*We open still at Louie's, later that evening. Louie's behind the counter. Amazingly enough, Slip wears an apron and is helping Louie by bussing tables and taking orders.*

Louie: Is their table ready?

Slip: *Nods* It's all set, Louie. How's he doin'?

Louie: (Sees Danny sitting at the counter, staring at a soda) Still moping.

Slip: *Sighs* Great.

Louie: I really hope this works. He can't keep doing this forever.

Sach: (He comes out in an apron and chef's hat) He's still actin' like his best friend died?

Slip: Yep. *sighs* Kathy oughta be here any minute.

(Kathy comes in at this point through the back room. She's tying on her apron.)

Kathy: (She grins) Hiya, Louie. Busy tonight?

Louie: (Sighs) Yes and no. Actually, we're doing something special tonight. (Nods at Danny) He needs cheering up.

Kathy: (She frowns and goes right over to Danny) Honey, what's wrong? You look like someone ran over your dog or something.

Danny: Worse. I l-lost my j-job again.

Kathy: (Rubs his back) Aw honey, and you were doin' really swell, too. What happened?

Danny: You kn-know the f-filing machine I t-told you about?

Kathy: Yeah. You said it was some big fancy thing some secretary worked on.

Danny: I s-sorta m-made it explode all over th-the r-room!

Kathy: (Laughs) I wish I could have seen that!

Danny: *Looks like he's about to cry* B-but it's n-not f-funny!

Slip: I'm willin' to be it was.

Kathy: Aw honey. (She smiles) Maybe you just weren't meant for that job. You'll find something better.

Danny: I w-wish I kn-knew wh-what.

Sach: (He joins them) And while he finds somethin' better, why don't we stuff you two? (He has a towel over his arm; gestures at the table) Your dinner awaits, madam and mon-sur!

Kathy: Awww, how sweet!

Danny: *Nods* Thanks, fellas.

*They go to the table. Danny holds Kathy's chair for her. He pushes her chair in, then goes around to his chair...and misses. He peeks over the table, then embarrassedly climbs into his chair.*

Kathy: Are you ok?

Danny: F-fine.

Sach: Ok, guys, what'll ya have to drink?

Kathy: I'll have a glass of milk.

Danny: I b-better have w-water. I kn-know you d-don't have g-goat's m-milk.

Sach: Where would we get a goat to milk around here anyway? Ok, water. (He goes to give Louie the orders)

Kathy: Honey, you need to calm down. We come here a lot, and these guys are our friends.

Danny: I kn-know th-that. It ain't th-these g-guys.

Louie: (He comes up to them and hands them menus) Here you go. I highly recommend the beef brisket sandwich and chicken matzo ball soup. I slow-roast my own brisket until it's nice and tender, and the bread comes from that wonderful Italian bakery down the street.

Kathy: (Smiles and takes her menu, then hands Kathy one) Ok, Louie. (She turns to Danny as Louie goes in back) He's such a sweetheart. I love working for him.

Danny: H-he's a g-good guy. *sighs* I j-just can't st-stop. My n-nerves are sh-shot.

Kathy: You just have to calm down and think happy thoughts. (Takes his hand) You know you have my support.

Danny: *Nods* Th-thank you. *takes a deep breath and lets it out* I just c-can't seem to sh-shake it c-completely.

Kathy: You will when you find another job that you like. You just need to go out there and give it your all!

Danny: J-Just wish I kn-knew what.

Slip: *Joins them, notepad in hand* You two ready to order?

Danny: You go f-first, Kathy.

Kathy: Sure! I'll have that beef brisket sandwiches. I know Louie's is good. Oh, and the honey-glazed carrots and the knishes.

Slip: *Nods* Got ya. *turns to Danny and raises an eyebrow* Yer gettin' the matzo ball soup. *heads for the counter*

Danny: *Nervous smile* M-mind reader.

Kathy: Well, you do eat here almost every day, honey.

Danny: Yeah, I do, but I th-think he based it m-more on the f-fact that I p-passed out earlier.

Kathy: You passed out? Are you sure you're ok?

Danny: Yeah, I'm okay. I j-just don't kn-know what I'm g-gonna do.

Kathy: Well, what do you like to do?

Danny: Sing and dance and r-read books.

Kathy: Well, get a job as a stagehand, or in a library.

Danny: A library?

Kathy: Yeah, a library! It'll be nice and quiet and good for your nerves, and you can do all the readin' you want to!

Danny: *Gives her a faint smile* That would be perfect.

Kathy: This is New York. There's a hundred libraries in Manhattan alone. I'm sure one of them must be hirin'. Maybe I could even go with you to the nearest one tomorrow and see they'll take 'ya. I'm off tomorrow.

Danny: Oh, would you, Kathy? I'd really appreciate them moral support.

Kathy: Sure! You need someone who'll hold ya up if you wanna fall down.

Slip: *As he joins them* Incomin' food! Watch yer elbows! *sets the food in front of them* Don't gorge yerselves. *walks away*

Danny: Except the falling down likes to come out of nowhere.

Kathy: That's why I'll be there.(She sniffs her sandwich) Oooh, this smells good! I think Louie outdid himself. (Nods at Danny) Ain't ya gonna eat yours? I'm starved! (She takes a big bite out of her sandwich)

Danny: Eventually. *takes a sip of his soup*

Kathy: (Between bites) Wow, you usually eat faster than I do! You must really be upset.

Danny: I just...it's only me. I've never been this unlucky with my jobs. Five jobs in one month! Even if I do find a library that's hiring, why would they want someone's who's been fired that many times? Th-they'll laugh at m-me.

Kathy: If they laugh at you, they ain't worthy of havin' someone as nice as you work there.

Danny: I never had a chance to build up my savings. I'm scraping by as it is. I'm afraid.

Kathy: Louie or I can loan you some money until you get on your feet.

Danny: I couldn't accept it. I couldn't put out either of you.

Kathy: You wouldn't be! Louie gives the guys loans all the time! (Mutters) Though he really shouldn't. (Out loud) And I DO have money saved.

Danny: No, really, Kathy. I really appreciate the offer, but I just couldn't.

Kathy: Do you have anything you could sell?

Danny: Not much. I'm already a regular at the hock shop.

Kathy: You could always sing for pennies in Central Park.

Danny: It might come down to that.

Kathy: Hey, maybe we could do a duet.

Danny: Oh, you would? That would sure be nice of you.

Kathy: Sure! I'm a singer, you're a singer. Think of it as performing in the biggest theater in the world...and out in the fresh air, too.

Danny: At least I'd be least likely to faint in the open air.

Kathy: Yeah! And you'd have an audience awaitin' your every word, too.

(As they talk, Chuck and Butch come out to their table. Butch plays the guitar and Chuck sings "Anywhere I Wander.")

Butch: How are you guys feeling? Really romantic?

Danny: Well...

Kathy: You bet I am! Dan always makes me feel romantic!

Butch: Good. That's the idea.

Danny: *His voice cracks* I do!?

*Chuck elbows Danny from behind as he continues singing.*

Kathy: Oh boy, do you. (She practically has hearts in her eyes)

Danny: I... I... *Chuck elbows him again* Ooof!

Kathy: You're really sweet, you have a great sense of humor, you sing like Sinatra and dance like Astaire, you know how to sweep a girl off her feet. You're even cute when you stammer.

Danny: It's t-too bad there's s-so many p-people here.

Kathy: Maybe we could go out dancing later. I'll pay...or we could even dance in Central Park, like Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in "The Band Wagon."

Danny: How about Central Park? I think I could use the fresh air.

Kathy: Sounds good to me. (Grins) And you must like that idea. You sound much better.

Butch: (Nods) She's right. You didn't stammer at all that last time.

Chuck: Go on, you two. Enjoy yourselves.

Danny: *Smiles* Lets go.

Butch: (As he and Chuck watch the two leave) They're so sweet.

Chuck: They sure are. Kathy's still got her work cut out for her in Danny, though.

Butch: Maybe we should take the other guys and give her a hand.

Chuck: I don't think they'd mind a little friendly spying.

Butch: As long as we didn't get too close and made sure certain people didn't give us away.

Chuck: Right.

Butch: In fact, maybe we'd better just bring Slip and not Sach and Whitey. Those two will definitely make too much noise.

Chuck: Slip knows the most about spying anyway.

Butch: Let's go get him and catch up with those two. We'll flag Billy Hallop. Lucy will never make it in time.

*We fade out as Butch and Chuck go to gather Slip. Fade in on Central Park, where we see Kathy and Danny strolling down a path along the lake. Kathy holds Danny's arm.*

Kathy: (Sighs) Isn't it a nice night? I'm glad it's been so warm for this time of year.

Danny: Yeah, it sure is a nice night.

Danny: Kathy?

Kathy: (Looks up at him) Hmm?

Danny: Uhhh...I... *whimpers*

Kathy: Yes?

Danny: It's... *tugs at his collar* very warm.

Kathy: Yeah, it is. Weird for February, ain't it?

Danny: Yeah, weird...

*The heads of Slip, Chuck, and Butch pop up from behind a nearby bush.*

Butch: If Danny blushes any redder, they'll start mistaking him for a tomato.

Slip: Yeah. I wonder what he wanted to say to her.

Chuck: He was so close. Then Kathy looked up at him and he lost it.

Butch: You think he's gonna propose?

Slip: If he don't pass out first.

Chuck: He looks so uneasy.

Danny: *Looks away from Kathy and swallows hard* Kathy?

Kathy: Yes? What is it, honey?

Danny: *He's still looking away from her* I...would you mind...could I...

Chuck: Come on, Danny, spit it out.

Kathy: (She looks into his eyes) Yes?

Danny: *Whimpers at her gaze* I... *he leans down and kisses her*

(Kathy reaches up and pulls him into the kiss.)

Slip: *Smirks* About time.

(Butch just sighs dreamily.)

Chuck: *Smiles* That's beautiful.

Slip: They're getting pretty good mileage out of it.

Butch: They sure are enjoying themselves.

Chuck: They deserve it.

Kathy: (As they break apart) I...I...darn, you're good!

Danny: *Breathing heavily* So're you.

Kathy: Wow. I've never kissed a guy like that before!

Danny: *Shakes his head* Me either. Kissed a girl, that is.

Kathy: You sure could have fooled me!

Danny: It...it usually made me too light-headed to even think about it. Y'know, that fear and all.

Kathy: Well, I'm the one feelin' light-headed now.

Danny: Oh! We could sit on a bench!

Chuck: *Slaps his forehead* He is so thick-headed.

Kathy: I don't need to sit anywhere. (She leans against him) God, you're so strong.

Danny: *Whimpers; his voice cracks, pitching higher* Me!?

Kathy: (Sighs) Yeah...

Butch: Boy, she really has him over a barrel now.

Slip: I think she'd literally like him over a barrel.

Chuck: *Can't help but chuckle* Slip!

Slip: Am I wrong?

Chuck: No, I don't think so.

Danny: *Tentatively wraps his arms around Kathy tightly; his voice comes out as a whisper* Kathy?

Kathy: Yeah?

Danny: *Takes in a breath and lets it out carefully* I like...us.

Kathy: (Leans against him) So do I. I like us a lot.

Danny: I l... *whimpers* L...I... ohhh...

Slip: Guys, shh! We may have a breakthrough here!

Danny: *Closes his eyes and takes a deep breath; whispers* I love you, Kathy.

Kathy: I love you too, Danny. (Smiles) Danny...I think you're going to be just fine.

Danny: *Opens his eyes* Y...you think so?

Kathy: (Nods) Yes, I do.

Danny: *His voice cracks again* Really?

Kathy: Of course. I think you could do anything...if you believe you can.

Danny: Kathy...help me believe?

Kathy: You bet.

Danny: *Gives her a small kiss on the forehead; whispers* Thank you.

Kathy: Thank you for believing in a loud-mouth belter.

Danny: That isn't you at all.

Kathy: I wish everyone felt like that. You don't know how many producers told me I'm too loud for the chorus line.

Danny: They're idiots.

Kathy: I keep gettin' told that there's only one Ethel Merman...and I ain't her.

Danny: You're you.

Kathy: Thanks. You're you, too, and I wouldn't have you any other way.

Danny: That's good, because I don't know how to be anyone else.

Kathy: You wanna know what I think? I think we're just too us for other people to handle.

Danny: I think you're right.

Kathy: How about we go and get a drink somewhere, then we can walk each other home?

Danny: Sure.

Kathy: (She puts her arm around his shoulders) I think this is the beginnin' of somethin' really wonderful, honey.

Danny: *Puts his arm around her waist* I think so, too.

(From behind us, we see the three Bowery Boys shaking each others' hands behind the bushes as we fade out on them and the happy couple walking off into the moonlit night.)