A Woman's Intention To Play

La Argentina arches her body into her partner as he takes the first salida of the dance.
She winks at the dancers surrounding her and gives a huge shrug. 'For this I give you Pugliese. Hah! Emancipación will slow you down, give you time.'

She chooses Dark Eyes as her partner, and as he is about to collect, surprise flashes across his face.

'Intention,' says La Argentina and quickly places her delicate left foot next to the sole of Dark Eyes. 'Let him feel it,' she says. 'But you must have intention. He must feel that you are asking him a question.' La Argentina turns her merry eyes on all of us. 'And what is the question.'

She turns her face full to Dark Eyes. He has not moved since she has interrupted his step. 'The question is: Do you want me to take you on a journey?'

She raises her brows, and Dark Eyes has an eager smile.

The answer is yes, yes, yes.

La Argentina arches forward and puts her weight full on the foot beside that of Dark Eyes. He leans back even further, and then she starts the journey. It is one of sensual discovery. Her foot caresses his calf, her leg insinuates itself between his, catches him behind his knee and asks the leg to collapse a little into her caress.

'Play,' says La Argentina. 'Play. There is no hurry in tango. Play with your partner. Discover each other. That is the purpose of tango.'