It’ll be alright.
Bombs drop above and walls shake. Little girl huddles into her mother’s shoulder and starts to cry. Dessi scoots over the few feet to sit beside them and starts to sing “Look for the Silver Lining.”
DESSI (SINGING)
Look for the silver lining,
Whenever a cloud appears in the blue,
Remember, somewhere the sun is shining,
And so the right thing to do is make it shine for you
A heart, full of joy and gladness,
Will always banish sadness and strife,
So always look for the silver lining,
And try to find the sunny side of life
A heart, full of joy and gladness,
Will always banish sadness and strife,
So always look for the silver lining,
And try to find the sunny side of life
The little girl peeks out from her mother’s dress and watches Dessi with wide eyes, thumb in her mouth. When the song ends, someone sitting on a blanket at the base of the quiet escalator calls out.
MAN AT ESCALATOR
Sing us another one!
Cal takes out his trumpet and accompanies Dessi on two more tunes, “Them There Eyes” and “Easy Living.” When they finish, those around clap. Dessi and Cal scoot back against the wall. Dessi huddles into her coat trying to stay warm. The man from the escalator, who asked them to sing another, brings them a blanket.
Cal and Dessi snuggle together under the blanket while bombs continue blasting above ground. Dessi loops her arm through Cal’s elbow and lowers her head to his shoulder.
DESSI
That right there, what we just did, making music and making people smile—that feels like home. Maybe music means I can be at home anywhere in the world.
CAL
You’re amazing, Dess.
DESSI (BUMPS HIS SHOULDER)
Go on with you.
CAL
You remember you asked me who I want?
Dessi lifts and turns her head to look at him.
DESSI
