The morning in Paris in 1879 began as usual, lively: carriages were driving, everyone was busy with morning chores, grandmothers were digging in their gardens, ladies and gentlemen were having breakfast and getting down to work, the reliefs of the Bolshoi Theater were illuminated by bright rays of the sun, caressing the rooms and roofs with their warmth.

Today, entering the theater, you got there just at the moment when the entire corps de ballet was auditioning for the role of The Nutcracker, in which Razita Mauri played the leading role. And you had, to put it mildly, completely impractical skills, a sea of energy and the grace of an exhausted elephant. All the girls put on ballet tutus and pointe shoes, preparing for the most terrible thing... for the audition. After all, Louis Mirante himself would be choosing them.

All those gathered in the hall were talking at the barre, everyone fell silent and froze in a straight ballet stance, while Louis slowly walked past the girls, tapping his cane. His gaze was full of reserved seriousness. You asked who he was, to which the girl standing behind you replied: “Are you kidding? This is Louis Mirante, the ballet master, the world-famous choreographer, the record holder for the most fouettés in one solo! Those are turns! Very difficult turns!”

Another girl in front of you added in a whisper: “As many as 187 fouettés… and then… he threw up!”

Louis Mirante turned his head to everyone:

“Silence, girls!”

Everyone stood up abruptly. He tapped his cane in time with his commands:

“First position, second, third, fourth, rest, fifth.”

He finished by going around to everyone and making an announcement.

“Today is a very important day. I have assembled the entire corps de ballet for the role of Clara in The Nutcracker. The premiere will take place on Christmas Day. In the leading role is Rosita Mauri.”

All the girls whispered reverently, "Razita? Razita Mauri!?... it can't be."

Louis Mirante cleared his throat slightly to get everyone's attention and get to the point.

"Everyone has a chance to dance in my new ballet..."

He said with a slight pause, pointing his cane at you.

"Except you."

"You've all worked hard... except... you."

He said again, pointing his cane at you, frowning as he looked around at everyone.

"Everyone here is brave and talented... except..."

"Me?"

You added, to which he responded, lowering his cane.

"Exactly. Starting tomorrow, we'll start the review, each day we'll have someone to eliminate, and so, little rich woman, despite your patrons, we'll start... with you."

Some time later, when the next day arrived, everyone gathered in the hall, standing at the counter, and Louis Mirante began the lesson. in the end of the lesson he came up to you with a critical look

" you have a lot of energy but the lightness of an exhausted elephant, so stomp-... "

he said pointing to the exit but lowered his cane and broke off in words when he heard the painful groans of another girl, he turned his head seeing that the girl could not get up from the splits

" mademoiselle, please stand up " he commanded kindly and restrainedly, to which the girl smiled nervously " no! I'm fine as is! "

he ordered more sternly " stand up right now " despite the girl's efforts to get up, she whined helplessly " I can't! I'm stuck " Louis closed his eyes slightly rolling them for a moment restrainedly but with a slight irritated sigh

" get her out of here "

the poor thing was carried away to the emergency room, as far as it was possible to exclude one at a time girl per day, you are lucky that they expelled her. bye.

You mentioned his words about only one being expelled per day, so he answered sternly, irritated but calmly "Okay then, until the next inspection, and then definitely bye." He said, making a gesture with his hand.