Regine
[to Odette, who's just came in the room]
You...traitor! You knew this. You stabbed me in the back. You are sacked!
MR Mérante
[bangs his cane]
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?
Felicie
[softly]
Yes.
MR Mérante
[turns to Regine]
Is that also clear to you, Madame?
Regine
[glares at Mérante]
Clear.
MR Mérante
Then, Felicie Lebraz from Brittany, your future at the Opera is in your hands. [he walks out of the room, Felicie and Odette follow]
Camille
[referring to Felicie]
What if she's good, Mother?
Regine
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]
Felicie
[after Camille once again steals her music box]
Leave it. Give it back.
Camille
[laughs mischievously]
Silly me. I didn't throw it hard enough THE FIRST TIME!
Felicie
[She prepares to throw it across the room, but Felicie grabs her wrist and takes her music box back]
Don't make the same mistake. [puts the music box back in her pocket and starts to walk away]
Camille
Why are you leaving? Scared of being humiliated?
Felicie
[stops and faces her]
Looks like you need more training. [uses her broom to stretch her body] You're nowhere near ready. [drops her broom as she and Camille circle each other on tiptoes]
Camille
I'm going to show you what a real dancer looks like.
Felicie
Are you sure about that?
Camille
Quiet! Tonight, these seats will be full! Paris will be looking at me! Adoring me!
Felicie
[smirks]
Or not.
Camille
[furiously]
I already told you! You are nothing! You will always be nothing!
Felicie
[spins up to her]
Only one way to find out. Right here. Right now.
N Nora
[She and Camille engage in a dance-off. Nora walks in and notices] [pleasantly surprised]
Oh my god. [rushes out of the room and shouts to the others in the building] BATTLE!
MR Mérante
[after Felicie wins the dance-off between Camille and herself]
Impressive, ladies! But let me ask you both an important question. Why do you dance?
Camille
[confidently]
I dance because... [less confident] I dance because... Because... [meekly] My mother makes me?
Felicie
[Merante looks to Felicie, hoping for a better answer] [sincerely]
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.
Camille
[remorseful]
She should dance.
MR Mérante
[Felicie give her an astonished look]
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!
Camille
[The crowd breaks out into applause as Felicie looks around in awe and humility] [holds out her hand to Felicie, truthfully]
Great job.
AE Auguste Emmanuel Vaucorbeil
[Felicie looks surprised for a moment, then smiles and shakes Camille's hand. She soon pulls Camille into a warm hug]
Well done, my sweetness!
GG Greasy Guard
[miserably]
Okay. Bravo, bravo.
AE Auguste Emmanuel Vaucorbeil
Oh bravo!
Felicie
[after pulling out of the hug, she turns to Odette]
YES! [throws her arms around Odette, who immediately returns the embrace]
Odette
[softly]
Yes. [she shares the embrace with Felicie]
