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WHITE WAITRESSES hustle between the tables in the WHITE SECTION of the Ballroom; BLACK WAITRESSES work the BLACK SECTION. 

Both sections are alive with the festive noise of tinkling glasses, joyous laughter and boozy chatter.

BLACK and WHITE COUPLES are kicking up the dust on the dance floor.  A LONG RED VELVET ROPE separates them.

INT. IMPERIAL BALLROOM—BANDSTAND. NIGHT.

The elegant JIMMIE DE LAVALLADE beams from ear-to-ear as he conducts his jamming ORCHESTRA, which is composed of handsome young BLACK musicians.  The bouncy groove the cats are laying down is super tight and dead in the pocket. 

THE DANDRIDGE SISTERS, wearing stylish white silk gowns, are seated in chairs on the side of the bandstand.  Their bodies rock back and forth as they do pretty hand flourishes in rhythm to the music.

INT. IMPERIAL BALLROOM—DANCE FLOOR. NIGHT.

Some of the WHITE COUPLES dart furtive glances across the red velvet divide to the gleefully jitterbugging BLACK COUPLES and try to parrot their steps.