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Sarah Dardenne is front-woman of an up and coming band called “The
Jane Factor.” She is also a seventeen year-old who is at odds
with her father about her music, her cigarette smoking, and the
prospect of college. It’s bad enough that he calls her music
“trash”, but he also is the music teacher at school. Either at
home or in class, she must endure his lectures and his
disapproval. The final straw comes when Richard forbids Sarah and
her friends from practicing their songs in his garage.
Luckily, the new neighbor across the street, Tess, is a music
lover and her house comes complete with a sound proofed garage.
This is a small miracle, considering that the house was only on
the market for an hour. But with Andrew as her real estate agent,
and the fact that he works with her mother, Paula, at Wonderland
Realty, all the pieces are in place for a garage band on the
rise. Especially since Sarah’s boyfriend, Ty, has set up a gig
for them at the Retro Club, where local DJ legend, Bumper Doorman,
will be at hand. Sarah and her band-mates are thrilled, if only
her throat didn’t hurt so much.
In music class, Sarah has a coughing fit during a solo, and
Richard sends her to the school nurse while admonishing her about
cigarette smoking. The school nurse takes a look, and sends a
note to Richard, telling him that he is concerned. The next day,
Paula takes her to the clinic, where Dr. Gloria takes a culture of
the inflamed area. When she has the test results, she brings them
immediately to the Dardenne household. Sarah has throat cancer.
She will not be able to sing that night, and maybe never again.
As Richard and Paula discuss their fears with Gloria, Sarah sneaks
out to the Retro Club. By the time her parents notice and get to
the club, she is already on stage, singing beautifully. But
before she can finish, she blows her vocal chords, collapses in
pain, and is rushed to the hospital.
While Sarah is prepped for surgery, Richard alternately blames
her, Paula, the cigarettes, and God. When he is at his most
vulnerable and scared, Monica reveals herself to him. He finally
understands. He walks along with Sarah’s gurney, singing to her,
and assuring her that they all love her: he, Paula and God.
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