Page 174 of The Moon Sister
‘Of course not, but I can learn from Triana. He is a genius.’
‘Really?’ Meñique moved to stand behind her and stared at her reflection in the mirror. ‘This from the woman who has always insisted every dance comes instinctively from her soul.’
‘I am older now, and wish to improve further. If Triana can teach me what it is that made La Argentinita so famous in America, I will listen. You know how things have changed. It is not enough just to dance on a stage with an orchestra any more. We need a spectacular show!’
‘Isn’t that what we have been giving to audiences in South America for all these years?’ Meñique said wearily. ‘Now, I am hungry. Have you finished or shall I go to the dining room alone?’
Lucía fastened a diamond bracelet on her wrist, then stood up and held out her hand to him. ‘I am ready, and hungry for sardines.’
*
Two days later, the Albaycíncuadroarrived in New York. Never had Meñique seen Lucía so full of excitement as she gazed at the impossibly tall skyscrapers that disappeared into the cloudy sky. As they approached a small island at the mouth of a huge river, they passed the very symbol of America, the lady of Liberty clad in her grey-green robes and carrying the torch of freedom.
When they reached Ellis Island, their port of disembarkation, Lucía was all ready for a hero’s welcome as she marched down the gangplank, only to be greeted by immigration officials, who insisted the company follow them to a building to fill out the necessary forms.
‘I cannot write! Neither can my mother nor my father!’ Lucía said in Spanish, looking at the officials in exasperation. ‘Surely you know who I am?’
‘No, ma’am, we don’t,’ said one man, after Meñique had reluctantly translated. ‘All we know is that you are a Spanish immigrant who needs to fill out the necessary forms before you can enter the United States of America.’
Despite Lucía’s protests, they were all refused entry. After contacting Sol Hurok to advise him of the delay, another long boat journey back down to Havana ensued. During the voyage, Meñique and the few others in thecuadrowho could write spent hours teaching Lucía and the rest of the company to at least sign their names.
When they reached New York again twenty days later, Meñique was heartily glad to see the back of the sea.
This time, the formalities at Ellis Island were completed without a hitch, so thecuadromade their way to Manhattan by ferry then piled into several yellow-and-black taxi cabs. As they drove, Meñique was amazed by the huge buildings, the weak winter sunlight reflected in their hundreds of glass windows. Stepping out of the cab, his breath visible in the freezing air, Meñique did his best to hide his misery from Lucía, who was openly delighted at the lavish window displays of mannequins draped in fur and diamonds.
They were to stay at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, where Sol Hurok had booked rooms for the entirecuadro. In the lobby, Lucía signed the register with a defiant illegible squiggle. Her father and the others followed suit, as the staff and passing guests looked on in distaste at the noisy, chattering band of gypsies.
A desk clerk handed her the keys to her suite and she swept regally towards the elevators.
As the bellboy pressed the button, Lucía turned round to face the lobby.
‘Hola, New York! Soon, everyone here will know my name!’
*
‘So, you are to make your American debut at the Beachcomber!’ Antonio Triana announced.
‘And what is that place?’ Lucía looked suspiciously at the slender, dark-eyed man sitting opposite her in the suite. His trousers and waistcoat were clearly expensively tailored and his black hair had been perfectly oiled.
‘It is a club – very sophisticated – with many Hollywood film stars often in the audience. I have danced there myself with La Argentinita,’ Antonio reassured her.
‘So, it is not some shack on a beach?’
‘I assure you, Señorita Albaycín, it is not. The tickets to your opening are selling at twenty dollars each! Now, I must leave you but from tomorrow, we will rehearse. Nine a.m. sharp.’
Lucía looked aghast. ‘Señor Triana, we never rise until noon!’
‘You are in New York, Señorita Albaycín. Here, the rules are different. So, I will see you and thecuadroin the foyer at nine tomorrow and take you to our rehearsal room.’ With an elegant bow, Antonio left the room.
‘Nine o’clock?’ Lucía turned to Meñique. ‘Why, that is the middle of the night!’
‘We must do as he asks. He knows the rules here, Lucía.’
‘You are right,’ she sighed. ‘But tonight, we feast and drink wine!’ Lucía declared.
*
‘Are you ready for your New York debut?’ Antonio Triana whispered in Lucía’s ear as they stood together on the side of the stage two weeks later. She could see the coloured lights flickering through the crack in the curtains, hear the murmur of voices from the exclusive supper club that lay beyond them. The Beachcomber was vibrant at night, and on her way to the stage door earlier she had felt gratified to see a large throng of people vying to get in.
