High Strung Page #4

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So, maybe I can enter

the Peterson competition.

You know, I don't think you have

enough discipline to make that happen.

Let me prove it to you.

What do you say?

You know, that was a really idiotic,

macho stunt you pulled with Kyle.

Yeah, I think

he won that battle.

Of course, I could make it up

to you with an apology dinner?

Do I have to change?

I'll take you

however I can get you.

Eight o' clock, my place?

I'll see you then.

- Hey.

- Hi.

Is that Johnnie?

Yeah.

Definitely sexy fierce.

Hello.

Hi.

So, this is your apology?

Yeah.

It's working.

Did you cook?

No, my man Krispy did.

Oh.

Thank you for coming.

You're welcome.

So, I saw you dancing

for the first time today.

Oh.

Didn't know dance

could be like that.

So beautiful.

I have this problem...

letting go.

Something you do really well.

Apparently, too well.

Sometimes.

I brought you the violin.

Thank you.

You're a very generous person,

you know that?

Crazy idea.

But there's this competition.

And I need a dancer.

Will you compete with me?

- Of course I will.

- Good.

Shall we give it a go?

That was beautiful.

I like playing for you.

- Hey!

- Hi.

See you later.

- Hey.

- Hey.

Where have you been?

I covered for you

in class this morning.

Thanks.

I had a slow start.

You look way too happy

to be sewing that pointe shoe.

What?

You're glowing.

- It's blinding me.

- Stop it!

Must have been

some dinner you had.

Okay, fine.

If you're not going to tell me

anything, I'm gonna go get coffee.

- Hey.

- Hi.

I've been wanting to talk

to you since the benefit.

Your friend is

quite a piece of work.

To challenge me like that...

Well, it takes two to tango.

Funny.

So, I heard you entered the String

and Dance Competition with him.

Mm-hmm.

You do know he doesn't give a squat

about playing classical violin, right?

Well, you're entitled

to your opinion.

You should come dance

in my team instead.

That's sneaky, Kyle.

Poaching other people's dancers.

What can I say?

I'm a competitive guy.

Plus, you know, all the major dance

companies will be at the performance.

So, it really is

in your best interest.

That's pretty cold.

Okay, then.

I will take that as a no.

Too bad.

I guess April and I will have

to annihilate you both...

Take all the money, glory.

Hi.

You're on time.

- You okay?

- Yeah.

We're up against Kyle and April.

One of MCAs best dancers.

It's all right.

I've got a plan.

What?

So, you want us

to dance with you

in a classical shindig?

Yes.

Hell yeah!

- Let's do this.

- They're gonna love this show.

Thanks for this opportunity.

Point your toes!

Do it again!

We need to have

a beefy bass drum.

That's it.

Girl, you so tight.

That's not it.

Go up. You wanna

sit in that hip.

- How much is this?

- It's $125,000.

Listen, is it really that much?

I don't know!

Yes!

- No Mingazzi violin.

- Thanks anyway.

Look at that,

you're such a show-off.

I'm telling you, it's hard!

- Whoa!

- Whoa!

Harder! Sharper!

Don't just dance.

Do it with feeling!

- Hey!

- Hi, there.

- Are you ready?

- Yeah.

- Hello.

- Hi.

Don't wait up.

Hey.

You're too stiff.

What's up with your roommate?

Oh, she doesn't know

how to have fun.

But, you know, I do.

So, where are we going?

Don't worry.

You're gonna love it.

Move those hips!

Short hands.

Jasmine, I see you.

Five, six, back up!

Ruby, what are you doing?

This is not ballet!

Very good, April.

Up!

Jasmine, come here.

You're late.

You know the rules.

Sit. And see Markova

after class.

You too, Ruby.

All right, everyone else,

I want you to do it again!

Yes! Hit it!

Ruby, short lines!

Move it!

What is going on with you two?

What is going on with you two?

You know that you are

under more scrutiny

than the dancers that pay

full tuition.

I understand that.

- I can't tell you how much this

scholarship means to me. -Me too.

Ruby, there is no denying

in your dedication.

But we were hoping to see you making more

progress in your Contemporary class.

Unfortunately,

it's not happening.

So, we are placing you

under review.

As for you, Jasmine,

I don't know what to say.

You are one of

our most talented dancers.

And you work the least.

Jasmine, this is

your last warning.

Next time you are late

for a class,

you will be expelled.

That's all.

What does it mean?

It's to strike a note

emphatically.

And...

this one?

That is the date

my grandfather died.

I'm sorry.

Don't worry. Everything is

going to be okay.

This competition is going

to change everything.

Hello.

Hi, honey, it's me.

Hi, mom.

- Is something the matter?

- No!

Nothing, nothing, I'm good.

Listen, I fixed it with work

and they let me off.

- You're coming?

- Yes.

- To the competition?

- Yes.

- They gave me the whole weekend.

-Oh, mom, I am so excited.

Yeah, me too!

- Whoa! I'm late.

- Oh!

- Mom, I'll call you back, okay?

- Okay.

Jazzy, you got to get up.

Come on, it's after 8:00.

Stop it!

- Leave me alone!

- We have class.

I don't know about you, but I am

planning on keeping my scholarship.

I'm sleeping! Ugh!

Get off my bed, you b*tch!

I'm just... I'm sorry.

I'm just so tired.

Because you've been going to

bed at 4:
00 in the morning.

I can't dance today.

I don't feel well.

What are you doing, Jazzy?

I can't believe you're just

going to throw everything away

so you can party with this guy.

Yeah, I like him!

What about your dreams and everything,

everything that you've worked for?

Have you completely

forgotten who you are?

I'm a dancer.

Then start acting like one.

And get your butt out of bed.

Dancers dance no matter what.

Hey, there's Jazzy.

Oh, look who decided to show up.

That's right, April,

you better watch your back

'cause I'm going to

sweat all over it.

That's just gross.

You are coming to watch me and Kyle in the

String and Dance Competition tomorrow, right?

- Right.

- Of course we're going.

Have you seen

Kyle and April's number?

No.

I heard they have some Joffrey

dancers on their team.

Oh!

Excited?

Yeah.

And a little nervous!

You guys are going to be great.

Thanks.

I wish you were dancing with us.

Well, I should have

said yes when you asked.

I was an idiot.

- Next year.

- Yes!

Oh!

- Hello.

- Hello. Ms. Adams?

- This is Ruby. -Lenny here.

The consignment store.

- Listen, I got a surprise for you.

-What?

I got your boyfriend's

fancy violin.

You're kidding me?

If you want it, you better

come over and pick it up

because I don't do

home delivery, all right?

Okay, I'll be right there.

What is it?

What happened?

They found Johnnie's violin.

Johnnie!

Wassup, man?

We're heading out to pick

up the rest of the crew.

- Yeah, see you at the theater?

- Yeah.

At 6:
30. Don't be late.

Yeah, right!

We're about to kill it.

Get out...

Wish me luck.

Hold on a second.

I got eyes on him.

Johnnie Blackwell?

Yeah.

This way, sir.

This is so good. Really.

This theater is beautiful!

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