Hans Christian Andersen Page #4

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That would take till tomorrow morning.

We'll do it again.

Not with these shoes, darling.

I told you before, remember?

Stop! Everything stop.

Is the cobbler here yet?

- Here I am.

- Come up here, cobbler.

Come on. Hurry up!

Cobbler, this lady will explain to you

what she wants you to do.

It's a trifle complicated, but she's no

ordinary dancer. She's something special.

Of all the dancers in Denmark, she is

the only one who cannot follow my steps

without special shoes

that exist only in her mind.

All this she will make clear

to you, perhaps.

We cannot understand

so great a ballerina

We must only bow to her every wish.

Not quite low enough, my dear!

Come, sir. We can talk more quietly

over there, I think.

Lunch, everybody.

You've seen the ballet

when I make a jet?

You know - when I jump.

I want to rise and then remain motionless,

as though I were standing

on nothing but air.

It is impossible with these shoes,

but if you could put something in the tip

of each one, I could do it, I'm sure I could,

in spite of that unkind man.

I would so love to show him

it is not impossible.

It is possible, isn't it?

Could you do it?

Yes.

Yes, I can do it.

I'll find something.

Something soft and silent.

I'm sure I can do it.

- You could really seem to stand on air.

- You have it!

I can see you have the idea perfectly.

I shall be so grateful to you.

There, can you do it now - quickly?

It would be such a service.

I would be forever grateful. Thank you.

Louise, my slippers!

You have to go out this way.

Hans!

Goodness, you were a long time!

Have we got a job?

- What are you holding?

- Slippers.

Slippers? I never saw slippers like that

before. Who wears a thing like that?

- The loveliest lady I've ever seen.

- Why does she wear these?

She dances - no, she floats.

When she smiles, your heart skips

a beat and then melts.

She smiled and stood close to me.

She even touched me.

Where's the barrow?

- I promised these to her quickly.

- Right over here.

I hid it here in the theatre storeroom.

She wants shoes that will walk on air,

Peter. This afternoon.

Well, she'll have them.

I wish she had asked me something

really impossible.

Doro...

Are you hungry?

Do you love me?

Yes, even half-starved, I love you.

Come.

Sit down. Let me feed you.

Here. A sip of this to put you

in a better temper.

And, look.

I asked Helga to make this especially

for you today.

My darling, was I cruel today?

Oh, you were, my friend. You were indeed.

I was almost in tears.

- Doro, I'm sorry.

- Niels, don't be sorry.

It's just as it should be.

Don't you see that, my angel?

Professionally, we fight like two tigers,

but afterwards...

That's what makes it so good afterwards.

Isn't it good now?

It's wonderful. Why do I forget that

the minute you start to dance?

Then I see only my mortal enemy -

the ballerina - in front of me.

Because the ballet is your life,

just as it is mine.

Don't you think I sometimes forget

you are my husband when I am dancing,

and want to kill you

for some of the things you say?

You really want to kill me?

Of course I do. Isn't that as it should be?

I would hate it any other way,

wouldn't you?

Oh, Niels, we are lucky,

and I do love you so.

I'm sorry about the shoes. I will behave

beautifully this afternoon, you will see.

- Sorry about the shoes?

- There was nothing wrong with them.

I just did that to torment you.

Oh, you did?

I know exactly how to torment you,

don't I, darling?

And you look so wonderfully poetic

when you are in a rage, my dear.

Never mind how I look. So you just made

up that little bit about the shoes, huh?

But you were being terrible.

You deserved it.

You let everyone sit around

while you took your petty revenge?

You forget what you said in front

of the entire company about my dancing?

No, I don't. I remember every word of it.

- I was right!

- Oh, you were?

Yes, and if you've finished stuffing

yourself, I can say it again

because we're going

back to the rehearsal.

You danced the waltz

like an elephant in a snowdrift!

What did you say?

I said you danced the waltz

like an elephant in a snowdrift!

No, like an elephant who fell down

and was trying to get up!

Can you hear me? Is that loud enough?

How dare you! I slave to make

each step you give me just right.

I make your foolish little dance steps

acceptable to an audience.

You don't slave hard enough.

Move in time to the music once in a while!

You are not just cruel, you are heartless.

Completely heartless.

You love to say cruel things to me! You

would like to see me grovel at your feet!

- You'd see those steps clearer that way!

- How can I stand it?

How do I bear it?

Come - you can cry harder than that.

I've heard you cry much harder.

That, my girl, is for thinking up

those shoes.

On stage, everybody!

Let's see what you can think up

for this afternoon's rehearsal.

You've fixed the shoes? Good.

- Do you see what he's doing to her?

- Of course.

Never interfere between a husband

and wife. It's the best rule I ever heard of.

You mean she's married to him?

- To that man?

- Very much married. Outside, please.

No one is allowed in the theatre during

rehearsal. That's another very good rule.

How much do we owe you

for the shoes, my boy?

How could you do it?

How could a girl like you

marry a man like that?

How can I help you?

Dance! Dance!

Dance! Dance!

Dance!

Help me!

Help me!

Help me!

Help me!

Cobbler?

Cobbler! Thank you for the shoes. You

left before I had a chance to thank you.

They were wonderful.

I really floated on air. Thank you.

Thank you.

Don't tell me what to do!

They'll work tomorrow.

They'll work till they get it right.

I'll see them drop in their tracks.

And you have my coat ready for me

when I'm ready to leave!

Home!

What funny people they are over there.

They laugh and kiss, then they scream

and beat each other. Kind of crazy.

What are you doing, Hans?

- Writing.

- A letter? To the children?

- Say something for me to them.

- It's not to the children.

What? Who are you writing to, Hans?

The ballerina.

Stop bothering me, Peter.

Why are you writing

to the ballerina, Hans?

I heard him talk to her.

I saw him slap her face.

But, Hans, they're married.

I know that.

I heard them talking

before you came in, Hans.

It was different.

Look, Peter, you're a child.

You don't understand.

I saw him make her cry with my own eyes.

- But, Hans, they...

- Don't bother me.

I must finish this tonight.

"The Little Mermaid.

A story for Mademoiselle Doro.

"And so, gradually, the little mermaid

began to understand.

"She had sought love

from the wrong man. "

Come in.

I'm sorry, sir, but he insisted

on seeing you immediately.

Shh. She's asleep. What's the trouble,

doorman? Who's this little boy?

This is addressed to Mademoiselle Doro.

He was in the theatre trying to take it.

It seems to be a story,

and it is addressed to her.

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