The audience applauds. Ricky gives him the microphone and slaps him on the back. The audience continues to applaud, but Thomas can hardly believe it, and squints at the microphone in the stand in front of him. The clapping stops. Thomas looks at the floor instead of the crowd, and clears his throat a few times. The band starts to play “If This Is It”.
THOMAS
I've been phoning night and morning
I heard you say "Tell him I'm not home"
Now I'm confessing,
But you're still guessing
I've been a fool for so so long
Girl, don't lie,
just to save my feelings
Girl, don't cry,
and tell me nothing's wrong
Girl, don't try
to make up phony reasons
I'd rather leave than never believe
If this is it,
Please let me know
If you don't feel love,
show me and let me know
If this is it,
I want to know
If you really don't love me,
anymore
At a moment Thomas forgets about the audience and drasticly improoves his singing, does a good job.
You've been thinking
And I've been drinking
We both know that it's just not right
Now you're pretending
That it's not ending
I tried anything to make it right
Girl, don't lie,
and tell me that you need me
Girl, don't cry,
and tell me nothing's wrong
I'll be alright
one way or another
So let me go,
or make me want to stay!
If this is it,
Please let me know
If this ain't love
you'd better let me know
If this is it,
I want to know
If this ain't love baby,
just say so
While the band plays the rest of the song, Thomas remembers he is on stage and starts trembling again. He finally looks up at the audience. The crowd claps loudly, and he can see that Sandra has tears in her eyes. The waitress smiles as if the song had been sung for her, but she knows that that’s not the case. Franco is dumbfounded. Oliver claps until his hands hurt. It is uncomfortable for Thomas; to have the audience watching and looking at him when he would most like to be alone. He starts to speak, even though the audience is still applauding. The people notice that he’s speaking and stop.
THOMAS
Dear Sandra, I know that I’ve hurt you very badly. I misled you for a long time, and even lost myself in the role I was playing. You’ve come to know the truth, in the meantime, but I don’t think you know how I feel. I have been in love with you from the moment I laid eyes on you. The more I’ve gotten to know you, the more I have fallen in love with you. Now, I stand before you, for a second time, and try to win you over, but as a different person, someone who can walk. I can understand that you’re upset, but it can’t be that you have stopped loving me because I’m no longer handicapped. Through it all, I’m still the same person. Will you please give me a second chance?
Thomas is still trembling and the people are watching Thomas and Sandra. She stands up and walks slowly towards him. Her eyes are tearful, but its hard to distinguish the expression on her face. Is she angry? Is she upset? Sad? Bitter? Thomas sees her approach, but doesn’t know what is coming next. He walks cautiously and fearfully toward her. As she gets close to him, he stands still and looks at her with sad, puppy-dog eyes. She throws her arms around his neck. The crowd applauds joyously. Franco smiles, relieved. The waitress has tears in her eyes. The band cheers. Oliver claps.
106. IN FRONT OF THOMAS’ APARTMENT
Sandra and Thomas walk out. Thomas is carrying the wheelchair.