reardon for bringing the money back."

David smiles, picks up his notices from his cubby hole and heads into the lobby. He sees Mrs Perskey heading into the teacher's lounge and calls over to her: "Oh Mrs Perskey can I have a word with you please?"

Mrs Perskey smiles and holds the door, to the teacher's lounge, for him: "Certainly Mr Reardon, what can I do for you?"

David asks: "Would you like some coffee?"

Mrs Perskey nods: "Yes please." She pulls out a tissue and dabs her nose: "Oh these damn allergies! Even in Winter I'm suffering."

David hands her a mug of coffee and asks: "I was wondering how you are settling in?"

Mrs Perskey nods: "Oh fine. It's not quite what I'm used to. I'm used to more hours but it's fine. The people are really nice and I love teaching drama and being able to coax a performance out of someone."

David's face lights up by the woman's comments: "It's funny you say you normally do more hours because that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You see I'm up for this part in a show and well, if I get it I won't be around here that much. So Mr Morloch will be looking for a replacement and I promised I'd help him find one. My first thought was of you. Initially I thought you'd just want something temporary to help out but if you wanted the job full time and permanent then I'm sure Morloch would be more than happy to consider you."

Mrs Perskey smiles: "Well that all sounds wonderful. I hope you get the part!"

As the song ends, the woman doesn’t notice that Coco is watching and sits quietly in silence.

Coco clears her throat to attract the woman’s attention: “Erm, excuse me I’m looking for Heather Jordan.”

The woman looks curiously over in Coco’s direction: “I’m Heather Jordan, can I help you?”

Coco smiles: “Well by the sound of that song, I’m the one who can help you.”

Heather is puzzled and Coco continues: “Well, I have a message for you about a mutual friend of ours. I’m Coco Hernandez by the way.”

Heather nods her head slowly: “Coco? You’re a friend of Bruno’s aren’t you? Is the message from Bruno?”

Coco nods: “Yes I’m a friend of Bruno’s but the message isn’t actually from him, it’s from another friend, but it is about Bruno.”

Heather waits expectantly as Coco continues: “Bruno is missing you and feels like he’s made a mistake leaving like he did.”

Heather is happy to hear the news but suddenly a nagging doubt crosses her mind: “Well if that’s true, why isn’t he the one here saying that to me?”

Coco shrugs: “I don’t know all the ins and outs, just that a friend asked me to tell you what the situation is. Knowing Bruno, he’s not great at discussing his feelings, he’d rather write it all down in a song. I bet he’s written a song about you.”

Heather sighs: “Well it’s too bad he’s not here so he can sing it for me and I can hear what he has to say. I don’t wish to be rude but Bruno left me, I think he needs to be the one to make the first move, not get his friends to send messages.”

Coco sympathises and nods in agreement: “l hear what you’re saying. I don’t want to interfere; I just don’t like hearing that one of my friends is hurting, even if they may have brought it upon themselves. I’m just trying to help my friend by passing on the message. What you do with the information is up to you.”

Coco turns around and heads towards the door. Just before she passes through the door, she pauses and turns back: “Look I’ve made mistakes in my life too. Once I’ve made a decision I’ve stuck with it. That doesn’t mean I’ve always been right and that I haven’t regretted my decisions. It’s just sometimes you really don’t know what the other person is thinking or feeling. Bruno doesn’t know that you’re missing him and that you’re singing Christmas songs about him not being here. So he’s probably thinking what he did was for the best. However, you have now been told how he’s feeling so if you want him then do something about it. Complaining that he needs to make the first move is just going to leave you both miserable!”

With that Coco continues walking back down the corridor leaving Heather to contemplate what she has said.

Back at the School of the Arts, Bruno stands outside looking at the building where he’d once been a music student. He takes a deep breath and heads up the steps into the lobby. Bruno sees Danny waiting for him by the pay phones.

Danny greets him: “Yo Bruno, thanks for coming man. You’re my last hope. Doris has to listen to you.”

Bruno gives a weak smile: “You think so?”

Danny nods: “I know so!”

Bruno isn’t convinced: “Okay well I hope you’re right. Where is she?”

Danny takes his friend’s arm and leads him to the cafeteria: “She’s in there, sulking!”

Bruno takes another deep breath and is about to enter the room, when he notices Danny holding back: “Wait, aren’t you coming with me?”

Danny grimaces: “Erm, well I’d like to but I figure if Doris sees me with you, that’s going to tick her off straight away. So I figure you’ve got more chance of getting through to her alone."

Bruno shakes his head: “Coward!”

With that Bruno enters the lunch room alone, which is a hive of activity, with students rushing around, chattering, laughing, playing a little music.

Holly is sat with Nicole, Chris and Jesse and notices Bruno straight away, which brings a broad smile to her face. Nicole notices the smile and looks over to where Holly is looking and sees Bruno: “Who’s that?”

Chris looks up, smiles and replies: “That’s Bruno Martelli, what’s he doing here?”

Chris is about to go to greet his friend, when Holly places a hand on his arm to hold him back: “I think we should let him see Doris first.”

Chris reluctantly agrees.

Holly is happy to see Bruno but concerned that other people knowing about her relationship with him could jeopardise things. She watches him look around the room and make his way towards Doris, who sits alone at one of the tables, picking at some of the food in front of her but not really eating it.

Nicole is intrigued by Holly’s reaction to seeing Bruno and asks: “Holly is this the guy you’ve been seeing?”

Chris is surprised: “What you and Martelli?”

Holly is embarrassed and her face blushes a crimson red: “Nicole don’t be so silly. Bruno is an old friend that’s all and I’m just surprised to see him back at the school. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen him.”

Nicole isn’t totally convinced by Holly’s answer but tactfully doesn’t pursue the matter.

Bruno approaches Doris and asks: “Is this seat taken?”

Doris looks up and is surprised to see her old friend: “Bruno? Who knew you were back?”

She pauses for a moment and then angrily continues: “Oh wait everyone... everyone that is except me!”

Bruno is shocked by the cold reception: “Doris I’m sorry, I just needed...”

Doris interrupts: “No I’m sorry you’ll have to excuse me I’ve got to get to class.”

Bruno snaps: “But isn’t it lunch time?”

Doris gathers up her belongings: “Yeah well I’ve got rehearsal!”

Bruno sighs: “Look Doris I’d really like to talk to you. Can we arrange to meet up after your rehearsal?”

Doris glares at him and snaps: “Look I’m busy!”

As she quickly heads towards the door, Bruno follows: “Doris can we talk? I’d like to explain.”

At that moment Shorofsky enters the cafeteria and is pleasantly surprised to see Bruno and rushes over to him: “Mister Martelli, how wonderful to see you. What are you doing here?”

The older man enthusiastically hugs Bruno, who watches Doris disappear out of the room.

Danny sees Doris leaving the cafeteria and calls to her: “Did you see Bruno? Is everything all sorted out now?”

Doris looks back and glares at him and then storms off up the corridor.

Danny mutters to himself: “I'll take that as a Bo then!”

Sherwood and Lydia walk arm in arm back along the sidewalk to the school having been out to lunch together. Lydia notice Morloch heading towards the school from the opposite direction: “Don’t look now dear, our esteemed leader is approaching.”

Elizabeth sighs: “Do you think he’s seen us?”

Before Lydia can answer they see Carmine Amatullo crossing the street. He sees Morloch and calls over to him.

Carmine: “It’s Mr Morloch isn’t it?”

Morloch is a little puzzled who he’s talking to: “Yes it is!”

Carmine notices the puzzled look on the vice Principal’s face and reaches out to shake Morloch’s hand: “I’m Carmine Amatallo, Danny’s father. I was just dropping by to see how preparations for the Christmas benefit are going. Do you know where Danny is?”

Morloch shakes the man’s hand and shrugs: “Well it’s lunch time, you could try the cafeteria.”

Carmine smiles and is just about to head into the school when he turns back: “You know Mr Morloch I can’t thank you enough for being so understanding and letting Danny hold the benefit at the School. The Knights of St Anthony is very important to me and I was worried that Danny wouldn’t be able to pull this off and would embarrass me. Thank you for your support. It means a great deal.”

Morloch is confused: “Erm Mr Amatullo, I think there must be some mistake. Danny can’t use the school for the benefit, we’d be in breach of the insurance regulations. I don’t know what he’s told you but the show won’t be taking place here.”

Lydia and Elizabeth noticed the surprised look on Mr Amatullo’s face: “Erm, Oh I see. I guess erm... I must have made some mistake. Danny must have something else in mind and not told me all the details.”

Morloch shrugs: “Well between you and me I wouldn’t get your hopes up about the show anyway because from what I’ve heard there isn’t much of a show to put on. Danny has failed to get many people involved and the few that he has he’s alienating. At the moment it looks like it’s going to be a one man show!”

Carmine is shocked by Morloch’s comments and swallows hard trying not to let his disappointment show. "I guess I should have listened to my instincts, Danny’s never going to be able to come up with anything worthwhile. I was just fooling myself to believe in him. Thank you Mr Morloch for being honest with me."

With that Carmine hurries off down the street angry that Danny had lied to him.

To be Continued......