The Conga Line

After eight years of marriage in January of 1959, Barbara kicks Bernard out of their house and files for divorce. A judge decides that Barbara and not him will have complete control over the couple's assets during the divorce process. At the time, California's divorce laws say that a spouse is entitled to half of the couple's total assets but a judge could decide to give one spouse more depending on the nature of the separation. In today's money this would be worth $8 million. He doesn't believe in divorce. So Bernard tries to do a little damage control. He convinces Carol to quit her job at the clinic and move to Las Vegas. She gets a job as a cocktail waitress on