The Last Showgirl (2024) Movie Script
1
[footsteps]
[footsteps]
[microphone feedback squeals]
[director] What's your name?
- Shelly Gardner.
- Just need the first.
Oh, sorry.
How tall are you?
5'7".
Age?
Oh, a gentleman never asks
a lady her age. [giggles]
Thirty-six.
Sorry, I lied. I'm 42.
But this house is huge.
I mean, distance helps.
- Ah.
- Oh, gosh, I'm sorry.
I'm so nervous.
I've been on Le Razzle Dazzle
for so very long, and...
Oh, I just haven't auditioned
in a while.
- But it's exciting.
- Yeah.
[director smacks lips]
You-you have an act prepared?
I do. I'm a dancer.
Music?
Yeah.
I gave it to the maestro.
Okay.
Okay.
[dramatic piano music plays]
[director sighs]
[dramatic piano music continues]
[running footsteps]
Did someone raid a cemetery
for this fuckin' audience?
[Jodie shushes]
- [fabric rips]
- [Mary-Anne] Oh! Oh, shit!
- Go, go.
- Did that just rip?
- Go, go, go, go. Come on.
- Shit!
When did they install
that new door handle?
Three months ago.
That thing is asking
for ripped costumes.
- Are you sure?
Is it really ripped?
- Yeah, it's ripped.
[Jodie] I have, like,
20/20 vision.
Well, good for fuckin' you,
Jodie.
- [showgirl 1] I see you warm up
every single night. Okay.
- [showgirl 2] No. I don't--
[showgirl 1] Yeah, bye.
- [showgirl 2] That's...
- [showgirl 1] Wow.
[cheerful piano music playing]
- I caught my wing
on that door handle.
- [Mary-Anne] It's a trap.
They're so desperate for money,
they're tryin' to squeeze it
back out of us.
- [whimpers]
- [Jodie] Paranoid.
[Shelly] Oh, God, you know what?
They have to change that.
I mean,
look at this gaping hole.
Okay, let's keep it movin',
Shelly.
[Shelly] I will. I just--
Look at that.
Oh, gosh. [sighs]
- I mean, I love that darn wing.
- [Jodie] Aww.
[Shelly] You know,
of all the wings
in the entire show,
that's the oldest wing.
- Ida is gonna kill me.
- [Mary-Anne scoffs]
Oh, whatever.
That old Russian bitch has hated
me for, like, nine years.
[Jodie] Because you keep losing
rhinestones and feathers.
[Mary-Anne]
Oh, well, I'm not tryin'
to be a klutz out there. Jesus.
I'm try-- I'm fuckin' dancing.
Like, what am I supposed to do?
I am dancing.
It's just so disappointing,
you know.
Lemons, and now this.
- Lemons?
- [Shelly] Well...
they've just recently
been so expensive.
[Jodie] Clip-ons, Shelly.
Clip-ons?
- Okay, can you please
put them on?
- [Shelly] Okay, I will. I am.
I mean, gosh,
they're 89 cents apiece.
You know, lemons are not
even really food, you know,
they're like a garnish.
They're more like herbs.
- They're like accessories.
- Who needs lemons?
- [Jodie] Let's go.
- [Shelly] Okay, okay, okay.
[Jodie] Let's go. [exhales]
The music's about to change.
[Shelly] Well, I'm buying
some nice salmon steaks
for dinner
- because I'm entertaining
tomorrow evening.
- Music's changing.
[Shelly] I got this beautiful
salmon steak idea
from I-Ina Garten's cookbook
which has beautiful lemon slices
on the salmon.
- [Jodie] Ooh, sorry.
- [Shelly and Mary-Anne exclaim]
All right. So, I need them.
I need the lemons.
Shell, you've got
the wrong clip-ons.
[grunts softly]
Oh, my God.
I mean, when did they put
that door handle on anyway?
- Like, two weeks ago?
- It was, like,
three months ago.
[Shelly] Oh, my God,
I keep forgetting
that it's there.
[Jodie] Well, yeah,
because you're old.
I mean, I'm older.
I'm not that old.
[Jodie] Okay, come on. Come on.
Let's go!
Come on!
- Fuck you, door handle.
- If I could go back in time,
you know,
and see the door handle
and say, "Oh...
- [Eddie] You ladies mind
moving a little faster?
- ...this is a terrible time..."
Everyone else is out there.
You're the only ones acting
like you're at fuckin' brunch.
Oh! Like anyone gives
a flying shit, Eddie.
What are there, 12 people?
Excuse me. No one gives a shit?
I do. I give a shit.
It's my job to get you onstage.
Have we ever not made it
on the stage, Eddie?
- [Jodie] Shell!
- Come on. Go.
Cue 453, go.
[dramatic music playing]
[beeps]
[Annette] So, who's the guy?
[Shelly] Rick. He saw me leaving
the parking lot.
[chuckles] A stage-door Johnny
situation, huh?
- Paging stage-door Johnny!
Aisle four!
- [shushing]
- No, he recognized me
in the parking lot.
- Uh-huh.
Does he think
you're a escort on the side?
Annette, no.
What? Guys think that.
Well, they do.
- Well, Rick is nice. He likes
me. He doesn't think that.
- [error beep]
- [checkout machine] Please scan
your item again.
- [error beep]
Please scan your item again.
[Shelly] Well, it's-it's
on there. It's right there.
- Wait, wait.
- Please scan your item again.
- No, it's telling you
to scan it again.
- What?
- [error beep]
- Please scan your item again.
[Annette] Put it in the bag.
- [error beep]
- Please scan your item again.
[cell phone chiming]
- Oh, no.
- What?
Oh. Pbbt.
"Have to cancel tonight.
Workin' late.
Yeah, rain check. Sorry."
You wanna return the fish?
No, it's okay.
[sighs]
- [somber music playing]
- [keys jingling]
- [car door clicks]
- Shit.
- Ugh.
- [car alarm chirps]
[Shelly grunts angrily]
She's open.
[light chuckle]
[Annette] Okay.
But then I won!
So, what the fuck does it matter
if I previously lost, you know?
Oh, really? You're gonna have
an orange right before dinner?
Well, there's only enough fish
for, like, two people, Annette.
I'm tryin' to get it
where I can.
[Shelly] Oh, gosh,
I'm sorry, guys.
A little impromptu soiree.
But I got enough.
Men like to be fed.
- Shelly, who is this guy
anyway?
- [blender whirring]
[Annette] Oh, Rick the Dick!
I bet you he was married.
Well, he was divorced.
Didn't have a ring.
[Annette] Uh-huh.
Did you check his pockets?
- He liked me.
- [Annette] Uh-huh.
- That's why
we're eating his fish.
- He--
Look, girls, you don't have
to worry about me.
I am a very lucky person.
I mean, I am.
I have luck. It's in me.
You know what I mean?
I mean, it's in me.
- Not everybody has that.
- [Mary-Anne chuckles] Sure.
You gonna save your winnings
for when you retire?
[chuckling] What the fuck?
Retire?
Are you crazy?
Like, bankers retire. I--
What do you think,
I have a 501(k)?
No, I'm not gonna retire.
I'm not gonna retire.
I'm gonna work.
And then I'm gonna work
some more,
and then I'm gonna die.
I'll probably die in my uniform.
That's my plan.
[Jodie] You don't wanna retire?
You-you know,
it's not an option, Jodie.
[Jodie] Yeah, isn't it
like a requirement?
[Annette scoffs] No.
Esme Rodriguez is 83.
She is still cocktailing.
- Oh, my God, she's 83?
- [Annette] 83.
I know because I was invited
to the party.
I didn't go
'cause I don't like soft foods.
[Jodie snickers]
Well, I can't wait to retire.
You're 19.
[Jodie] It just seems like--
I don't know,
it's such a wonderful time
in life. I don't-- I don't know.
- I just think it seems fun.
- [laughter]
You know, learning new things.
Maybe taking up a new language.
[Annette] No, you can't learn
a new language
that late in life.
Your brain
doesn't work that way.
- [Shelly]
Well, I wanna learn French.
- I love languages.
- I can say
"Je m'appelle Jodie."
- That's good.
I know how to say "My name
is Jodie" in five different
languages, including English.
But that's like
the most useless phrase, though.
- You could just point
at yourself and say "Jodie."
- Useless? Are you kidding?
- [Annette laughs]
- Shelly, let's learn
French together.
No, no. Je m'appelle Shelly.
Hey, guys, you know what?
I like my life, right?
I like it. I like my job.
I mean, most people
don't like playing grab-ass
with a bunch
of coked-up gamblers
at 10:00 a.m., but--
- [Jodie] But you are one,
so...
- But I don't mind it.
- They amuse me.
That's right. They amuse me.
- [Jodie] Mmm.
And then I can go drink
and gamble on my own time.
- Annette is a bon vivant.
- Oh, French.
[laughter]
[doorbell rings]
- Who's that?
- [Jodie] Oh, it's Eddie.
- [Mary-Anne] Wait, what?
- What?
Wait, that is gonna be so weird.
[Annette] Eddie is coming here?
Jodie, what were you thinking?
Well, no, it's not-- It's--
He's like-- he's like our dad.
He is not like our dad.
He's seen our boobs,
like, a thousand times.
Have you never heard
of an impromptu girls' night?
- When was the last time
you saw Eddie anyway?
- [Annette] Oh, no, no, no.
I haven't seen Eddie
since I left the show,
and I have not missed him.
[Jodie] Well, that's not nice.
I feel like we're all
kind of like a big family.
Okay, well, if this is a family,
it's pretty fucked up.
We're tits out all the time.
- [chuckles]
- No, like, like,
you're our mom, and...
Wait, you're-you're tryin'
to make Shelly your mom
- and Eddie your dad?
- Ugh.
- I mean,
I feel like this is a family.
- [doorbell rings]
- What? Okay.
Well, you know what, girls?
- [Shelly] A family.
I will be the girl outside
getting drunk very fast.
Okay.
[chuckling]
- And we used to do that thing.
- [Jodie] Oh, God.
- And just sit there like this,
not say a word. Naked.
- Oh, wow.
- Put it everywhere.
You know what I mean?
- [Eddie clears throat]
- Look who's here.
- [Jodie] Welcome, Eddie.
Hey, ladies.
Hey, Annette. Good to see you.
Oh, no, no, no,
I'm not gonna hug you.
I'm sweating.
- That's okay.
- No, no, no, really.
I am not gonna hug you
because I am sweating.
- Okay.
- It's gross.
- But it's awful good
to see ya, Eddie.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, you too.
- Yeah. Mmm.
Show's not the same without you.
It isn't? Really?
I kind of feel like it is.
- Oh, I mean,
technically, it is.
- [Annette chuckles] Yeah.
It's the same show.
Just meant figuratively.
Yeah.
Hey, um...
who took over my track again?
Was it, um... Wait.
Uh, Valerie.
- Francine.
- Francine.
Francine, yeah. [chuckles]
She sucked.
I mean, she can't fouett.
She really--
She's a terrible dancer.
But how did she take over
my track?
She does the pas de deux
in the fairy ballet.
She can't partner.
I mean, does she even know
how to partner?
Yeah, I mean,
it's been six years
since you left the show.
She does it every night.
She-she figured it out.
[Shelly] So, Eddie brought
some wine.
Yeah. Should I go open it up?
- Yeah.
- Eh, a little Malbec
for anybody?
Annette? Mary-Anne?
I'm allergic to red.
Yeah, no. I'm, um...
I'm drinking margaritas.
[Shelly] Okay.
I just-- I brought it because...
Well, it's funny.
[clears throat]
When I was, uh,
on Siegfried & Roy,
those guys would have us over
on the off days, and...
and I went pretty hard
on the red wine, so...
Wait, they went hard
on red wine?
Yeah, well...
I mean, ages ago.
Uh, there was this one time
when I got caught
in the escape trap
with a white tiger.
- What?
- Yeah. No.
- No.
- Yeah. No, yeah.
[Eddie] So, you know,
the tiger's supposed
to disappear off stage
- during this trick, right?
- [Jodie] Uh-huh.
And so, I'm down, um,
opening the trapdoor
onto the floor.
- [Jodie] Yeah.
- And the tiger knows
to go through the tunnel
and into the holding pen,
and somehow,
I got caught in the holding pen
with the white tiger.
- [Jodie chuckles]
- Damn near shit myself.
- [Jodie] That is insane.
- Hm, yeah.
Did the tiger swat at you?
- No.
- [Jodie] Oh.
- [Eddie clears throat]
- They're very well trained,
huh?
- [Eddie] Oh, very.
Yeah, it's impressive.
- [Jodie] Hm. Wow.
Thank you.
- [Jodie] I mean,
that's scary, though.
- [Mary-Anne] Mm.
Great story, Eddie.
[Mary-Anne] I'm still hungry.
That was, like,
two ounces of fish.
I have some cup of noodles
above the fridge,
- if you want that, sweetie.
- Oh, gotcha. Thank you.
[Jodie] Eddie, are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
- [Jodie] I think I swallowed
a teeny fishbone.
You?
Um, so, listen,
I didn't come here tonight
just to...
[sighs] I got somethin'
I need to tell you.
Are you okay?
Muffy told me
that the show is closing.
I'm sorry, what?
Yeah, the show's closing.
Oh! [chuckles]
Way to bury the lead, shithead.
- Don't call me
a shithead, Annette.
- Well-well-- well, then,
don't fuckin' drop a bomb
in the middle of a dinner
an hour after you've arrived!
I mean, hold on. Hold on, look.
I-I-- I mean,
Muffy is senile, okay?
She's, like,
a thousand years old.
She's about to die.
Muffy is not senile.
Just... tell me what she said.
[sighs] She said
the new casino owners wanna put
their own stamp on the place,
so they brought in the circus.
That show's doing
really well, so...
I mean, who puts money
into a circus that's not
Cirque du Soleil, right?
That's dumb.
I knew when we started sharing
our theater,
when they started taking over
our Thursday, Friday,
Saturday shows,
- it was a bad sign.
- [Mary-Anne] Yeah, no shit.
- And also, no, you did not.
- Yeah, I did.
- Yes.
- [Shelly] You guys...
- Totally did.
- No, you didn't.
You guys, our show is legendary.
It is, but Le Razzle Dazzle,
it's-it's old.
It's the last show of its kind
on the Strip.
[Shelly] You know,
that's what makes it so special,
the fact that it's the last one.
It's-it's a show.
The costumes, the sets.
[Mary-Anne]
Look, it is a dinosaur, Shelly.
I think we're gettin' notice
tomorrow.
Are you kidding?
Are you-are you--
You heard this from Muffy?
Yeah.
[Jodie, softly] Shell...
Oh!
- Shell...
- What is wrong with you?
Do you like being the bearer
of bad news?
No.
Just it was
important information.
I wanted them
to hear it from me.
Oh, really?
Well, your important information
just broke her fucking heart.
[soft music plays]
[showgirl 1]
You're saying that you don't do
the straddle, bitch?
- I see you warm up
every single night.
- [showgirl 2] No. I don't--
- [showgirl 1] Okay. Yeah, bye.
- [showgirl 2] I was that good.
- [showgirl 2] That's...
- [showgirl 1] Wow.
[Eddie over speakers]
Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen.
I regret to inform you
that Le Razzle Dazzle
- will have its
final performance in 2 weeks.
- [showgirl 3 gasps]
On behalf of Muffy,
as well as our longtime
producing partners
at the casino,
the decision to close the show
has been a hard one to make...
but it's been
an incredible 38-year run,
and they wish to thank everyone
for their hard work
over the years.
- [showgirl 4] ...like,
right now, over the intercom.
- [showgirl 5] Yeah.
[indistinct whispering]
[showgirl 4] No. Did you know?
[Eddie]
This is your 15-minute call,
ladies and gentlemen.
Fifteen minutes to curtain.
[suspenseful music playing]
I just wanna say,
on behalf of myself,
your hard work and dedication,
it's been something special.
[clears throat]
I wish everybody
a great show tonight
and a great show
over the next two weeks.
Thanks.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[Jodie] Hey.
Hey.
[Jodie sighs]
You know what?
If they just poured
a little more money
into the advertising campaign...
[sighs]
I mean, our press shots
are from the early '80s.
Aren't you
in some of those shots?
Yeah, I am. [giggles]
You had the Hindenburg solo.
I did.
How long did you do it?
Well, when I was cast in '87
until about '99
when Renata joined the cast.
Then she took it over.
I bet you were great.
Oh. [breathes deeply]
Did you ever wanna get married?
I... I was married
when I was really young.
For a short time.
Yeah.
Well, what happened?
I was dancing.
I was already in the show here
when we met,
and he didn't like Vegas much.
He got a job in New York.
The show here
was really thriving,
and there was a lot of press
around us.
It was very exciting.
I was very young.
So, I stayed here.
What did you do?
Well, I mean,
we tried to make it work
for a couple years,
but he eventually met
somebody there, and...
And he tried to convince me
to come to New York and dance,
and I-I tried,
but, you know,
I went to an open call
for the Rockettes,
I went to an open call
for a Broadway musical,
I just missed
the thrill of the show here.
You'd be a perfect Rockette.
- Yeah. I found all that kicking
very redundant.
- [light chuckle]
[soft music playing]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[over voicemail]
Hi, you've reached Hannah.
- Leave a message.
- [beeps]
[Shelly] Hey, Hannie.
Oh, I tried to call you "Hannah"
and "honey" at the same time.
Oh, my goodness. Hannie.
[giggles] That's funny.
Um...
just checking in to see
if you wanted to, um,
you know, get a bite,
get a cup of coffee?
You know I don't
really drink coffee, but, um,
what I really like
is a nice drink, but...
You know, that'd be
inappropriate 'cause you're,
what, 20? [giggles]
Oh, my God, you're 22.
How do I delete this thing?
- [smoke alarm ringing]
- Oh, my God! Oh!
- Oh! Oh!
- [operator] To listen
to this message, press one.
- To delete, press two...
- Fuck!
[ringing continues]
Shut up!
I'm trying to leave
an important message. Ugh!
[ringing continues]
- God.
- [ringing stops]
- Okay. Yes.
- To hear your options again,
press three.
- Yes. Okay. Mm-hmm.
- [keypad beeping]
Okay. Okay. Oh!
- Message sent.
- No!
[growls] Oh, God!
[heavy breathing]
C'est la vie.
[sighs]
[Mary-Anne] Yeah, mine too.
[Jodie speaking indistinctly]
[Mary-Anne]
It's probably that thing...
I went to a dance call today.
[Shelly] You did? Already?
Yeah, what'd you go out for?
[Jodie] Mmm, it was a show
called Hedonist Paradise.
[Shelly] I can't believe
that's the title of a show.
[Mary-Anne]
What, like Le Razzle Dazzle's
any better?
Le Razzle Dazzle is a name
that's evocative
of another time in history.
Of Paris.
Of the theater, in a way.
You get all that
from Le Razzle Dazzle?
[Shelly] Well, what do you get
from Hedonist Paradise?
I get girls grinding on poles,
doused with water like animals.
Like, it's totally tasteless.
- [Mary-Anne] Tasteless?
- Yes.
[Mary-Anne] You know, I--
You know, I can't have
this conversation again.
What do you want from me,
Mary-Anne?
If you think
this is so terrible,
why are you here?
- I mean,
what makes you wanna be in--
- Because it's a job, okay?
And it pays American dollars.
I... [sighs]
I... I don't know.
You wanna see the combination?
[Mary-Anne] Sure.
Okay.
Oh, so there's a chair involved.
[Jodie] Uh, yeah.
So, you're, um,
like, backwards on a chair.
And then...
and then you're like...
[humming tune]
Slap the thighs, up the body,
through the hair, hold.
And one, two, three, four.
- And ass, ass, uh, uh.
- Wow.
- [Shelly] This is ridiculous.
- One and a two, hold.
- And body roll, and body roll.
- Okay, yeah.
- And pose.
- I'm-I'm not mad at it.
And one, two, three, four.
And uh, and uh.
And then you go around. Uh!
- On the chair.
And one, and hump the chair.
- Oh!
And pulse, pulse, pulse.
And down,
and then you go around.
- And then you go up here.
- [Shelly] Oh, God.
Okay, stop. Stop, please.
I can't. I can't anymore.
I would never audition
for a show like that. Never.
Okay.
[Shelly] Never.
- Yeah, okay.
- I'm sorry, it's just...
- [Jodie] Okay.
- I can't. I can't.
I mean,
how am I supposed to react?
I don't even know
what I'm gonna do for Christmas
if I don't have this.
[scribbling]
[sighs]
[knocking on door]
- Hey, Shell.
- Hey.
[paper rustling]
- Here you go.
- Oh, thanks.
- All right.
- You know,
since we lost those shows,
these checks feel like
they're getting slimmer
and slimmer.
Yeah.
[Shelly chuckles lightly]
Hey, Eddie.
I mean,
are you sure this is right?
This is a lot less
than I thought it was gonna be.
Well, it's less
because less shows.
Oh, well,
well, I know that, obviously.
I was just thinking, you know,
800 divided by 11 shows
minus the 3 shows we lost.
Well, you might have been makin'
slightly more
than the ones we lost
because those shows were,
you know, better sold,
generally.
Oh.
Um, if you want, I can check
with accounts payable.
[sighs] Nah.
They're not gonna do anything
about it, right? [laughs]
No, probably not.
You know, I just, uh,
done the math
and reworked my budget
according to what I thought
it was gonna be.
[sighs] Organic milk
is so expensive these days.
Oh. They docked me for the wing.
Oh.
The rip.
Yeah, shit.
Oh, I mean,
it-- it must have been bad.
I mean, it wasn't on a seam,
you know?
No, I think
Ida had to reorder the fabric.
- Oh, she did?
- Yeah.
Just to repair one wing.
You know, the show's gonna end.
Oh, no, I get it.
- You're never gonna need
that fabric for anything else.
- [Shelly chuckles lightly]
Well, I'm sorry to me, then.
[chuckles]
- Bye.
- Yeah.
[somber music playing]
[operator] To listen
to this message, press one.
[keypad beeps]
[Shelly over voicemail]
Hey, Hannie.
Oh, I tried to call you
"Hannah" and "honey"
at the same time.
Oh, my goodness. Hannie.
[giggles] That's funny.
Um...
just checking in to see
if you wanted to,
um, you know, get a bite,
get a cup of coffee?
You know I don't really drink
coffee, but, uh...
Darn it,
I'd have a cup of coffee.
Or maybe I could have some tea.
And, uh, um,
you know, you know,
I really wanted a nice drink.
That'd be inappropriate
because...
You know, I could always move in
with you and pay you rent.
- No, my lease is up...
- Of course you're not
gonna pay rent.
- ...in, like, ten months.
- You're gonna gamble it all.
- I know you.
- No, I will not.
I'm gonna lose my house
like you lost yours.
- Stop.
- No.
Hey, Phyllis,
you want another ginger ale?
- Oh, yeah.
- Yeah,
and a little Jack Daniel's?
- [chuckles] Oh, yes, honey.
- Okay.
- Thanks, Annette.
- You know, I don't like that.
It makes you think
like I'm irresponsible.
- I am not irresponsible.
- Well...
I'm thinking of opening an IRA.
Oh, I think you're too old
to open an IRA.
Okay, whatever.
I just...
I mean, you know me.
- I make money.
- Exactly.
You know, you could always
get together with Eddie.
What?
- Oh, my God, that's a first.
- You could. [laughs]
- Who are you?
- Hey, Tony,
I need a Jack & Ginger.
[Tony]
Hey, we're cutting the floor.
- What?
- You and Esme can go home.
Who's staying?
Jennifer and Jessica.
- Of course they are.
- [object clatters]
Well, you can tell
one of the Jess-holes over there
to drop that
at, uh, Zsa Zsa Gabor
in the nickel slots.
[Tony] Who?
Zsa Zsa.
Is he insane?
[Annette] Look, fine.
Then if not me, I just--
I-- I think you want
a guy around the house.
You keep dating
these business types,
who come to town
two, three days,
and you cook for them
like you wanna get married.
I don't.
I don't wanna get married.
Well, I think you forget
guys come to Vegas
to get a story
they can go home with.
Like shtupping a showgirl.
- No, Annette.
- Yes, Annette. It's true.
Come on. And you know that.
But you see, you and Eddie,
I mean, you guys have a history
and he lives here.
Yeah, we have a bad history.
All histories are bad with men.
But you have history.
And you know, he's...
I don't know,
he's a solid enough guy.
I don't particularly like him
or even find him
that attractive,
but, you know,
he might even have a pension.
Do you have a pension?
Do you have a pension?
I don't have a pension.
- No.
- Exactly.
And, you know,
I mean, he's cute-ish.
I can also--
I can also get you a job here.
What, cocktailing?
Yes.
Hey, Esme.
- You know what?
Fuck them, right?
- [chuckles]
Screw them.
Seriously.
Hey, you want a cigarette?
[soft music plays]
[inaudible]
[soft music continues]
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God, is that you? Oh!
- Oh, my... You got my message.
- Hey, Shelly.
It's so good to see you.
My goodness,
what are you doing here?
I mean, of course, you know,
I'm happy to see you,
but, I mean, jeez,
you could show up at my doorstep
anytime, anywhere.
- [both chuckle]
- Oh, it's just so good
to see you.
God, I'm sorry. I'm such a mess.
I mean, I just haven't had
a lot of sleep lately.
Hormones.
Why aren't you in school?
Um, I had to come home
for Lisa's birthday, so...
Oh, it's Lisa's birthday.
I mean,
I-I should send her a card
or a call or something.
[scoffs]
You don't have to do that.
I want to. I will.
I mean, how is she? She's, um...
How are she and Jeff?
They're really good.
Uh, I'm graduating in May, so...
Oh, I know. I know, hon.
Gosh, you're graduating so soon.
I just can't believe it.
[giggles]
And Becky's graduating too,
so we're gonna do, like,
a joint party kinda thing.
Oh, really?
Becky's graduating too?
Yeah, good for her.
Good for Becky.
Yeah.
It's a lot of family time,
so I wanted
to get out of the house anyways.
[Shelly breathes deeply]
Sorry.
Oh, you look so beautiful.
- No, I don't.
- Yes, you do.
You're so beautiful,
so grown up.
I just can't believe
I haven't seen you
in, what, like, over a year?
- Yeah.
- [sighs]
So, um, do you have a boyfriend?
Just tryin' to focus
on getting out of school.
Oh, well, plenty of time
for boyfriends, you know, later.
[Hannah] Mm-hmm.
[Shelly sighs] Oh.
Have you, uh, declared a major?
I'm studying photography.
Oh, my God, that's so exciting.
[Hannah chuckles lightly]
Thanks.
- Yeah.
- Uh, Lisa said
it wouldn't be that useful
to have any sort of arts degree,
but it's the only thing
I'm really passionate about,
so...
- Well, I think it's brilliant
that you're doing that.
- Mm.
I mean, being part
of a creative community is...
It's the best.
It's the best.
It's pretty solitary.
It's not really a community.
Well, you know, being an artist
is solitary, but...
if you're passionate about it,
it's worth it.
You know what?
I really should get going.
Oh, no, no. I was just gonna say
if you wanted to stay
for dinner.
Yeah, I was just stopping by
to say hello.
I have to get--
I have to get home for dinner.
Well, I mean,
can't you just give them a call
and say that you're gonna
have dinner here tonight?
It's just one night.
I don't know.
Becky just got home, and...
I...
I mean, Lisa wouldn't mind,
would she?
Just one dinner.
One night.
I really can't, Shelly.
[Shelly] You know, I wa--
I was thinking that, you know,
since the show is closing
that I could probably get
a couple days off
and come visit you in Tucson.
[Hannah] What?
[Shelly] Yeah.
The show is closing.
I can't talk about it too much.
I'll just dissolve into tears.
But, you know, I could...
finally have some time off
and come visit you in Tucson.
I could... come
to your graduation if you want.
[Hannah] I'll think about it.
[Shelly] Okay.
Come give your mom a hug.
[giggles]
Mm.
Oh, jeez. [giggles]
You know,
if you ever wanna see the show,
there's only a couple left.
[Hannah] What?
[Shelly] Ah.
Uh, I-I didn't mean it. Just--
You know, it's just so nice
to see you. I--
Trying to find a way
to see you soon.
[chuckles awkwardly]
Um...
Yeah, little misstep.
- It's okay.
- Okay.
See you, Shelly.
See ya.
[soft music plays]
[soft music continues]
[rhythmic drumming]
[screaming]
[shrieks]
[laughter]
[soft music continues]
[laughter]
[rhythmic drumming continues]
[crowd cheering]
[soft music fades]
[Jodie] I had, like,
a big, whole steak.
- It was too much food.
- [laughter]
I was, like, hurting.
[showgirl] You know what, like,
if I get home, I'm starving,
- but I had a whole dinner.
- [Jodie] Yeah, yeah.
But normally, if I'm starvin',
like, I digest pretty quick.
'Cause it's like you need energy
before, but also, uh, it's...
[Shelly] You'd think
they'd get our set in place
before our damn call times,
so we could warm up.
Our entire crew is out there.
I saw it.
- [Shelly] You did?
- Mm-hmm.
[Shelly] Hm.
It was pretty awesome.
The Dirty Circus was awesome?
- [Jodie] Yeah,
it was really funny.
- Mm-hmm.
[Jodie] And the acts
were really hard and impressive.
Sounds like every other circus.
I've never seen
a circus like that.
[Shelly]
And that made it awesome?
Yeah, kinda.
- [Mary-Anne] Got turned down
for three shows.
- What?
Which ones?
Well, I looked too old
for Jungle Island,
Paradise Hedonist,
Paradise Island,
whatever the fuck.
[scoffs] "Looked too old."
Like, they were
absolutely looking for girls
who were barely 18.
Like, they were like,
"Did you turn 18 yesterday?"
[chuckles]
What were the others?
Oh, I'm not stacked enough
for Oz Land or Pin up Girls.
[Shelly] No, honey,
you don't even want those shows.
- They're so bad.
They're so low class.
- [Mary-Anne sneers]
Low class? What is this?
This show is famous.
It's a tradition
that had its roots in France.
[Mary-Anne] Oh, my God.
Fucking France, Shell.
I mean, it's the last remaining
descendant of Parisian Lido
culture, and that is--
Shelly, nobody knows
what the fuck that means.
[Shelly] Well,
just like the shows in Paris.
- I mean, you think
85 is a big cast?
- [sighs]
There was 160 of us
back in the '80s.
American Express
did a travel campaign,
- and they flew us
all over the world...
- [Mary-Anne sneers]
...and photographed us
in different sites.
They shot me
on the Great Wall of China.
I was very special.
I'm sure, Shell. Super special.
[inhales deeply] Well, I mean,
Las Vegas used to treat us
like movie stars.
The iconic American showgirl.
The Las Vegas showgirl.
We were ambassadors.
For style and grace.
You know,
it's just... the costumes.
I mean, it makes you feel like
you're stepping out of the pages
of Vogue magazine.
I think that's why women
like to come to the show.
The glamor is undeniable.
The glamor, I-I think
I can deny the glamour.
- I mean,
maybe times have changed.
- Yes.
Shell, they've changed.
Times are
brand spanking different.
[Eddie over speakers]
Ladies and gentlemen,
this is your half-hour call.
Thirty minutes to curtain.
[opera music plays on TV]
[Shelly] Hm. Casting call.
[sighs]
Hm.
[opera music continues]
[doorbell rings]
[Shelly gasps]
Oh, my God, Hannah!
What a nice surprise. [giggles]
Come on in!
What are you doing here?
[Hannah] I just thought
we could have that dinner.
So, what's the plan
after graduation?
I don't know.
I think I might save
some more money, and then...
I kinda
just wanna travel around.
Like, I really wanna go
to Europe, but...
Oh, that sounds amazing.
You've got to do that.
- It's just expensive.
- Yeah.
You know,
being a photographer is just...
It's just hard.
What?
It's a hard career path.
Says who?
Like, everybody.
Really, someone said
being an artist is hard?
Someone put that dumb sentence
in your head?
Uh, yeah. Lisa, for one.
Oh, well...
- [glass thuds]
- [sighs]
That's what parents say
when they want you to get a job
that, like, pays money.
Honey, well,
she's not your actual parent.
I mean, she might think she is.
But... doing a job
that you don't really love,
that's hard.
When your calling is out there,
just waiting for you.
You know, money doesn't make
a boring job that much better.
What does Lisa want you to do?
Uh, she thinks I'd be great
at, like, graphic design.
Well, does that interest you
right now?
No.
- Well, forget about it.
- [chuckles softly]
"Hard." That's the dumbest
phrase anyone told anybody
with a dream.
I'll meet you in Paris.
[both chuckle]
- Oh, my God! What was that?
- What?
- I saw something scurry
across the room.
- What, like, a mouse?
- Yes! Oh, my God, yes, yes.
- No.
They live in the hidey-holes.
That's where the gangsters
used to keep their money
before I moved here.
I wish I knew where it was.
- [laughs]
- Ahh! Oh, my God!
There it is again!
- There it is!
- [both shriek]
- Wait, what are you doing?
- Oh, my God!
[soft music playing]
[soft music continues]
[Eddie over speakers]
Let's go for 68.
Go on cue 68.
Quiet and blackout.
Smooth process, people.
Stay focused.
Shelly?
Standby for 771.
Can we get dancers
in their places?
Before, I don't know,
before hell freezes over.
Thank you.
[sighs]
[Eddie over speakers]
Thanks, everyone.
Great show. See you tomorrow.
[soft music continues]
[soft music fades]
[rock music playing
over headphones]
- [knocking on door]
- Oh!
- Hi.
- Oh, my gosh!
Oh, hey. [giggles]
- Hi.
- [forced chuckle]
I saw the show tonight.
Oh, you did?
Well, that was sweet of you.
I, um... It means a lot to me
that you came.
I wasn't sure
if I was even gonna tell you.
There was barely anyone there.
Yeah, well... [sniffs]
I think that was the worst house
we've ever had
in the history
of the whole entire show.
What was there,
like, 18 people there?
I wish I'd known you were here.
I would've done
a little shout-out
or kind of point or something.
I thought
you were just heading back
to the Kellys.
What'd you think?
I think I thought
it would be different.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah, like harder dancing
or something.
Oh, you know,
we just make it look easy.
It's kinda
just a stupid nudie show.
Well, it's a spectacle
with dancing nudes,
but it's certainly
not a nudie show.
"Dancing nudes,"
is that, like, a technical term?
Yeah, yes, it is.
[scoffs] What's the point
of that show?
I mean, what was that?
Why did you invite me?
Maybe you thought
I wouldn't come?
I don't know.
I don't know why I did come.
Although, uh...
I guess
it's because I just hoped...
I wanted to know
that it was worth it.
That it was better than me
after all.
- What?
- That you didn't put
this lame trash above me.
It's not.
- I disagree.
- [scoffs]
Plus, I didn't put anything
above you. I provided for you.
I keep forgetting
that you're not actually
a reasonable person.
That you left me
in the casino parking lot
with a Game Boy
while you did two shows a night.
I didn't think
it was appropriate
for you backstage.
Yeah, well it wasn't.
I couldn't afford help, Hannah.
I just did the best I can.
I just did the best I can,
Hannah.
And if you can do what you love
for 30 years,
you know, and be passionate
about your career--
What kind of career is this?
You're in the goddamn back
of 80 topless dancers.
This was worth missing bedtime
for most of my childhood?
Was it?
[Hannah scoffs]
See, this is why I came tonight.
I wanted to see
a reason in all this,
and tonight, I finally didn't.
- [sighs]
- [Hannah sniffles]
[sighs, sniffles]
Shelly.
Look, I'm sorry, Hannah.
I'm sorry you didn't get
what you wanted from me.
You know,
but if you could forgive me,
anytime, anytime in your life,
I would love that.
But I can't defend myself
anymore. I just can't.
[somber music plays]
[sighs]
[chuckles softly, sniffles]
[exhales]
[switches click]
Hey, I-I'm still here. Um...
[switch clicks]
Sorry, I thought
I saw Shelly go.
- Yeah, I'm going. I'm sorry.
- That's okay.
Are you-- are you...
You're Hannah?
Yeah, I-I know I probably
shouldn't be back here.
Did you come to see the show?
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, what'd you think?
Uh...
not really my thing.
She talks about you
all the time.
Yeah, I--
I think I should get going.
Yeah, no. I'm sorry,
I didn't mean to keep you,
I just, uh...
It's good seeing you.
You too.
- [rock music playing
over headphones]
- [doorbell rings]
[doorbell rings]
Oh, hey, sweetie.
- Hi.
- Uh, what are you doing here?
I-I just, uh,
wanted to come over.
Okay.
Can I come in?
You know, it's just, um...
Is everything okay? I mean,
it's just not a good time
right now.
Um, it's just my-my mom,
she won't-- she won't answer
my-my-- my calls,
and...
and I wanna talk to her.
I understand it's hard.
Give her time.
Your mom's just sad,
I mean, that you left like that.
I know,
but I still wanna talk to her.
Look, it's a bad time right now.
I just-- I just can't do it
right now. I can't.
[voice breaks]
Shelly, I'm really scared.
I didn't-- I didn't know
that I could never go back.
I didn't know
that I could never go back,
and I'm-- and I'm really scared.
I'm sorry, I just-I just can't.
Not right now.
I need to be alone.
I'm doing something.
- [slot machines chiming]
- [reel spinning]
["Total Eclipse of the Heart"
by Bonnie Tyler plays]
["Total Eclipse of the Heart"
continues playing]
[inaudible]
["Total Eclipse of the Heart"
continues playing]
["Total Eclipse of the Heart"
continues playing]
[song fades]
[somber music plays]
I just wanted to call you.
I wanna talk to you.
I can't believe I left
the way I did the other night.
I just feel so terrible.
I just...
I don't know how I could do
anything I've done.
I don't know how I missed out
on our life together. Just...
I don't wanna leave it
on this phone message.
So, you--
Could you please, please...
please, please, please,
please call me back?
[sighs]
[gentle piano music plays]
[Shelly] Is this
the worst audience ever?
I mean, I just wanna yell
at them and say,
"Wake up!
This is a live performance.
What, are you bored?
This is breasts,
and rhinestones, and joy!"
Oh, God. [groans]
Can you help me
with my shoes, please?
How'd you do this
before I was here?
For 30 years, how'd you make
all your quick changes?
[Shelly] Oh, I'm glad
you feel so necessary, Jodie.
I mean, that's important.
That's-that's good.
Do you hear where we're at?
[Shelly] Can you help me
with my necklace?
[Jodie] No.
No, I wanna see you
get ready by yourself.
I wanna see what would happen
to you if I didn't help.
Really? [exhales]
- I'll just--
- [Mary-Anne] God, now,
you're stressing me out.
[Jodie] Well, good.
You're always behind too.
Oh, that is bullshit.
- Well, good luck.
- [Mary-Anne]
Well, you know what?
We have plenty of time,
so I'm actually not even worried
about this.
Well, I'm slightly concerned.
I mean, with the wings,
it's gonna be a little tight.
[Mary-Anne] Okay, well,
then just keep going.
Stop talking.
Oh, my God,
will you stop yelling at me?
I'm gonna get anxious!
I'm not even yelling.
- Okay, where-where are
my clip-ons?
- [Jodie] I don't know.
Did you take them?
No.
- [Shelly] Oh, would you please
help me with my damn wings?
- Nope.
[Shelly] You should've thought
of this pointless challenge
before the show,
so I was ready for it.
Well, here's your warning
for tomorrow.
This is good.
This is character building.
Oh, just what I need,
a lesson in character
from a 19-year-old.
[show tune music playing]
I got it, I got it, I got it.
Yeah! I got it!
[Jodie] Good.
I'm glad you can get
into your costume alone.
Shelly, come on.
- [fabric rips]
- [exclaims] Oh, oh!
Oh, no.
- [grunts, whimpers]
- [crowd applauding]
The music is changing.
Jodie, we have to go.
You're a real asshole,
you know that?
[show tune music continues]
[sighs]
Hey.
Hey.
You want me to have Ida
take a look at that?
Oh, no.
They'll probably dock me again,
right?
Yeah, probably.
Do you know how much longer
you're gonna be?
Oh, I don't know.
Not long.
Well, it doesn't
have to be perfect.
There's only a few shows left.
You know, I was thinkin'...
Uh... [clears throat]
I mean, you, more than anyone...
the end of the show
might be kind of u-upsetting.
Yeah.
Do you know what's next?
Nope.
You?
Probably gonna stay here.
You know, work with the circus.
- Oh, yeah, that's right.
Full schedule.
- Yeah.
Well, I mean,
it's a much easier gig
for the money than the R.D.,
so that's nice.
Oh, that's lucky. I mean,
you'll still be contributing
to your pension
and getting health insurance.
Yeah.
Um...
Okay.
I just wanted to check on you.
Okay.
[clears throat]
You know...
if it means anything...
you're a real legend, Shell,
you know?
[chuckles softly, sniffles]
Okay.
Hey, Eddie.
Yeah?
[exhales] Wanna have dinner
with me one night this week?
You wanna have dinner with me?
Yeah.
I mean, well...
I mean, yeah, of course.
That'd be nice.
[Shelly chuckles lightly] Great.
- Okay, great.
- Yeah.
[sighs]
[dramatic music plays]
[dramatic music continues]
[sighs]
[dramatic music fades]
[soft piano playing]
[exhales nervously]
[exhales, clears throat]
- Hi, Eddie.
- Hey.
- I'm here.
- Hey.
[Shelly giggles]
Hey.
- [both chuckle]
- Hey, I'm sorry I'm late.
- No, you're not.
- Just, you know,
debating dresses.
I mean, I probably
shouldn't tell you that.
[grunts softly] Oh. Funny story.
I didn't have time
to get my nails done,
so I went to the drugstore,
and right next
to my nail files...
- your favorite.
- [Eddie chuckles]
- Thank you.
- [Shelly chuckles lightly]
That's, um...
Thank you. That's so thoughtful.
[chuckles] Yeah.
- [Eddie] Oh.
- [chuckles]
I don't, uh...
I don't have anything for you.
It's okay.
You look nice.
Thank you. [chuckles lightly]
- [Eddie clears throat]
- And do I look nice?
Yeah, sorry.
Yeah, you look
really-really beautiful.
- Oh, thank you.
- But, well, mm,
you always look beautiful.
- Aw, thanks, Eddie.
- Yeah.
It's rare that I actually get
to see you in a dress,
and not, uh, one of those
rhinestone bustier things, uh...
I mean, your breasts
hangin' out. [clears throat]
- Well, I wouldn't say hanging.
- No, no, no.
But you do, though.
You look really beautiful.
Even all covered up.
[chuckles lightly]
- Maybe we should order.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, let's order.
[Eddie clears throat]
- So, how's Hannah?
- Hm.
She's just about
to finish up school.
Wow. Wow.
You know,
I wondered for such a long time,
you know, where she was
and what she was up to.
If she, uh,
looked at all like me.
Oh, well, she doesn't.
[chuckles softly]
- No, I know. Thank God.
- Hm, hm.
- What?
- What?
What'd you say?
Well, I-- I met her.
- What?
- Yeah, I met her
in your dressing room
the other night.
What? You introduced yourself?
You met her?
I didn't say--
I mean, I didn't say who I was.
I just-- You know, she asked me
what my name was. I said Eddie.
- Thank God.
- Yeah.
So, is-- is she still living
with the Kellys?
Well, I mean,
they're in college.
Yeah.
I always thought
that was gonna be
a, like, a temporary solution.
Well... you're not really
in her life,
so I don't understand
why it's any of your business.
No, I'm just curious.
Hm, well...
She's best friends
with Becky and Theo,
and Lisa had
all the time in the world
to devote to her kids,
so, you know...
Could you have...
gotten a sitter?
I made it work,
- and-and that's what matters.
- Right.
Well, I was just...
I was just thinking
maybe, you-you know,
you could've gotten a job
where you worked
the hours she was at school.
- I mean, you didn't
have to stay with the show.
- Hm.
Of course I did.
Worked at a supermarket,
or waited tables,
or, you know, retail.
There's lots
of retail jobs here.
I just can't win. [sighs]
I mean, God, this is what
women have to deal with.
You know, all the time,
people are told, they're told,
"You have to do this,
you have to do that,"
and they'll do the thing
that you didn't want to do,
take the road
that you should've taken.
It's so fucking confusing.
And, Jesus,
and, you know, how...
how are you saying any of this
when, really,
you were never there?
Where were you?
We weren't
even in a relationship.
Well, what do you want now?
You wanna be her father now,
all of a sudden?
No. That's not--
that's not what I meant.
Well, what do you want
with me, Eddie?
I just wanna be your friend.
Oh, God!
- Oh, my God,
this is so embarrassing.
- What?
- Why'd I even come? Oh, my God,
this was a bad idea.
- What?
This is the worst fuckin' idea.
Christ!
And like you're in any position
to judge me.
Like, that's what a friend does.
I didn't mean it
to sound like that.
I love the show.
I love it.
I feel so good about myself
in the show.
And you, and Mary-Anne,
and Hannah can't understand.
But the costumes, the sets.
Being bathed in that light
night after night.
Feeling seen, feeling beautiful,
that is powerful,
and I can't imagine my life
without it.
I just think it's wild that,
you know,
I'm the one who's been
on the stage all these years,
that I'm the one
people come for.
That I'm the one on the poster.
And you, you, Eddie,
are gonna go on
to this show or that show,
and the producers
will just place you elsewhere
because you know
how to read a lighting cue.
You just tell someone
to push a damn button.
[exasperated sigh]
And you're gonna be just fine.
And I just have to disappear.
Well, you know what?
I have no regrets.
None.
- Eat your meat.
- [utensil clatters]
[sighs]
[dramatic music playing]
[dramatic music fades]
[Shelly sniffles]
- There you go.
- Thanks.
You know, when my grandparents,
Pearl and Bob, retired...
from the stationery business...
they drove around the Southwest
doing square dancing
competitions.
[both chuckle]
That's cute.
We should do that. You and me.
Oh. I thought
you weren't gonna retire.
We could pick up flouncy skirts
and...
[Annette sucks teeth]
Shell, I fucked up a little.
- Oh, no.
- I lost my shirt.
So, what are you gonna do?
[Annette breathes deeply]
Well, I don't know.
[clicks tongue]
I don't know what to do.
[chuckles]
I... I...
I don't-- [laughs]
I-I can't even--
I mean, I would-- Can I--
[laughing] I can't even--
I can't fucking even ask.
I-I can't ask you.
I c-- I can't even do it.
You have to stay here?
[Annette sighs]
Yeah, just-- I-I-- I, um...
I've been taking night shifts
and showering
in the locker room,
and I've been sleeping in my car
for the last couple weeks.
- What? You didn't tell me.
- [sniffles] I-I promise you...
I promise you
I'll be out of your hair
really fast.
It's-it's okay.
Fuck.
[melancholic music plays]
[melancholic music continues]
[melancholic music fades]
[downtempo music plays]
- [laughter]
- [indistinct chatter]
[check-in girl] If you're
a Capricorn or an Aquarius,
please follow me.
[downtempo music continues]
["Carpe Diem"
by Jozephine playing]
[microphone feedback squeals]
[director] What's your name?
- Shelly Gardner.
- I just need the first.
Oh, sorry.
How tall are you?
5'7".
Age?
Oh, a gentleman never asks
a lady her age. [giggles]
Thirty-six.
Sorry, I lied. I'm 42.
But this house is huge.
I mean, distance helps.
[director scoffs]
- Ah.
- Oh, gosh, I'm sorry.
I'm so nervous.
I've been on Le Razzle Dazzle
for so very long, and...
Oh, I just haven't auditioned
in a while.
- But it's exciting.
- Yeah.
[director smacks lips]
You-you have an act prepared?
I do. I'm a dancer.
Music?
Yeah.
I gave it to the maestro.
Okay.
Okay.
[director sighs]
[exhales]
["Shadows of the Night"
by Pat Benatar plays]
["Shadows of the Night"
continues playing]
- Okay, thank you.
- [song stops]
Thank you.
Uh, that's it?
Yeah, uh, we-we get the idea.
Thank you, Sherry.
Shelly.
Thank you, Shelly.
- You didn't like it?
- Not what we're looking for.
What are you looking for?
Look...
Just a different kind of vibe.
Okay, well, like what?
I actually have
a very versatile background.
You've been
with the Razzle Dazzle
for many years, huh?
Yeah, I mean, before that.
Just tell me
what you're interested in,
and I'll give it to you.
- [director sighs]
- I mean,
you're lookin' for dancers.
I'm a dancer.
I'm an experienced dancer.
We're looking for dance acts
that are either acrobatic or...
[sneers]
...sexy.
Oh, well, I can do that.
Um, how about a Salome
Dance of the Seven Veils
kind of thing?
Is that something
you'd be interested in?
It's gonna be a no for today.
I mean, you can
just write somebody off
like that? This is how it works?
This is how auditioning works.
Thank you.
Bye, Sherry. Next!
I worked really hard. Please?
Please, I worked
really, really hard.
You know what?
I can tell
you worked really hard,
and I'm sorry. It just...
If you were
a really good dancer,
it would be different.
But your technique
isn't great, okay?
You were obviously hired
at the Razzle Dazzle
because you were beautiful
and young a long time ago.
I mean,
this isn't news to you, is it?
Maybe if you'd had
some-some training
or you'd been with a company
in New York,
you might have an argument here,
but, I mean, let's be honest.
You-you-- you were hired
because you were sexy
and you were young.
I don't know how to help you
if that's--
If-if you don't understand,
that's not what you're selling
anymore, baby.
Next.
So, is this what sexy girls do?
- Is this sexy enough for ya?
- Next, please!
- Is this what young
and sexy girls do so easily?
- Goodbye.
- Oh, is this sexy? Yeah?
[moaning]
- Oh, my.
- Shell, come on, let's go.
- Get her out of here.
- Shell.
Shell, come on, let's go.
- Who's she?
- Shell, come on, let's--
- Let go of me!
I'm beautiful.
I'm 57, and I'm beautiful,
you son of a bitch.
Thank you.
- Next.
- [Mary-Anne] Shell.
Just go do your audition.
You're missing your audition!
- Look, I-I don't care
about it. Look...
- [sobbing]
You know, you should've told me
a hundred years ago
- to quit this stupid bullshit!
- What?
God. You saw it happening.
You saw me losing Hannah.
You didn't even say anything!
You were there!
- What? No! We--
- Yes!
- We didn't know
what was going on. Shell, I--
- [Shelly yells]
We didn't know
what was going on.
Oh, yes, you did!
You and Jodie want me
to be your mother,
but I already have a daughter!
- I have one!
- No, Shell, look, we love you.
- We'll bring--
- I don't love you!
I don't care!
I don't care! Look what I have
to show for the last 30 years
of my life!
[sobbing] I don't even get
to keep a piece of my costume!
- Shell, where are you going?
- I don't know.
- And I don't have to tell you!
- No, I know.
The only reason--
I can drive you--
Shell, you shouldn't be driving.
I'm not going home!
[engine starts, revs]
[sighs]
[screaming, wailing]
Fuckin'-- Fuck you!
[grunts angrily]
Fuck, fuck, fuckin'...
[sobbing, grunts angrily]
[continues sobbing]
[screaming]
[continues sobbing, sniffling]
[somber music plays]
[Shelly] I know
this is probably weird
leaving on a voicemail, but...
[inaudible]
...I just thought
maybe we could...
I just remember this one thing
I read somewhere.
You know, "Our mothers
are not saints or saviors.
Just regular people
doin' the best they can
with the tools they have."
I know that's not
a great excuse, but...
I just want you to know
that I love you...
however... imperfect
that might sound.
That's just...
I just wanted you
to know that...
that... life is full
of contradictions,
and, you know,
this probably sounds crazy...
I've always only wanted
the best for you.
I've always... been with you,
and I just wanted you
to be safe.
Safe and happy...
and fulfilled.
And follow your dreams.
Just be you.
I love you.
[somber music continues]
[exhales, clears throat]
[feedback squeals]
Places, please.
This is your places call
for the last time.
To the very last showgirls.
[all]
To the very last showgirls!
[cheering]
[feedback squeals]
[Eddie over speakers]
Places, please.
This is your places call
for the last time.
This is your places call
for the final performance
of Le Razzle Dazzle.
Mom!
Hannah?
What are you doing here?
[soft music playing]
- [Eddie] Hey.
- [Shelly chuckles softly]
You're lucky.
You're probably
never gonna leave
this theater, huh?
Yeah, you're right.
Probably not.
Your ghost is probably
gonna haunt this theater.
[Eddie chuckles]
Yeah, I never thought
about that.
I can't believe
this is gonna be the last time
I set foot on that stage.
I know.
[Shelly sighs]
You know, I think I'm gonna go
to Hannah's graduation.
- Yeah.
- I might even move there.
Really? Wow.
Yeah.
Or I could stay here
and maybe get a job
with Annette, cocktailing.
- Cute outfits.
- [chuckles lightly]
- Well, not like this one.
- Yeah.
[crowd applauding]
Well, one last chance
to give 'em hell.
Ha. [chuckles]
Shelly.
You look great, Shell.
[applauding continues]
["Beautiful That Way"
by Miley Cyrus playing]
["Beautiful That Way"
continues playing]
["Beautiful That Way"
continues playing]
[song ends]
[soft music plays]
[soft music continues]
[soft music fades]
[piano music plays]
[piano music continues]
[piano music fades]
[gentle music plays]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music fades]
[dramatic music plays]
[dramatic music continues]
[dramatic music fades]
[somber music plays]
[somber music fades]
[footsteps]
[footsteps]
[microphone feedback squeals]
[director] What's your name?
- Shelly Gardner.
- Just need the first.
Oh, sorry.
How tall are you?
5'7".
Age?
Oh, a gentleman never asks
a lady her age. [giggles]
Thirty-six.
Sorry, I lied. I'm 42.
But this house is huge.
I mean, distance helps.
- Ah.
- Oh, gosh, I'm sorry.
I'm so nervous.
I've been on Le Razzle Dazzle
for so very long, and...
Oh, I just haven't auditioned
in a while.
- But it's exciting.
- Yeah.
[director smacks lips]
You-you have an act prepared?
I do. I'm a dancer.
Music?
Yeah.
I gave it to the maestro.
Okay.
Okay.
[dramatic piano music plays]
[director sighs]
[dramatic piano music continues]
[running footsteps]
Did someone raid a cemetery
for this fuckin' audience?
[Jodie shushes]
- [fabric rips]
- [Mary-Anne] Oh! Oh, shit!
- Go, go.
- Did that just rip?
- Go, go, go, go. Come on.
- Shit!
When did they install
that new door handle?
Three months ago.
That thing is asking
for ripped costumes.
- Are you sure?
Is it really ripped?
- Yeah, it's ripped.
[Jodie] I have, like,
20/20 vision.
Well, good for fuckin' you,
Jodie.
- [showgirl 1] I see you warm up
every single night. Okay.
- [showgirl 2] No. I don't--
[showgirl 1] Yeah, bye.
- [showgirl 2] That's...
- [showgirl 1] Wow.
[cheerful piano music playing]
- I caught my wing
on that door handle.
- [Mary-Anne] It's a trap.
They're so desperate for money,
they're tryin' to squeeze it
back out of us.
- [whimpers]
- [Jodie] Paranoid.
[Shelly] Oh, God, you know what?
They have to change that.
I mean,
look at this gaping hole.
Okay, let's keep it movin',
Shelly.
[Shelly] I will. I just--
Look at that.
Oh, gosh. [sighs]
- I mean, I love that darn wing.
- [Jodie] Aww.
[Shelly] You know,
of all the wings
in the entire show,
that's the oldest wing.
- Ida is gonna kill me.
- [Mary-Anne scoffs]
Oh, whatever.
That old Russian bitch has hated
me for, like, nine years.
[Jodie] Because you keep losing
rhinestones and feathers.
[Mary-Anne]
Oh, well, I'm not tryin'
to be a klutz out there. Jesus.
I'm try-- I'm fuckin' dancing.
Like, what am I supposed to do?
I am dancing.
It's just so disappointing,
you know.
Lemons, and now this.
- Lemons?
- [Shelly] Well...
they've just recently
been so expensive.
[Jodie] Clip-ons, Shelly.
Clip-ons?
- Okay, can you please
put them on?
- [Shelly] Okay, I will. I am.
I mean, gosh,
they're 89 cents apiece.
You know, lemons are not
even really food, you know,
they're like a garnish.
They're more like herbs.
- They're like accessories.
- Who needs lemons?
- [Jodie] Let's go.
- [Shelly] Okay, okay, okay.
[Jodie] Let's go. [exhales]
The music's about to change.
[Shelly] Well, I'm buying
some nice salmon steaks
for dinner
- because I'm entertaining
tomorrow evening.
- Music's changing.
[Shelly] I got this beautiful
salmon steak idea
from I-Ina Garten's cookbook
which has beautiful lemon slices
on the salmon.
- [Jodie] Ooh, sorry.
- [Shelly and Mary-Anne exclaim]
All right. So, I need them.
I need the lemons.
Shell, you've got
the wrong clip-ons.
[grunts softly]
Oh, my God.
I mean, when did they put
that door handle on anyway?
- Like, two weeks ago?
- It was, like,
three months ago.
[Shelly] Oh, my God,
I keep forgetting
that it's there.
[Jodie] Well, yeah,
because you're old.
I mean, I'm older.
I'm not that old.
[Jodie] Okay, come on. Come on.
Let's go!
Come on!
- Fuck you, door handle.
- If I could go back in time,
you know,
and see the door handle
and say, "Oh...
- [Eddie] You ladies mind
moving a little faster?
- ...this is a terrible time..."
Everyone else is out there.
You're the only ones acting
like you're at fuckin' brunch.
Oh! Like anyone gives
a flying shit, Eddie.
What are there, 12 people?
Excuse me. No one gives a shit?
I do. I give a shit.
It's my job to get you onstage.
Have we ever not made it
on the stage, Eddie?
- [Jodie] Shell!
- Come on. Go.
Cue 453, go.
[dramatic music playing]
[beeps]
[Annette] So, who's the guy?
[Shelly] Rick. He saw me leaving
the parking lot.
[chuckles] A stage-door Johnny
situation, huh?
- Paging stage-door Johnny!
Aisle four!
- [shushing]
- No, he recognized me
in the parking lot.
- Uh-huh.
Does he think
you're a escort on the side?
Annette, no.
What? Guys think that.
Well, they do.
- Well, Rick is nice. He likes
me. He doesn't think that.
- [error beep]
- [checkout machine] Please scan
your item again.
- [error beep]
Please scan your item again.
[Shelly] Well, it's-it's
on there. It's right there.
- Wait, wait.
- Please scan your item again.
- No, it's telling you
to scan it again.
- What?
- [error beep]
- Please scan your item again.
[Annette] Put it in the bag.
- [error beep]
- Please scan your item again.
[cell phone chiming]
- Oh, no.
- What?
Oh. Pbbt.
"Have to cancel tonight.
Workin' late.
Yeah, rain check. Sorry."
You wanna return the fish?
No, it's okay.
[sighs]
- [somber music playing]
- [keys jingling]
- [car door clicks]
- Shit.
- Ugh.
- [car alarm chirps]
[Shelly grunts angrily]
She's open.
[light chuckle]
[Annette] Okay.
But then I won!
So, what the fuck does it matter
if I previously lost, you know?
Oh, really? You're gonna have
an orange right before dinner?
Well, there's only enough fish
for, like, two people, Annette.
I'm tryin' to get it
where I can.
[Shelly] Oh, gosh,
I'm sorry, guys.
A little impromptu soiree.
But I got enough.
Men like to be fed.
- Shelly, who is this guy
anyway?
- [blender whirring]
[Annette] Oh, Rick the Dick!
I bet you he was married.
Well, he was divorced.
Didn't have a ring.
[Annette] Uh-huh.
Did you check his pockets?
- He liked me.
- [Annette] Uh-huh.
- That's why
we're eating his fish.
- He--
Look, girls, you don't have
to worry about me.
I am a very lucky person.
I mean, I am.
I have luck. It's in me.
You know what I mean?
I mean, it's in me.
- Not everybody has that.
- [Mary-Anne chuckles] Sure.
You gonna save your winnings
for when you retire?
[chuckling] What the fuck?
Retire?
Are you crazy?
Like, bankers retire. I--
What do you think,
I have a 501(k)?
No, I'm not gonna retire.
I'm not gonna retire.
I'm gonna work.
And then I'm gonna work
some more,
and then I'm gonna die.
I'll probably die in my uniform.
That's my plan.
[Jodie] You don't wanna retire?
You-you know,
it's not an option, Jodie.
[Jodie] Yeah, isn't it
like a requirement?
[Annette scoffs] No.
Esme Rodriguez is 83.
She is still cocktailing.
- Oh, my God, she's 83?
- [Annette] 83.
I know because I was invited
to the party.
I didn't go
'cause I don't like soft foods.
[Jodie snickers]
Well, I can't wait to retire.
You're 19.
[Jodie] It just seems like--
I don't know,
it's such a wonderful time
in life. I don't-- I don't know.
- I just think it seems fun.
- [laughter]
You know, learning new things.
Maybe taking up a new language.
[Annette] No, you can't learn
a new language
that late in life.
Your brain
doesn't work that way.
- [Shelly]
Well, I wanna learn French.
- I love languages.
- I can say
"Je m'appelle Jodie."
- That's good.
I know how to say "My name
is Jodie" in five different
languages, including English.
But that's like
the most useless phrase, though.
- You could just point
at yourself and say "Jodie."
- Useless? Are you kidding?
- [Annette laughs]
- Shelly, let's learn
French together.
No, no. Je m'appelle Shelly.
Hey, guys, you know what?
I like my life, right?
I like it. I like my job.
I mean, most people
don't like playing grab-ass
with a bunch
of coked-up gamblers
at 10:00 a.m., but--
- [Jodie] But you are one,
so...
- But I don't mind it.
- They amuse me.
That's right. They amuse me.
- [Jodie] Mmm.
And then I can go drink
and gamble on my own time.
- Annette is a bon vivant.
- Oh, French.
[laughter]
[doorbell rings]
- Who's that?
- [Jodie] Oh, it's Eddie.
- [Mary-Anne] Wait, what?
- What?
Wait, that is gonna be so weird.
[Annette] Eddie is coming here?
Jodie, what were you thinking?
Well, no, it's not-- It's--
He's like-- he's like our dad.
He is not like our dad.
He's seen our boobs,
like, a thousand times.
Have you never heard
of an impromptu girls' night?
- When was the last time
you saw Eddie anyway?
- [Annette] Oh, no, no, no.
I haven't seen Eddie
since I left the show,
and I have not missed him.
[Jodie] Well, that's not nice.
I feel like we're all
kind of like a big family.
Okay, well, if this is a family,
it's pretty fucked up.
We're tits out all the time.
- [chuckles]
- No, like, like,
you're our mom, and...
Wait, you're-you're tryin'
to make Shelly your mom
- and Eddie your dad?
- Ugh.
- I mean,
I feel like this is a family.
- [doorbell rings]
- What? Okay.
Well, you know what, girls?
- [Shelly] A family.
I will be the girl outside
getting drunk very fast.
Okay.
[chuckling]
- And we used to do that thing.
- [Jodie] Oh, God.
- And just sit there like this,
not say a word. Naked.
- Oh, wow.
- Put it everywhere.
You know what I mean?
- [Eddie clears throat]
- Look who's here.
- [Jodie] Welcome, Eddie.
Hey, ladies.
Hey, Annette. Good to see you.
Oh, no, no, no,
I'm not gonna hug you.
I'm sweating.
- That's okay.
- No, no, no, really.
I am not gonna hug you
because I am sweating.
- Okay.
- It's gross.
- But it's awful good
to see ya, Eddie.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, you too.
- Yeah. Mmm.
Show's not the same without you.
It isn't? Really?
I kind of feel like it is.
- Oh, I mean,
technically, it is.
- [Annette chuckles] Yeah.
It's the same show.
Just meant figuratively.
Yeah.
Hey, um...
who took over my track again?
Was it, um... Wait.
Uh, Valerie.
- Francine.
- Francine.
Francine, yeah. [chuckles]
She sucked.
I mean, she can't fouett.
She really--
She's a terrible dancer.
But how did she take over
my track?
She does the pas de deux
in the fairy ballet.
She can't partner.
I mean, does she even know
how to partner?
Yeah, I mean,
it's been six years
since you left the show.
She does it every night.
She-she figured it out.
[Shelly] So, Eddie brought
some wine.
Yeah. Should I go open it up?
- Yeah.
- Eh, a little Malbec
for anybody?
Annette? Mary-Anne?
I'm allergic to red.
Yeah, no. I'm, um...
I'm drinking margaritas.
[Shelly] Okay.
I just-- I brought it because...
Well, it's funny.
[clears throat]
When I was, uh,
on Siegfried & Roy,
those guys would have us over
on the off days, and...
and I went pretty hard
on the red wine, so...
Wait, they went hard
on red wine?
Yeah, well...
I mean, ages ago.
Uh, there was this one time
when I got caught
in the escape trap
with a white tiger.
- What?
- Yeah. No.
- No.
- Yeah. No, yeah.
[Eddie] So, you know,
the tiger's supposed
to disappear off stage
- during this trick, right?
- [Jodie] Uh-huh.
And so, I'm down, um,
opening the trapdoor
onto the floor.
- [Jodie] Yeah.
- And the tiger knows
to go through the tunnel
and into the holding pen,
and somehow,
I got caught in the holding pen
with the white tiger.
- [Jodie chuckles]
- Damn near shit myself.
- [Jodie] That is insane.
- Hm, yeah.
Did the tiger swat at you?
- No.
- [Jodie] Oh.
- [Eddie clears throat]
- They're very well trained,
huh?
- [Eddie] Oh, very.
Yeah, it's impressive.
- [Jodie] Hm. Wow.
Thank you.
- [Jodie] I mean,
that's scary, though.
- [Mary-Anne] Mm.
Great story, Eddie.
[Mary-Anne] I'm still hungry.
That was, like,
two ounces of fish.
I have some cup of noodles
above the fridge,
- if you want that, sweetie.
- Oh, gotcha. Thank you.
[Jodie] Eddie, are you okay?
- Yeah, I'm fine.
- [Jodie] I think I swallowed
a teeny fishbone.
You?
Um, so, listen,
I didn't come here tonight
just to...
[sighs] I got somethin'
I need to tell you.
Are you okay?
Muffy told me
that the show is closing.
I'm sorry, what?
Yeah, the show's closing.
Oh! [chuckles]
Way to bury the lead, shithead.
- Don't call me
a shithead, Annette.
- Well-well-- well, then,
don't fuckin' drop a bomb
in the middle of a dinner
an hour after you've arrived!
I mean, hold on. Hold on, look.
I-I-- I mean,
Muffy is senile, okay?
She's, like,
a thousand years old.
She's about to die.
Muffy is not senile.
Just... tell me what she said.
[sighs] She said
the new casino owners wanna put
their own stamp on the place,
so they brought in the circus.
That show's doing
really well, so...
I mean, who puts money
into a circus that's not
Cirque du Soleil, right?
That's dumb.
I knew when we started sharing
our theater,
when they started taking over
our Thursday, Friday,
Saturday shows,
- it was a bad sign.
- [Mary-Anne] Yeah, no shit.
- And also, no, you did not.
- Yeah, I did.
- Yes.
- [Shelly] You guys...
- Totally did.
- No, you didn't.
You guys, our show is legendary.
It is, but Le Razzle Dazzle,
it's-it's old.
It's the last show of its kind
on the Strip.
[Shelly] You know,
that's what makes it so special,
the fact that it's the last one.
It's-it's a show.
The costumes, the sets.
[Mary-Anne]
Look, it is a dinosaur, Shelly.
I think we're gettin' notice
tomorrow.
Are you kidding?
Are you-are you--
You heard this from Muffy?
Yeah.
[Jodie, softly] Shell...
Oh!
- Shell...
- What is wrong with you?
Do you like being the bearer
of bad news?
No.
Just it was
important information.
I wanted them
to hear it from me.
Oh, really?
Well, your important information
just broke her fucking heart.
[soft music plays]
[showgirl 1]
You're saying that you don't do
the straddle, bitch?
- I see you warm up
every single night.
- [showgirl 2] No. I don't--
- [showgirl 1] Okay. Yeah, bye.
- [showgirl 2] I was that good.
- [showgirl 2] That's...
- [showgirl 1] Wow.
[Eddie over speakers]
Good evening,
ladies and gentlemen.
I regret to inform you
that Le Razzle Dazzle
- will have its
final performance in 2 weeks.
- [showgirl 3 gasps]
On behalf of Muffy,
as well as our longtime
producing partners
at the casino,
the decision to close the show
has been a hard one to make...
but it's been
an incredible 38-year run,
and they wish to thank everyone
for their hard work
over the years.
- [showgirl 4] ...like,
right now, over the intercom.
- [showgirl 5] Yeah.
[indistinct whispering]
[showgirl 4] No. Did you know?
[Eddie]
This is your 15-minute call,
ladies and gentlemen.
Fifteen minutes to curtain.
[suspenseful music playing]
I just wanna say,
on behalf of myself,
your hard work and dedication,
it's been something special.
[clears throat]
I wish everybody
a great show tonight
and a great show
over the next two weeks.
Thanks.
[door opens]
[door closes]
[Jodie] Hey.
Hey.
[Jodie sighs]
You know what?
If they just poured
a little more money
into the advertising campaign...
[sighs]
I mean, our press shots
are from the early '80s.
Aren't you
in some of those shots?
Yeah, I am. [giggles]
You had the Hindenburg solo.
I did.
How long did you do it?
Well, when I was cast in '87
until about '99
when Renata joined the cast.
Then she took it over.
I bet you were great.
Oh. [breathes deeply]
Did you ever wanna get married?
I... I was married
when I was really young.
For a short time.
Yeah.
Well, what happened?
I was dancing.
I was already in the show here
when we met,
and he didn't like Vegas much.
He got a job in New York.
The show here
was really thriving,
and there was a lot of press
around us.
It was very exciting.
I was very young.
So, I stayed here.
What did you do?
Well, I mean,
we tried to make it work
for a couple years,
but he eventually met
somebody there, and...
And he tried to convince me
to come to New York and dance,
and I-I tried,
but, you know,
I went to an open call
for the Rockettes,
I went to an open call
for a Broadway musical,
I just missed
the thrill of the show here.
You'd be a perfect Rockette.
- Yeah. I found all that kicking
very redundant.
- [light chuckle]
[soft music playing]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[line ringing]
[over voicemail]
Hi, you've reached Hannah.
- Leave a message.
- [beeps]
[Shelly] Hey, Hannie.
Oh, I tried to call you "Hannah"
and "honey" at the same time.
Oh, my goodness. Hannie.
[giggles] That's funny.
Um...
just checking in to see
if you wanted to, um,
you know, get a bite,
get a cup of coffee?
You know I don't
really drink coffee, but, um,
what I really like
is a nice drink, but...
You know, that'd be
inappropriate 'cause you're,
what, 20? [giggles]
Oh, my God, you're 22.
How do I delete this thing?
- [smoke alarm ringing]
- Oh, my God! Oh!
- Oh! Oh!
- [operator] To listen
to this message, press one.
- To delete, press two...
- Fuck!
[ringing continues]
Shut up!
I'm trying to leave
an important message. Ugh!
[ringing continues]
- God.
- [ringing stops]
- Okay. Yes.
- To hear your options again,
press three.
- Yes. Okay. Mm-hmm.
- [keypad beeping]
Okay. Okay. Oh!
- Message sent.
- No!
[growls] Oh, God!
[heavy breathing]
C'est la vie.
[sighs]
[Mary-Anne] Yeah, mine too.
[Jodie speaking indistinctly]
[Mary-Anne]
It's probably that thing...
I went to a dance call today.
[Shelly] You did? Already?
Yeah, what'd you go out for?
[Jodie] Mmm, it was a show
called Hedonist Paradise.
[Shelly] I can't believe
that's the title of a show.
[Mary-Anne]
What, like Le Razzle Dazzle's
any better?
Le Razzle Dazzle is a name
that's evocative
of another time in history.
Of Paris.
Of the theater, in a way.
You get all that
from Le Razzle Dazzle?
[Shelly] Well, what do you get
from Hedonist Paradise?
I get girls grinding on poles,
doused with water like animals.
Like, it's totally tasteless.
- [Mary-Anne] Tasteless?
- Yes.
[Mary-Anne] You know, I--
You know, I can't have
this conversation again.
What do you want from me,
Mary-Anne?
If you think
this is so terrible,
why are you here?
- I mean,
what makes you wanna be in--
- Because it's a job, okay?
And it pays American dollars.
I... [sighs]
I... I don't know.
You wanna see the combination?
[Mary-Anne] Sure.
Okay.
Oh, so there's a chair involved.
[Jodie] Uh, yeah.
So, you're, um,
like, backwards on a chair.
And then...
and then you're like...
[humming tune]
Slap the thighs, up the body,
through the hair, hold.
And one, two, three, four.
- And ass, ass, uh, uh.
- Wow.
- [Shelly] This is ridiculous.
- One and a two, hold.
- And body roll, and body roll.
- Okay, yeah.
- And pose.
- I'm-I'm not mad at it.
And one, two, three, four.
And uh, and uh.
And then you go around. Uh!
- On the chair.
And one, and hump the chair.
- Oh!
And pulse, pulse, pulse.
And down,
and then you go around.
- And then you go up here.
- [Shelly] Oh, God.
Okay, stop. Stop, please.
I can't. I can't anymore.
I would never audition
for a show like that. Never.
Okay.
[Shelly] Never.
- Yeah, okay.
- I'm sorry, it's just...
- [Jodie] Okay.
- I can't. I can't.
I mean,
how am I supposed to react?
I don't even know
what I'm gonna do for Christmas
if I don't have this.
[scribbling]
[sighs]
[knocking on door]
- Hey, Shell.
- Hey.
[paper rustling]
- Here you go.
- Oh, thanks.
- All right.
- You know,
since we lost those shows,
these checks feel like
they're getting slimmer
and slimmer.
Yeah.
[Shelly chuckles lightly]
Hey, Eddie.
I mean,
are you sure this is right?
This is a lot less
than I thought it was gonna be.
Well, it's less
because less shows.
Oh, well,
well, I know that, obviously.
I was just thinking, you know,
800 divided by 11 shows
minus the 3 shows we lost.
Well, you might have been makin'
slightly more
than the ones we lost
because those shows were,
you know, better sold,
generally.
Oh.
Um, if you want, I can check
with accounts payable.
[sighs] Nah.
They're not gonna do anything
about it, right? [laughs]
No, probably not.
You know, I just, uh,
done the math
and reworked my budget
according to what I thought
it was gonna be.
[sighs] Organic milk
is so expensive these days.
Oh. They docked me for the wing.
Oh.
The rip.
Yeah, shit.
Oh, I mean,
it-- it must have been bad.
I mean, it wasn't on a seam,
you know?
No, I think
Ida had to reorder the fabric.
- Oh, she did?
- Yeah.
Just to repair one wing.
You know, the show's gonna end.
Oh, no, I get it.
- You're never gonna need
that fabric for anything else.
- [Shelly chuckles lightly]
Well, I'm sorry to me, then.
[chuckles]
- Bye.
- Yeah.
[somber music playing]
[operator] To listen
to this message, press one.
[keypad beeps]
[Shelly over voicemail]
Hey, Hannie.
Oh, I tried to call you
"Hannah" and "honey"
at the same time.
Oh, my goodness. Hannie.
[giggles] That's funny.
Um...
just checking in to see
if you wanted to,
um, you know, get a bite,
get a cup of coffee?
You know I don't really drink
coffee, but, uh...
Darn it,
I'd have a cup of coffee.
Or maybe I could have some tea.
And, uh, um,
you know, you know,
I really wanted a nice drink.
That'd be inappropriate
because...
You know, I could always move in
with you and pay you rent.
- No, my lease is up...
- Of course you're not
gonna pay rent.
- ...in, like, ten months.
- You're gonna gamble it all.
- I know you.
- No, I will not.
I'm gonna lose my house
like you lost yours.
- Stop.
- No.
Hey, Phyllis,
you want another ginger ale?
- Oh, yeah.
- Yeah,
and a little Jack Daniel's?
- [chuckles] Oh, yes, honey.
- Okay.
- Thanks, Annette.
- You know, I don't like that.
It makes you think
like I'm irresponsible.
- I am not irresponsible.
- Well...
I'm thinking of opening an IRA.
Oh, I think you're too old
to open an IRA.
Okay, whatever.
I just...
I mean, you know me.
- I make money.
- Exactly.
You know, you could always
get together with Eddie.
What?
- Oh, my God, that's a first.
- You could. [laughs]
- Who are you?
- Hey, Tony,
I need a Jack & Ginger.
[Tony]
Hey, we're cutting the floor.
- What?
- You and Esme can go home.
Who's staying?
Jennifer and Jessica.
- Of course they are.
- [object clatters]
Well, you can tell
one of the Jess-holes over there
to drop that
at, uh, Zsa Zsa Gabor
in the nickel slots.
[Tony] Who?
Zsa Zsa.
Is he insane?
[Annette] Look, fine.
Then if not me, I just--
I-- I think you want
a guy around the house.
You keep dating
these business types,
who come to town
two, three days,
and you cook for them
like you wanna get married.
I don't.
I don't wanna get married.
Well, I think you forget
guys come to Vegas
to get a story
they can go home with.
Like shtupping a showgirl.
- No, Annette.
- Yes, Annette. It's true.
Come on. And you know that.
But you see, you and Eddie,
I mean, you guys have a history
and he lives here.
Yeah, we have a bad history.
All histories are bad with men.
But you have history.
And you know, he's...
I don't know,
he's a solid enough guy.
I don't particularly like him
or even find him
that attractive,
but, you know,
he might even have a pension.
Do you have a pension?
Do you have a pension?
I don't have a pension.
- No.
- Exactly.
And, you know,
I mean, he's cute-ish.
I can also--
I can also get you a job here.
What, cocktailing?
Yes.
Hey, Esme.
- You know what?
Fuck them, right?
- [chuckles]
Screw them.
Seriously.
Hey, you want a cigarette?
[soft music plays]
[inaudible]
[soft music continues]
Oh, my God.
Oh, my God, is that you? Oh!
- Oh, my... You got my message.
- Hey, Shelly.
It's so good to see you.
My goodness,
what are you doing here?
I mean, of course, you know,
I'm happy to see you,
but, I mean, jeez,
you could show up at my doorstep
anytime, anywhere.
- [both chuckle]
- Oh, it's just so good
to see you.
God, I'm sorry. I'm such a mess.
I mean, I just haven't had
a lot of sleep lately.
Hormones.
Why aren't you in school?
Um, I had to come home
for Lisa's birthday, so...
Oh, it's Lisa's birthday.
I mean,
I-I should send her a card
or a call or something.
[scoffs]
You don't have to do that.
I want to. I will.
I mean, how is she? She's, um...
How are she and Jeff?
They're really good.
Uh, I'm graduating in May, so...
Oh, I know. I know, hon.
Gosh, you're graduating so soon.
I just can't believe it.
[giggles]
And Becky's graduating too,
so we're gonna do, like,
a joint party kinda thing.
Oh, really?
Becky's graduating too?
Yeah, good for her.
Good for Becky.
Yeah.
It's a lot of family time,
so I wanted
to get out of the house anyways.
[Shelly breathes deeply]
Sorry.
Oh, you look so beautiful.
- No, I don't.
- Yes, you do.
You're so beautiful,
so grown up.
I just can't believe
I haven't seen you
in, what, like, over a year?
- Yeah.
- [sighs]
So, um, do you have a boyfriend?
Just tryin' to focus
on getting out of school.
Oh, well, plenty of time
for boyfriends, you know, later.
[Hannah] Mm-hmm.
[Shelly sighs] Oh.
Have you, uh, declared a major?
I'm studying photography.
Oh, my God, that's so exciting.
[Hannah chuckles lightly]
Thanks.
- Yeah.
- Uh, Lisa said
it wouldn't be that useful
to have any sort of arts degree,
but it's the only thing
I'm really passionate about,
so...
- Well, I think it's brilliant
that you're doing that.
- Mm.
I mean, being part
of a creative community is...
It's the best.
It's the best.
It's pretty solitary.
It's not really a community.
Well, you know, being an artist
is solitary, but...
if you're passionate about it,
it's worth it.
You know what?
I really should get going.
Oh, no, no. I was just gonna say
if you wanted to stay
for dinner.
Yeah, I was just stopping by
to say hello.
I have to get--
I have to get home for dinner.
Well, I mean,
can't you just give them a call
and say that you're gonna
have dinner here tonight?
It's just one night.
I don't know.
Becky just got home, and...
I...
I mean, Lisa wouldn't mind,
would she?
Just one dinner.
One night.
I really can't, Shelly.
[Shelly] You know, I wa--
I was thinking that, you know,
since the show is closing
that I could probably get
a couple days off
and come visit you in Tucson.
[Hannah] What?
[Shelly] Yeah.
The show is closing.
I can't talk about it too much.
I'll just dissolve into tears.
But, you know, I could...
finally have some time off
and come visit you in Tucson.
I could... come
to your graduation if you want.
[Hannah] I'll think about it.
[Shelly] Okay.
Come give your mom a hug.
[giggles]
Mm.
Oh, jeez. [giggles]
You know,
if you ever wanna see the show,
there's only a couple left.
[Hannah] What?
[Shelly] Ah.
Uh, I-I didn't mean it. Just--
You know, it's just so nice
to see you. I--
Trying to find a way
to see you soon.
[chuckles awkwardly]
Um...
Yeah, little misstep.
- It's okay.
- Okay.
See you, Shelly.
See ya.
[soft music plays]
[soft music continues]
[rhythmic drumming]
[screaming]
[shrieks]
[laughter]
[soft music continues]
[laughter]
[rhythmic drumming continues]
[crowd cheering]
[soft music fades]
[Jodie] I had, like,
a big, whole steak.
- It was too much food.
- [laughter]
I was, like, hurting.
[showgirl] You know what, like,
if I get home, I'm starving,
- but I had a whole dinner.
- [Jodie] Yeah, yeah.
But normally, if I'm starvin',
like, I digest pretty quick.
'Cause it's like you need energy
before, but also, uh, it's...
[Shelly] You'd think
they'd get our set in place
before our damn call times,
so we could warm up.
Our entire crew is out there.
I saw it.
- [Shelly] You did?
- Mm-hmm.
[Shelly] Hm.
It was pretty awesome.
The Dirty Circus was awesome?
- [Jodie] Yeah,
it was really funny.
- Mm-hmm.
[Jodie] And the acts
were really hard and impressive.
Sounds like every other circus.
I've never seen
a circus like that.
[Shelly]
And that made it awesome?
Yeah, kinda.
- [Mary-Anne] Got turned down
for three shows.
- What?
Which ones?
Well, I looked too old
for Jungle Island,
Paradise Hedonist,
Paradise Island,
whatever the fuck.
[scoffs] "Looked too old."
Like, they were
absolutely looking for girls
who were barely 18.
Like, they were like,
"Did you turn 18 yesterday?"
[chuckles]
What were the others?
Oh, I'm not stacked enough
for Oz Land or Pin up Girls.
[Shelly] No, honey,
you don't even want those shows.
- They're so bad.
They're so low class.
- [Mary-Anne sneers]
Low class? What is this?
This show is famous.
It's a tradition
that had its roots in France.
[Mary-Anne] Oh, my God.
Fucking France, Shell.
I mean, it's the last remaining
descendant of Parisian Lido
culture, and that is--
Shelly, nobody knows
what the fuck that means.
[Shelly] Well,
just like the shows in Paris.
- I mean, you think
85 is a big cast?
- [sighs]
There was 160 of us
back in the '80s.
American Express
did a travel campaign,
- and they flew us
all over the world...
- [Mary-Anne sneers]
...and photographed us
in different sites.
They shot me
on the Great Wall of China.
I was very special.
I'm sure, Shell. Super special.
[inhales deeply] Well, I mean,
Las Vegas used to treat us
like movie stars.
The iconic American showgirl.
The Las Vegas showgirl.
We were ambassadors.
For style and grace.
You know,
it's just... the costumes.
I mean, it makes you feel like
you're stepping out of the pages
of Vogue magazine.
I think that's why women
like to come to the show.
The glamor is undeniable.
The glamor, I-I think
I can deny the glamour.
- I mean,
maybe times have changed.
- Yes.
Shell, they've changed.
Times are
brand spanking different.
[Eddie over speakers]
Ladies and gentlemen,
this is your half-hour call.
Thirty minutes to curtain.
[opera music plays on TV]
[Shelly] Hm. Casting call.
[sighs]
Hm.
[opera music continues]
[doorbell rings]
[Shelly gasps]
Oh, my God, Hannah!
What a nice surprise. [giggles]
Come on in!
What are you doing here?
[Hannah] I just thought
we could have that dinner.
So, what's the plan
after graduation?
I don't know.
I think I might save
some more money, and then...
I kinda
just wanna travel around.
Like, I really wanna go
to Europe, but...
Oh, that sounds amazing.
You've got to do that.
- It's just expensive.
- Yeah.
You know,
being a photographer is just...
It's just hard.
What?
It's a hard career path.
Says who?
Like, everybody.
Really, someone said
being an artist is hard?
Someone put that dumb sentence
in your head?
Uh, yeah. Lisa, for one.
Oh, well...
- [glass thuds]
- [sighs]
That's what parents say
when they want you to get a job
that, like, pays money.
Honey, well,
she's not your actual parent.
I mean, she might think she is.
But... doing a job
that you don't really love,
that's hard.
When your calling is out there,
just waiting for you.
You know, money doesn't make
a boring job that much better.
What does Lisa want you to do?
Uh, she thinks I'd be great
at, like, graphic design.
Well, does that interest you
right now?
No.
- Well, forget about it.
- [chuckles softly]
"Hard." That's the dumbest
phrase anyone told anybody
with a dream.
I'll meet you in Paris.
[both chuckle]
- Oh, my God! What was that?
- What?
- I saw something scurry
across the room.
- What, like, a mouse?
- Yes! Oh, my God, yes, yes.
- No.
They live in the hidey-holes.
That's where the gangsters
used to keep their money
before I moved here.
I wish I knew where it was.
- [laughs]
- Ahh! Oh, my God!
There it is again!
- There it is!
- [both shriek]
- Wait, what are you doing?
- Oh, my God!
[soft music playing]
[soft music continues]
[Eddie over speakers]
Let's go for 68.
Go on cue 68.
Quiet and blackout.
Smooth process, people.
Stay focused.
Shelly?
Standby for 771.
Can we get dancers
in their places?
Before, I don't know,
before hell freezes over.
Thank you.
[sighs]
[Eddie over speakers]
Thanks, everyone.
Great show. See you tomorrow.
[soft music continues]
[soft music fades]
[rock music playing
over headphones]
- [knocking on door]
- Oh!
- Hi.
- Oh, my gosh!
Oh, hey. [giggles]
- Hi.
- [forced chuckle]
I saw the show tonight.
Oh, you did?
Well, that was sweet of you.
I, um... It means a lot to me
that you came.
I wasn't sure
if I was even gonna tell you.
There was barely anyone there.
Yeah, well... [sniffs]
I think that was the worst house
we've ever had
in the history
of the whole entire show.
What was there,
like, 18 people there?
I wish I'd known you were here.
I would've done
a little shout-out
or kind of point or something.
I thought
you were just heading back
to the Kellys.
What'd you think?
I think I thought
it would be different.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah, like harder dancing
or something.
Oh, you know,
we just make it look easy.
It's kinda
just a stupid nudie show.
Well, it's a spectacle
with dancing nudes,
but it's certainly
not a nudie show.
"Dancing nudes,"
is that, like, a technical term?
Yeah, yes, it is.
[scoffs] What's the point
of that show?
I mean, what was that?
Why did you invite me?
Maybe you thought
I wouldn't come?
I don't know.
I don't know why I did come.
Although, uh...
I guess
it's because I just hoped...
I wanted to know
that it was worth it.
That it was better than me
after all.
- What?
- That you didn't put
this lame trash above me.
It's not.
- I disagree.
- [scoffs]
Plus, I didn't put anything
above you. I provided for you.
I keep forgetting
that you're not actually
a reasonable person.
That you left me
in the casino parking lot
with a Game Boy
while you did two shows a night.
I didn't think
it was appropriate
for you backstage.
Yeah, well it wasn't.
I couldn't afford help, Hannah.
I just did the best I can.
I just did the best I can,
Hannah.
And if you can do what you love
for 30 years,
you know, and be passionate
about your career--
What kind of career is this?
You're in the goddamn back
of 80 topless dancers.
This was worth missing bedtime
for most of my childhood?
Was it?
[Hannah scoffs]
See, this is why I came tonight.
I wanted to see
a reason in all this,
and tonight, I finally didn't.
- [sighs]
- [Hannah sniffles]
[sighs, sniffles]
Shelly.
Look, I'm sorry, Hannah.
I'm sorry you didn't get
what you wanted from me.
You know,
but if you could forgive me,
anytime, anytime in your life,
I would love that.
But I can't defend myself
anymore. I just can't.
[somber music plays]
[sighs]
[chuckles softly, sniffles]
[exhales]
[switches click]
Hey, I-I'm still here. Um...
[switch clicks]
Sorry, I thought
I saw Shelly go.
- Yeah, I'm going. I'm sorry.
- That's okay.
Are you-- are you...
You're Hannah?
Yeah, I-I know I probably
shouldn't be back here.
Did you come to see the show?
Uh, yeah.
Yeah, what'd you think?
Uh...
not really my thing.
She talks about you
all the time.
Yeah, I--
I think I should get going.
Yeah, no. I'm sorry,
I didn't mean to keep you,
I just, uh...
It's good seeing you.
You too.
- [rock music playing
over headphones]
- [doorbell rings]
[doorbell rings]
Oh, hey, sweetie.
- Hi.
- Uh, what are you doing here?
I-I just, uh,
wanted to come over.
Okay.
Can I come in?
You know, it's just, um...
Is everything okay? I mean,
it's just not a good time
right now.
Um, it's just my-my mom,
she won't-- she won't answer
my-my-- my calls,
and...
and I wanna talk to her.
I understand it's hard.
Give her time.
Your mom's just sad,
I mean, that you left like that.
I know,
but I still wanna talk to her.
Look, it's a bad time right now.
I just-- I just can't do it
right now. I can't.
[voice breaks]
Shelly, I'm really scared.
I didn't-- I didn't know
that I could never go back.
I didn't know
that I could never go back,
and I'm-- and I'm really scared.
I'm sorry, I just-I just can't.
Not right now.
I need to be alone.
I'm doing something.
- [slot machines chiming]
- [reel spinning]
["Total Eclipse of the Heart"
by Bonnie Tyler plays]
["Total Eclipse of the Heart"
continues playing]
[inaudible]
["Total Eclipse of the Heart"
continues playing]
["Total Eclipse of the Heart"
continues playing]
[song fades]
[somber music plays]
I just wanted to call you.
I wanna talk to you.
I can't believe I left
the way I did the other night.
I just feel so terrible.
I just...
I don't know how I could do
anything I've done.
I don't know how I missed out
on our life together. Just...
I don't wanna leave it
on this phone message.
So, you--
Could you please, please...
please, please, please,
please call me back?
[sighs]
[gentle piano music plays]
[Shelly] Is this
the worst audience ever?
I mean, I just wanna yell
at them and say,
"Wake up!
This is a live performance.
What, are you bored?
This is breasts,
and rhinestones, and joy!"
Oh, God. [groans]
Can you help me
with my shoes, please?
How'd you do this
before I was here?
For 30 years, how'd you make
all your quick changes?
[Shelly] Oh, I'm glad
you feel so necessary, Jodie.
I mean, that's important.
That's-that's good.
Do you hear where we're at?
[Shelly] Can you help me
with my necklace?
[Jodie] No.
No, I wanna see you
get ready by yourself.
I wanna see what would happen
to you if I didn't help.
Really? [exhales]
- I'll just--
- [Mary-Anne] God, now,
you're stressing me out.
[Jodie] Well, good.
You're always behind too.
Oh, that is bullshit.
- Well, good luck.
- [Mary-Anne]
Well, you know what?
We have plenty of time,
so I'm actually not even worried
about this.
Well, I'm slightly concerned.
I mean, with the wings,
it's gonna be a little tight.
[Mary-Anne] Okay, well,
then just keep going.
Stop talking.
Oh, my God,
will you stop yelling at me?
I'm gonna get anxious!
I'm not even yelling.
- Okay, where-where are
my clip-ons?
- [Jodie] I don't know.
Did you take them?
No.
- [Shelly] Oh, would you please
help me with my damn wings?
- Nope.
[Shelly] You should've thought
of this pointless challenge
before the show,
so I was ready for it.
Well, here's your warning
for tomorrow.
This is good.
This is character building.
Oh, just what I need,
a lesson in character
from a 19-year-old.
[show tune music playing]
I got it, I got it, I got it.
Yeah! I got it!
[Jodie] Good.
I'm glad you can get
into your costume alone.
Shelly, come on.
- [fabric rips]
- [exclaims] Oh, oh!
Oh, no.
- [grunts, whimpers]
- [crowd applauding]
The music is changing.
Jodie, we have to go.
You're a real asshole,
you know that?
[show tune music continues]
[sighs]
Hey.
Hey.
You want me to have Ida
take a look at that?
Oh, no.
They'll probably dock me again,
right?
Yeah, probably.
Do you know how much longer
you're gonna be?
Oh, I don't know.
Not long.
Well, it doesn't
have to be perfect.
There's only a few shows left.
You know, I was thinkin'...
Uh... [clears throat]
I mean, you, more than anyone...
the end of the show
might be kind of u-upsetting.
Yeah.
Do you know what's next?
Nope.
You?
Probably gonna stay here.
You know, work with the circus.
- Oh, yeah, that's right.
Full schedule.
- Yeah.
Well, I mean,
it's a much easier gig
for the money than the R.D.,
so that's nice.
Oh, that's lucky. I mean,
you'll still be contributing
to your pension
and getting health insurance.
Yeah.
Um...
Okay.
I just wanted to check on you.
Okay.
[clears throat]
You know...
if it means anything...
you're a real legend, Shell,
you know?
[chuckles softly, sniffles]
Okay.
Hey, Eddie.
Yeah?
[exhales] Wanna have dinner
with me one night this week?
You wanna have dinner with me?
Yeah.
I mean, well...
I mean, yeah, of course.
That'd be nice.
[Shelly chuckles lightly] Great.
- Okay, great.
- Yeah.
[sighs]
[dramatic music plays]
[dramatic music continues]
[sighs]
[dramatic music fades]
[soft piano playing]
[exhales nervously]
[exhales, clears throat]
- Hi, Eddie.
- Hey.
- I'm here.
- Hey.
[Shelly giggles]
Hey.
- [both chuckle]
- Hey, I'm sorry I'm late.
- No, you're not.
- Just, you know,
debating dresses.
I mean, I probably
shouldn't tell you that.
[grunts softly] Oh. Funny story.
I didn't have time
to get my nails done,
so I went to the drugstore,
and right next
to my nail files...
- your favorite.
- [Eddie chuckles]
- Thank you.
- [Shelly chuckles lightly]
That's, um...
Thank you. That's so thoughtful.
[chuckles] Yeah.
- [Eddie] Oh.
- [chuckles]
I don't, uh...
I don't have anything for you.
It's okay.
You look nice.
Thank you. [chuckles lightly]
- [Eddie clears throat]
- And do I look nice?
Yeah, sorry.
Yeah, you look
really-really beautiful.
- Oh, thank you.
- But, well, mm,
you always look beautiful.
- Aw, thanks, Eddie.
- Yeah.
It's rare that I actually get
to see you in a dress,
and not, uh, one of those
rhinestone bustier things, uh...
I mean, your breasts
hangin' out. [clears throat]
- Well, I wouldn't say hanging.
- No, no, no.
But you do, though.
You look really beautiful.
Even all covered up.
[chuckles lightly]
- Maybe we should order.
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, let's order.
[Eddie clears throat]
- So, how's Hannah?
- Hm.
She's just about
to finish up school.
Wow. Wow.
You know,
I wondered for such a long time,
you know, where she was
and what she was up to.
If she, uh,
looked at all like me.
Oh, well, she doesn't.
[chuckles softly]
- No, I know. Thank God.
- Hm, hm.
- What?
- What?
What'd you say?
Well, I-- I met her.
- What?
- Yeah, I met her
in your dressing room
the other night.
What? You introduced yourself?
You met her?
I didn't say--
I mean, I didn't say who I was.
I just-- You know, she asked me
what my name was. I said Eddie.
- Thank God.
- Yeah.
So, is-- is she still living
with the Kellys?
Well, I mean,
they're in college.
Yeah.
I always thought
that was gonna be
a, like, a temporary solution.
Well... you're not really
in her life,
so I don't understand
why it's any of your business.
No, I'm just curious.
Hm, well...
She's best friends
with Becky and Theo,
and Lisa had
all the time in the world
to devote to her kids,
so, you know...
Could you have...
gotten a sitter?
I made it work,
- and-and that's what matters.
- Right.
Well, I was just...
I was just thinking
maybe, you-you know,
you could've gotten a job
where you worked
the hours she was at school.
- I mean, you didn't
have to stay with the show.
- Hm.
Of course I did.
Worked at a supermarket,
or waited tables,
or, you know, retail.
There's lots
of retail jobs here.
I just can't win. [sighs]
I mean, God, this is what
women have to deal with.
You know, all the time,
people are told, they're told,
"You have to do this,
you have to do that,"
and they'll do the thing
that you didn't want to do,
take the road
that you should've taken.
It's so fucking confusing.
And, Jesus,
and, you know, how...
how are you saying any of this
when, really,
you were never there?
Where were you?
We weren't
even in a relationship.
Well, what do you want now?
You wanna be her father now,
all of a sudden?
No. That's not--
that's not what I meant.
Well, what do you want
with me, Eddie?
I just wanna be your friend.
Oh, God!
- Oh, my God,
this is so embarrassing.
- What?
- Why'd I even come? Oh, my God,
this was a bad idea.
- What?
This is the worst fuckin' idea.
Christ!
And like you're in any position
to judge me.
Like, that's what a friend does.
I didn't mean it
to sound like that.
I love the show.
I love it.
I feel so good about myself
in the show.
And you, and Mary-Anne,
and Hannah can't understand.
But the costumes, the sets.
Being bathed in that light
night after night.
Feeling seen, feeling beautiful,
that is powerful,
and I can't imagine my life
without it.
I just think it's wild that,
you know,
I'm the one who's been
on the stage all these years,
that I'm the one
people come for.
That I'm the one on the poster.
And you, you, Eddie,
are gonna go on
to this show or that show,
and the producers
will just place you elsewhere
because you know
how to read a lighting cue.
You just tell someone
to push a damn button.
[exasperated sigh]
And you're gonna be just fine.
And I just have to disappear.
Well, you know what?
I have no regrets.
None.
- Eat your meat.
- [utensil clatters]
[sighs]
[dramatic music playing]
[dramatic music fades]
[Shelly sniffles]
- There you go.
- Thanks.
You know, when my grandparents,
Pearl and Bob, retired...
from the stationery business...
they drove around the Southwest
doing square dancing
competitions.
[both chuckle]
That's cute.
We should do that. You and me.
Oh. I thought
you weren't gonna retire.
We could pick up flouncy skirts
and...
[Annette sucks teeth]
Shell, I fucked up a little.
- Oh, no.
- I lost my shirt.
So, what are you gonna do?
[Annette breathes deeply]
Well, I don't know.
[clicks tongue]
I don't know what to do.
[chuckles]
I... I...
I don't-- [laughs]
I-I can't even--
I mean, I would-- Can I--
[laughing] I can't even--
I can't fucking even ask.
I-I can't ask you.
I c-- I can't even do it.
You have to stay here?
[Annette sighs]
Yeah, just-- I-I-- I, um...
I've been taking night shifts
and showering
in the locker room,
and I've been sleeping in my car
for the last couple weeks.
- What? You didn't tell me.
- [sniffles] I-I promise you...
I promise you
I'll be out of your hair
really fast.
It's-it's okay.
Fuck.
[melancholic music plays]
[melancholic music continues]
[melancholic music fades]
[downtempo music plays]
- [laughter]
- [indistinct chatter]
[check-in girl] If you're
a Capricorn or an Aquarius,
please follow me.
[downtempo music continues]
["Carpe Diem"
by Jozephine playing]
[microphone feedback squeals]
[director] What's your name?
- Shelly Gardner.
- I just need the first.
Oh, sorry.
How tall are you?
5'7".
Age?
Oh, a gentleman never asks
a lady her age. [giggles]
Thirty-six.
Sorry, I lied. I'm 42.
But this house is huge.
I mean, distance helps.
[director scoffs]
- Ah.
- Oh, gosh, I'm sorry.
I'm so nervous.
I've been on Le Razzle Dazzle
for so very long, and...
Oh, I just haven't auditioned
in a while.
- But it's exciting.
- Yeah.
[director smacks lips]
You-you have an act prepared?
I do. I'm a dancer.
Music?
Yeah.
I gave it to the maestro.
Okay.
Okay.
[director sighs]
[exhales]
["Shadows of the Night"
by Pat Benatar plays]
["Shadows of the Night"
continues playing]
- Okay, thank you.
- [song stops]
Thank you.
Uh, that's it?
Yeah, uh, we-we get the idea.
Thank you, Sherry.
Shelly.
Thank you, Shelly.
- You didn't like it?
- Not what we're looking for.
What are you looking for?
Look...
Just a different kind of vibe.
Okay, well, like what?
I actually have
a very versatile background.
You've been
with the Razzle Dazzle
for many years, huh?
Yeah, I mean, before that.
Just tell me
what you're interested in,
and I'll give it to you.
- [director sighs]
- I mean,
you're lookin' for dancers.
I'm a dancer.
I'm an experienced dancer.
We're looking for dance acts
that are either acrobatic or...
[sneers]
...sexy.
Oh, well, I can do that.
Um, how about a Salome
Dance of the Seven Veils
kind of thing?
Is that something
you'd be interested in?
It's gonna be a no for today.
I mean, you can
just write somebody off
like that? This is how it works?
This is how auditioning works.
Thank you.
Bye, Sherry. Next!
I worked really hard. Please?
Please, I worked
really, really hard.
You know what?
I can tell
you worked really hard,
and I'm sorry. It just...
If you were
a really good dancer,
it would be different.
But your technique
isn't great, okay?
You were obviously hired
at the Razzle Dazzle
because you were beautiful
and young a long time ago.
I mean,
this isn't news to you, is it?
Maybe if you'd had
some-some training
or you'd been with a company
in New York,
you might have an argument here,
but, I mean, let's be honest.
You-you-- you were hired
because you were sexy
and you were young.
I don't know how to help you
if that's--
If-if you don't understand,
that's not what you're selling
anymore, baby.
Next.
So, is this what sexy girls do?
- Is this sexy enough for ya?
- Next, please!
- Is this what young
and sexy girls do so easily?
- Goodbye.
- Oh, is this sexy? Yeah?
[moaning]
- Oh, my.
- Shell, come on, let's go.
- Get her out of here.
- Shell.
Shell, come on, let's go.
- Who's she?
- Shell, come on, let's--
- Let go of me!
I'm beautiful.
I'm 57, and I'm beautiful,
you son of a bitch.
Thank you.
- Next.
- [Mary-Anne] Shell.
Just go do your audition.
You're missing your audition!
- Look, I-I don't care
about it. Look...
- [sobbing]
You know, you should've told me
a hundred years ago
- to quit this stupid bullshit!
- What?
God. You saw it happening.
You saw me losing Hannah.
You didn't even say anything!
You were there!
- What? No! We--
- Yes!
- We didn't know
what was going on. Shell, I--
- [Shelly yells]
We didn't know
what was going on.
Oh, yes, you did!
You and Jodie want me
to be your mother,
but I already have a daughter!
- I have one!
- No, Shell, look, we love you.
- We'll bring--
- I don't love you!
I don't care!
I don't care! Look what I have
to show for the last 30 years
of my life!
[sobbing] I don't even get
to keep a piece of my costume!
- Shell, where are you going?
- I don't know.
- And I don't have to tell you!
- No, I know.
The only reason--
I can drive you--
Shell, you shouldn't be driving.
I'm not going home!
[engine starts, revs]
[sighs]
[screaming, wailing]
Fuckin'-- Fuck you!
[grunts angrily]
Fuck, fuck, fuckin'...
[sobbing, grunts angrily]
[continues sobbing]
[screaming]
[continues sobbing, sniffling]
[somber music plays]
[Shelly] I know
this is probably weird
leaving on a voicemail, but...
[inaudible]
...I just thought
maybe we could...
I just remember this one thing
I read somewhere.
You know, "Our mothers
are not saints or saviors.
Just regular people
doin' the best they can
with the tools they have."
I know that's not
a great excuse, but...
I just want you to know
that I love you...
however... imperfect
that might sound.
That's just...
I just wanted you
to know that...
that... life is full
of contradictions,
and, you know,
this probably sounds crazy...
I've always only wanted
the best for you.
I've always... been with you,
and I just wanted you
to be safe.
Safe and happy...
and fulfilled.
And follow your dreams.
Just be you.
I love you.
[somber music continues]
[exhales, clears throat]
[feedback squeals]
Places, please.
This is your places call
for the last time.
To the very last showgirls.
[all]
To the very last showgirls!
[cheering]
[feedback squeals]
[Eddie over speakers]
Places, please.
This is your places call
for the last time.
This is your places call
for the final performance
of Le Razzle Dazzle.
Mom!
Hannah?
What are you doing here?
[soft music playing]
- [Eddie] Hey.
- [Shelly chuckles softly]
You're lucky.
You're probably
never gonna leave
this theater, huh?
Yeah, you're right.
Probably not.
Your ghost is probably
gonna haunt this theater.
[Eddie chuckles]
Yeah, I never thought
about that.
I can't believe
this is gonna be the last time
I set foot on that stage.
I know.
[Shelly sighs]
You know, I think I'm gonna go
to Hannah's graduation.
- Yeah.
- I might even move there.
Really? Wow.
Yeah.
Or I could stay here
and maybe get a job
with Annette, cocktailing.
- Cute outfits.
- [chuckles lightly]
- Well, not like this one.
- Yeah.
[crowd applauding]
Well, one last chance
to give 'em hell.
Ha. [chuckles]
Shelly.
You look great, Shell.
[applauding continues]
["Beautiful That Way"
by Miley Cyrus playing]
["Beautiful That Way"
continues playing]
["Beautiful That Way"
continues playing]
[song ends]
[soft music plays]
[soft music continues]
[soft music fades]
[piano music plays]
[piano music continues]
[piano music fades]
[gentle music plays]
[gentle music continues]
[gentle music fades]
[dramatic music plays]
[dramatic music continues]
[dramatic music fades]
[somber music plays]
[somber music fades]