The Spectacular

The narrative returns to 1956. Judy arrives home and tells Marion that Simon will work late. She also patronizingly tells Marion that Simon wants to discuss “this matter” of Marion’s new job imminently. The following day, Marion hears Nathaniel speaking with Simon as she dresses for the day. Marion leads Nathaniel outside so they can talk privately. He informs her that Simon refuses to allow him to propose until she quits her job as a Rockette. Nathaniel also feels slighted by Marion’s decision to work as a Rockette and wonders how Marion will plan a wedding while employed. Marion points out that she waited patiently for Nathaniel to return from college and a European tour. She is annoyed that Nathaniel expects her to take on the work of planning their hypothetical wedding entirely alone, remarking that he still hasn’t proposed. Nathaniel shows Marion his grandmother’s engagement ring in an attempt to bribe her into quitting her job. He returns the ring to his pocket and asks Marion to strongly consider her options.

Marion confronts Simon about trying to control her via Nathaniel. Simon patronizes Marion, attempting to manipulate her by making her feel ashamed. Marion stands her ground, and Simon gives Marion an ultimatum: quit her job as a Rockette or move out of his house. Marion decides to do the latter. Arriving at Radio City, Marion runs into Bunny and bursts into tears. She explains the day's events, and Bunny offers to show Marion a place that she can rent.

Bunny takes Marion to the Rehearsal Club, a boardinghouse for women working in the arts. She introduces Marion to Mrs. Fleming, the landlady and caretaker, before returning to Radio City for the next show. Mrs. Fleming gives Marion a brief history of the Rehearsal Club. Decades prior, women working as singers, actresses, and dancers were considered morally improper, and landlords often refused to rent to female performers. Two women working in the arts established the Rehearsal Club so that women in New York would have a safe room to rent while pursuing their careers. Rent is $18 per week and includes two meals each day. Without any other accommodation options, Marion accepts the lease and becomes Bunny’s roommate. She unpacks her clothes, panicking at her bold decision to defy Simon’s wishes. Still, she feels excited about taking control of her life. Later that evening, Marion meets Bunny at Radio City for dinner. Bunny’s boyfriend, Dale Janson, arrives with his friend Peter Griggs, and Marion realizes that she is on a double date. Guiltily, Marion thinks of Nathaniel. Dale and Bunny control most of the conversation as the group walks to a French restaurant and eats dinner.

Dale reassures Marion that she will enjoy living with Bunny, as she “knows how to enjoy life” (89), before pointing out that Peter, his best friend, is more serious. Peter works with institutionalized individuals who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Suddenly, a rude, angry man shouts at the maître d’, demanding a better table. Dale attempts to criticize the man into submission, but Peter speaks quietly and calmly to the man, who agrees to sit at a dark table near the kitchen. Impressed by Peter’s skills at conflict resolution, Bunny asks how Peter calmed the man. Peter explains that the man was a “textbook narcissist,” and he played to the man’s ego by insisting that Marilyn Monroe recently sat at the dark table. Marion realizes that Peter also manipulated Dale into the role of defender. As the conversation moves on, Dale insists that Peter analyze Marion, treating Peter’s profession like a magic show. Peter intuits that Marion likely has an older sibling, that she hides her confidence, and that one of her parents is deceased. Marion gasps at Peter’s accuracy while feeling exposed. Peter apologizes and tries to walk back his assessment. Bunny realizes the late hour and insists she and Marion return to the Rehearsal Club before curfew. They leave in a rush, commenting on Peter’s strangeness as they run home.

The following morning, Marion calls Simon’s office to provide him and Judy with her address. Judy begs Marion to come home, not believing that Simon kicked her out. However, when Marion speaks to Simon, he reiterates that Marion can only return home if she quits working as a Rockette. He declares that Marion is experiencing “histrionics” by choosing to live at the Rehearsal Club and work at Radio City. With no time to unpack her emotions after her call with Simon, Marion rushes to Radio City for dress rehearsal. Her costume is tailored perfectly to her body and allows her to blend in to the line of dancers perfectly; their costumes form a perfectly straight line despite any individual height differences. Marion misses her mark in the practice studio while running through a cowboy-themed routine, and Mr. Leonidoff stops the entire group to remind Marion of the stage elevators that will cause her to fall if she misses her mark onstage.

The Rockettes line up for the first onstage performance. They each lick their finger and touch under the chin of the next girl: a tradition for luck. The performance hits perfectly, and Marion feels incredibly proud of herself and the other dancers. Backstage, she sees several family members crying in celebration with their daughters. Missing Simon and Judy, Marion steps outside for air. Nathaniel greets her, and Marion cries, knowing that she hasn’t lost his support. Nathaniel agrees that Marion and the Rockettes are incredible, but he refuses to speak with Simon in Marion’s defense. He explains that Simon has offered Nathaniel an excellent job with Met Power, and he doesn’t want to jeopardize his—and ultimately Marion’s—future. Marion can’t believe that Nathaniel would allow Simon to manipulate him. She accuses Nathaniel of wishing to marry Simon, not Marion. Nathaniel asks when he can see Marion again, but she details her busy work schedule before walking away.

Marion falls into a chaotic schedule over the next few weeks. She dedicates herself entirely to the Rockettes, occasionally sleeping in the dormitory at Radio City when rehearsals run late. She writes down all criticism from Mr. Leonidoff and Russell, reviewing her notes before each show. Marion also enjoys close friendships with the other Rockettes. The women support and encourage each other, and Marion feels grateful for the camaraderie. Still, she misses her family and hopes that Simon will call. Nathaniel and Marion talk occasionally, though he regularly reminds Marion that he will only propose when she returns home. Marion calls Judy often. Living in different dwellings benefits the sisters, who realize that they miss each other.

One day, Dale and Peter visit Marion and Bunny at Radio City between performances. Dale and Bunny argue, excusing themselves to a more private setting. Peter apologizes to Marion for analyzing her during their previous outing. Marion accepts his apology and finds herself intrigued by Peter, though she reminds herself of Nathaniel and feels guilty. Dale and Peter leave, and Bunny explains that Dale is married; this was the cause of their argument. He lied about being married when he and Bunny first met, and now he continues to string Bunny along, continually promising to leave his wife but never following through. Bunny confesses that she loves Dale. Marion can’t imagine putting up with similar behavior, and she realizes that she’s never been in love with anyone, not even Nathaniel.

Seeing Bunny vulnerable and heartbroken makes Marion miss Simon and Judy. During her week off, Marion goes ice skating, a tradition that Judy and Marion have maintained since their mother’s death. Though the sisters did not plan to go together, they arrive simultaneously and skate while holding hands. Marion tells Judy about Rockette practices for the Christmas Spectacular show, and they reminisce about seeing the same performance with Lucille. Marion invites Judy to watch her performance, but Judy fears that doing so will anger Simon. Marion encourages Judy to establish more control in her life and to do as she pleases. Judy changes the topic to ask Marion if she wants to marry Nathaniel, and Marion realizes that she has never genuinely considered her desires. Judy recognizes that Marion doesn’t love Nathaniel, which she finds problematic. Additionally, Judy shares her desire to get married and have a family, though she doesn’t believe this will ever happen because of her physical appearance. Judy recalls the old incident when her peer from the math club visited. She reveals that the boy was watching Marion change her clothes: the cause for Judy’s outburst. The sisters part ways fondly, and Judy promises to attend opening night for the Christmas Spectacular.

Judy meets Marion at the Rehearsal Club before the evening show; Marion shows Judy the house and her shared room with Bunny. Judy warms to Marion’s career when she sees Radio City’s backstage area and the Rockettes’ dressing room. The girls admire a picture of Lucille that Marion keeps on her makeup table, and they both realize that they share a memory of their mother standing outside their school building, even though they know that is impossible since Lucille was in Boston at the time. When Marion asks if Judy understands her perspective, Judy sympathizes with Simon, recognizing that he has lost Lucille and now one of his daughters. Marion points out that Simon doesn’t have to force her to choose between family and career, but Judy parrots Simon’s position about wanting Marion to be safe and provided for. Judy also believes that Marion consistently stands out, and she’s not sure the Rockettes’ synchronized dancing style will suit Marion. Marion ends the conversation by recognizing the closer bond between the sisters, even though they disagree about many things.

Marion observes Judy’s joyous expression while her sister watches the show. Elated, Marion feels as if she is dancing her best for her sister. Marion looks forward to her adult relationship with Judy. She thinks about their honest conversation and realizes that they have each misread essential aspects of each other. She knows that Lucille would want them to remain close. Just as the Rockettes finish their final kick line, an explosion near Judy’s seat shakes the entire theater. The smoke clears, and Marion sees Judy’s body draped across a young child in the neighboring seat.

The narrative returns to 1992 as Marion continues her journey to Radio City with Piper. Marion abruptly asks for the car to stop. She looks at a museum: the exact location where the Rehearsal Club used to stand. Marion shares a few stories with Piper and decides to walk the rest of the way to Radio City. Piper asks Marion if she misses the New York she knew in the past. Marion explains that the city is constantly changing, and she doesn’t feel entitled to mourn the loss of a structure that likely replaced someone’s farm. When the women arrive at Radio City, however, Marion remarks that no one will ever change the iconic building.

The narrative returns to 1956. Marion rushes to Judy, who is soaked in blood. Russell and Mr. Leonidoff aid Marion until paramedics arrive. At the hospital, Marion calls Simon, informing him of the night’s events and instructing him to rush to the emergency department. Not long after he arrives, a doctor tells Simon and Marion that Judy has died from her injuries. Marion attempts to comfort Simon. She asks to come home with him, but he refuses, angry that Judy went to Radio City to see Marion. He blames Marion for Judy’s death. Marion returns to Radio City, where the police investigate the crime scene. She reports seeing a man sitting near Judy; he disappeared before the final performance. Detective Ogden tells Marion that he will send an officer to get a description tomorrow. Marion is baffled that he doesn’t want more information sooner.

Bunny cares for Marion through the night, bringing her breakfast the following morning. Radio City will remain closed for a few days but will soon return to a regular schedule. Marion decides against calling Nathaniel, believing that he is generally more uncomfortable than supportive. Detective Ogden arrives with Captain Somers, who is surprised to learn that Marion saw the Big Apple Bomber. Irritated with Ogden, Somers writes down Marion’s description of the man. The police ask Marion a few more questions before reassuring her that they will do everything possible to catch the bomber.