| "In Between The Lines" 'The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn' Part 3 Chapter 1 |
| Christian started the day with a spring in his step. He had been writing earlier and was now planning to go down to the Montmartre Markets and buy himself a new pocket watch. There wasn�t anything drastically wrong with his old one, but he wanted something more reliable now that he had a new job. He was determined to make a good start here in Montmartre and so far everything was going...spectacular. It was yet another beautiful day in Paris, the weather reflecting and enhancing Christian�s cheerful disposition. Christian was worried that he would be alone when he moved away from the safety of his home and into bohemia. But how wrong he was. He seemed to fit in so well with everyone here, they welcomed him with open arms and he was grateful for their friendship. Toulouse had suggested he visit the market, not just for consumer needs; but also suggested it as a source of artistic inspiration. Christian was fascinated with the subjects of Toulouse�s paintings, so it seemed like a good idea. As he had spent all morning madly drafting a scenario for the play, he decided it would be a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Christian strolled through the market, being sure to absorb all around him. It was such a fascinating place, everyone seemingly with a different story to tell. He noticed many women who looked as if they were once stunning in their youth, but the years, absinthe and life on the street had been cruel to them. Children were running through the streets barefoot, playing tag with one another and Christian smiled at the sight. People had set up stalls and were selling anything and everything from live chickens, homemade jewellery, fruit and shawls. One of the children ran behind a stall, drawing Christian�s attention to an article of clothing hanging from a makeshift rack. The minute Christian saw it; he knew he had to buy it, for her. He stopped in front of a beautiful, pale Japanese kimono. He admired its intricate handwork and then imagined what Satine would look like in it, even better, the look on her face when she received his gift. �How much for the robe?� he asked the vendor, a middle aged woman, weary, as if she hadn�t slept for days. �For you...� she said, while thinking of how much money she could make from her transaction with the na�ve English boy, �...85 francs.� Christian only had 80F with him. If he could get her down to 70F or so he�d buy it. His old watch would have to make do for now. �I�ll give you 70 francs for it,� he offered. The woman contemplated his offer, but still wanted more. �75� she said. �All right, 75.� Christian agreed. He knew he was paying more than it was worth, however he couldn�t help but feel sorry for the woman in her poverty-stricken state. In any case, he was due to start receiving a weekly salary after he had presented the first instalment of �Spectacular! Spectacular!� to Zidler and The Duke for their approval He purchased the garment and the woman wrapped it tidily in brown paper. He took it and placed it under his arm. Christian couldn�t wait to see Satine and give her the gift, but he needed to go home first. *** Satine awoke after a restless night�s sleep. She had a hard time sleeping after Christian had left her in such a hot and flustered state. She spent most of the night lying in bed awake, staring at the ceiling. She had been pondering her fate with Christian, but her head would end up with one conclusion and her heart with another. She felt so conflicted. Satine needed to talk the situation through with someone else, to hear an objective opinion, but didn�t have many places to turn. She had never become very close with the other girls at the Moulin Rouge, most were more like acquaintances than close friends and companions. She felt many of them were envious of her daughterly relationship with Zidler and fast rise to stardom. Satine desperately wanted to confide in Marie, the one person she could turn to, however she knew what Marie�s advice would be, and wasn�t sure it was something she wanted to hear. One of the first things she was told, when they took her under their wings at the Moulin Rouge was, �Never fall in love, it ends up hurting everyone involved.� She had always believed in this, it was the fundamental reason for her initial reluctance to Christian�s advances. She felt something from the instant she laid eyes on him on the dance floor, but held back in fear of being hurt...again. However, later that night her emotions were so extreme that it seemed for a moment in time, she let go of her inhibitions and trusted in someone else implicitly. Someone that made her happy, should she trust in that person again? |
| Satine decided this would have to be her own decision. She wandered through the dressing room picking up photos and jewellery that belonged to her, to remove them before The Duke�s men came in to renovate, before they came to create a brand new dressing room, for her...was she willing to give this all up? As she worked, she thought of Christian and sang to herself, I gotta take a little time A little time to think things over I better read between the lines In case I need it when I'm older Now this mountain I must climb Feels like a world upon my shoulders Through the clouds I see love shine It keeps me warm as life grows colder In my life there's been heartache and pain I don't know if I can face it again But I can't stop now, I've travelled so far To change this lonely life I wanna know what love is I want you to show me I wanna feel what love is I know you can show me I'm gonna take a little time A little time to look around me I've got nowhere left to hide It looks like love has finally found me In my life there's been heartache and pain I don't know if I can face it again I can't stop now, I've travelled so far To change this lonely life I wanna know what love is I want you to show me I wanna feel what love is I know you can show me I wanna know what love is I want you to show me I want to feel what love is I know you can show me... (*stop player) In her heart, Satine knew what she wanted, she had known all along. But now, she had summoned up the courage to go against the only family she had known for years and trust in herself. With Christian by her side, she was willing to take the risk. She decided to go and see Christian right at that moment, before she could turn back on her decision. She needed to see him, to remind herself that she was doing the right thing. **"I Want to Know What Love Is" By Foreigner** |