Wish Upon A Christmas Star Part 8
Bruno waits patiently outside Shorofsky’s classroom. Dwight has stayed behind after class to ask Shorofsky’s advice on the music he’s chosen for Danny’s Benefit show. As he leaves the classroom he yells: “Thanks Mr Shorofsky, that’s a big help.”
Dwight then notices Bruno and glares at him. Bruno is confused about what Dwight’s problem is but doesn’t have time to deal with that now. Instead he enters the music teacher’s classroom.
Shorofsky stands making notes on his blackboard and is surprised to see Bruno again: “Mister Martelli, two visits in one day, to what do I owe this honour?”
Bruno smiles: “Well, I’ve come to ask you a favour.”
Shorofsky stokes his white beard and ponders what Bruno could want: “Do I need to be sitting down for this?”
Bruno laughs: “No”
Shorofsky sits down anyway: “Well as long as you’re not asking for money?”
Bruno shakes his head: “No, I’m not asking for money. I’m asking on behalf of Danny, he needs a ...”
Shorofsky interrupts: “Mister Martelli, if you’re asking for what I think you’re asking for then the answer is no. I’ve already said no to Mister Amatullo and to a very persuasive Miss Schwartz. Frankly I’m getting a little tired of people asking!”
Bruno is surprised by the outburst: “Come on Mr Shorofsky, what could it hurt?”
Shorofsky raises an eyebrow: “Mister Martelli, I’m a professional teacher, trying to help these young people develop into professional musician. How much respect do you think I’ll get if I start dressing up. Besides, it may have escaped your attention but I’m Jewish and I don’t even celebrate Christmas!”
Bruno is indignant: “I’m aware of that but no one is asking you to convert to a different religion or suddenly embrace everything that Christmas brings! I’m just asking you to wear a red suit for a couple of hours, you’ve already got the rest of the look down pat. Besides it’s for a good cause, starving children and all that. Haven’t you heard that charity work is the latest craze? Even famous British pop stars are getting in on the act.”
Shorofsky throws him a dirty look: “You mean you are just asking me to make a fool of myself for a couple of hours and since when did I care what pop stars do?”
A thought suddenly occurs to Bruno: “Are you scared?”
Shorofsky dismisses the question: “Scared? Don’t be ridiculous Shorofsky is never scared!”
Bruno smirks: “So you’ll do it then?”
Shorofsky shakes his head in frustration: “I’ve said no Mister Martelli and I mean No!”
Bruno softens his voice and tries a different tact: “You know when I was scared of performing in public, you gave me a pep talk and made me do it anyway. You then booed my performance to teach me a lesson and make me a better performer. Maybe it’s time you started taking your own advice! The Shorofsky I know and love wouldn’t be scared of making a fool of himself, he'd go out there and do it anyway and prove other people wrong.”
Shorofsky again scratches his beard: “Okay Mister Martelli I’ll do it, on one condition, that you dress up as my elf helper!”
Bruno laughs: “What? You want me to dress up as an elf? Do I look like an elf to you? I’ll be a laughing stock!”
Shorofsky feels he has the upper hand: “Ah ha, you see, it’s different when it’s you that has to dress up. What’s the matter Mister Martelli, elves aren’t cool enough for you or are the pop stars not dressing up as elves this year?”
Bruno sighs and decides to call Shorofsky’s bluff: “Okay okay, you win. If me dressing up is the only way you’ll play Santa then I’ll do it. Do we have a deal?”
Shorofsky is a little surprised that Bruno gave in so easily and realises he’s talked himself into playing the role of father Christmas. He hesitates for a moment and then takes Bruno’s out stretched hand to shake it: “Okay Mister Martelli we have a deal. But I want to see you in your costume before I make an appearance in mine. Understood?”
Bruno nods: “Understood!”
Bruno stops and reflects on the past: “You know, I’ve missed our little fights like this.”
Shorofsky smiles and squeezes the younger man’s hand: “Me too. Things aren’t the same around here, without you.”
In Sherwood’s English classroom Doris asks Sherwood to repeat some scales: “Do, Ri, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti!”
Sherwood repeats them but hasn’t grasps the concept of how scales work and that each note needs to be higher than the previous one. Sherwood just repeats them all in the same tone.
Doris tries to explain how it works while Danny feeling restless looks at the clock on the wall: “Schwartz? You got this right? I just need to get out of here and talk to my Dad.”
Doris looks at him and then back at Miss Sherwood: “Okay, you go I’ll work my magic here.”
As Danny rushes out of the room and down the corridor towards the exit he is stopped by Mrs Berg calling his name: “Danny Amatullo stop right there I want a word with you!”
Danny stops, turns round and is surprised to see Mrs Berg in front of him wearing a red Santa outfit. She asks: “Well, what do you think?”
Danny is puzzled: “Think about what?”
Mrs Berg is frustrated: “Why, what do you think of my costume, of course?”
Danny looks the old woman up and down: “It’s very nice Mrs Berg are you going to a costume party or something?”
Mrs Berg feels put out: “No, it’s for your show. I hear you’re having problems getting people involved. Well, I want to show my support. I want to be in the show!”
With that she stretches out both her arms, then firstly kicks up her right leg and then her left leg and repeats as she almost shouts a few lines of a song: “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know... and may all you Christmases be WHITE!”
As she screeches the final note she kneels down on one knee and throws both hands in the air: “Well what do you think? Am I in?”
Danny is a little lost for words and is beginning to think he’s never going to pull this show off. He pauses for a moment not sure how to respond: “Look Mrs Berg I’m in a real rush. See Doris Schwartz, she’s in charge of our vocalists. I gotta go.”
With that Danny rushes out of the school. Mrs Berg stands up feeling frustrated: “These kids wouldn’t know talent if it bit then on the tush!”
As Danny comes out of the school main entrance he sees Holly waiting outside the school. When she hears someone approaching, she looks up expectantly, her face turning to disappointment when she sees it’s Danny.
Danny asks: “What are you doing, hanging around here for?”
Holly shrugs: “Just hanging out!”
Danny becomes concerned: “Are you okay? Isn’t a little cold to be hanging out in the street?”
Holly pauses for a moment: “I guess I’m in no rush to get home.”
Danny smirks: “You and me both. I’m dreading facing my father!”
Holly squeezes his hand: “I’m sure he’ll be okay when you explain it all to him.”
Danny gives a weak smile: “I wish I could be so sure”
Holly gives a little laugh: “You may think this is crazy, but when I feel unsure about something I make a wish on a star!”
Danny laughs: “Does that work?”
Holly nods: “Sure..., well most of the time anyway. What have you got to lose?”
As Danny makes his excuses and starts to leave he turns back: “Yeah, well maybe I’ll give it a go.”
Back in the English class Doris is feeling frustrated. Sherwood is now singing a different tone for each note but they don’t always get higher, the odd one will be lower than the previous note and it sounds very odd. Doris decides upon a different approach: “Why don’t you just sing a few lines from a song, so I can gage how you interpret it.”
Sherwood isn’t sure: “Well, what song should I sing?”
Doris tries to keep calm: “It doesn’t matter. Any song just so I can get an idea of your singing voice."
Sherwood thinks for a moment: “Okay, how about this: "
“Oh the weather outside is frightful .... Let it Snow, Let it snow, Let it Snow!”
Doris listens as Sherwood massacres the song. She is totally flat and out of tune: “Okay maybe we should call it a night. I’ll give it some thought and see what song I can make work for you and we’ll reconvene at 7.00am, okay?”
Sherwood notices the look on Doris’ face: “I’m not very good am I?”
Doris tries to be tactful: “Well, we’ve got a lot of work to do but we’ll make it work.”
Sherwood gives a weak smile: “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
Doris doesn’t answer: “I’ll see you in the morning. Good night.”
Sherwood watches her leave feeling disheartened about the prospect of performing.
At Lou’s Lanes Cleo is waitressing and is concerned about a conversation she’s overhearing between Leroy and Chris.
Leroy is hesitant: “Are you positive this is a sure thing?”
Chris sighs: “Do you want to raise the money for your mom’s ticket or not?”
Leroy snaps: “Of Course I do. I just don’t want to lose the money I’ve made so far.”
Chris tries to encourage him: “My old man knows a man and he says the race is fixed, so you can’t lose. You’ll have enough not only to buy the ticket but also to buy her a nice Christmas present too.”
Leroy hesitates and reluctantly hands the money over to Chris. Cleo can’t standby any more: “Leroy don’t do it. Gambling isn’t the answer. I’ll lend you the extra money if you want me to.”
Chris snaps at her: “Stay out of this Cleo, it isn’t gambling when you know who the winner is!”
Leroy gives her a weak smile: “It’s okay, I know what I’m doing. Besides I couldn’t take any money from you.”
Cleo shakes her head in frustration as she gets back to work. Chris comments: “I’ll go and put that bet on for you. In a couple of hours you’ll be rich man!”
Leroy wishes he could be so sure.
As Danny crosses the road in front of his parent’s apartment building, he looks to the sky in search of a star to wish upon. However the sky is grey with thick clouds and none of the stars are visible but something across the street catches his eye. A bright neon star is flashing to advertise the “Stars” diner. Danny wonders for a moment if that will work in the absence of a real star. As Holly said he’s got nothing to lose. So slowly he closes his eyes and makes a wish. Then quickly heads in to the building and makes his way to the apartment. As he opens the front door he calls out: “Pa, are you there?”
Silence greets his call and then his Mother appears: “He’s not here. He was in a terrible mood and said he was going out. What’s going on Danny? I hope he’s not getting drunk, you know what he’s like when he’s drunk he won’t listen to reason. What did you do?”
Danny feels awkward and guilty: “Nothing Ma, it’s all just a misunderstanding. If I can talk to him then I can straighten this whole mess out!”
Gina Amatullo: “Good luck with that Son!”
Holly and Bruno walk along the New York City sidewalk laughing. Holly asks: “So are you really going to dress up as an Elf?”
Bruno shrugs: “I don’t see I have much choice, a deals a deal.... Can you help me with the costume?”
Holly laughs harder: “Sure I’ll help you?”
Bruno becomes a little indignant: “It’s not that funny, you know!”
Holly takes a deep breath and tries in vain to compose herself but soon starts giggling again: “I know.... but it kind of is!”
Bruno laughs too: “It’s good to see you laughing like this?”
Holly bites her lip acting a little shy as she slowly reaches for Bruno’s hand to hold. He gives her hand a reassuring squeeze and they continue walking happily. After a moment they hear music coming from across the street where a small crowd has gathered. Bruno is intrigued by someone playing “Carol of the Bells” vigorously on a cello. He leads Holly by the hand across the street and pushes through the crowd. When he sees the musician a huge smile spreads across his face. Holly notices the look of recognition on his face and becomes concerned.
Julie Miller is playing the Christmas music passionately on her cello, with a small cassette player for back up. She closes her eyes as her whole body is consumed by the music and doesn’t notice any of the crowd that surrounds her. As she finishes playing, the crowd erupts with applause and noises of appreciation. Some people throw money at her feet. Julie stands up and takes a bow, glorying in the applause. As she starts to pack her cello away and collects up the money the crowd disperses. Bruno remains rooted to the spot and Holly feels uncomfortable.
Eventually Bruno speaks: “Aren’t you going to say hello then?”
Julie is puzzled by the voice but when she turns round and sees Bruno her face lights up as she recognises the face of her old friend. Leaving her cello propped up against the chair she had been sitting on she rushes over and jumps into Bruno’s arms: “Bruno! It’s so great to see you!”
Holly watches trying hard not to let her face portray the dislike she is feeling inside. Her stomach has turned to jelly and her mouth feels dry, thinking she has competition for Bruno’s affections. As Julie hugs Bruno again and kisses his cheek, Holly takes a deep breath as anger starts to rise inside of her.
Julie excitedly asks: “What are you doing in New York? I thought you were in L.A with Coco?”
Bruno nods: “I was, I’m just back visiting, you know? What about you?"
Julie excitedly explains: “I’m in a concert tonight. This is how I prepare, I like to get out and psyche myself up by busking on the street. I wasn’t expecting people to give money. I guess I’ll have to find a charity to give it too.”
Bruno asks: “Well Danny is putting on a Charity Benefit for his Father, with the money going to the starving people in Ethiopia, I can give it to him, if you like?"
Julie is grateful: “Thanks that will be a big help and save me trying to find something myself.”
Bruno has an idea: “Hey would you like to be part of the show? I’m sure Danny would be grateful and the others would love to see you.”
Julie sighs: “I wish I could but I’m only here tonight and then off to Atlanta tomorrow. Hey why don’t you come to the concert and we can hang out afterwards.”
Bruno thinks for a moment: “I’ve got work, I’m afraid.”
Julie pulls a face: “That’s a shame it’s really great seeing you and I would love to catch up properly.”
Hesitantly Holly moves closer to Bruno and asks: “Who’s this? Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
Bruno apologises: “Oh sorry, Holly, this is Julie Miller, she used to be a student at the school of the arts too. Julie, this is Holly Laird, she’s ....”
Holly interrupts: “I’m his girlfriend.”
Julie reaches out her hand: “Pleased to meet you!”
Holly gives a fake smile and shakes Julie’s hand.
Bruno is taken aback by hearing the words “girlfriend” he knew Holly was getting serious but hearing the word tells him just how serious and he doesn’t feel comfortable.
Holly interjects: “Well Bruno dear we really must be going!”
Bruno is puzzled, he has a couple of hours before he has to be at Caruso’s: “No it’s okay we’ve got a while yet.”
He turns to Julie and asks: “Do you have time for a coffee so we can catch up a little?”
Julie looks at her watch and grins: “Sure, that would be great!”
Holly pulls a face and mutters under her breath: “Yeah, that’ll be just great!”
Holly reaches for Bruno’s hand again but feeling uncertain he pulls it away, leaving Holly feeling totally insecure.
At a nearby theatre David Reardon sits patiently with two other actors waiting for news of his auditions. They had been waiting for about 30 minutes and exchanged a few niceties but each realised that the others were their competition for the part they all so desperately wanted, so for the most part they’d sat in silence. After a few moments a stage hand calls David’s name and leads him onto the stage. He exchanges weak smiles with the other two candidates and follows the stage hand.
A group of three executives sit in the dark stalls and David struggles to make out their faces. One of them calls out: “David, thanks for coming back. You’ll be pleased to know we’ve made a decision.”
David suddenly feels nervous. He’d been calm up until now but can now feel his heart pounding in his chest and his hands feel clammy. The executive continues: “We’re very pleased to offer you the part.”
David is shocked: “Really, you’re not messing with me are you?”
The executive laughs: “No David we’re not messing. We’d be happy if you would accept the role!”
A huge excited smile breaks out across David’s face: “Accept the role? I’d love to accept it!”
The men move from their seats and come down to the front of the stage. Each takes it in turns to shake David’s hand and welcome him to the show. Everything still seems a little unreal and he’s still a little shocked. Could this finally be the big break he’s been waiting for?
At Lou’s Lane Leroy waits nervously for news of the bet he placed. Jesse shakes his head: “I can’t believe you gambled all your money like that. I know you’re desperate to see your family but is this really the way?”
Leroy shrugs: “Well I thought it was but now I’m not so sure. Where’s Donlon, surely he knows the result by now?”
At that moment Cleo comes over: “Jesse I’ve got a message from Nicole, she over at the school, in the music room and wants you to meet her there.”
Jesse: “Thanks Cleo...”
Jesse’s words trail off as Chris approaches the group with a stern face. A nervous Leroy watches him: “Well?”
Chris gives an uncomfortable shrug: “I don’t know what happened. It was a certainty!”
Leroy’s whole body goes cold as he can’t believe what he’s hearing: “You mean, I lost all my money?”
Chris nods slowly: “I’m sorry man, I don’t know what to say.”
Leroy responds with aggression, grabbing Chris by the shirt with both hands and yelling: “You don’t know what to say!”
Chris tries to apologise: “Come on man, it’s not my fault I was just trying to help you.”
Leroy snaps angrily pushes Chris: “Help! You’ve made things worse. There’s no way I can raise the money now!”
Cleo gasps with surprise and fear of what Leroy might do.
Jesse quickly tries to separate the two before things escalate into a full blown fight: “Leroy this isn’t the way!”
Leroy takes a deep breath and scowls at Chris. Instead of hitting out at Chris he kicks over a nearby chair, knocking it to the floor and storms out into the street.
Chris, Jesse and Cleo watch him leave. Jesse turns to Chris and comments sarcastically: “Nice one man. I thought it was supposed to be a sure thing?”
Chris shrugs: “It was!”
Jesse grabs his coat and leaves too. As Cleo picks up the chair that Leroy knocked over and clears the table. Chris stands there helplessly feeling guilty.
In the music room Nicole sits alone, strumming on a guitar and stars to sing:
"Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin , mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, Holy night
Shepherds quake, at the sight
Glories stream from heaven above
Heavenly, hosts sing Hallelujah.
Christ our Savior is born,
Christ our Savior is born.
Silent night, Holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth
Jesus, Lord at thy birth."
As she sings we see her friends trying to deal with their problems:
Sherwood is at home practising singing and becoming frustrated by the mistakes she keeps making.
Danny lies on his bed nervously waiting for his father to get home.
Leroy walks the darkened New York streets realising his Christmas dreams can’t now come true.
Holly sits in a Café watching Bruno chat excitedly with Julie. Holly feels unsure what future her relationship with Bruno has.
Bruno looks up at her and gives a weak smile, worried he’s in to deep.
Chris sits at Lou’s Lane’s sipping his drink feeling guilty. Cleo stands nearby and shakes her head in disbelief.
Shorofsky tries on his Santa outfit and sighs.
Doris sits at home pouring over Christmas song books desperately looking for a song that Sherwood can sing but only ends up shaking her head in frustration.
Reardon, leaves the theatre content with the knowledge that he’s got the part but suddenly excitement turns to sadness as he passes the School entrance and he realises he’s going to have to leave the school.
Jesse stands in the classroom doorway watching Nicole perform.
As the song ends Jesse starts to clap: “That was beautiful Nicole, really beautiful.”
She looks at him and gives a weak smile: “Thanks..."
She looks up at him and thinks aloud: "We can’t keep fighting like this you know?”
Jesse slowly nods: “I know. I’m sorry I realise there’s nothing between you and Danny, I guess being in a proper relationship is new to me and I’ve got to learn to control my jealousy.”
Nicole smiles reassuringly: “I guess all we can both do is try.”
Jesse nods again: "Well I'm willing to if you are?"
Nicole smiles.
After a few minutes she breaks the silence: “Hey, I’ve got some news. My mother is sick so her party has been postponed and we’ll be able to do the show.”
Jesse is excited: “Hey that’s great news!”
He then realises what he’s said: “Obviously it’s not great news that you’re Mother is sick but I’m happy we can do the show.”
Danny lies on his bed at home and is just dropping off to sleep when he hears the front door slam. He jumps up with a start and makes his way towards the kitchen where his slightly inebriated Father is taking some milk out of the fridge. As his father makes his way to the living room.
Danny clears his through: “Pop, I’ve got something I need to say to you!”
Carmine Amatullo turns round and scowls at his son: “Do you, well I don’t want to hear it!”
Danny protests: “But you gotta let me explain!”
Carmine gives a frustrated laugh: “I ain’t gotta do nothing apart from drink this milk and get some sleep, so tomorrow I can arrange the Christmas Benefit!”
Danny shakes his head: “But if you’ll just listen to me, you’ll understand and then you won’t have to arrange anything.”
Carmine is angered by the comment: “Danny, you can stop your lying. I’ve already spoken with your Mr Morloch and he tells me you can’t use the school and you haven’t been able to organise a proper show anyway. So you see I gotta sort it out myself. I should have never trusted you. I knew from the start you couldn’t pull this off but I listened to your Mother; “Give him a chance to prove himself Carmine” she said and I stupidly listened. Well no more...”
Danny interrupts: “But Pop, it’s coming together Mr Morl....”
Now it’s Danny’s father’s turn to interrupt: “Save it son! You told me the school let you use it and you told me that the show was coming together. You lied to me. My own son a liar! Do you know how humiliated I was when I had to hear from Morloch that you lied to me. I’ve always said that that school was a waste of your time and now you’ve proved it. For God’s sake you go to a performing arts school so putting a Christmas Benefit together should be easy. But not for you, my idiot son! You let me down Danny, you’ve let me down big time. If you want to waste your life at that no good school then so be it, but don’t expect me to watch and be involved in it. I never want to hear that school mentioned in my house again. Do you hear me?”
Danny stands silently, his head hung in shame as he feels humiliated and hurt by his father’s comments. All he ever wanted to do was make his father proud of him.
Carmine yells: “I said Do You Hear ME?”
Danny tries to talk: “Yes... yes, I hear you... I’m sorry Pop, I really am but I can make it up to you I swear.”
Carmine shakes his head: “You've had your chance. I won’t allow you to let me down again Danny. As I say I don’t want to hear about that school or this show ever again. Whatever you do now, I won’t be putting another foot in that school. Not for this show or any other. The sooner you wake up to yourself, quit that school and find a proper career the better for all of us. Now I’m going to bed. Goodnight!”
Danny swallows hard as he watches his father turn his back and leave the room. Feeling hurt and lonely he fights hard not to let the tears show.
To be Continued.....