Nadia
Can we go over the plan again?
Anton
Yes, but we have to be fast.
Anton
Let’s go to your dressing room before anyone sees us talking.
Nadia
My love, nobody’s going suspect us.
Anton
I’m the stage manager, I’m the first person they’d suspect.
Anton
You’re right, I’m sorry. I’m just nervous.
Nadia
All that matters is that we get this right.
Anton
Okay, here’s the plan:
Anton
Tomorrow night, before the start of the third act.
Anton
I’ll go under the stage and loosen the floorboard where you’ve marked.
Anton
Are you sure you put the tape on the right spot?
Nadia
I’ve rehearsed the same steps as Anastasia every day for the last 6 months.
Anton
Then when Anastasia does the flying pirouette…
Anton
She’ll land on the mark where the board is loose.
Anton
She’ll fall, probably breaking her ankle.
Anton
And then the understudy — that’s you my love — will take her place.
Anton
You’ll save the third act.
Anton
Become Juilliard’s hero. You’ll have your revenge.
The word revenge gives me pause.
Nadia
Are we sure Anastasia deserves it?
Anton
Nadia, she put laxatives in your smoothie.
Anton
On the first day of auditions.
Anton
When you were the favorite for the lead role.
Anton
I’m risking everything to help you.
Anton
Because I’m the only one who truly cares.
Nadia
Of course. You’re right.
Nadia
I just needed to be sure.
Anton
This will be a Swan Lake to remember.
Anton
All of New York City will be talking about it.
Nadia
I can’t wait until tomorrow night.
Anton
Make sure you get plenty of sleep.
Nadia
Good night, my love.
Anton
Good night, my princess.
Anton leaves my dressing room.
I think about how long I’ve been using Anton.
And how I don’t really love him.
But sometimes you have to be a little ruthless to get what you want.
My phone pings with a text.
It’s Vincent, our Program Director.
Strange. He’s never texted me.
Vincent
Are you awake, dear?
Nadia
Yes, just about to climb into bed.
Vincent
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep.
Vincent
We may need you tomorrow night.
Nadia
Anastasia’s looked amazing.
Nadia
She hasn’t missed a single step in 6 months of dancing.
Vincent
I know, but sometimes, I think she might be too perfect.
Vincent
You have a fire in you.
Vincent
Your technique isn’t as polished as Anastasia's.
Vincent
But your passion is unmatched.
Vincent has never spoken to me this way.
I admire him so much, but I never thought he appreciated me.
Vincent
Nadia, are you there?
Nadia
I just don’t know what to say.
Vincent
You don’t have to say anything.
Vincent
Just know that you’re special.
Vincent
And make sure you’re ready tomorrow night.
Vincent
I may have a little surprise planned.
Vincent
I’m gonna sleep on it, and I’ll let you know tomorrow, okay?
Vincent
Don’t freak out if I throw you a little curve ball.
Nadia
Thanks for the heads up!
Vincent
Good night, Nadia.
I’m backstage in the same costume as Anastasia.
I watch Anastasia dance the first act.
But still, I’ve never seen anyone dance like this before.
She finishes, and skips offstage.
As she passes, Anastasia smiles at me.
I open my phone and text Anton.
Nadia
I can’t wait to see the look on Anastasia’s face when I take her place in the third act.
Anton
The door to go under the stage is locked.
Anton
I forgot the key in my office.
Anton
It should be in my desk drawer.
Anton
But I can’t leave my place.
Anton
I need to change the set.
Nadia
I’ll bring the key to you.
I go to Anton’s office during intermission.
I see Vincent speaking to Anastasia backstage.
Vincent touches her arm reassuringly.
But I can’t hear what Vincent said.
Vincent starts to turn around so I dart around a corner.
I go into Anton’s office.
I open his desk drawer and see a key.
I find Anton, pass him the key, and return to my place backstage.
Anastasia dances the second act.
My neck hair stands on end.
I jump when Vincent comes from behind and touches my shoulder.
Vincent
Remember when I said I had a surprise?
I can barely breathe as I reply.
Vincent
You’re going to dance the third act.
Vincent
I already spoke to Anastasia.
Vincent
I told her the same things I told you last night.
Vincent
But she respects my wishes.
Nadia
I know I can do this, but are you sure?
Vincent
I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life!
Vincent
I always wanted you to have the lead.
Vincent
But you got sick and fell behind.
Vincent
I want you to dance like you’ve never danced before.
Vincent
Give them your fire.
Vincent
And prove that I’m right about you.
The deep soulful kiss of someone who cares about me.
My face is flush with color.
As the second act ends, my heart beats out of my chest.
Nadia
I’m dancing the third act!
Nadia
Vincent put me in Anastasia’s place!
3 dots appear as Anton types.
I don’t have time to wait for his reply.
But I know he’s seen the message.
I dance the third act of Swan Lake.
I’m not perfect like Anastasia.
I pause for the orchestra to queue me up for the pirouette.
I catch a glimpse of Anton offstage.
He slowly turns his head…
My eyes dart back to Anton.
Anton turns back to look at me.
I leap in the air and spin.
It’s then that I realize…
But he also saw Vincent kiss me.
And didn’t fix the loose floorboard.
I nail the flying pirouette.
But I land the only place where my foot can land.
