Oh, greatest ballet master of all time! Oh, most talented choreographer in the universe and beyond! He is handsome! He is elegant! He is strong! He is powerful! He is the man!
You want something from me?
How did you know? Yes. I have enrolled Camille Le Haut in your class.
Thank you.
Hi. Hello. [to herself; when none of the girls respond] Okay. Super. [louder] I'm Felicie.
Felicie?
Uh, no, no, no, no, no. Sorry. I'm... friendly, ever so friendly. And my name is Camille.
Okay. I'm Nora, but everyone calls me... Nora. That's... the name that goes with my face. [laughs] Hey, you should warm up.
Warm up? [shrugs and tries to literally 'warm up' by rubbing her hands on her arms]
Oh my. That is crazy. I'm guessing you're new, my darling?
You can tell that because...? [Before Dora can answer, Mérante enters. The girls quickly gather to one side of the room] Who is that?
You are joking, right? It's Louis Mérante, ballet master, world-famous choreographer, the man who performed the most fouettes ever in a single solo.
Foo-what?
Turns. Really difficult turns.
187 in total. And right after, he vomited!
Silence, mam'selle! First position, second...
Third, fourth, and rest in fifth. Today is an important day. I've gathered all the coryphées together to audition for the part of Clara in The Nutcracker, which will debut on Christmas Eve and star Rosita Mauri.
Rosita? Rosita Mauri? Oh, I don't believe it.
So, every girl in this room has a chance to dance in my new ballet... [points his cane at Felicie] ...except you. You've all worked hard... [points his cane again] ...except you. You are here because of talent and guts...
Except me.
Exactly. Starting tomorrow, we'll have an audition. One of you will be eliminated each day. So, tomorrow, little rich girl, no matter what strings you've pulled to get here, [turns around] that will be...YOU.
I hope that tomorrow you act with a little more dignity. [starts to walk out] Anyway, tonight was... [puts his hat back on and smiles] A good performance.
You...traitor! You knew this. You stabbed me in the back. You are sacked!
SILENCE! [pause] Alright, like it or lump it, here is my deal. [to Camille] Miss Le Haut, you may enter the coryphée class starting tomorrow. And you will also be in the auditions for the part in The Nutcracker. [to Regine] But I want to be clear, if you sack Madame Odette, I will sack Camille. [walks to Felicie] You! You made a terrible start to the classes. And you have lied and cheated to be here. [Felicie sulks briefly] But...you have also shown great promise. And you've worked hard and shown your dedication. You must have a good teacher. [looks at Odette, then back at Felicie] So you may also stay in the auditions. If you get the part in The Nutcracker fair and square, you may become a coryphée too. If you fail to get the part, then you must leave the Opera. Is that clear?
Is that also clear to you, Madame?
Then, Felicie Lebraz from Brittany, your future at the Opera is in your hands. [he walks out of the room, Felicie and Odette follow]
Get that part! [puts her hand on Camille's shoulder] Do you hear me? I want vengeance. I will have it. [grabs Camille's arm]
Impressive, ladies! But let me ask you both an important question. Why do you dance?
I dance because... [less confident] I dance because... Because... [meekly] My mother makes me?
Because it's always been a part of my life. It was there with my mom when I was a baby. It's here now thanks to Odette. It allows me to live. To be myself.
That was very honest, Miss Le Haut, and brave. You have a future at the Opera, if you wish it. [Camille gives him a grateful smile] Felicie, tonight, you dance The Nutcracker!
Great job.
Well done, my sweetness!
Okay. Bravo, bravo.
Oh bravo!
YES! [throws her arms around Odette, who immediately returns the embrace]
