SAVE THE LAST DANCE A Spashley Story
Disclaimer: I dont Own Anything
An empty stretch of land in the Pennsylvania countryside parted down the middle by railroad tracks. An Amtrak Commuter crests the horizon. A Girl around 17 or 18 has her face pressed against one of its windows. She looks distant and sad as she looks at an endless stream of sky and trees.
AMTRAK TRAIN
A woman clumsily negotiates the aisle.
Stops at the first of a few empty seats left in the car.
"This seat taken?" looking up, and around. Spencer shakes her head, clears her backpack and magazines from the seat beside her. The Woman drops down, and settles in. after a long silence the woman glances at the American Ballet magazine on Spencer 's lap.
"I love ballet. Never had the body for it. Do you dance?" The woman asks. Spencer turns away mumbling under breath. "I used to." Spencer replies as she gazes out the window. The world outside begins to dissolve melting into images from another time, another place. Her eyes stare blankly out at the world around her, blinded by her memories.
FLASHBACK -KINDERGARTEN RECITAL
A stage full of five-year-olds in tights and tutus. A
little girl performs center stage. She's remarkably poised, and good. A man with a crucifix chain springs to his feet clapping loudly. The little girl's eyes catch the glint of her father's gold chain. She flashes a megawatt smile, and ends the dance with a bow
BALLET CLASS - (FIVE YEARS LATER)
Young Spencer, lithe and earnest, dances. A budding beauty
blessed with long limbs and natural grace, she makes it
look easy. Gliding past the envious stares of
classmates, she scans the hall for a glint of gold.
Finds it in the back of the room where her father Arthur Carlin ,
stands watching her. Their eyes connect with mutual smiles.
SPENCER'S HOUSE –(SEVEN YEARS LATER)
17 year old ,Spencer dancing in the space opened up by cornered furniture and
rolled up rugs. As Arthur looks on, Spencer completes the routine with a pirouette. She spins out of it with a preoccupied frown on her face.
"What's the matter? It was good."
Spencer checks her stance in mirror
"Everybody there's going to be good, Dad. I have to be better."
"My knees still knock when I do my free form. Did you notice that?"
"I noticed that it was fine."
"It's not supposed to be fine. It's supposed to be special; and it just lays there, it doesn't do anything. I bet they notice that. That it doesn't do anything. That I don't do anything special enough to get in."
"Spencer. You'll get in."
"Don't lie because you love me. My free form sucks."
Arthur sighs and says
"I've got something for you. Come on. Sit. Mouth closed, eyes shut. No pouting. No peeking."
Spencer flops down on the sofa beside him. Closes her eyes.
Arthur removes the Crucifix chain from his neck, and fastens it around Spencer's.
"For luck tomorrow. Not that you'll need it. You dance like an angel."
The necklace is Arthur's talisman. Spencer knows what it means to him. She throws her arms around Arthur, holds onto him tightly.
"I love the necklace dad but you're still the best luck I'll ever have."
Arthur, not one to choke up, chokes up. They cling to each other.