-[♪ Sly and the Family Stone plays “Dance to the Music”] -♪ Sing ♪
♪ Get on up and dance to the music ♪
[singer vocalizing]
♪ Dance to the music ♪
♪ Dance to the mu... ♪♪
Gael.
Quinn. Hi.
-Wow. [chuckles] -Yeah. So...
what brings you back to the Big Apple?
“Big Apple.” Dumb. New York.
I’m orchestrating the Wheeldon piece, and conducting, at MBT.
-Really? Wow. Uh - -Yeah.
-And what-what are you up to? -You know, it’s funny, I’m...
back at MBT, too, full-time.
That is funny. [laughs]
[chuckles] Yeah.
So, uh, how did the motorcycle trip through Central America go?
It was pretty good.
Got robbed at knifepoint a couple times, but no biggie.
So, yeah, it was, it was good.
Uh, did you, did you see Tár?
The movie? Yes. I didn’t like it.
Yeah, it was kind of slanted.
“Women can be predators, too.”
Yay, progress.
-Yeah. -Well, really good running into you.
-Literally. -[chuckles] Literally, yeah.
-See you at the office. -Yes, uh, at the office.
Right. See you at the office.
Shit.
-[♪ Sons of Raphael plays “Nights Are For Love”] -♪ When the setting sun departs ♪
♪ the night begins in lovers’ hearts ♪
♪ waiting for the moon to rise ♪
♪ Towards the stars ♪
♪ they lift their eyes ♪
♪ Nights are ♪
♪ for love ♪
♪ as stars are for the heavens above ♪
♪ In every moon, there is a light ♪
♪ for those who love ♪
♪ Nights are ♪
♪ for love ♪
♪ as stars are for the heavens above ♪
♪ In every moon, there is a light ♪
♪ for those who love ♪♪
Our time together was good. Very good.
And at times, not so good, but nothing’s always good.
Except tortillas. I’ve never had a bad tortilla.
They’re best fresh, but even the store-bought ones are good.
Don Pancho is good, Olé is good.
Not a lot of thought put into the brand names,
but they’re super economical, and if you refrigerate them, they keep forever.
I know you like tortillas.
Freezing them’s good, too, as long as you don’t defrost them in the microwave.
Oh, man, Kevin.
-Ugh, this is so hard. -Well, then, say it, Tobias.
It’s why I chunneled in from Paris. I, uh, I wanted to do it in person.
Just say it.
[sighs]
We need to break it off.
I’m sorry, break what off?
What do you mean, “Break what off?” Us. Our relationship.
Tobias, we haven’t spoken in a year.
-What? No, that’s not true. -More than a year.
-Impossible. -Or texted or emailed.
Hell, I’m in another relationship.
-You’re what? -And we’re engaged.
Wedding’s next June. Jesus Christ, you scared the shit out of me.
I thought you were sick.
Sick? No. I’m well.
Quite well. Congratulations.
-Thank you. -That’s sarcasm.
-Hard to tell with you. -[laughs] Wow.
Wow.
-What? -This is super shitty of you.
Me? Tobias, you went out to buy Grape-Nuts one morning and never came back.
-I went on tour in Japan. -Without telling me.
And it wasn’t Grape-Nuts, it was Kashi GO.
You called my parents racist assholes.
-I stand by that. -At my nephew’s baptism.
While they were holding the baby.
Okay, how about “Let’s go see Dune
-while we’re in Amsterdam...” -Oh -
...and all the Fremen language is subtitled in Dutch,
and Zendaya says some very important things
to Javier Bardem - vital exposition - and we’ll never know what it is.
Just rewatch the goddamn movie!
Like I’ve got 14 hours to rewatch a goddamn movie.
There it is, there’s that logic.
You box people in and you don’t let them out.
-Haven’t missed that. -Haven’t missed the judgment.
-Haven’t missed the condescension. -Haven’t missed the neediness.
You were gone a lot. For weeks at a time.
And when you were home, you were still gone.
Look who’s talking. You were always hopping on planes,
going here, going there -
I’m a flight attendant.
That’s convenient.
I’m gonna look through my old calendars.
It couldn’t have been that long since we’ve spoken.
-I-Impossible. -Sure, confirm it. That’s fine.
You can come to the wedding if you want.
No, thank you.
There’ll be a lot of people there you know.
Fire Island. It’ll be fun.
No.
-Maybe. -I’ll send you an e-vite.
Is your email still the same? All those random numbers?
They aren’t random, but yes.
I got to hit the road.
Where you going?
Barcelona.
Oh.
You’re a beautiful weirdo, Tobias.
Be well.
And be happy...
...ish.
[sighs]
[Pat Kiernan over TV] That lawsuit’s been winding its way through the courts
-for what seems like years. -[Jamie Stelter] It’s a real mess,
and the governor’s office is refusing to comment on it.
[Pat] Speaking of mess, we have
the Fish family suing the Metropolitan Ballet over the name change.
[Jamie] Right, what was the “Fish Theater”
is now “Shamblee Theater,”
and it’s a true family squabble,
what with one of the family members, Jack McMillan, heading up MBT.
And it’s chum for the tabloids, so to speak.
Come on, there’s no end to the jokes on the old name.
Like, “The Fish Theater is divine, it’s truly blessed by Cod.”
[Pat laughs] Or, uh, “In its heyday, the Fish Theater
-was always packed to the gills.” -[device beeps]
-[tread speed increases] -Maybe they’re changing the name
just for the halibut.
[both laugh]
Ah, it is the gift that keeps on giving.
[tread screeches]
-I think it’s time. -[Marie] I agree.
-It’s risky. -“Only those who will risk going too far
can possibly find out how far one can go.”
I cued up some of her past appearances.
Here she is 2 years ago in Paris.
So, Cheyenne, you’re bringing this piece to London next month,
but you’ve performed it 3 times in the past 5 years,
once at Covent Garden.
Do you ever worry about repeating yourself?
[bleep] you, I don’t know. Next question.
In all fairness, it was kind of a dick question.
And here she is in Austria 3 years ago.
[reporter speaking German over TV]
He asked if she was enjoying Vienna.
She’s unpolished. We know that.
But she’s crazy about The Nutcracker.
And doing 57 consecutive performances.
-It’s big news. -She wants to talk about it,
and we can’t hide her forever.
Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
-[phone buzzing] -Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
-Hello?
[softly] Shit.
[monitor beeping steadily]
[Marie] Jack?
-Hi, guys. -Dr. Newman, what happened?
I was with him last night, he was fine.
He collapsed on the plaza.
EMTs got to him quick but he’s in a coma.
-Oh, no. -Jesus.
His vitals are all over the place.
-His blood pressure’s still high - -180 over 100. I saw the chart.
Yeah, and that’s high, so we have him on
-nicardipine through the IV. -Nicardipine through the IV. Good call.
-We just need his vitals to stabilize... -Stabilize.
-...before we have an accurate GCS. -Accurate GCS.
-I’m the doctor. Can I just be the doctor? -Sorry.
[Jack] So, Doc, how bad’s this coma?
Are we talking Berlin ’07? Christmas of ’13?
Oh, I’d say it’s more akin to Düsseldorf.
-Düsseldorf? -Thank God.
Düsseldorf was a piece of cake. We’ll get him through a Düsseldorf.
-I’m optimistic. -Good.
Good. Thanks, Doc.
So? What do we do?
-Inform the board? -No.
If it’s a Düsseldorf, he could be up in a week. Or days.
I don’t need people freaking out. And keep the press away.
I’ll get on it.
[whispered chatter]
There she is. Cheyenne Toussaint.
Bonjour, my darling. Fantastic to see you again.
Bonjour.
It’s about time we worked together,
-wouldn’t you say? -Sure.
-This is my assistant Devon. -He/him. Hi.
-Hello. -Did you get the music?
-I did. -It’s great, isn’t it?
I heard it and immediately thought of you.
-Why? -Well, the emotion of it.
The whimsy, the drama.
I’ll tell you what, how about we listen to it together?
It’s perfect, really.
Devon, could you play that for us?
Cueing it up.
[bag thuds]
[piano music playing in distance]
[indistinct chatter]
♪ ♪
Everything okay?
-How’s it going? -Fine.
-What are you doing? -We’ve been listening to the music.
For 3 hours? How long is the song?
-About 5 minutes. -What?
-A little under. -You’ve been listening to the song
for 3 hours?
Over and over. My assistant quit. He’s gone.
-But - -Choreographer. Again.
We’re listening to the song again.
I’ll send in some snacks.
[music resumes]
[hip-hop music playing over headphones]
[automated voice] Rue du Canal. Rue du Canal.
[air brakes squeal, hiss]
[speaking French] Gabin!
How was ballet? Good?
Yes, Adam. It was good.
What’s in the bag? Your tutu?
Yes - my tutu. Good one. Goodnight.
We saw your poster. Pretty girls all around you.
-Flexible. -Hook us up. They’re no good to you.
I’ll take the blonde.
I don’t think any of them would be interested in you.
Especially the blonde. So fuck off.
You’ve always been a little punkass, you know that?
-If you say so... -You think you’re superior?
You little bitch?
You’re not even a man!
It would be hard for anyone not to feel superior to you, Thierno.
Fuck you!
Clever. Now stop following me.
You know, I’d beat the shit out of you right now, Gabin.
But I’m on parole.
I’m not.
-[♪ Rob Zombie plays “The Triumph of King Freak”] -♪ Yeah ♪
-♪ We ain’t your head pollution ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪
-♪ We ain’t your flock of sheep ♪ -♪ Yeah...
Hi, everybody! I went online and googled “small talk”
’cause I know I’m lacking in that skill, and one of the things it recommended
was saying “Hi, everybody” in a pleasant tone
when you enter a room with multiple people,
and then I googled “pleasant tone,” and they said it’s basically just higher,
so I hope that tone sufficed.
Matthieu, I didn’t cast you in this.
-Geneviève called. -Geneviève called? So?
Go away. Where’s Gabin?
You haven’t heard?
Heard what?
[speaking French]
[door opens]
Hi, everybody. What the hell happened to Gabin?
Tobias, calm down.
I come in thinking I’m gonna rehearse, and my lead dancer isn’t there,
and everyone seems to know why but no one will tell me.
Where is he?
He’s in jail.
-Jail? Why? -[Raphael] He got into some sort
of fight on his way home last night.
The police came, he took a swing at one of them...and they arrested him.
-He hit a cop? -And bit his partner.
Why does everyone know except me?
Because you don’t answer your phone or read your texts or check your emails.
And I went to your damn apartment and knocked on your damn door
and you didn’t answer, even though I could hear Dune blaring in the background.
-Cops lie. Maybe they’re lying. -They’re not.
And they think Gabin may have hurled a rock
through a newspaper critic’s window.
Do you know anything about that?
Why would I know anything about that?
Because 2 days ago, I found you sitting with him
while he was holding a big rock.
Bail him out.
He’s still being processed.
Expedite it, get him back in rehearsal.
That’s not happening any time soon.
Or maybe ever.
There’s a code of conduct in his contract.
He violated it.
I can’t read French.
-[Geneviève] Well, he can. -But -
Tobias, this is not a suspension.
Gabin could be out.
-Permanently. -No.
-Yes. -I don’t want him to leave.
I already started working this piece out with him.
And now you will work it out with Matthieu.
[piano playing in distance]
[indistinct chatter]
Thanks for the heads-up.
-Heads-up? What are you talking about? -Jack’s late for a meeting.
-Beat it, skippy. -Hey.
You know what I’m talking about. Quinn. She’s back.
No. She’s on the other side of the globe. New Zealand or Cape Town or something.
She’s here. To work. At MBT.
-She’d be on the schedule. -She’s on the schedule.
She’s on the...Why didn’t I know this?
I’m sorry, don’t you run the company?
I run the entire theater, jackass.
Well, how long’s she here? 10 days? 2 weeks?
I’m catching up here.
I really don’t want to run into her again.
Well, if she’s here -
-Oh, she’s here. -She’s definitely here.
Well, then you might run into her again. And don’t you disappear on me,
because you have 53 more performances of The Nutcracker.
Plus the Today Show appearance.
Believe me, I know. My feet know.
My back knows. My pride knows.
Go to rehearsal.
-Report back to me. -I will not report back to you.
Report back to me.
He will not report back to you.
We’re doing the Today Show?
Is that a problem? Did you schtup Hoda at some point?
I got to make a detour.
[orchestra playing]
♪ ♪
Good, good. Uh, violins,
just give me a tad more portamento in measure 37.
-Noted. -Uh, otherwise, it’s perfection.
Thanks, guys, and, uh, see you tomorrow.
[whooping]
This’ll be your first piece up after The Nutcracker, yes?
-Oh, yeah. -[oohing, whooping]
Hey, we all cut our teeth on The Nutcracker.
Respect the tradition.
You need the car?
I have that lunch downtown, then I’m back at Juilliard.
-I’ll bring it around. -Okay.
Why the hell is Gael Rodriguez back in the goddamn building?
And hello to you too, sis.
You could have given me a heads-up.
I didn’t know you were booked to be here.
-I’m sorry, don’t you run the company? -Yes, I run the fucking company. Geez.
-Hey, guys. Sounded good. -I’ll see you tomorrow.
You know, last time you worked here, you vowed never to do it again.
Or to step foot in New York again.
Nicholas begged. He said he was retiring
and wanted me here one more time before he left.
He didn’t tell you?
Nicholas is...a bit under the weather.
-Probably slipped his mind. -Yeah.
-Mom know you’re here? -Fuck her.
You missed out on that career writing greeting cards.
She just wants her money back. The money I borrowed.
-Funny how loans work. -So, I saw the company schedule.
Gael is doing every performance of The Nutcracker?
Oh, we’re back to him.
With Cheyenne Toussaint?
They are doing it together, yes.
-And how did that come about? -I don’t know.
-She took a liking to him. -Oh, really?
Not necessarily that kind of liking.
But not necessarily not.
You know I’m bad with double negatives.
Keep us apart. I don’t want to see him.
I can’t guarantee that.
Car’s here, Quinn.
Oh, before I run out, where’s Nicholas? I want to say hello.
Keep it on the QT, but he’s in a coma.
You said under the weather.
Well, I’d sure as shit consider a coma under the weather.
How bad, hmm? Y2K? 2011 Haight Street?
Doc’s saying Düsseldorf.
[laughs] Oh, thank God. Düsseldorf.
[scoffs] He’ll be fine.
5, 6, 7, 8.
And 1, 2, 3, 4,
5 and 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
-5, 6, 7 and 8. -[snapping stops]
Terrific. Let’s do it again,
but make sure you pull your elbows all the way in
and keep your shoulders down.
-Why? -Because I think
-I’d like to see you do that. -Why?
-Because I think it would make it better. -Why?
Hold on. Jack. Jack.
This is insane. She’s driving me crazy.
Questioning every little suggestion I make.
[Jack] Well, she has earned the right to question things.
[Christopher] But not every little thing. Christ.
[Jack] You’re right. I’ll talk to her.
And she knows my name, right?
She knows your name.
She hasn’t called me by my name and I’m not sure she knows it.
-[Jack] No, no, she knows your name. -I could be with my husband,
I could be with my dogs.
What’s your dogs’ names?
Oh, sod that, Jack. Jesus.
All right, from the top. Or wherever you want.
[speaking French] You bought a lot of turnips.
You buy what’s in season. Turnips are in season.
Clean them.
Thank you for coming to my performance last night.
Could you see me?
Only when you slapped the man next to you.
He was chewing gum.
Did you like it?
I liked it.
I liked all the death.
Has the boy seen you dance?
What boy?
I ignore your games.
Have you heard from him?
Not since the night I saw him. He messaged me after and asked if I got home okay.
Did you answer?
Non.
-You didn’t answer? -I didn’t know what to say.
-You say “Yes.” -Oh.
I should do that.
It’s too late. He’ll think it took you 4 days to get home.
Right.
The turnips are clean enough. A little dirt is good for the teeth. Set the table?
Okay.
[French song playing over radio]
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs]
Are you here for me?
No, there’s a hooker inside I’m bailing out.
Really?
What is it you Americans say?
“The guy I fought - you should see him.”
“You should see the other guy.”
Right. That’s it.
I fucked up.
But that guy has been messing with me
since I was 5 years old.
What, I’m supposed to let a fucking crackhead push me around like that?
I’ve had a rough couple of days, Tobias.
Just show me some sympathy.
This is sympathy.
It stinks. You’re being cold.
-You let me down. -I didn’t smash that window.
-They’re saying I did. -You let me down.
Am I out?
Did they say?
I’d have to find another company.
Leave Paris.
You let me down.
They got new pulse oximeters since you were here last.
They’re sweet.
And those new nasogastric tubes
are so delicate on the throat.
There’s no afterburn, I love them.
Good, good.
You know, I don’t think I hit my head this time.
Is there a bandage back there?
No, I think you rolled.
That’s good, that’s what stuntmen do.
Oh yes, I do all my own stunts,
-I’m very proud of that. -Hey.
Check it out. I did not come empty-handed.
[whispers] Smarties!
Bless you.
Hide them.
I disagree with Dr. Newman, by the way.
This wasn’t Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf was much worse.
I had a splitting headache for 8 months after Düsseldorf,
and I have none now.
What’s your guess?
Uh...
Liza’s pool house, ’93.
-Don’t take all the purple ones. -They’re all the same.
No, they’re different flavors.
-Cherry, orange... -That’s Starbursts.
Please cater to me,
-just this once. -Fine.
So, my sister’s in and doing her thing.
The Sparks piece? Great.
Oh, God, did I not tell you?
I’m such an ass.
-It’s fine. Everything’s good. -[coughs]
I don’t know if sneaking these Smarties in was a good idea.
Oh. [sniffs]
[sputters] So, how long till I’m out of here?
As long as it takes to get you back 100%.
Don’t fight me on this.
I’m going to fight you a little.
Is there a strawberry in there? I want strawberry.
-Yeah, here. -That’s cherry.
God, man, get it straight.
-Berry is berry. -I called for strawberry,
I want strawberry.
-And you’re not hiding them right. -Jesus Christ.
[Tobias] 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, sucks!
1, 2, 3, 4 -
you’re late, Matthieu - 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
shit, fuck, 7, stop! Stop!
Do you know what a downbeat is?
-Yes. -Couldn’t tell.
The jeté lands on the downbeat. Back to the throw.
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
nope, nope, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
crap, shit, stop, stop!
-Do we have a problem? -What is?
You and me - do we have a problem?
’Cause Gabin got this straightaway.
-I’m getting it. -You’re not.
[speaking French] I think we’re not understanding each other.
He’s thinking there may be a language barrier.
He knows what I’m saying. You know what I’m saying.
Is there a video I can see? Of Gabin’s performance?
A video?
Is there video he can see? Of Gabin?
So, you just want to watch a video and copy Gabin?
You’re supposed to be an étoile. Get it right.
-I don’t know what to do... -What was that? You’re quitting?
No. Je veux y arriver.
[speaking English] I want to do this.
Well, then do it if you want to do it!
Back to the throw!
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8.
1, 2, 3, 4...
[phone chimes]
[indistinct announcement over P.A.]
What happened? I was just with him, we were talking...
Where’s his family, Jack?
-They need to come. -His family?
-His family. -Uh...
Nick Junior’s abroad. I don’t know where his daughter is.
And his wife?
Uh, ex. She’s not coming.
-Who’s the attending? -Dr. Mayo.
[Newman] He’s in good hands.
You’re making this sound so final. I mean, how bad are we talking here?
Bad.
Okay? Bad.
Tell Dr. Mayo
-to keep me posted. -Yes, Doctor.
Hey, Doc?
If-if someone were to give him something that he wasn’t supposed to have,
like, I don’t know, a candy or something,
could that have hurt him?
I just want to make sure there’s nothing blocking his air passage.
-It’s not the Smarties you snuck in. -Okay, good.
Stay as long as you like.
-And call his son. -I will.
He, uh...he likes firm pillows.
Are these pillows firm?
-I think so. -Okay.
He didn’t complain before, so they’re probably okay.
[sniffles]
Jesus, you’re fucking everywhere.
How did you know?
Doesn’t matter.
He’s strong.
-He is. -Nicholas is strong.
He’ll have the best care. I’ll see to it.
I’ve already seen to it.
But...
yeah, sure. Do your thing.
Thanks.
And how long has he been here?
Not long.
How long?
You’re not entitled to proprietary information.
You’re not family, you’re not a friend.
But you answer to a board.
Are they not entitled to proprietary information?
Thought so.
[♪ Nathan Lanier playing “Torn”]
It wasn’t ready for public consumption.
Shh. Let us watch.
♪ ♪
-Gabin was more precise. -Christ.
-Shh. -Please.
♪ ♪
[Tobias] Whoo!
Who let the dairy cows out of the barn? Earthquake alert!
Oh, my God. Will you be quiet?
Wonderful!
What? The point was to show you that it doesn’t work.
[Geneviève] If this is the part that doesn’t work,
you may have a masterpiece on your hands.
Beg to differ.
[speaking French] It’s really magnificent. Can’t wait to see the rest.
What’d he say? It sucks?
He said it was magnifique, magnificent.
I’ll be next door.
Great, now he’s walking out.
He’s going to rehearsal.
Hope your piece is better than mine, Alain.
Not a tough hill to climb.
Tobias, I know you miss Gabin.
-This is not about Gabin. -But these dancers
are giving you their all,
and awaiting your feedback.
The least you could do is show some respect.
[sighs]
You basically executed the steps I set, so, I guess, nice job, everyone.
That was definitely the least you could do.
Incredibly exciting work, everyone.
You should be proud.
Take 10.
[indistinct chatter]
[chatter continues]
[sighs]
[speaking French] Sticks? Cardboard?
In case we go on strike.
You don’t know? There’s an email chain.
I’m not on it.
Shit...
Come here.
Last week, all the dancers marched into Geneviève’s office and confronted her.
-About what? -You.
Me?
They’re angry. Jealous.
Especially the girls. They said you were undeserving.
They called you a “Nee-po baby.” Or a “Neh-po baby.”
-I’m not sure how to pronounce it. -[speaking English] Nepo baby.
I told them they were full of shit.
But they went anyway.
Now they’ve got sticks. And big staplers.
But you’ve got me. I’ll watch out for you.
[speaking English] I’ve got your back.
Why?
-Why what? -Why are you even telling me this?
Why didn’t you just go with the group? We’re not friends.
-We’re not? -I didn’t think so.
When I came to the school from Normandy, I was 13.
I started dancing later than the others, and I was scrawny.
Super scared.
I missed my mother.
You were younger than me.
And littler. You were about a foot tall.
You were the only one who smiled at me on my first day.
You said hello. Everyone else ignored me.
You made me feel welcome. Got me through those first days...
[speaking English] You had my back.
Thank you, Tristan.
[girls laughing]
[sighs]
This is a goddamn mess, Jack.
You had a responsibility to inform the board the night he collapsed.
Harlan, you know full well Nicholas collapses all the time.
And falls into a lot of comas.
And Dr. Newman called this one a Düsseldorf,
so we were caught off guard.
If he passes tonight, what do we do? We’re not prepared here.
He’s not passing tonight.
If necessary, can we delay the announcement?
It’s a bit gruesome, but death announcements can be delayed
for very long periods of time.
They did it with Tom Selleck.
Tom Selleck is alive.
Exactly.
Is Nicholas’ Times obituary ready to run?
Guys, I haven’t even heard from his son yet.
It’s ready and it’s a real barnburner.
Nicholas practically wrote it himself.
I cried. I never cry.
Will it be on the front page?
I’d rather it wasn’t buried in sports.
-[phone buzzing] -[Claudia] Depends on if there’s
a mass shooting the day before,
so that gives us a 50-50 chance.
[conversation continues indistinctly]
He seemed to pattern them after the late Queen Elizabeth’s.
-Patterned what? -[Marie] Nicholas’ funeral protocols.
We found them in a file called “Operation Hoop Skirt.”
There are some conflicting things in the documents.
At one point, he stipulates “open casket, fully nude.”
And then, in the ’70s, he wanted to be cremated
and have his ashes sprinkled over Ravi Shankar.
Yeah, those were his acid years.
He wants a wake at the Park Avenue Armory,
a party on Governor’s Island.
This’ll all cost a fortune.
Don’t worry about that. I’ll foot the bill for everything.
No, I’ll foot the bill.
[Claudia] Hate to bring it up,
but tick-tock.
What about Cheyenne’s event?
Oh, shit. That’s tonight.
Christ. Cancel it.
-No. -Yes.
Young man, we all loved Nicholas,
but you are effectively running a business.
We have hundreds of employees counting on you for their livelihoods.
This event is an important marketing opportunity,
something that Nicholas would have wanted to happen.
Okay, keep it on the books.
I’ll go there. I’ll get Cheyenne through it.
All right, I have one more question,
because the press will be hounding us about it -
-Who’s on deck? -On deck?
You must have a successor for Nicholas in mind,
or at least a list of possibilities.
We need to be ready.
Yeah, well, I’m not... quite ready to share my list.
Because there isn’t one?
Tell me that’s not the case.
Harlan, give him some space.
-If I may - -No.
I have a couple of thoughts.
And if you share them, I’ll break your neck.
-Jack. -Whoa.
Jack.
I need some coffee.
[orchestra playing rousing classical music]
♪ ♪
[audience cheering]
In your face! In your face!
[chatter in French]
I’m not alone.
Is it your Monday night man?
I wish.
Hello, Maman.
Hello, Mishi.
It’s your mother.
I know.
Can we be alone please? Do you mind, Ms. Toussaint?
Everything in here is sharp and rusty.
Are you going to come in?
So this is where Cheyenne Toussaint grew up.
Very eclectic.
She liked growing up here.
You talked to her?
Bruna keeps all the magazines she’s been featured in. I’ve read the interviews.
Bruna’s sentimental. I wouldn’t have guessed that.
You don’t answer my texts.
I’ve been busy.
Or are you just punishing us...
We’ve made mistakes. Lots of mistakes. I know that.
And I know I’m too late with this, but -
we always wanted the best for you.
That’s why we pushed.
Maybe we pushed too hard.
Forgive us.
And now you’re grown.
Out in the world.
You’re not a little girl anymore. And I’m proud of that...
So I’d like you to stop being mad at me.
By Saturday.
Why? What’s Saturday?
There’s an event. Honoring female trailblazers.
I’m one of them.
And it would look bad if I wasn’t there.
No. I could say that you’re not feeling well, or that you have rehearsal.
But it might look bad in the papers. And on social media.
I’m thinking of you as I say this. I don’t want you attacked online.
Okay...
My book is out and this event is important to the publisher.
There’ll be press.
I don’t need an immediate answer.
But I’ll send the information to you. And you’ll consider?
-Goodbye, Mishi. -Goodbye, Maman.
[Cléa sighs]
You need duck mousse.
Definitely.
You’ve worked with all the great choreographers
of our day, Cheyenne, all over the world.
Um, tell me, are there ones that you wished you had worked with?
You mean, dead choreographers?
-[audience laughs] -[Isaac] Or retired.
I mean, you can retire without dying.
I plan to retire after I’m dead.
So, you have a plan.
-[audience laughs] -[Isaac] I do.
Balanchine.
Well, I mean, of course.
But that’s like saying, “Who’s your favorite band?
The Beatles.”
Who else?
Ulysses Dove.
Oh, I adored Ulysses Dove.
I loved his exploding energy.
If you don’t know him, look him up. He died too young.
What about Jerome Robbins?
Oh... [laughs] I don’t think
that would end well for either one of us.
[audience laughs]
Isaac Mizrahi was a good choice.
I had a feeling.
Well, now, I’m just bored with the sound of my own voice.
Let’s, um, open it up to questions from you guys.
We have mics set up. Just line up over there.
[Claudia] Oops, she looked at her watch.
She just needs to keep it together for 10 more minutes.
Dear God, please.
Hello, my darling. Let’s hear your question.
Give us your name first.
Hi, Cheyenne. [chuckles] My name’s Delia.
I’m a big fan, and I’m a performer, too.
A dancer?
I’m an aspiring actor.
With that whiny voice?
-Oh, fuck me. -She was doing so well.
Do you have a question, darling?
No. Sorry.
All right, well, um, next question. How about you?
Hi, Cheyenne. I’m Dennis.
-Do you have a favorite role? -No.
Okay.
Thank you, Dennis. Next question.
Oh, yes, you know what? Can we adjust her mic?
Oh, great, now she’s going to take a big dump on Shirley Temple.
Goddamn it. Goddamn it!
Hi, Cheyenne. My name’s Amy.
I started ballet lessons when I was 5.
Then I stopped to focus on school.
I didn’t think I could do both.
Have you ever thought about what you would’ve done
if you’d stopped dancing when you were a kid?
You quit ballet to go to school?
Should I pull the fire alarm? I’ve done it before.
-I can’t watch. I can’t watch. -Are you a good student?
-Yes. -[Cheyenne] Good.
We need more smart people in the world. Smart women.
There was no alternative for me.
To do something other than dance.
It got in my brain, you know? Like a song that won’t leave.
And I hummed it all the time,
this song. I went to sleep
with the song running through my head
and woke up to it every morning,
always the song.
The world is hard, you know?
With all the meanness, the cruelty.
People today want to fight.
They want to be angry. Okay,
but how do we express that anger?
How do we turn it into something better?
How do we create hope when no one listens?
Maybe they watch. Maybe, you dance.
You feel. You change the story.
Dance can do that.
Dance lets you float above it all.
It lets you play in the clouds.
And when I dance, I want the audience to play with me.
To dance in the clouds, to feel what I feel.
To hear my song.
Okay, I need a 20-minute sobbing break after that. Do we have time?
[audience laughs]
-Thank you, Cheyenne. -Thank you, Cheyenne.
[Isaac] And thank you all for sharing
this very special evening with the incomparable Cheyenne Toussaint.
[applause]
She always finds a way to surprise us, doesn’t she?
-I want to get back to the hospital. -Just give me one minute, Jack,
-because I think I can help. -Taxi!
We all know that replacing Nicholas is virtually impossible,
but there is a name I think you should consider.
New York Pres.
This name may not be on any official in-house lists,
-but you should hear it. -[Jack] Fine.
Just say it. Get it over with. What’s the name?
Cheyenne.
Second Avenue’s jammed tonight.
-Take York. -[driver] Got it.
[Clara] The ballet is based on the story
by German Romantic author E.T.A. Hoffmann.
He called it The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,
but the Mariinsky Theatre smartly shortened it to The Nutcracker.
Concision in branding is crucial.
I was on the board of a Fortune 500 company
that had once considered naming itself
“International Xerography Unlimited”
after its underlying technology,
a process for copying graphic matter by the action of light
on an electrically charged photoconductive insulating surface
in which the latent image is developed with a resinous powder,
but they smartly went with a shorter name. That name?
Xerox.
Chills, John, every time you tell that story.
I must’ve seen The Nutcracker 50 times,
and yet, it still enchants me as much as it did the first time I saw it.
Didn’t you play Clara in a production when you were their age, Mrs. McMillan?
I did. It was my namesake, my destiny, and one of my happiest memories.
Where are my Claras? Stand up for me.
So, we have Brianna Chambers,
Debbie Harris, and Susu Li.
You three are darling. Congratulations.
You’ll be onstage with Cheyenne Toussaint.
A dream, just incredible.
And of course, there’s her handsome, dashing Prince
played by...
What the fuck?
-Of course I was going to tell you. -When?
When were you going to tell me that this ruthless cad
who broke up your sister’s marriage was back in the company?
I’m disappointed, son. You dropped the ball.
Guys, there’s a lot going on right now.
I could hear your voices from the lobby. What the hell’s going on?
The chorus boy, Gael Rodriguez, back in the company.
Starring in The Nutcracker.
Don’t look at me. Talk to your son.
I had nothing to do with bringing Gael Rodriguez back to the company.
You had nothing to - I’m sorry, don’t you run this place?
Yes. Yes, I run the place. Why do I have to keep repeating that?
And he’s a dancer, not a chorus boy.
Don’t you defend this man.
I’m not defending him, I’m just defining him.
He broke up your marriage.
And it took us months to clean up the damage.
-Us? Us? -Meaning?
The cleanup fell on me, Mother. Exclusively.
-It almost put me in the hospital. -[Quinn with Southern accent] Oh, Heavens,
looks like Scarlett needs her fainting couch.
I warned you about that husband of yours.
I told you, I begged you to get a prenup,
especially since everyone but you could see
what an absolute asshole Peter was.
-Peter was a genius. -Peter was broke,
and we’re people of means
who need to protect our assets,
and you married a man below your means, below your station.
Now he’s Henry James. Get out the monocle and top hat.
[Jack] “It’s my forever marriage,” you said.
“A prenup is a bet on failure.”
Then you got bored and Peter got fat
and you found Gael, and that husband of yours
held us up and walked off with millions of dollars
of the family assets that he did not deserve.
And he was a repugnant man, your husband.
Indecorous, dissembling, and we believe surreptitiously libidinous.
Surreptitiously? He was screwing his way through Hudson Yards.
-Hell, he hit on Jack’s wife. -What? Which wife?
You have no romance!
No, but I have my de Kooning and my horse and all my stuff.
I can’t believe you let me dance with this man at your party.
You danced with Gael?
I don’t supervise your dance card, Mother.
So it’s just a coincidence that you’re here and the chorus boy’s here?
-Yes. -I don’t believe that.
Oh, you don’t have to.
You were supposed to stay out of New York, Quinn. You promised.
I did no such thing. It was Jack who made me leave.
He practically frog-marched me to the border.
I was born here, I won’t be exiled.
The tabloids were hounding you.
I got you out of New York for your own protection.
You don’t control me, Jack. You never did and you never will.
No, but I guide you.
That was my appointed role as your big brother, to keep an eye out for you.
Protect the prodigy. That’s what the family said.
Protect the glorious prodigy.
Excuse me for having musical talent.
Do you think I just wanted to be the protector?
I loved the arts as much as you. I pursued music as well.
Jack, it took you 2 years of piano lessons
to learn the first 6 fucking bars of “Moonlight Sonata.”
I’m surprised the Beethoven estate didn’t issue a cease and desist.
You have no musical talent.
-Not a drop. -You’re a leader, son, that’s your value.
How long is he here? This Gael.
Indefinitely.
And how long are you here?
I leave for Brussels next week, not that it’s any of your business.
It’s always my business.
I need a drink
and some peace.
We’ll be at the club.
You are not the nucleus of this family, and I am not a janitor.
-I’m tired of cleaning up your messes. -Go run your company, Jack!
I’m trying to!
[strings playing classical music]
[chatter and laughter]
[speaking French] ...I would have been front and center in the suffrage movement.
Burned the patriarchal Code Napoleon.
Gladly locked arms with Hubertine Auclert.
Devoted my life to the cause.
And where is Florent tonight?
I banned him.
[laughter]
This is not a night for the patriarchy.
Let him sit at home in his underwear watching football
while we ladies celebrate!
To us!
-Santé. -Santé.
Santé.
[speaking English] Oh, sure.
[speaking French] ...You called it the “Siberia Table.”
That’s fair, yes,
but this is the table I would have chosen if I was the one choosing.
Really.
To be away from the spotlight - that’s where I like to be.
A strong woman behind the scenes. That’s what I prefer.
[plates clatter]
Hello, yes, leave those there. That’s fine.
[plates clatter]
I’m absolutely fine with that.
-[speaks French] -[camera shutter clicking]
[speaking French] Yes, I would have ordered at my table
but no one is coming to our table to take orders.
What number is the table?
Well, that’s the thing. It’s got two different numbers on it,
it’s very confusing.
Geneviève.
Oh, Mishi.
How are you?
Good, good, good, good, good.
Vodka.
Olive or twist?
Surprise me.
[speaking English] He’s got a really nice butt.
-Nice and round. -Shh. He can kind of hear you.
I’m a woman with a voice.
Don’t try to squish my voice.
Do you think a glass of water would be a good idea?
Mm...no.
-Mishi. [scoffs] -[laughs]
Geneviève, I’m okay, really.
Not just okay.
Okay with a twist.
[laughs]
Okay. You’re missing a shoe.
[speaking French] But despite our strides,
inspired by the fortitude of those who marched before us,
there is much work to be done. Many more fights to be fought.
And I will be with you to fight at your side.
-[applause] -What did she say?
Did anyone get that?
It’s weird that the sound doesn’t reach this table.
I would have been front and center in the suffrage movement.
Burned the patriarchal Code Napoleon.
Gladly locked arms with Hubertine Auclert.
Devoted my life to the cause!
[applause]
I thank you for this honor tonight.
And I pledge to do all I can for every woman in this audience,
and every woman in the whole of France.
Thank you, and may we never walk alone!
[applause]
An inspiring speech, exactly what we would expect from Cléa Duplessis.
Thank you, Madame Minister.
Please enjoy your digestifs, everyone. And thank you for attending.
[Mishi] Wait! Wait, wait.
Hold on there, everybody! There’s one more speech!
I promise to keep it short! Nice and short.
Unlike some of you old sacks of skin!
It was a whole night of blah blah blah blah
bullshit!
Voilà.
That’s better. Now everyone can see me!
So we’re honoring women here tonight.
You know what I’ve learned in my 19 years on Earth?
-Women suck. -[audience exclaims]
At Le Ballet National, the girls are the mean ones.
I mean, there’s no contest, they’re just a bunch of stuck-up assholes...
-Mishi, if I may... -You may not!
[laughing]
Oops - Maman looks upset. Are you upset, Maman?
Don’t worry. Maybe none of the 200 people here are on social media.
You know, before my mother spoke,
one of you dummies talked about how important it is
for mothers to pass knowledge on to their daughters.
Well, my mother did a terrific job fucking me up.
She made sure I had no real friends,
no hobbies, no social skills, just...
dance, dance, dance.
She didn’t even teach me “olive or twist.”
The bar guy with the round butt keeps asking me, “olive or twist?”
I have no idea.
Thanks, Maman!
Oh, and I like boys, Maman.
Mystery solved.
You could have asked! You know, like just asked me!
Not that I know how to talk to one.
I met this really cute boy, Timeo. He’s tall and gorgeous and smart
and I had to look up stuff on Wikipedia to even know what to say about a city
I lived in for 2 full years.
Then he just disappeared.
Like a magician waved a wand.
Poof - he was gone...
My mother has a wand.
She can make people disappear.
She doesn’t kill them.
I think.
So please join me in raising a glass to Cléa Duplessis.
And her new book!
Which, interesting fact, she did not write.
Some old guy named Paul wrote it for her.
He’s got bad breath and nose hair
and made a weird joke about my underwear when my mother left me alone with him.
She gave him no credit and paid him nothing.
Santé! [laughs]
-[retches] -[glass shatters]
-[retching] -[audience exclaiming]
You look good.
Are you warmed up?
Ready to dance?
Yes, Miss Toussaint.
You need the toilet?
No, Miss Toussaint.
Good. You’re strapped in, it’s too late.
I told those idiots I wanted you in all 57 shows,
but they blabbed on and on about something they called “child labor laws.”
“We need to protect the 10-year-olds,
one died a few years ago,”
blah, blah, blah, blah.
So I lost that battle.
There’s a lot of people out there.
Are you nervous?
A little.
Being nervous is a waste of time.
It’s here. It’s happening.
Nervous does not help.
Okay.
Let me share something with you.
Before my very first professional performance, I started a ritual.
To calm my nerves.
I said a prayer to the great Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya.
My idol.
I say it to this day and I’ll teach it to you now.
Go like this.
Repeat after me.
Dearest Madame Plisetskaya...
...watch over me tonight and guide my dancing spirit...
...for you were the prima of all ballerinas...
...inspiring women with your grace and beauty...
...and lighting a fire in the loins of men.
And, um...
men liked you, too.
You will do well. I insist.
[♪ Tchaikovsky playing The Nutcracker, “Act I: Grandfather’s Dance”]
♪ ♪
What? Yes.
I know you don’t.
Because the answer is you don’t care.
And if, and if MBT had to be sold down the river
so that you could accommodate the Bolshoi,
then we should have had financial retribution from it.
♪ ♪
Because in the grown-up world, that’s what happens in the theater.
If you want to fuck over your partner, then you better pay them.
[♪ Tchaikovsky playing The Nutcracker, “Act II: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”]
♪ ♪
I don’t think you treat partners like that.
I don’t, Susie.
We are selling -
we are selling 12 million dollars’ worth of single-sale tickets.
12 million dollars’ worth
of single-sale tickets that are now being obviated
by a duplicate repertoire sold at the same time.
If you wanted to put a knife in me and you,
you couldn’t have done much better.
♪ ♪
Oh, shit.
[Susie] Jack? Hello?
♪ ♪
Hold it!
Ah!
♪ ♪
Coming through. Coming through!
♪ ♪
-Everything okay, boss? -No.
♪ ♪
[applause]
[audience whistling, cheering]
[applause swells]
Wardrobe needs the costume back.
Not now, okay?
She keeps giving me the hand.
Well, she has taste.
It happens.
Not to me.
[sighs] You’re human.
Broken toes, pneumonia, vertigo...
I never slip.
You didn’t fall.
My hand hit the floor.
-If you blinked, you missed it. -No one blinked.
It’s too big a workload, Cheyenne.
-Not now, Gael. -You rehearse nonstop,
you subbed in on “Piece 1,” you’re doing that thing with Wheeldon,
9 performances a week, you’re... you’re overdoing it.
If you’re not strong enough to keep up with me,
then keep off the stage!
It’s a sign.
It’s not.
[Cheyenne] This is a sign.
Sylvie Guillem fell in ’96.
Her floor was slippery. This one is not.
Anna Pavlova fell in St. Louis.
So you know how to google.
-Congratulations. -You’re doing too much.
You’re doing too much.
Now get changed and go back to your hotel.
Take some shows off. Rest.
You know who rests?
The dead.
[♪ Chloe Flower playing “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”]
♪ ♪