“Carole, Lexi, please hear me out. I promise I’m not trying to be like Gen,” Talia says. “But is there any way I can have a second chance? Maybe I could be an alternate team member until I can prove to you that I belong here? Please don’t cut me.”
Carole and Lexi look uncomfortable. It’s obvious that they aren’t going to change their minds, and my heart breaks for Talia.
“Let me explain.” Ruth, the uniform designer, offers. “Talia, the reason why you weren’t offered a spot on the team has absolutely nothing to do with your dancing.”
“No?” Talia looks as confused as I feel.
Ruth’s tone is laced with sadness. “The reality is that we have certain standards when it comes to the physical appearance of our dancers. And you don’t meet those standards.”
Tears are now streaming down Talia’s beautiful face. “Ican work out more. I can lose ten pounds. Twenty, even. Give me a few weeks and I’ll prove to you how much I want this.”
“You absolutely shouldn’t lose any weight, Talia.” Lexi’s tone is compassionate. “This isn’t a matter of weight. You’re in great shape and you’re fit. But your shape isn’t the right shape. You’re a beautiful woman, but you’re the shortest on our roster. At five two, you’re one inch shorter than Taryn.”
“But it’s just one inch. How can that make the difference between making the team and being cut?” Talia weeps.
Ruth explains why they don’t intend to keep her on the team. “At your height, you disappear among the other dancers. We didn’t realize that until we saw you in a kickline. We should have sent you home sooner, maybe, but it was hard since you’re a wonderful dancer and a wonderful teammate. Your height is just one of the issues; it’s also a matter of proportions. Taryn has a shorter waist, but she has long legs for a five foot three stature. Your legs are too short for our standards. Your proportions are pleasing to the eye until you’re in a line with your teammates. You simply get lost among girls who are taller and have longer legs. Sorry, but there’s nothing you can do to change that.”
“If it’s of any consolation to you,” Lexi sounds sympathetic. “The reason why I became a cheerleader was that my ballet teacher told me I would never make it as a ballerina. I’m too curvy and my hourglass figure is too pronounced for the aesthetic standards of a classical dancer. You could try out for a different team that doesn’t have the same strict standards we do. I’m sorry if that sounds cruel, but this is where we’re at.”
The cameraman begins packing his equipment, signaling that this is really it.
My heart is breaking for Talia.
“Come on.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Let’s go eat our weight in pizza. Mack will be all too happy to join us. And you’ll have some time to find a job. Don’t forget the money we’re going to get for participating in the reality show. I’m counting on that to start off until I get a job as a nurse.”
Carole clears her throat. “Actually, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but neither of you is going to see any money from the network. The only money you would have been entitled to is the royalties from the dolls, but since you aren’t part of the team, I doubt your dolls will be put into production.”
“Come again?” I stop in my tracks halfway to the door.
“Your contracts state clearly that only the final thirty-two dancers will get paid for the TV appearances. Being cut or quitting the team at any stage before the season contracts are signed means you’re forfeiting any financial reward otherwise stated in your contract.”
That’s a huge blow. “So was all our hard work unpaid?” Talia sounds as bitter as I feel.
“I’m sorry, ladies.” Carole sounds genuinely upset on our behalf. “We assumed you had read the paperwork you signed when you joined training camp. And while you might not receive any further financial compensation, you were housed and fed for most of the summer. And there is a huge deal of notoriety each of you gained from the reality show, especially since you made it to the end.”
Talia shakes her head as angry tears keep rolling down her face. “I should have known that we would get fucked over. The money comes from Gen’s father after all. Thisfeels like dealing with the devil. There’s always a catch somewhere, and they always win. I guess I better run to Joe’s and see if there is any chance of me getting back the job I quit to come to training camp.”
I can’t say I blame Talia for feeling so disheartened by the raw deal we just got dealt.
Our bags were already packed. With training camp over, everyone is moving out tomorrow morning. “I guess I’ll have to find something temporary to make ends meet until I get a job at the hospital. I’ll start applying for jobs tonight.”
It’s not like I hadn’t anticipated having to leave the team because of the no fraternization policy, but not having the fifty grand I thought I had in the bag is definitely a bummer.
Jodie wraps one arm around my shoulders. “I assume I need to be there for the announcement of the final team roster. But I’m gonna be home as soon as we’re done with that. And you have nothing to worry about financially. I’m definitely getting the money from the reality show. Our plan to get a place together doesn’t need to change. I’ll pay your share of the rent until you get a good job.”
Tears burn at the corners of my eyes. “Are you sure, Jo-Jo? You really don’t have to do that.”
Jodie pulls me into a crushing hug. “Shut up. You would do exactly the same for me if the roles were reversed. Ride or die, remember?”
Carole clears her throat. “Taryn, wait.”
I don’t know what else they could possibly want to say to me. After this super long day, I feel absolutely exhausted, and I’m looking forward to dinner and an early night. But it would be rude to ignore Carole, even if she’s no longer my boss.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Can you sit down for just one minute?”
The urge to say no is strong, but I guess one more minute won’t make a big difference.
