Sure enough, a sixteen-year-old Mimi talking on a payphone appeared next. In the tunnel, Mimi was sure that her mother was on the other line. That day, she had told Mrs. Marquez the whole story, and, of course, yet another argument occurred.
Mrs. Marquez simply was not willing to support her daughter's newest career choice. "Mimi," she stated firmly, "I will not allow you to exploit your body like that. You're only sixteen!" "Mommy, I'm old enough to make my own decisions," Mimi whined. "Yes, well apparently, your choices still require my approval and this one does not have it," her mother retaliated.
She was terribly afraid that Mimi would end up like she had been some ten years ago. There was no way she would allow her daughter to follow the destructive path she herself had once led.
Mimi, however, though her mother was being terribly unreasonable. She had been too young to remember or realize the things her mother had done before she had changed into the parent Mimi now knew. She didn't see how she would be "exploiting her body;" all she saw was fun and money.
"If you need my permission for a real job, Mimi, feel free to call again. And, of course, you know you don't have to work--you can come back home," Mrs. Marquez continued. Mimi was angered by how calm her mother was remaining. "That is NOT my home and I will do whatever I want!" she screamed. "Okay. But I just want what's best for you. Goodbye, Mimi." Mrs. Marquez certainly could stay cool, even when she was hurt and torn up inside. Mimi suddenly felt bad. "Okay. Bye, Mommy. I love you," she said. But her mother had already hung up.
The movie continued and showed Mimi walking down New York streets, but in the tunnel, Mimi's mind was again moving forward rapidly.
She had known that she wanted to work at the Cat Scratch Club, but what could she do without her mother's signature? Suddenly, an incredibly obvious plan hit her. If her mother wouldn't sign the form, Mimi would just have to sign it for her. She had never been one to care about laws and rules and ethics anyway, much less follow them.
She rarely heard from her mother, so Mrs. Marquez would never find out. But what if she did call and ask where Mimi was working? In that case, Mimi had gotten her job at the restaurant back. She could surely think up more lies if they were needed. Mimi was feeling rather pleased with her plan and stopped walking immediately, held the form against a wall, and carefully signed her mother's name. Now she would just have to get through the audition. And the tunnel would take her there.
