45.
EXT. THE BRAMBLES, BACKSTAGE - SAME Nicky peeks out into the audience - Dottie, front and center, chats up Rapino. Gigi, with Summer in her lap, and Kayla are a few rows back. The lights go out. Nervous excitement. A SPOTLIGHT finds Albie, with his guitar. The AUDIENCE erupts. ALBIE Y’all ready? Albie begins a chant, quickly joined by the crowd -- ALBIE AND THE CROWD FRIENDS! ROMANS! COUNTRYMEN! LEND ME YOUR EARS! The audience goes crazy, then slowly quiets. ALBIE
Every family tells its own story. But I’m the luckiest man in the world because my family’s storyteller is the legend herself, Dottie Cantrell Roman. But tonight, the rest of us will do the talking.
(strums the hook to The Rose and the Brambles )
Baby, tonight’s for you. (Dottie waves) Get ready, the debut of Ace Roman!
Nicky panics, trying to get Albie’s attention, let him know Ace isn’t singing -- until she sees Ace amble onto the stage. Smiling, but nervous, and pale. He strums along with Albie. ALBIE (CONT'D) My grandson may not look like us , but his voice is all Roman! The crowd CHEERS, Dottie lights up. Albie sees Ace’s nerves, gives him a wink, it’s okay. Ace nods, sweating, misses some notes. Nicky, anxious, lock eyes with Dottie - fix this! Nicky feels the show unravelling, is unsure what to do. Ace steps up the mic to sing, and suddenly seizes. His eyes roll back, he drops to the floor. Thud. The crowd quiets. Albie stops. Dottie GASPS. Nicky rushes out. Greg jumps up to help, until Catt pulls him back down. The curtain drops.
END OF ACT 4
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