Scene 6


That evening at the USO. We hear the same band playing "Black Girls, Brown Girls" as the SERVICEMEN and their PARTNERS do a frenetic jitterbug. DIXIE ANN with a SOLDIER is as animated as everyone else. JOLENE sits alone downstage right, constantly glancing at her watch. When the number is over, the BANDLEADER addresses the group.
BANDLEADER
Well, boys and girls, it's almost that time. So this will be the last dance of the evening.

FIRST SOLDIER

Aw, come on!

SECOND SOLDIER

We just got here!

HOMELY SAILOR

The night is young, and I'm so beautiful! (Sighs of protest from the GROUP until the band begins a slow, sentimental number, and the SERVICEMEN dance with the GIRLS in a languid fox-trot.)
BANDLEADER
                                        When you've lost the one you love,
                                        Every sound is a shock;
                                        Footsteps on the floor above,
                                        An engine way down the block.
                                        Voices in the street below,
                                        A night bird up in a tree;
                                        For the first time in my life I know
                                        How lonely loneliness can be.
Nothing is the same
Since you went away,
Leaves that once were green,
Have suddenly turned gray.
                                        I think I hear your voice
                                        But you're not there at all;
                                        I find I sit and talk
                                        To shadows on the wall. I do the usual things
But they're a chore;
I pray the telephone rings
Or there's a knock on my door.

Nothing is the same
Since you went away,
I think of only you
Every single day.
More than you know,
I miss you so,
Since you went away.
 

(SERVICEMEN begin bidding goodnight to the GIRLS. A FEW start to exit. JOLENE struggles to hold back tears.)
LIGHTS SLOWLY DIM