Not that I mind doing
the corps de ballet bullshit.
I'd sooner do it out of town.
I'll pay my dues on the West Coast.
Come back to New York as a star.
You see...
...I've always had this crazy dream...
...of dancing all the classical
roles before I'm 21.
I want Giselles and Coppйlias
coming out of my feet.
And Sleeping Beauties...
...and the Swan.
I want bravos in Stuttgart
and Leningrad...
...and Paris.
Maybe even a ballet
created especially for me.
You see...
...there's no room for a baby.
Will this be Master Charge
or American Express, honey?
Excuse me.
You're an actress, aren't you?
I might be.
A Chorus Line, right?
Aren't you the one that does that
hot, smoky number in the red dress?
I'm right, ain't I? I knew it.
Boy, let me tell you, you are
the best thing in that show.
I guess you get tired of hearing that.
Excuse me.
No, I don't.
You don't belong there.
If you don't mind my
saying so, you're a star.
You need a show all to yourself.
- You've got a lovely face, a great figure.
- I sing too.
- No.
- And play the piano.
That's what I mean. But it's
more than just talent...
...it's a certain quality.
You're the kind of girl that
stands out in a room.
This might sound a little
presumptuous of me...
I should probably
just call your agent.
- I don't really relate to agents.
- Don't blame you at all.
Listen, my name is Franзois.
Francois Lafete.
Coco.
Coco? Coco? That's terrific!
Listen, Coco, I'm doing this picture
down in the south of France, you know?
I was wondering if...
...maybe you'd like to do
a screen test for me.
Are you serious?
Bunsky.
Hey, Bunsky.
You seen Sherwood?
She's with her husband.
- I didn't know she had a husband.
- He's sick, Leroy.
He'd have to be to be her husband.
He's quite bad.
In the hospital, anyway.
- Hospital?
- Apparently.
Okay, Schlepstein.
Leroy. What are you doing here?
You ever heard of Alvin Ailey?
Alvin Ailey?
He's a...
He's a choreographer?
He wants me to join his company.
I'm sorry, Leroy, but I don't think
this is the time-
I can't if you flunk me out.
I have to pass.
You should've thought of it
four years ago.
Where I come from
it don't pay to read and speak white.
Don't lecture me, Leroy.
Maybe I didn't say it right, but you
been down hard on me since day one.
Whatever you say,
Leroy. Go home.
I stopped going home!
You never knew that, did you?
You make a big deal about pulling us out
of the gutter, yet you won't eat with us.
You know where that leaves people
like me? Nowhere!
- It isn't the time. I don't wanna hear it.
- You're going to hear it!
- I'm gonna be a good dancer!
- Just get out of here, please!
- You will not keep me down...
- Leave me alone!
- ... because I can't read stories!
- Don't you think of anyone but yourself?
Hey.
How's your old man doing?
Shit.
Here.
Thank you.
Coco. Bonjour. You made it. Come on in.
- Am I early?
- Don't be silly. Let me take your coat.
- Where's the crew?
- You're looking at him.
I must have total control of
the creative product.
Like Godard.
- Jean-Luc Godard? Ever hear of that guy?
- French?
- You ever see any of his pictures?
- Sure.
Then you know what I'm talking about.
You see, I belong, sort of, to the
auteur school of filmmaking.
It's like the-
It's like the Mediterranean
approach, you know what I mean?
- Do you want a beer?
- No, thanks. I'm okay.
- It might relax you.
- It's all right. I have a lot on my mind.
I understand.
- What?
- Come here.
That's it. I want you to sit right here.
We're gonna do a lovely close-up
of that beautiful face.
I get nervous at first with cold readings,
but then I'm all right.
Don't worry about that.
We'll get to the dialogue later.
- So, you like art movies, huh, Coco?
- Antonioni and those people? Sure.
It beats watching Laverne & Shirley.
Coco, you don't know
what you're doing to my lens.
You have a natural rapport
with the camera.
It's unbelievable.