Dance Academy Page #2

CHRISTIAN:

I had to see my lawyer. He wants apersonal reference.

MR KENNEDY:

And what should it say, “Christianused to come to class but now can’t

be bothered”?

CHRISTIAN:

You can say whatever you like.

Christian gets up to go, Mr Kennedy snaps. He’s under

pressure.

MR KENNEDY:

Sit. The Board are serious about

their new “Back to Ballet” policy.

Our teaching methods are beingscrutinised. Even having you here,

under bail conditions, is somethingthey’ve questioned.

CHRISTIAN:

(stung)

I’m sorry to make things hard for

you.

Mr Kennedy softens. He’s on Christian’s side.

MR KENNEDY:

That’s not what I meant. I justneed you to work with me a little.

(MORE)

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MR KENNEDY (CONT'D)

If you want a reference, how aboutyou show us you deserve it?

CHRISTIAN:

Don’t worry about it.

Christian gets up and leave the room.

6 INT. ACADEMY/CORRIDOR - DAY 1 6

TARA, KAT, ABIGAIL, SAMMY, N/S FIRST YEARS BOYS AND GIRLS

Class is finished. The first years pile out of the room,

carrying their practise skirts and shirts.

Kat, Sammy and Tara emerge together. Kat is fired up aboutthe changed curriculum and on her soapbox.

KAT:

We can’t just take all thesechanges lying down. We have freewill. We need to plan.

TARA:

(apologetic)

I would love to plan but I haveknee stuff.

Kat rolls her eyes as Tara heads off. She looks to Sammy,

putting him on the spot.

ABIGAIL:

Sammy!

They turn to see Abigail emerging from the studio and makinga beeline for him. Kat makes a face.

KAT:

Come find me when you’re free.

Kat heads off in another direction, as Abigail reaches Sammy.

She smiles - he smiles back but less enthusiastically thanusual.

ABIGAIL:

I was looking for you last night.

SAMMY:

Yeah? I... was hanging out withKat.

ABIGAIL:

(flirting)

Are you avoiding me?

She’s not letting her vulnerability show but it’s there underthe surface. He has been avoiding her.

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SAMMY:

No... I just, you know, you andKat... you’re like oppositemagnetic poles, anyone caught inthe middle is instantly crushed...

Not pretty.

ABIGAIL:

So if I could be friends with Kat

that would help?

Sammy laughs - and then sees Abigail’s face - she’s beingserious.

SAMMY:

Sure. I mean, not that there’s

anything that needs help, right?

Right... I should go. Kat... Ipromised.

And he takes off after Kat, leaving Abigail wondering whatjust happened.

7 INT. ACADEMY/DOCTOR’S SURGERY - DAY 1 7

TARA, DR WICKS

Tara sits on the examining table. Dr Wicks moves her legslowly back and forth.

DR WICKS:

The ultrasound shows all the

ligaments are healing nicely. Howdoes that feel?

TARA:

Okay, I guess.

Dr Wicks finishes examining Tara and smiles, pleased for her.

DR WICKS:

I think you’re ready to startclass. Barre work at first but youshould be able to build up yourstrength quite quickly.

Tara is less convinced. She’s nervous.

TARA:

Really? My knee still feelsvery... fragile.

DOCTOR WICKS:

I thought you weren’t in any pain?

TARA:

No. I’m just scared it’ll pop outagain.

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DOCTOR WICKS:

You’ve put the work in, Tara. Yourmuscles are strong, they’ll protectit.

TARA:

No guarantees though, is there?

The Doctor shakes her head. There never is.

DOCTOR WICKS:

At some point you have to take aleap of faith. I wouldn’t let youdo it if you weren’t ready.

As Dr Wicks makes a note on her files, Tara tries to smile,

but we can see that a level of anxiety persists.

8 EXT. ACADEMY/WHARFSIDE - DAY 1 8

CHRISTIAN, TARA, ETHAN, N/S STUDENTS

Christian walks along the wharfside, once again on his mobilephone.

CHRISTIAN:

(on the phone)

Aaron, call me back. The hearing’snext week. I need to speak to you.

He hangs up, frustrated and a bit scared. Just then Tara

comes around the corner, preoccupied with the news from thedoctor and they almost bump right into one another.

TARA:

Hey.

CHRISTIAN:

Hey.

They’re both awkward, there’s still residue resentmenttowards each other from their recent break up.

TARA:

What did Mr Kennedy say? Does heknow you’ve been missing a lot ofclasses?

CHRISTIAN:

Didn’t think you’d noticed.

His gruffness is too much for Tara, she has enough of her ownproblems.

TARA:

Don’t worry about it.

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She heads off, sad they can’t even talk anymore. Christianhesitates for a moment and then can’t stop himself.

CHRISTIAN:

Tara? I just...

Tara turns and waits. This is obviously hard for him.

CHRISTIAN:

Can we go somewhere? Talk?

TARA:

Now? I’m supposed to be... (meeting

someone).

Just then Ethan arrives and sees Christian and Tara talking,

he stops, not sure what to do. Christian sees him and putstwo and two together.

TARA:

Ethan’s helping me... with my

rehab.

It’s clear Christian doesn’t believe this.

CHRISTIAN:

Good for him.

The moment has passed, Christian heads off away from them.

TARA:

Christian...

It hurts. Ethan steps in.

ETHAN:

He’s a big boy. You ready?

Tara takes one more look after Christian then follows Ethan.

She sees a piece of paper sticking out of his back pocket andreaches for it.

Ethan turns around to find Tara holding up his contract inher hand.

TARA:

What’s this?

9 INT. ACADEMY/REHEARSAL STUDIO - DAY 1 9

TARA, ETHAN

The sun sets through the studio windows. Ethan carries aPilates ball over to the centre of the room. Tara is much

more interested in reading Ethan’s contract.

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TARA:

I still can’t wrap my head aroundthe fact that this piece of papermeans you get paid to dance? Withthe National Ballet.

Tara beams wide. To her, it’s a golden ticket.

TARA:

It’s insane. Why haven’t you signedit yet?

Ethan looks uncomfortable, but covers it quickly.

ETHAN:

I have a week to read the fine

print so...

TARA:

I would crawl over broken glass tosign my contract.

He busies himself with the ball - doesn’t look her in the

eye.

ETHAN:

Yeah well... You should be glad Ihaven’t signed. Once I’m in theCompany there won’t be time for meto be your personal rehabassistant.

Ethan points to the ball - Tara should start.

ETHAN:

Say a hundred crunches?

Tara winces as she starts work. He’s a hard taskmaster.

TARA:

I could always fake your signature.

10 EXT. MAROUBRA BEACH - DAY 1 10

CHRISTIAN, KAYLAH, N/S HIP HOP KIDS

End of the day. Kaylah and a few other kids dance on amakeshift cardboard dance floor they’ve constructed near thebeach.

The hip hop is very cool and street. There are someincredible breakers, performing spectacular moves. Kaylah isa standout - she’s in her natural element.

Christian pulls up on his skateboard. He watches Kaylahdance for a beat, then she notices him, smiles and waves.

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