The Deleted Scenes of August Rush
Scene #2
This is the first of the four original deleted scenes of August Rush. I don't know why they deleted it, because it's kinda touching, in a way. Oh, and I cut some dialogue out of this scene, too...some of it didn't really work with the changes.
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANYTHING.
.........
After a couple minutes of crying on Melanie's shoulder, Evan looked up and saw the Wizard standing before them, his hands in his pockets. Evan sighed, broke free from Melanie, and sat on the nearest park bench, rocking back and forth, his head on the guitar. His breathing became irregular, arriving in short, loud intervals.
The Wizard sat on Evan's right, hands still in his pockets; Melanie sat on Evan's left, her arm around him, rubbing his shoulder.
"Hey," she said gently. "It's gonna be okay, sweetie…just calm down…deep breaths…"
A little kid from the park was watching them. "What's wrong with him?" he asked.
The Wizard turned around. "Not a Goddamn thing!" he hollered.
That made the little kid jump and run away.
Evan sighed and rested his head on Melanie's shoulder. "I'm sorry," he said. "Sometimes I just can't help it. You know…" He trailed off, knowing he couldn't bring himself to say it.
"Don't you ever apologize," the Wizard told him. "That's what it's all about. You're lit, little man. Everyone else is in the dark."
Evan lifted his head. "Really?"
"Yeah…"
They sat for a moment longer before the Wizard got up. "Come on, you two. Let's go home."
As they were walking, Melanie and Evan walked a bit slower, so they could talk without the Wizard overhearing.
"You can borrow my dog tags, if you want," Melanie offered. "They always help me when I'm down."
"No, that's okay," Evan said.
"You know, if it helps…I sometimes wish my mom and dad were still here. Then maybe I wouldn't be mad at my uncle, and I wouldn't be this lonely."
"Your uncle?"
"Yeah. After my parents died, the police phoned all my relatives, and they all said my uncle was the only one who could take care of me. And the police called his house a million times. But…he never came. So I ran away. I found Arthur, and he led me back to the Wizard's. I've been living there ever since."
"Wow…I'm sorry," Evan said.
"Thanks. However…I think it turned out for the better. I mean, I still miss my parents…and I wish my uncle would at least let me know he still cares…but things are already looking up."
"How?" Evan wanted to know.
"Well…," Melanie said, looking at him. "I met you." She smiled. "You're the only real friend I've ever had."
Evan was speechless for a moment. Then he spontaneously hugged her. At first, Melanie was a bit surprised, but after a few seconds, she hugged him back.
"Hey! No dawdling, you two!" the Wizard called. "We gotta go!"
"Come on," Melanie said, letting go. "We'd better catch up."
.........
Later that day, Evan and Melanie were sitting on the curb outside the theater, watching the different people pass by.
"You know…" Melanie said. "I've never told anyone this, but…" Her voice lowered. "I go up on the roof at night and sing."
Evan pretended to act surprised. "Really?"
"Yeah. It helps me deal with my losses. It helps me cope with my parents' deaths and my uncle's ignorance."
She paused. "And…I know this sounds really stupid…but…sometimes I used to sing because…I thought someone would hear me. Someone who'd care enough to be my friend. But then I thought how dumb that idea was, so I went back to singing for comfort. Because the probability of someone hearing me who'd actually care is, like, a gazillion to one."
Evan felt a smile tugging at his mouth. Oh, you have no idea…