Scene One
Dionne
Warwick is in the hospital awaiting gall bladder surgery and it’s not looking
good for her. Her longtime friends — Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Elton
John — gather around for a final goodbye before Warwick undergoes the knife.
Dionne (in a halting voice full of emotion): And I never thought I’d feel this way … and as far
as I’m concerned I'm glad I've got the chance to say … that I do believe I love
you.
Gladys
begins to cry softly. Elton puts an arm around her shoulder.
Dionne: And if I
should ever go away — well then close your eyes and try to feel the way we do
today … and then if you can remember, keep smiling. Keep shining, knowing you
can always count on me … for sure. That’s what friends are for.
The doctors
wheel Dionne into the operating room while the friends wave goodbye.
Scene Two
Dionne’s
surgery is successful and she has a new lease on life. Right after her release
from the hospital, the four friends go to a bar to celebrate by getting
hammered.
Dionne (wasted on her third margarita, standing unsteadily
and making a toast): For good times and bad times I’ll be on your side
forever more. That’s what friends are for.
The four
clink glasses. Dionne slumps back down in her chair.
Stevie: Well, you
came and opened me and now there’s so much more I see and so by the way I thank
you.
Stevie gives
Dionne a big, sloppy hug. The two nearly fall over.
Elton: Whoa! And
then for the times when we’re apart — well then close your eyes and know these
words are coming from my heart and then if you can remember, oh …
Stevie: Keep smiling.
Keep shining, knowing you can always count on me for sure. That’s what friends
are for. In good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forever more. Oh,
that’s what friends are for.
They all do
a shot of 151 rum. Elton vomits onto the table. Moved by her friends’ love, as
well as blind drunk, Gladys stands on the table to speak.
Gladys: Oh, keep
smiling. Keep shining, knowing you can always count on me for sure. That’s what
friends are for. For good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forever more.
Gladys falls
over, breaking a chair. Dionne picks her up.
Gladys: That’s what
friends are for.
Elton (screaming): Keep smiling!
Keep shining! Knowing you can always count on me — oh for sure. Cause I’ll tell
ya …
All: That’s what
friends are for.
Elton raises
his arm in a toast and accidentally knocks over a passing waiter. A dozen
glasses full of booze shatter, spraying liquor everywhere. The police arrive to
take all four friends to the drunk tank.
Scene Three
Dionne,
Gladys, Stevie and Elton are drying out in the local jail. They are in adjacent
cells that meet at one corner. Each reaches out to touch hands through the bars
where the cells meet.
Elton: For good
times and for bad times.
All: I’ll be on
your side forever more.
Dionne: That’s what
friends are for.
Stevie (still drunk): Ha-ha! That's what friends are for. Ha-ha-ha! Yeah!
A guard
walks in with a bottle of Advil and gestures if anyone needs any.
Dionne: I’ll need
for sure.
Stevie: I will need
for sure.
Elton: I will need
for sure.
Dionne: That’s what
friends are for. Keep smiling. Keep shining.
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