The Turning Point Page #2

- Don't run, Adelaide.

- I told you Michael and I will do our best.

And I never run.

Deedee?

How do you get anywhere with her?

By realizing she knows

exactly what she's doing.

Oh, by the way, we'd like to have

a new ballet for Emma this season.

Oh, you don't have to use her, Arnold.

It's just a thought.

- Oh, were you pleased with Emma tonight?

- Yes, very.

I made Emma, Janina.

No, she didn't. Michael made Emma.

But you helped, Adelaide.

Booze brings out the nit-pickers.

I could have helped make you.

- Really, Mom?

- Were you as good as Emma, Mom?

- I was different.

- Very. From the day you both joined us.

Different how?

Your mother preferred to get married.

- Well, good night, all.

- I'll walk you to the car.

- Good night.

- Coming. Good night.

God, dancers have ugly feet. Ugh.

If I were a man, I could have had all the feet...

I mean children... I wanted, and still danced.

How many children?

Three. Like yours.

And a husband like Wayne.

Yes.

You're a very lucky girl.

Wanna change places?

No, I can't see you

teaching a pack of klutzy kids.

Or living in a town

where the company finally, finally comes.

And when they do, it's for a two-night stand.

No, you picked the life you wanted, Emma.

So did you.

No, not really.

You didn't let me.

- How not?

- "How not?"

We've picked up some fancy-schmancy

expressions along the way, haven't we?

Deedee...

I honestly don't know

what you're talking about.

- Remember Michael doing Anna Karenina?

- Yes, of course I do.

- Who did he rehearse for the part of Anna?

- You and me.

And?

And...

- You got pregnant.

- Yeah.

And you got 19 curtain calls.

Oh, Deedee.

Deedee...

- You resent me for that?

- No, not for that.

Would you like to change places?

I don't get 19 curtain calls any more.

But somebody will in something else,

and it won't be me.

Remember Dahkarova?

Well, she lives in an apartment

in Carnegie Hall that's as old as she is,

splattered with photographs

of herself as Giselle.

She coaches...

when she can.

She rents rooms to dancers when she can.

She was a great ballerina. She was our idol.

But Michael never considered her for Anna.

She was too old.

Exactly.

Well, that's a fact of life, Emma.

And I have to take class in the morning.

That's another fact of life.

Hi, Mom.

Ethan... Ethan?

Women aren't allowed in here.

I suppose the game was called

on account of rain.

It wasn't a game, only practice.

- You're gonna get kicked off the team.

- I won't.

- Oh, you think you're so valuable?

- No. But they do.

Get dressed. Out. Go home.

- It's Dad's advanced class.

- I know the schedule.

I'm not gonna miss that class,

so you can save your breath.

You save yours.

Now, get this straight, young man.

You wanna play baseball, finish practice.

You wanna dance, be on time.

I prefer baseball, because athletes last

a lot longer and make a lot more money,

but either way you follow the rules.

You got it?

I got it.

OK, second group, please.

See you in the rehearsal later. Bye.

Be ready.

Prparation. Music start.

Turn. Heel forward.

Continue. Come on, girls.

Together. Not too late.

Everywhere she's studied,

she's been on scholarship.

She studied with Carmelita

in Los Angeles, again on scholarship.

Thank you. Boys, please.

She's danced professionally

in Houston and Santa Fe.

Lots of money in Santa Fe.

And pause. Hold it. Pause.

Girls, continue immediately.

Arabesque. Feet close.

All the time in proper position.

Take the time right.

Good.

Proper ending,

and the whole combination to the left side.

Deedee and Wayne did a good job.

What do you think, Adelaide?

Dad, is it true that Yuri does doubles in the air

then a twist, and comes down on one knee?

- That's what I heard.

- Jesus.

My girlfriends couldn't care

if he did triples and landed in a split.

- They just like to see him in his tights.

- And you don't?

No. Dancers are boring. They're all in love

with themselves. It's those mirrors.

Dad, did you hear that?

Mom and Dad are teachers,

not dancers. You're neither.

- Is that so?

- As a matter of fact, yes.

- Mom...

- If you don't know by now...

- They asked me to join the company.

- Oh, Emilia.

Quiet. Quiet.

When do you start?

With rehearsals in New York

before the summer season.

But, Daddy, I didn't tell them I'd go.

- Jerk.

- Ethan!

- I said I wanted to think it over.

- Why, for God's sake?

'Cause she's got more brains than you.

She knows it's the fork in her road.

- The what?

- Don't laugh. It is.

And I want to know where I'm going.

Right. Why shouldn't you?

That's very smart of you, Emilia.

Let's eat.

The air conditioner in the office

is still on the fritz.

Yeah, I know. Thanks, hon. They said

they'd fix it first thing in the morning.

They always say that,

they just never say which morning.

Why do you think she's hesitating

aboutjoining the company?

She won't say it

but she feels funny about leaving us.

I do too. Even funnier.

I have this image of Janina

going off to college, and then Ethan, and...

You know that Emma travels

with these three little dogs?

- Would you rather Emilia didn't go?

- No.

God, no.

I don't want her to spend the rest of her life

buried here in Oklahoma City.

I was thinking - if she does go,

you should go to New York for the summer.

You always baby her.

She doesn't make friends as easily as Janina.

She will, in the company.

There's always a lot ofjealousy

in the company.

Well, that never bothered you.

Why don't you go? Why should I go?

You know you wanna go,

you know we have to keep school open,

and you know

I'm a better teacher than you are.

Only in the summer.

It's too damn hot here for me.

Besides, I can't leave the other kids.

Well, Janina's happy as a clam here, and she

takes good care of the house. And Ethan...

Oh, Ethan would kill

to go to New York and study.

So?

You know me too well.

I would love to go there.

I think you have to.

- Are you trying to get rid of me?

- No, trying to hold onto you.

- I thought it over, but I have two questions.

- Sure.

Ethan says I'm scared of competition. I'm not.

But it's a big company,

so how much will I get to dance?

Depends on how good you are.

Well, how good am I?

Very. Now, what's the other question?

Should I know now

whether I want to stay in the company?

What made you ask that?

Well, it seems if you really stay,

there are things you have to give up.

You nut. You deal with that

when and if it happens.

But for now, if you know

what you want to do then you do it.

- It's not always that easy to know.

- Oh, it is for me.

I mean, I know what I want for now.

What?

Just to dance.

Then go ahead.

Left hand on the barre.

Shoulder down. Arm. And...

Grand pli.

One shoulder back.

Open. Look over your hand. Feet together.

Lift your arm. Port de bras. Front. One...

Watch.

No. In the middle of the movement. That's it.

Perfect.

OK, now dvelopp. Pull it up. Keep your pull.

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