Isadora Duncan (1878-1927)

Even though Scott did not have an affair with the famed ballerina, there was an incident in 1927 which marked a turning point in Zelda's deteriorating mental health. The Fitzgeralds were dining out with Gerald and Sara Murphy at an inn where Duncan was also dining. As quoted from Gerald Murphy, who was a witness to this event: "Scott didn't know who she was, so I told him. He immediately went to her table and sat at her feet. She ran her fingers through his hair and called him her centurion. But she was an old lady by this time. Her hair was red, no purple really- the color of her dress- and she was quite heavy." Apparently Duncan was in the process of writing her memoirs and she was asking Scott for advice; he was interested so she gave him her hotel and room number. Zelda had been watching them and suddenly got up from the table and threw herself down a nearby flight of stairs. Her knees were bleeding, but not seriously hurt and returned with no explanation as to why she did it. Murphy: "I was sure she was dead. We were all stunned and motionless. I don't remember what Scott did. The first thing I remember thinking was that it had not been ugly. I said that to myself over and over again. I've never been able to forget it." Within three years Zelda had her first nervous breakdown.