Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight Page #7

ask you for your autograph.

You did?

Your dancing inspired her.

And being able to inspire

people when we dance

is just as important

as being technically flawless.

You know, when I was your age,

the other kids

in ballet class

used to call me Slippery Sanchez

because I was so clumsy.

You? No way!

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Yes way.

I couldn't stop wondering what I

was going to have to do next.

Well, how did you

stop feeling that way?

I had help.

You see, I didn't just come

to the hospital benefit

to see your class perform.

I was there visiting

my grandmother.

Because she's the one

who boosted my confidence

when dancing was tough

early on.

And I want to pay forward

what she did for me to you.

That's why I'm here.

And the rest

is up to you.

What do you mean?

I can't force you

to stay in the show.

You have to want it.

I do want it.

I mean, I did.

I love dancing.

I don't know.

Isabelle, ballet is hard.

It's sore feet and tired muscles

and hours and hours of practice.

There will always be other dancers who are

better, stronger and faster than you.

But if you love dance

as much as you say you do,

then that won't matter to you.

But it seems like it does.

Now, I've got to get

back to rehearsal.

Think about what I said, okay?

Dancing does matter to me.

A lot.

When I dance,

I feel amazing.

It's like my whole

body's tingling,

from the very tip of my pinky

toe to the top of my head.

But now I keep waiting

for that feeling to happen,

but it's not happening.

How do I get it back?

How do I start believing

in myself again?

You work harder,

for a start.

Practice those turns over and over again,

no matter how many times you fail at it.

Do whatever it takes.

That's the kind of dedication that's going

to get you into the summer program.

If that's something

you're willing to do,

I look forward to seeing

you at practice tonight.

If Isabelle doesn't show up,

we're gonna

have to recast her.

I cannot have dancers missing

rehearsals this close to opening night.

ISABELLE:
Wait! I'm here!

Finally.

I'm really happy

to see you, Isabelle.

Thanks for coming

to talk to me.

You really helped.

And I'm going to do it. I'll work

my butt off, whatever it takes.

Good.

So, assuming as though everybody

is actually here now,

maybe we could have a warm-up

in five minutes.

Yes?

At least an understudy would have

been able to land a double pirouette.

You know, Renata,

you can think whatever you want about me,

because it doesn't bother me anymore.

I know that I'm going to do

the best I possibly can.

Well, goody for you.

Because your best wouldn't have gotten

you into Anna Hart without your sister.

Honestly, I don't really know

how I got into Anna Hart.

What I do know is that I'm here and

that's all that really matters.

I'm a good dancer.

And I'm going to work as hard as I

can to become an even better dancer.

Nothing you or anyone else says

can make me feel bad anymore.

I'm doing this show for me.

To prove to myself

that I can do this.

And that's exactly

what I'm going to do.

So excuse me while I go kick

some butt on the dance floor.

Oh.

And I'll be sure to send you a

postcard this summer from New York.

So, in the history

of sister fights,

that one might have ranked

as one of the worst.

I don't know.

I'm still pretty mad at you for cutting the

hair off all my dolls when you were five.

I'd like to think I was

giving them makeovers.

A makeover to one of them

would have been okay.

But all of them?

Hey, I like to finish

what I start. (LAUGHS)

So I guess it's a good thing I came

back instead of giving up on the show.

I'm glad you did.

Jade, I'm really sorry.

I was so into my own problems,

I didn't realize

you were having some yourself.

You know, you don't always

have to be perfect.

Especially around me.

Thanks.

And you know,

you're awesome, too.

Not just because

you're my little sister,

because you're you.

Thanks.

Well, the next time you feel

like you need to scream,

I promise to shut up

so you can be heard.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Now I've got a lot of work to do if

I want to make the summer program.

You mean "we" have

a lot of work to do.

You? Miss Perfect?

Please! You're a shoe-in.

(BOTH LAUGH)

But seriously,

I could use your help.

You are one of the

best dancers I know.

Sounds good.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

(POP MUSIC PLAYING)

Jade is going to love

this costume, sweetie.

Remember, keep

your shoulders down.

Go!

Go!

Oh!

NANCY:
The pink ribbon was

such a great idea of yours.

ISABELLE:
It's perfect.

JADE:
You just need to get back

to the place where you were

when you were turning

in the cafeteria.

Those were such

good turns, okay?

Just relax.

Try again and use

your visualization.

That was

so much better.

(GROANS)

Am I ever going to be able to do this?

(LAUGHING)

(BOTH LAUGHING)

Hey. Good morning,

sleepy head.

I'm not used to seeing you up this early.

What are you doing?

I just thought I could get a little more

practice in before the show tonight.

Oh.

You're a little worried, huh?

Oh, no, only that I'll mess up,

completely embarrass myself

and then find out I didn't

get into the summer program.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

But seriously, I'm worried I'm gonna

fall out of my turns during the show.

Honey...

I want to get into

the summer program so badly.

I've never wanted anything

more in my whole life!

I know.

But what if I don't get in?

What if Renata beats me?

You know what, honey.

I don't think

you can think about that.

The important thing is that you

have worked as hard as you could.

And tonight you're gonna do

the best you can in the show.

And we all know how hard you've

worked, because it shows.

Nobody can take that

work away from you. No one.

Not even Renata.

Okay.

How about I make

you some breakfast?

Sounds good.

Okay.

I'll let you know

when it's ready.

Okay. I'm just going to

practice a little bit more.

All right, honey.

MAN:
Curtain in 15 minutes,

everyone.

Look, it's Lucy!

There's so many people.

So, how are we?

Good.

Fine.

I know you're going

to do great.

Thanks.

Okay, see you out there.

Look! It's Mom and Dad.

Come on, let's go get warmed up.

Okay.

(sums)

(GASPS)

My costume!

Great. This is just

what I need right now.

We should help her, right?

We are all

in this together.

(sums)

Can you go to the costume studio, get

a needle and some purple thread?

Yeah.

I could fix that for

you if you'd like.

Really? Why would you do that?

You mean because you hate me?

(CHUCKLES)

I don't know. I'm just

as surprised as you are.

I mean, we're all

a family here, right?

And I guess being good to

each other no matter what

is what the holidays

are all about.

Well, thanks.

You know, Isabelle,

I don't hate you.

You could have fooled me.

Here you go.

Thanks.

Is everything okay? It will be.

You finish

getting ready.

I've got this covered.

You and your sister,

you guys look so close.

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