Page 51 of On Dancer
After the introductions, I made a brief attempt at milling around and making small talk with a few dancers I knew from various guest dancer gigs around the country. However, I couldn’t say I was sad when they drifted away, leaving me alone with Rudy. The large, airy apartment swirled with activity. A solitary bartender in the corner struggled to keep up with the line for drinks.
“You’re looking decidedly hangry.” Rudy placed his hands on my shoulders and steered me toward a window seating area. “You go sit with Tavio, and I’ll brave the line for drinks and snacks.”
“If you insist…” I said weakly, not wanting to deal with the lines myself, but not wanting to burden him either.
“I do.” He shooed me away, and I obediently went over to the group Tavio was with.
“Alexander.” Tavio gestured for me to take an open chair across from him next to an older woman. On Tavio’s other side was a vaguely familiar middle-aged man with thinning brown hair and angular features. “Just who we were hoping to see. Come meet Julian Hale, the new director at Ballet Philadelphia.”
“Congrats.” I accepted Julian’s handshake. As soon as I heard the name, I was able to place him. He’d been a principal in Boston when I’d been an apprentice, and we’d overlapped by a season. “We’ve met. Years ago.”
“Yes, I was limping my way toward retirement, and you were the fresh new thing.” Julian gave a light laugh. “Good memory.”
“I try. I hope Annalise is well.” I gave a modest shrug. Like Tavio, Julian was married to a fellow retired dancer whom I hadpassing familiarity with. “I’ve heard you have big plans to revive Ballet Philadelphia.”
News traveled fast in the ballet world, and his meteoric rise as a director was a popular gossip topic.
“I do indeed.” Julian’s blue eyes flashed with enthusiasm. He pointed to the woman seated next to me. “Many thanks to our newest benefactor here, Melody Fox.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” I extended a hand. I had enough years in the arts to know how valuable generous patrons were, so I made my voice extra warm. “Thank you for your support of the arts.”
“Alexander Dasher. The pleasure is all mine.” Melody clasped my hand in both of hers. “You first caught my eye as an apprentice in Boston. I’ve flown to Seattle to see you three times now. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said that ABT missed out by letting Seattle win you away from the East Coast.”
“You’re too kind.” American Ballet Theatre in New York was the holy grail of the ballet world, the place every young dancer dreamed of making principal. The Seattle Ballet Company was also well-respected, but a tier below ABT. Ballet Philadelphia, meanwhile, had struggled for years with funding and management issues before Julian’s arrival. It was widely considered several steps below ABT, Seattle, Boston, and other well-funded companies.
“Nonsense. I speak truth, always have.” Melody had a feisty, no-nonsense demeanor I always appreciated in older women. Her long white hair was swept into a bun, and she had the graceful mannerisms of someone who’d likely studied dance at some point. “I didn’t reach the top of the cosmetics industry by playing nice.”
“Fox Foundation.” I didn’t have to fake my enthusiasm as I made the connection between her and a high-end cosmeticbrand. “I’ve used your foundation for stage makeup for years. Only thing I trust not to break me out.”
“Thank you. I worked hard to build that reputation. And now I want to use that experience to help revive my late mother’s favorite company.” She gave a fond smile. “Ballet Philadelphia won’t reach ABT levels by playing nice either. I’m willing to increase my endowment if Julian can recruit more principals of your caliber.”
“I’m flattered,” I demurred. Like Melody, I’d worked hard to build my reputation. I might not be the absolute pinnacle of the ballet world, but I did command a certain level of respect.
“It’s a serious offer.” Julian leaned forward in his chair.Ah.All was clear now. This was why Tavio had insisted on my attendance. This was a recruitment, not a social call. “We could use your talents. And to be frank, the draw your name has. You’ve become synonymous with the sort of excellence we aspire to.”
“I’m rather committed to Seattle.” This wasn’t my first poaching attempt, but I tried to stay diplomatic, especially with the donor sitting right beside me. “I’m not sure if I see being part of a rebuilding project at this stage of my career.”
“Fair.” Julian nodded as if he’d expected my reply, but his shrewd gaze didn’t waver as he handed me a business card. “Nevertheless, I’d love the chance to tell you more about our vision. My personal cell number is on the back.”
“I’ll take that into consideration.” I pocketed the card.
Apparently satisfied with their mission, Melody and Julian left to circulate more, undoubtedly seeking other prey. Gossip over high turnover would spread after this party, and their aggressive approach would bethetalk for weeks.
“You should think about their offer, Alexander,” Tavio said after they left us. “You could come home for your final act.”
“Final act?” I sniffed, mildly offended. I’d gifted him a technically perfect Cavalier, yet he wanted to put me out to pasture? I refused to consider such a notion. “Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated.”
“No career lasts forever, sadly.” Tavio’s tone wasn’t unkind, but it was pragmatic. “The competition gets more intense by the year.”
“I’m well aware.” As much as I loved my company in Seattle, the sharks had been circling since my initial injury, younger dancers looking to move up. However, my entire focus while rehabbing my knee had been a return to silence all critics. “Moving to Ballet Philadelphia would be a major step down. I’m not sure I have reason to consider such an offer right now.”
“Ah.” Tavio’s eyes went wide at my candidness before his gaze moved to a point behind me. “Hello, Rudy. I see you found the food table.”
Crap.I had no doubt Rudy had heard my words. Rudy’s skin was paler than usual, his mouth pursed and shoulders stiff. I’d had no intention of sharing Julian’s offer, but now an awkward conversation loomed as Rudy took the chair Melody had vacated.
“I’ll leave you two to eat.” Likely, Tavio had picked up on Rudy’s tension and wanted a quick exit. He rose, clapping me on the shoulder as he passed. “And, Alexander, don’t be hasty. You could be the conquering hero.”
“Sparkling water with lime.” After Tavio left, Rudy passed me a cup with a small plate balanced on top, which contained several fancy nibbles. “And an assortment of appetizers, most of which I have no clue what they are precisely.”
