French Cancan Page #3

I don't doubt it.

What does she earn working for you?

She's not for sale.

I want to give her a career.

She already has one.

What kind of career?

The finest of all, dear lady.

The theater.

But there's nothing I can do.

We'll teach you.

And don't suck your thumb.

What would you pay her?

Three francs in training,

100 sous when she appears on stage.

A hundred sous! What luck.

A hundred sous?

When does she start?

- At once, if you like.

- She must finish the day.

Then I'll call for her tonight.

All very well,

but how do I know you're serious?

Here's an advance.

Hold it right there.

I've got a say in this.

What's your name

and where will you have me dance?

My name's Danglard.

At the moment I'm running

the Chinese Screen.

And by tomorrow I might -

well, that's another story.

So, shall I come for you later?

Good-bye.

The pleats in this blouse

are a disgrace.

How's the pleat in your backside?

It's expected among theater people.

You have to do it

or you get nowhere.

- That's what bothers me.

- If I were in your shoes -

I always dreamed that Paulo

would be the first.

I'm afraid of looking foolish

with Danglard.

You've still got time

to take a lesson before tonight.

Listen to you!

- Where's your uncle?

- Asleep upstairs.

My little Nini,

now you're my wife.

It's nothing to cry about.

I'm not crying.

I'm just happy.

Come on.

No need to be frightened.

Say ol with more passion.

Where are we?

At Guibole's, your teacher.

Then this is really about dancing?

What did you think?

Well, I thought I'd have to -

It's not like that anymore.

You're behind the times.

A pupil?

Better. An idea.

Let's see your idea.

Come into the light, child.

- I'm not a freak animal.

- I do the talking here.

What do you want to make of her?

You'll be astonished.

Remember your cancan triumphs?

Is that your idea?

Yes, and not just for her.

For all your girls, and others besides.

You've lost your marbles.

No, I haven't.

Imagine a line of pretty girls

in fancy dress with faces like this one.

The cancan is dead.

What could she do with it now?

Why not a minuet?

We'll find a new name for it.

They only go for English names now.

Macadam, Macfarlan,

Pickpocket, Lavatory.

Poor old cancan.

French Cancan.

Not bad.

The only thing is, these kids

will never be able to do this.

My gosh!

Only you can revive

the cancan, Guibole.

- Oh, stop.

- I'm serious. Play, Oscar.

Quiet down!

I can't sleep with all that racket!

Shut your trap, philistine!

Help me up.

Off with you.

Isn't this better than washing clothes?

- Yes, but I'll never manage it.

- Sit down.

Sit still.

It's not funny!

- She's flexible.

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