The Tango

by Cain Hopwood

  Fay opened her mouth to protest, but before she could say anything Jade burst out. “Fay, you’re wearing your Jimmies, Let me look. You haven’t worn these in ages.”

  Jade shouldered Simon aside to admire Fay’s black patent leather, and impossibly high, Jimmy Choo stilettos. Even in the low light of the theatre, the diamantes on the straps glittered invitingly. Jade made the kinds of oh and ah sounds that Simon normally only heard at firework’s displays.

  Simon let Fay bask and preen in the admiration before he cleared his throat. “So where are we meeting your friend?”

  “In the top bar, it should be a little more intimate than here. Follow me,” she said and led the way across the echoey entrance lobby.

  They took a staircase that led up to the mezzanine. This curved around the theatre to give access to the dress circle seats and boxes. But nestled at one end of the mezzanine, just past the last of the theatre doors, was a small bar.

  There were a few patrons enjoying a post show drink, but there were plenty of tables free. Fay however passed them all up and walked to the far end of the bar where, around the corner in a small nook, three chesterfields lined the walls.

  “If I didn’t know better I’d say you’d been here before,” Simon said. Fay just cocked her head and took a seat on one of the sofas.

  “You might say that m’boy,” David said. He rubbed his hands together. “Champagne for everyone I’d say. In fact I’ll get a bottle or two. It’s not as if any of us have to drive right?”

  A chorus of “sure”, “yep”, “great” and a thumbs up from Daryl was all the response David needed, so he headed off towards the bar. By the time they’d all settled in he’d returned with a couple of bottles and a brace of glasses, and he started pouring.

  They’d polished off the first bottle, and were just beginning on the second, when they were approached by a thin middle aged man whose voluminous grey hair was pulled back in a pony tail. “Fay Ellis, it’s good to see you again,” he said and flashed the group a charismatic smile. “How long has it been? Ten years?”

  Fay got up and gave him a hug. “Closer to fifteen I think Joe, either way it’s been way too long.”

  Jade scooted along her couch to make some space. Fay and Joe sat down together, totally absorbed in each other.

  “I don’t think I’ve even been back home for a good eight years,” he said. Then he shrugged. “There’s not really much to bring me back anymore. If it wasn’t for this tour I wouldn’t be back at all.”

  “So lots to do in the states then?” asked Fay.

  Joe raised his eyes to the ceiling. “Is there ever. There’s the follow up to this show to work on, and this tour is keeping me busy let me tell you. But what about you? Still in Galah?”

  “Of course.”

  “Still enjoying it? Not feeling the pull of the bright lights?”

  Simon thought that he saw the smallest of hesitations in Fay before she answered. “Not any more Joe. I feel like part of the furniture there now. I’m relishing doing my bit to root out and nurture talent.”

  Joe laughed. “In the most unlikely of places as usual.” He looked up to make eye contact with the rest of the group. “Seriously though, it’s the right place for Fay to be. So many of my principals come from rural areas. There’s something about the work ethic of country folk. They go that extra mile.”

  “And if you’re not willing to work like a trojan…” Fay said.

  “You’ll never get anywhere,” finished Joe. And they both laughed.

  “Now about this show of yours,” Fay said.

  Joe held up a hand. “OK, before you start, I know it’s not your cup of tea.”

  One side of Fay’s mouth curled up. “No it’s not, but I see what you’re doing and you know I support that.”

  “You’ve mellowed,” Joe said. “There was a time when we’d have had a flaming row over this show.”

  “Maybe I have. Or maybe you’re getting better at production.”

  Joe raised his hands heavenward. “High praise, how long have I been trying to get that from you?”

  Fay gave him a playful slap on the knee. “Stop it you old drama queen. Now, there was one thing though.”

  Something in Fay’s tone made everyone lean a little closer.

  “What?” asked Joe, all jocularity gone.

  Fay rubbed her chin. “In a few of the numbers something looked a little out somehow. It was almost as if the formations were out of balance.”

  Joe sighed. “Damn! I was hoping you wouldn’t notice. I figured if I could get it past you, I would be OK. Which numbers?”

  “The closing number of the first act was the first time I picked up on it,” Fay said. “I was surprised. It seemed like the choreography wasn’t up to your usual standard. After that I saw it more and more. The second last number particularly.”

  A grimace crossed Joe’s face. “Ah the circles. No I’m not happy with that one at all.” He looked around at the rest of the group. “Did any of you guys notice anything?”

  Simon shook his head. “Looked OK to me.”

  “I enjoyed it,” Daryl said. “But I am a footballer, so these aren’t the kinda formations I’m familiar with.”

  This prompted a round of guffaws, and the mood lightened.

  “How about you David?” asked Joe. “You’re not a footballer.”

  David laughed. “That I am not.” Then his face fell. “Yes I noticed it. If I hadn’t read the reviews and didn’t know you, I would have put it down to sloppy choreography.”

  “Trust an old pro like you to pick up on it. Out of curiosity, what do you think the issue is?”

  David paused for a few seconds then frowned. “I can’t figure it out. Your performers are first rate and confident. Most of the numbers are spot on. All I can blame it on is the choreography. Except you’re usually meticulous in that department.”

  Joe hung his head. “That’s what everyone will think. The truth is that I’m down a dancer, one of the soloists. She hurt her knee last week.”

  “Surely you have an understudy,” Fay said.

  “Of course, one of the corps de ballet girls can cover. But that leaves a hole in the formations when the whole company is on stage.”

  “Is this your first short handed show?” asked Fay.

  “It is. We have one more show here tomorrow in Canberra which we’ll have to bumble through. But I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board before we open in Melbourne next weekend.”

  Fay paused, thought for a couple of seconds and looked up at the ceiling. “How much time do you have?”

  “A week and a bit. Barely enough time to run auditions let alone rehearsals.” Joe screwed up his face. Then he stopped, opened his eyes and took a deep relaxing breath. “But, we’ll get through.”

  Fay patted him on the arm. “If there’s anything we can do to help, just call. We’re not far away.”

  “Thanks Fay, just knowing you’re close makes all the difference,” Joe said.

  After that the conversation turned to happier topics. Fay and David talked of their various students, and Joe told them some anecdotes about uppity New York prima donnas. Then once the three old friends had caught up on current events they started reminiscing about their days dancing in Sydney.

  To Simon it was a fascinating glimpse into the world of professional dance. Also, he couldn't help but notice that Jade was hanging off every word of the discussion between the three old friends, as David’s second bottle of champagne was slowly emptied.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Caught up as they were in the conversation about the world of dance, it was Daryl who noticed the time.

  “Hey Simon, what time were we due at the limo?” he asked.

  “Eleven thirty,” replied Simon on autopilot. Then he looked at his watch and straightened. “Crap, it’s ten past now. We’d better make a move.”

  Daryl, Simon and Jade stood immediately and started preparing to go. Simon grabbed his coat of
f the back of the chair, and Jade tossed back the remains of her glass and checked that the bottle was empty. She then grabbed Daryl by the arm and started walking toward the entrance of the bar.

  “Come on you two,” Simon said to Fay and David. He then held out his hand. “Joe, it has been a pleasure, I hope you find a fill in for your injured dancer.”

  Joe rose and shook Simon’s hand. “It’ll be more of a cover up than a fill in I’m afraid, but we’ll work something out.”

  Simon turned to go, but Fay was standing in the way. She had her head cocked to one side and she was looking at Jade and Daryl, who were halfway across the bar by now.

  “Joe,” she said.

  “What?”

  “Would she do?”

  “Who?”

  “Jade. Would she be suitable to fill the gap in your troupe?”

  Joe took a long and unabashed full body look at Jade. She was wandering away from them, and blissfully unaware of being coldly appraised like a fine breeding mare at the Galah sale yards.

  “What is she, five ten?” he asked.

  “Five eleven actually. She’s in flats,” Fay said.

  “Well she’s the perfect height, and perfectly proportioned. She’d fit right in with the rest of the cast,” Joe said. Then he turned to Fay and looked her straight in the eye. “But can she dance?”

  Fay didn’t even hesitate. “Would I have suggested it if she couldn’t. She’s not at the level of your soloists, but she should be dancing in Sydney and she’s a quick study.”

  “Stage experience?”

  “That’s where she’s weak, just my end of year shows,” Fay said.

  Joe ran one finger down the side of his face. “That’s not so bad. Assuming that your production levels are as high as they used to be years ago.”

  Fay stood a little taller. “They’re even higher. The whole point of my shows is to prepare these kids for city work.”

  “OK, I get that. So then, why isn’t she there?”

  “I don’t know,” Fay said.

  “I think I do,” Simon said. Both Fay and Joe turned back to face him. “She believes she’s too tall for one thing.”

  “Popycock,” Joe said.

  “Let him finish.”

  “To be more accurate she’s realistic about her height reducing her chances,” Simon said. “And second, she hasn’t really had a reason to want to leave Galah. She’s a country girl through and through.”

  Joe was nodding. “I understand that. City kids can audition easily, and if they get a part so what. It’s not like they have to leave their family and friends to pursue a dream. It took me years to get up the courage to go to New York.”

  “You mean it took you years before you were sick of me pestering you to go,” Fay said. “I knew talent then, and look how that turned out.”

  Joe held both hands up. “You’re right. And, you’re probably one of the few whose recommendations I’d even countenance.” He shook his head and took another look at Jade. She was waiting with Daryl out the front of the bar chatting. It looked like they were talking about their routine for the show. As he watched Simon saw her position Daryl, then walk around him in a sinuous twisting molinet.

  Joe’s eyebrows twitched upwards, “Well, she moves like a dancer. If she’s interested ask her to be here at the stage door at midday tomorrow with her kit. We’ll see soon enough if she’s up to scratch or not. She’d be helping me out for sure if she is.”

  “We’ll work on her won’t we Simon,” Fay said. Before Simon could respond she kissed Joe on the cheek and they took their leave.

  * * *

  Simon did his best to not give the game away on the short walk to meet the others outside the restaurant. Jade picked up on something though, because halfway there she elbowed him in the ribs.

  “What’s up with you? These shows usually have you talking nonstop for days. Especially given the luscious bodies, and minimalist costuming in this one.”

  Simon faked a yawn. “Just tired I guess.” He kept walking hoping that Fay wasn’t going to string this along much longer.

  By the time they arrived one of the limos had already left. They weren’t late, but the limo driver jumped to open the door for them. He obviously wanted to be home too, rather than hanging around outside on a frigid Canberra evening.

  Fay waited until they had all settled back into the warm leather seats before she broached the subject. It wasn’t a long ride to the airport so she got to the point quickly.

  “Jade, you know how I’m always on the lookout for auditions.”

  Jade looked up through half lidded eyes. “Yes.”

  “Well there’s one that I’d really like you to go to.”

  “Oh look Fay, I’m kinda tired. Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

  Fay chewed her bottom lip. “Not really, the audition is tomorrow.”

  “What! Why tell me this now?”

  The side of Fay’s mouth twitched in what Simon swore was a smile. “I only arranged it ten minutes ago.”

  Jade was wide eyed. “You mean, with Joe, for…”

  “Yes, for the gap he has in Scorched Floor. It will probably only be a couple of numbers, but you will be helping Joe out.”

  “But, I don’t know…”

  “You can do it,” Fay reached forward to put her hand on Jade’s knee. “You just saw the show, and you know you can. Plus, it’s only an audition. Joe has the final say. Trust me, he won’t take you if you can’t do the work.”

  Jade sat back and looked out the window. Simon didn’t know what she could be looking at because the dark tinted glass just reflected the cabin lights back at them. Maybe it was her own face.

  “It’s not like I can use my height as an excuse this time can I. When is it?”

  “Tomorrow, noon, at the stage door of the Canberra theatre,” Fay said. “So you’ll go?”

  Jade looked out the window for two long slow breaths before she turned back to face Fay. “Yes, I’ll go. I’d be crazy not to, right?”

  “This is an incredible opportunity Jade,” Simon said, trying to contain his excitement. “Imagine it, you could be dancing in Melbourne next week on tour with a New York ballet company. There’s not many dancers that can claim that.”

  Jade swallowed. “I know, I’m just scared. I figured my first proper show would be something small, more local.”

  “It is a far cry from Galah. But Fay wouldn’t have put your name forward if she didn’t have confidence in you,” Simon said.

  Jade nodded, and didn’t say any more. Beside her, Daryl sat quiet with a small crease in his brow. Looking at him Simon couldn’t work out whether he was lost in thought, or frowning.

  Boleo

  [bo-lay’-o], (lit. “Throw”).

  A movement in which the leader changes direction to create a momentum which causes the follower’s free leg to swing out along the floor or, with higher energy, into the air.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Simon walked slowly, his shoes ringing in a metallic clang as he mounted each step that led to Fay’s studio. For once the sky was clear, and a few early evening stars had managed to make themselves seen over the feeble orange glow of the car park street lights.

  He’d waited until the Monday evening ballet class had completely dispersed before getting out of the car. Daryl hadn’t turned up yet, assuming that is he was going to arrive at all. Either way he and Fay would need to work out what to do with the tango.

  Jade had spent all Sunday afternoon in rehearsal in Canberra. She still didn’t know whether she had a part or not, that would depend on how well she picked up the choreography over the next week. But clearly Joe thought she was capable. She’d returned Sunday evening with the news that she had to fly to Melbourne on Monday morning.

  That night she’d talked at a machine gun pace about the show, Joe, and of course the other dancers of whom she was in awe. They’d had celebratory drinks and then he’d helped her in a frenzy of packing. And now she was gone.
It had all happened in a whirlwind.

  He pushed open the door at the top of the stairs and went up into the studio proper. Fay had several boxes out and was sorting through them pulling out tap shoes.

  She looked up as he came in. “You look sad.”

  “Not really, more like conflicted.”

  “She’s your friend, it’s natural. You’re sad to see her go, but happy that she’s expanding her horizons.”

  “I guess this happens to you a lot huh?”

  She stopped sorting and sat back on her haunches. “It does, but it’s why I run this place. Each time one of my students makes that leap to the next step, whether it’s just passing an exam, or they start teaching, or they get a role like Jade has, it’s like a victory for me.”

  Simon nodded. “None of us would be dancing at all if it wasn’t for you.”

  Fay smiled. “And the world would have just that little bit less joy if you didn’t.” She got up off the floor and came over to give Simon a hug. “She will be back in a few weeks you know. It’s only three shows in Melbourne, then Adelaide, Perth and Queensland somewhere I think.”

  “I know that,” Simon said. Then he looked Fay in the eyes. “But once she has the taste for it…”

  Fay nodded. “Possibly, or maybe she’ll come back and stay. You did.”

  “I was dragged back kicking and screaming.”

  Fay grinned. “Maybe so, but you stayed didn’t you.”

  Simon rolled his eyes. For once he was lost for a witty rejoinder, but the sound of the studio door opening saved him from having to come up with one. They both turned towards the door, it was Daryl.

  “I saw your car outside Simon. I wasn’t going to come tonight, but I figured I’d poke my head in,” he said.

  “Come in dear, take a seat,” Fay said pulling one of the chairs out. “Have you decided what you’re going to do?”

  “I don’t really have much option do I,” he said and hung his head. “I was really looking forward to being in the show too.”