The Split The split between ambition and friendship
Nina and Simone, both ten years old, are bosom friends. Their families are from Suriname, but they lived in the Netherlands all their lives. They're always together and stick together. They are inseparable; they do nearly everything as a two-some. They are in the same class at school and they share the same tastes and interests, such as music. In short: they are almost like real twins. And the best thing is that they live straight opposite each other.
The parents are not so pleased with the intense way the friendship develops: they feel it's too much of a good thing. So they won't allow them to make hour-long telephone calls in the evening as well. But Nina and Simone, who can see each other from their bedroom windows, have thought up all sorts of secret codes to send messages across. Curtains half or wholly closed, colored lights on or off, mirrors_. Their inventiveness is boundless.
But alas, the performance they are working for needs only one leading lady. And so, for the first time in their lives, there is competition between them. It casts a sudden shadow on their friendship.
They are both practicing hard for the last audition, where the girl who will play the lead is selected. They even practice at home, in their rooms. The curtains that used to be open all the time are now drawn. And they are both equally curious about what their 'rival' is busy doing behind those curtains.
Nina is not too sure about the outcome, because Simone is just a little more supple than she is. On the day of the final audition Nina plays a trick: she secretly lets the air out of Simone's bicycle tires. This makes Simone late for the audition. Nina is selected and Simone gets a smaller, minor role. Ambition has won over friendship.
Nina is over the moon with joy. Simone is deeply disappointed. Nina comforts her, but Simone's looks prove that she has seen through Nina's trick. That evening Nina sees that Simone's curtains stay shut. It looks as if their lives have been permanently changed. Nina has to live with a dilemma. On the one hand she enjoys the attention and the excitement that playing the lead entails; on the other hand there is the nagging pain of the estrangement with Simone. Simone has her own dilemma to contend with. She whishes her dearest friend all the best of luck, but she feels betrayed by her.
Nina does her exercises in the deserted ballet room. Then she sees Simone's reflection in the mirror. The look on Simone's face shows she knows what Nina has done. Nina turns round. She wants to say something, but Simone has gone.
The show is about to start. The hall is sold out. Nina is dancing, trying to enjoy every second of being in the limelight. Simone is dancing behind her. It's as if Nina can feel Simone's eyes stabbing her in the back. She turns and sees Simone. Sadness is etched on her face. Nina realizes how tough it must be for Simone. She takes a deep breath, then deliberately dances towards Simone. She looks her straight in the eye before pushing her to the front of the stage. Simone tries to resist, but she sees that Nina has already taken her place. All eyes are on them. Like a sleek cat Simone moves to the front of the stage, effortlessly taking over Nina's part. There is cheering, applause.
Simone turns around and smiles at Nina. Nina smiles back.
