INTERIOR RESTAURANT KITCHEN - DAY - Bella stands at the counter, happily putting the finishing touches on to an already elaborate birthday cake. Harry enters, slightly panicked.
HARRY: (to himself) Oh, this is not my day. This is not my day鈥
BELLA: Hey amico, what's up?
HARRY: Well, chef Bella. You know I hate singing鈥
BELLA: (excitedly singing) Oh! Singgggging! I LOVE using my singinggggg voice!
HARRY: Yeah, well鈥 I don't. But I have to because there are not one, not two, but THREE鈥
Bella realises and joins in. Harry is extremely unenthused.
BELLA / HARRY: BIRTHDAYS! / Birthdays鈥
HARRY: (going into a rant) Yes, and every table wants it sung differently! Table six want it to be sad because their goldfish just died -
BELLA: (cutting in) Okay, okay Harry, Harry, breathe. Tell me, did you bring your sad voice today?
HARRY: (comically panicked) I don't know?! I've definitely brought my scared voice!
BELLA: Okay, listen, try this!
Bella demonstrates, singing Happy Birthday in a slow, forlorn style.
BELLA: Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to yoouuuu! Happy birthday to you!
Bella dabs at pretend tears with her tea towel. Harry looks slightly more reassured.
HARRY: Okay. Well at the next table - there's a鈥
Harry pauses dramatically, as if to announce something terrible.
HARRY: Sleeping baby.
Bella exhales and shakes her head, concerned.
BELLA: Ai ai ai鈥 Okay鈥 for this one you must use your soft, whispering voice. Did you bring your whispering voice today?
As she says the words soft and whispering Bella demonstrates what she means.
HARRY: 贰丑丑鈥
BELLA: Okay, let's try together, eh?
Harry and Bella sing a few lines of a soft, sweet lullabylike, whispering rendition of Happy Birthday together. Bella loosely conducts, eyes half-closed.
HARRY / BELLA: (whispering) Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to youuuu, happy birthday to you.
BELLA: (whispering) Perfetto! And the last table?
HARRY: A 100th birthday. Should I just use speak it to him? Or鈥
BELLA: Oh, Harry Harry, no no no! You cannot use your speaking voice! For this you must use your proud voice and fill your lungs like a big blue whale. Try with me huh?
As Bella says the word proud, she puffs out her chest and plants her feet firmly on the ground, shoulders width apart. Harry's eyes widen, he's scared but willing to go for it. Singing as clearly and proudly as possible, the pair sing the song, Bella putting on her best operatic performance. Their voices are grand and large. They hold the last note for a dramatic, triumphant end.
BELLA / HARRY: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOUUU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
We hear applause and roses are thrown from an imaginary audience.
Bella dusts herself off and hands Harry the cake.
BELLA: Well, good luck!
Harry takes the cake and turns to go.
BELLA: Oh, and Harry, remember鈥
Bella pulls a sad face and pretends to sob.
BELLA: Sad voice for table six!
Harry nods, takes the cake and leaves.
THE END.