I can’t deal with the fact that my name seems to get stuck in your throat. How you make me feel that there really must be something really wrong with me, if you can’t love me anymore! (beat) And you use to love me so desperately. I’m still the same person! I’m still here! When did you stop being in my corner? How could you let go of my hand now—When this is the fight where I need you the most. And I miss you. I really miss you. And I can fight. I have to fight. I can fight for everything. I can fight everyone! (two beats) But you didn’t teach me how to fight you.

The GRIOTS sing a soft melody. SHARMAINE returns to the chair lights change. Lights come up with NOVELETTE’s hands still in SHARMAINE’s hair. SHARMAINE looks in the mirror.

So what do you think?

NOVELETTE:

I think, whatever, makes you happy makes you beautiful.

SHARMAINE looks up and realises that NOVELETTE “knows.”

SHARMAINE:

Thank you.

NOVELETTE:

You’re welcome darling. (two beats) Ok, Miss Hollywood. Pay up time. And you know something Sharmaine, you need to be tipping me some big Hollywood money. Now that you are some big Hollywood star. So no change. I will just take this for my tip. Thank you.

SHARMAINE:

You’re welcome.

She walks over to DIANE’s station and pays her.

Thanks Diana.

SHARMAINE is about to leave the store but changes her mind. She stops in front of the store door and tries to get the attention of MARCIA who is now under the dryer.

Hey Marcia! Marcia!

MARCIA comes out from under the dryer.

Is it ok if I bring a guest to your party?

MARCIA:

Of course, I’m dying to meet him!

SHARMAINE:

Great, I’ll let her know. You’ll love her as much as I do.

She walks confidently through the door before MARCIA thinks this new information through.

MARCIA:

Her?

NOVELETTE:

Her.

MARCIA:

Her!

DIANA:

Darling, even I have kissed a woman before myself when I used to live in Paris. It’s a very chic and classy thing to do while in Europe.

MARCIA:

She’s a lesbian!

Blossom grabs her cell phone and immediately starts to dial anxious to share the juicy gossip.

BLOSSOM:

Girl, you’ll never believe what I just heard…

STACEY-ANNE runs in giddy with excitement she steps on Blossom’s foot. BLOSSOM cries out in pain.

NOVELETTE:

Hey Hey, Miss Stacey-Anne. A bruk you want to bruk down mi shop! You don’t see you step on Miss Blossom toe! You better apologise immediately right now!

STACEY-ANNE:

Sorry Miss Blossom.

NOVELETTE:

Stacey-Anne, this is a place of business, not a playground. And I’m not your mother you know, but I’m not afraid to beat anybody in my shop. As a matter of fact where is my belt?

STACEY-ANNE:

Miss Novelette! No! No! Sorry! Me never mean to bruk down your shop. And I have two juicy fruit gum leave and I save one just for you, so you can always have fresh breath miss Novelette.