A Ballerina's Tale Page #5

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class this morning.

I knew that would be.

I don't know how she does it.

You know, in my...

in my youth youth,

I didn't have

the energy she has.

You're so sweet.

Isn't this nice?

Hello, ladies!

This is Raven, everyone.

I'm Raven.

- How is everything?

- I'll take your umbrella.

Look at how...

how was class?

It was fine.

- I took Dameon Howard.

- Oh, you did?

- Yeah, he's doing well.

- But I mean, the other day.

- Um... oh, with the company?

- Yeah.

It was fine.

I'm gonna take company class

again Saturday...

- Yeah.

- So we'll see.

How... did you... could you

get through it all,

or you stopped a little?

- Well, I'm not jumping.

- Yeah.

I'm not doing grand allegro,

so I did part of it,

but my meeting was,

like, halfway through,

so I had to leave early.

Yeah, and how... oh, good,

you had a good excuse.

- I had a good excuse to be...

- How was that?

- It was fine.

- I'll just put this here.

It was kind of pointless

to meet with them

because I'll have

more information

after my doctor's

appointment today.

- That is so beautiful.

- It's pretty swollen.

I bumped into my bed,

and mine looks worse than that.

No, that's gorgeous.

- But yeah, I mean...

- What work did he do?

'Cause you haven't seen me

since the surgery, right?

- No, no.

- Yeah, so that...

And I never saw anything before.

I had no idea

you had this problem.

Well, you...

you couldn't tell.

No, she dances so beautifully.

- It's doing very well.

- Yeah.

- The scar looks straight.

- Lookit, she's so strong.

Look at the ankles and the feet.

I'm getting there.

- Well, he did a marvelous job.

- He really did.

You know, medicine

and a good doctor is an artist.

Yeah, that's true.

He was most concerned

with the scar

more than anything else.

I was concerned

'cause you can wear...

- My high heels?

- No one wants her...

Oh, what were you gonna say?

- No.

- Oh, tights?

- No, you can cover up.

- Right.

You know, I know

you don't really want to,

but I was much more concerned

about what was going on inside.

- So am I.

- Yeah, but it's...

- So we'll see.

- Yeah, look at you, though.

- Still a bit sensitive, though.

- You're flexing here.

I've been thinking about

the very first time

that I found out who you were,

which to me is

really crazy that it was

far into my career

as a professional already,

and I saw the film

"The Ballet Russe."

- A lot of books...

- There wasn't that much said...

Right.

Because when I came along,

the less said was the better,

you know?

Yeah, yeah.

I mean, I just went

as I was and who I was,

but people,

they thought it wasn't nice

to talk about race

or I might be insulted.

I mean, I...

yeah, I think...

So a lot of it wasn't like...

now we have this time span,

and now people

are very interested,

and people don't talk about it

and especially

younger people, you know.

I mean, I think it's important

to be able to discuss it,

because then it forces people

to kind of confront the issues.

But yes, the first time

I saw you

was in "The Ballet Russe" film,

and I cried my eyes out

because I didn't even know

that a black ballerina

of your level existed,

and so that was kind of

the start

of this mission I had, you know,

to learn more

about black ballerinas,

to try and educate other people

about who you are,

who Janet Collins is,

and so that's kind of

how this all got started.

You know...

You know, when you

start out looking.

Yes, in the pose.

Yeah.

And that's your pose,

and then we were

doing the cygnets.

- Oh, right.

- Yes.

We did the same...

we did the same part,

so it's hard for us to both...

Well, I think I've done it

in other positions.

Yeah, you kind of...

you just...

You kind of have to be ready

to jump into any of the slots.

You... I had

to go into it...

But we both...

and you're used to doing

the quick...

the quick head switching.

Oh, yes, did you do that?

And there's different versions.

- Yeah.

- And...

Oh, my goodness.

And then go.

Then you take off like...

Oh, wow.

Yeah, and then the embots.

- Going back to the corner.

- Yeah.

- Did you do the embots?

- Oh, right!

That's it.

And then the pas de chats,

and you just...

Right, and that...

Did you look forward,

or did you look over

when you did the pas de chats?

- No, I think we looked left.

- Yes, over.

- Yeah.

- I mean your right.

- Right.

- When you're going right.

Over the direction you're going.

And then comes the pause

and then a fouett.

Back.

And then the passs at the end.

Pass, pass, pass.

Oh, God, yes.

- Did you do the heads that way?

- Yes, yup.

- And then all of a sudden...

- And then you let go.

Barump, barump on the knee.

Let's see,

and how did the hands go?

We went... we went this way

and then this way to finish.

- That's it, yeah.

- Is that how you did it?

Yup.

- Same old, same old.

- Never changes.

No.

Well, little things

here and there.

Those little swans,

we don't want to lose them

in the lake, so...

But, oh, just...

It's incredible that you still

remember all those

little details.

Yeah, isn't it?

And I mean,

when you hear the music...

It just comes back.

- It's in your body.

- Yeah.

Do you have a needle?

Oh, no, I got it.

It was hiding.

I got it.

Thank you.

90 degrees, fifth.

Fifth.

Ronde de jambe.

And one, two, three.

Okay.

- How are you?

- Just fine, and you?

Eh.

I think I... I could have

pulled something,

but I had a back spasm.

- When, yesterday?

- The first day in Rome.

- First day in Rome.

- First day?

It started, yeah.

I just...

During the performance

or the rehearsal?

No, getting into the van.

- Getting into the van?

- Yeah.

Oh, come on.

That's when they happen.

When did it happen?

Two days ago.

So last night was the worst.

I couldn't breathe.

It feels, also, like my

sacrum or something is stuck.

No, no.

Yeah.

Yes.

No.

Relax.

Okay.

Okay, now on your side

and face the wall.

Yeah, towards him

on your right side.

Do you have pain?

- Yes.

- S.

Okay.

It cracked.

- Pain?

- Yes.

S.

- Pain?

- Yes, same place.

Okay.

Okay.

Grazie.

Uh...

Tomorrow.

Yes, yes.

I think.

So tightest.

Tight.

Except for these two

ladies right here.

- Thank you.

- I know that's what he meant.

Well, no, if she's with you,

that's fine.

I'm not worried about that.

Oh, that was your daughter?

No, you can stay here, then.

I'm sorry.

I didn't know

that was your daughter.

- Are they with you?

- Yeah.

Okay, no, if they're

with you, that's fine.

I didn't know

it was your daughter.

Misty, Misty, do me a favor.

I'm gonna have them

just move back.

Just move back.

Just move back a little bit.

Thank you.

- Hello.

- Hi.

- Brilliant performance.

- Thank you.

Thank you very much.

This is for

my daughter, Allison.

She took a picture with you

when she was four.

- Oh, my God.

- And that's on the other side.

I have to see this.

- That's you and her.

- Oh, my God!

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