Limelight Page #13

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She seldom spoke.

But her smile was warm|and appealing.

I read many things into it.

I also was shy.|It was a bond between us.

She used to give me|extra music sheets,

and occasionally extra change.

Which, frankly, I accepted.|Hunger has no conscience.

The day after my symphony|played the Albert Hall,

I went back to the shop,

but she'd gone.|They said she'd left months ago.

You haven't seen her since?

Well, have I?

Yes, you have.

I know.

I lost my job giving you|those extra music sheets.

- You won't hold that against me?|- Of course not.

I was very young then.

You're very young now.

I don't know.|Soon I shall be an old married lady.

Then I wish you lots of happiness.

Thank you.

I wish that waitress would hurry.

Before we do the choreography,|I'll explain the story.

It's about Harlequinade.

Terry is Columbine.|She is dying in a London garret.

Harlequin, who is the lover,|and the clowns, are at her bedside.

She asks to be carried|to the window.

She wants to look upon the rooftops|one last time.

The clowns weep. She smiles.

Their clothes are not for sorrow|but for laughter.

She wants them to perform,|do their tricks.

The clowns can do their comedy.

- While she's dying?|- Yes.

Let me see, where am I?

As the clowns perform,|she becomes delirious.

Spirits of Columbines|dance before her.

Then she dies.|That's the first scene.

Next is the graveyard|where Columbine was buried.

Harlequin, her lover,|enters in the moonlight.

He tries to resurrect her|from the grave.

But he fails.

The spirits tell him not to grieve.

His love is not in the grave,|but everywhere.

Then Terry appears.

That's your solo, then the finale.

We'd better get a move on.|It's only 3 weeks to the opening.

Calvero!

What is it?

- How's it going?|- Wonderful. Thumbs up.

- I wish the dance was over.|- You've nothing to worry about.

I'm scared. Pray for me.

God helps those|who help themselves. Good luck.

- I can't go on!|- What?

My legs! I can't move!

It's nerves. Just move.

No, I can't move. I'm paralyzed!

Pure hysteria!|There's your cue, get on stage!

No, I'm falling!|It's my legs, they're paralyzed!

Get on that stage!

See? There's nothing wrong|with your legs.

Whoever you are, whatever it is,|just keep her going, that's all.

I've lost a button.

One of these.

It's all right.

Where's Calvero?|He told me to wait for him here.

I'll send the call boy|to look for him.

Supper is served.|You're sitting next to Mr. Postant.

Supper is now being served|in both lounges.

Come along, my dear.|You're next to me.

Bodalink, you're down there|my dear fellow.

Destiny must be a headwaitress.

Why?

She seats us together again.

She might be your nemesis.

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