Aigul. The girl's fate

AIGUL

(laughs)

Okay. I'll try! Maybe it will work.

MANAGER

(points to her clothes)

This is not appropriate for our establishment. We have a dress code.

AIGUL

(shrugs)

But isn't it creative? I wanted to add some life to the atmosphere!

MANAGER

(sighs)

We strive for a certain style. Unfortunately, I must dismiss you.

AIGUL

(surprised)

Fired? But I.

Айгуля is approached by the third cleaner Ket.

KET

Yes, don't be upset. Young, smart and beautiful. You will definitely find something.

AIGUL

Oh, Ket… In the heart of cats scratch… The landlord said that if I do not pay the debt at the end of the week, then he will simply evict me with the police.

KET

So you're dancing with Lang, you said so.

AIGUL

But not in the first line. There's not enough money to pay the rent. So I decided to work part-time.

KET

Well, don't get upset. I have a place in mind, but you'll have to undress.

AIGUL

What do you mean? Sleep with the boss?

KET

No, Aigul… No one will touch you without your consent. You'll just be a part-time model in an art studio and a nude model for photographers.

KET smiles and shrugs.

KET (continued)

Better than nothing?!

AIGUL

Art requires sacrifice… Give me the phone…

In the studio room, Aigul lies naked on the couch, surrounded by bouquets of orchids and a large palm leaf covering her modesty. Her breasts are completely exposed. In front of her, an artist stands at an easel with a brush and palette in hand, staring intently at the measuring Айгуля and adding lines. Aigul, exhausted, lowers her shoulder.

ARTIST

Don't move. And the shoulder is a little higher.

AIGUL

(offended)

I'm tired.

ARTIST

Be patient… In a moment there will be a break.

There is a doorbell and the artist flinches.

ARTIST

What is it?! Who else did the devils bring?!

AIGUL

It's probably pizza. You ordered it?

ARTIST

Ah, yes, exactly… You can relax your muscles.

The artist puts down his palette and brush and walks to the front door, passing the dressing table where Aigul is lying naked on the couch. The artist opens the door and is greeted by the pizza delivery man, who happens to be Salvares holding a pizza box in his hand.

SALVARES

Did you order two pizzas?

ARTIST

Yes.

SALVÁREZ

Here you go… That's five dollars and thirty cents.

ARTIST

Thank you… I'll be right back.

The artist takes the pizza and walks down the hallway, revealing a view of the dressing table where Aigul lies on it, looking away. Salvárez opens his mouth in surprise.

SALVÁREZ (off-screen)

Nuts. That's a thing.

On the street stand Dag and Bill. To them a car pulls up. From the salon stretches a hand with a bill. Dag takes the money and departs, and Bill immediately passes by that window and throws a suspicious bag on the seat. The glass is closed and the car pulls away. To Dag and Bill approaches Salvares.

SALVARES

Boys, check it out… I just brought the artist a pizza, and there's this naked meat on the couch.

BILL

Come on, don't be ridiculous…

SALVAREZ

I'm telling you, she's posing for him.

DUG

Seriously?

SALVÁREZ

More seriously than ever.

BILL

Interesting… She's turning us down, but she's giving it to the artist?!

DUG

Have you fallen off a palm tree? The artist is gay.

BILL

What's the difference? Why be so picky.

SALVÁREZ

So let's go around in circles. Or does she think she's in a fairy tale?

DAG

In the hallway.

BILL

Today.

SALVAREZ

After the artist.

CHAPTER 4

There's an old chair in the corner, and dance shoes and clothes are scattered on the floor. Aigul, a young dancer, is sitting on the floor, hugging her knees. Her friend Sarah appears at the door.

SARA

(carefully looking into the room)

Hi, Aigul! Are you home?

AIGUL

(sighing, without raising her head)

Hi, Sarah. Yes, I'm here.

Sarah enters and closes the door.

SARAH

You don't look very good. What's wrong? Don't be silent!

AIGUL

I don't want to talk about it. I feel so bad.

SARAH

So what happened?

AIGUL

I was walking home from work late, and in the entrance I…

SARA

Who? Do you know them?

AIGUL

Saw them from the side a couple of times. They hang out in a group near the club.

SARA

And reported to the police?

AIGUL

No.

SARA

Why?

AIGUL

To avoid further humiliation.

SARA

Poor thing… And now what?

AIGUL

(slowly)

Nothing. It's just… everything feels wrong. I can't focus on my studies. It's like there's a fog in my head.

SARA

(sits down next to her)

Is it because of what happened? You should talk about it. It's important.

AIGUL

(turns away)

To talk? And to whom? I don't want anyone to know. I don't want to feel humiliated again. As soon as I came to New York, everything fell on me. At home, I knew and felt that I had a family behind me. And here I am alone, and everyone just humiliates me even more.

SARA

(takes her hand)

But silence won't help. You need to talk to someone. Otherwise, you'll lose your spirit. You've already been traumatized.

AIGUL

Lang says I've become distracted in class and I've lost faith in my dance future with his company.

SARA

What does he know about the female psyche? Doesn't he see that you're trying your best? Due to a lack of funds for rent, you even started auditioning for Broadway musicals and dance shows.

AIGUL

It was the first "genre downgrade" after the modern dance ballet.

SARA

Why?

AIGUL

Because filming dancers in the nude is almost the norm nowadays. And here is the result. Apparently, this will be my star ceiling in my career.

SARA

What are you talking about? My beloved Aigul! You are not alone, I am here. You know that I will always support you. And everyone can see that you are the best! It's just that you have not yet revealed yourself in all its glory!

AIGUL

(tears in the eyes)

I just don't understand how to go on. All these auditions for musicals… This is not what I dreamed of. I danced in the ballet, and now…

SARA

(sympathetically)

It's not a downgrade. It's just a different path. You're talented anyway.

AIGUL

(laughs bitterly)

Talented? If it only mattered. I've lost faith in myself.

SARA

(hugs her tightly)

You shouldn't think that. You're stronger than you think. It's hard right now, but it won't be forever.

AIGUL

(pauses, then quietly)

What if I never get back to the dancing I love?

SARAH

(looking into her eyes)

You'll come back. It just takes time. You know you have support.

AIGUL

(offended)

Support won't pay the rent. I don't have the money to stay here.

SARAH

(standing up, determined)

Then let's do this together. We can look for jobs, try out for different roles. The important thing is not to give up. We'll go home together.

AIGUL

(with doubt)

Do you really think this will help?

SARA

(smiles)

Yes, I'm sure of it. Let's do this together. You're not alone in this fight. This is just adult life, and we need to learn from each other's mistakes. One man can't do it alone, but together we are a force to be reckoned with.

Aigul slowly gets up and a small smile appears on her face. She starts to collect her scattered things and put them in the shelf, and Sarah helps her.

AIGUL

(inspirational)

What a mess is this?! Indeed, I'm feeling a bit down. And fuck it all! Okay, let's try! Maybe this is my chance to start anew. A new chapter in my life!

SARA

(enthusiastically)

That's it! And remember, every new beginning is an opportunity. We can do this.

Bright lights, noise, laughter, and a circle of dancers. At the table are the producers, Er Mek and Madame Gauhar. On stage is a young dancer, Aigul, dressed in a colorful costume, preparing for her performance.

Er Mek is a Belgian producer.

ER MEK

(whispers to Madame Gauhar)

Look at this beauty, what energy! I'm sure she will attract attention.

Madame Gauhar is a Belgian producer.

MADAME GAUHAR

(laughs)

Yes… I also noticed her. She is a very unusual dancer.

ER MEK

Most importantly, she is not afraid of the stage, as if she was born on it.

MADAM GAUHAR

But can we turn this energy into something more?

Aigul involuntarily looks at the jury members sitting in the audience, Er Mek and Madam Gauhar. Er Mek catches Aigul's gaze and beckons her with a gesture of her hand. Aigul approaches the edge of the stage.

AIGUL

(approaching the edge of the stage)

Hello!

MADAM GAUHAR

What's your name?

AIGUL

Aigul Luiz Cicconet.

MADAM GAUHAR

Can you do anything other than dance?

ER MEK

Like singing…