Don’t be shy and don’t make me look like a fool up here. Come on, Odessa.
The few patrons still remaining give Dessi encouraging applause and wolf whistles. Dessi stands up like she’s headed for the stage, but dashes for the door. Cal runs, catches her around the waist, and drags her to the stage.
DESSI
You crazy? I can’t sing.
CAL
I heard you. I think you can, and you won’t know ’til you try.
Cal hands her the mic and picks up his trumpet, standing beside her.
CAL
I’ll be right here, and there’s hardly anybody still around. What you got to lose?
The first strains of “Body and Soul” begin. Dessi holds the mic awkwardly, flicking nervous glances around the club. She begins haltingly, and continues with growing confidence.
DESSI
My days have grown so lonely,
For you I cry, for you dear only,
Why haven’t you seen it,
I’m all for you, body and soul
I spend my days in longin’,
You know it’s you that I am longin’,
Oh, I tell you I mean it,
I’m all for you, body and soul
I can’t believe it,
It’s hard to conceive it,
That you’d throw away romance
Are you pretending,
It looks like the ending,
Unless I can have one more chance to prove, dear
My life a wreck you’re making,
You know I’m yours for just the taking,
Oh, I tell you I mean it,
I’m all for you, body and soul
My days have grown so lonely,
