Satine's little corner of the backstage rubble makes me sick. There's a mirror, of course, to see her beautiful little face in as she slathers on the powder, and a box full of diamond trinkets she gets for screwing half of Paris.

I mean, that's not so bad. She's the star, and I'm the whore who walks on her hands. I can accept the diamonds. I can accept that she gets first pick of the costumes, the best lays, the best pay, the red room, top billing, Zidler's attention, her own personal maid. . .

But dammit, I can not accept the chocolate.

Night after night, Marie throws the boxes of that sweet Parisian concoction-- unopened-- onto that table. Big boxes, tied with satin ribbons. Small, dainty black ones, with a single rose fastened to the top. Heart-shaped, ivory, squares of silk falling over the boxes. And they all rot.

It's enough to drive a girl to sin, if you'll pardon the expression.

So tonight, after I've had another man out in the garden, we're going to change just a little of that.

And that's why I'm standing here in my knickers, all right? Nini glared fiercely at Satine, who, resplendent in a red satin robe, was lounging against the mirror, her blue eyes sparkling at the sight of Nini's arms and legs tied to a nearby chair. Now will you please get me out of this damn bloody chair from the depths of hell?

Satine held up an elegant finger.

One moment, Nini. I'm supposed to believe that you sneaked into my dressing room, she paused dramatically, ignoring Nini's sniff at the term. To get chocolate? She paced the room leisurely, absently swinging the silken cord of her robe. Not my jewels. Not my makeup. But my chocolate? She gave an elegant little laugh that soon dissolved into giggles of complete hysteria.

Nini's lip curled. Shut up, Satine. Just shut up.

Satine smoothed her robe down with a graceful gesture and laid a finger by her crimson lips.

I have an idea, Nini. Nini groaned and squirmed against her bonds.

Oh, hell.

You wanted chocolate, correct?

Go to hell, you damn waste of a--

And you want out, right?

Satine, I swear on my mother's soul that you are one dead diamond the moment I get free--

You can have both, Satine's lips curved up in a rich, predatory smile. You can leave as soon as you eat all this chocolate.

Nini stared at the stack of boxes and back at the Sparkling Diamond's face.

You must be out of your fucking mind, Satine.

Satine positively beamed and put the first chocolate in Nini's mouth.

Twenty truffles later, Nini pulled her head back and groaned.

I suppose this payback for the pepper in your feathers?

Now you're getting it, Satine replied approvingly. Her eyebrow arched mischeviously. Now, Nini, how about some. . . chocolate?