SCENE F

INT. CARRY-A-KEY KARAOKE CLUB – LATER

Sophie sits at a table with Jackie, Tray, Sebastian, and Grace. She's reading while they're enjoying themselves. Jackie takes her book.

JACKIE

Get your head out of a book for once and have some fun.

Drum roll. A spotlight sweeps around the room until it lands on Scarlet, 17.

DEEJAY (O.S)

Let's give it up for Scarlet.

The crowd cheers as Scarlet gets on the stage and performs.

TRAY

She's pretty good.

Annoyed, Jackie loudly slurps her drink. The song ends and Scarlet walks off the stage. She stops by their table.

SCARLET

You must really regret not casting me as the lead in the musical.

JACKIE

Your talent had nothing to do with it.

Scarlet glares at her and moves back to her seat.

A group of waiters enters carrying a birthday cake. They place it on a table in front of a small boy next to the stage.

WAITERS

(singing) Have a Happy Birthday

From Carry-A-Key

We hope this cake

Will make you want to

Get up and sing

Everyone cheers. Sebastian blows a kazoo.

SEBASTIAN

(off their looks) They celebrate a birthday every week. I came prepared.

Another drum roll. The spotlight sweeps around the room again and lands on Sophie. She's horrified.

DEEJAY (O.S)

Give it up for Sophie!

SOPHIE

No. I can't.

JACKIE

You wanted a social makeover, right? You have to start somewhere. Sophie. Sophie. Sophie...

The whole room chants Sophie's name. Jackie drags her up to the stage, pushes her up the steps and chooses a song.

JACKIE

You should know this one. It plays at the shop every day.

The music plays. Sophie grips the microphone for dear life. She looks at her book on the table and then she sees Tray.

FANTASY

Sophie grabs the mic off the stand with confidence and sings like a pro. Transfixed, Tray walks closer to the stage. She reaches out and takes his hand, singing directly to him.

END OF FANTASY

JACKIE

Sophie!

Sophie wakes out of her fantasy. Everyone is waiting for her to sing. She squeaks out the words. The audience strains to hear her. She brings the mic closer and feedback shrieks. She flinches and falls off the stage into the birthday cake.

Everyone laughs except Tray who feels sorry for her.

SEBASTIAN

Epic fail!

He blows his kazoo. Sophie runs off.