The Moulin Rouge occurred in 1909.
Christian and I got out of the buggy that had brought us from our hotel. We had escaped the Moulin Rouge three years ago, 1909. Christian hid me away at a doctors while I recovered from the opening nights terrifying events, he couldn't tell anyone from the Rouge where we were, or the Duke would have him killed, since he now ran the place. Christian so badly wanted to stay in Paris, he really believed in freedom, beauty, truth, and love. Not that I didn't, but after working at the Rouge for so long, I realized sometimes you had to deal with the hand you were dealt.
Christian realized I was different after the tuberculosis, that dreadful disease really made me put things in perspective. Sure, I could spend the rest of my life at the Moulin Rouge as a courtesan, but where would that get Christian? Even if I was the "Sparkling Diamond", my months long absence had led to my replacement by none other than Nini. Not to mention that even if I returned, I'd be the Duke's forced girlfriend, and Christian would have to be in constant hiding. We needed something outside of it, something we could make on our own, that no one could take away from us. So in 1910 we eloped and went to London to tell Christians family. They were nice enough, but one of the Dukes men had followed us there from the Moulin Rouge. Once again spoiling our lives, we decided the best place to go was America, where we could start all over.
"Christian, it's so, large!" I exclaimed, hopping out of the buggy, not seeing the drivers courteous hand until it was too late. I had definitely calmed down since we first met, but I still had some flair, which was obvious in my bright red dress. It fit the times with the layered look and high waist, but I always managed to stick out in a crowd. It still felt strange to not be in such extravagant wealth, but that was why we were on the Titanic!
"But thank you," I told the driver as he handed us our luggage. He nodded his head and got back into his buggy. "Where to now Christian? I've never been on a ship like this before!"
"We're first class, so we won't have to get inspected for lice or any disease," he said, and my smile faded a bit, remembering the tuberculosis that had nearly killed me. "It's alright," he said, touching my arms gently, "you haven't relapsed or infected anyone else, there's no need to worry." He gave me a kiss on the cheek, and I felt reassured. He asked a White Star Line employee to make sure our trunks were brought to B50 and we boarded the ship. Christians parents had been generous, buying us both first-class tickets on the Titanic. But once we were ashore, they couldn't help us anymore, as they did not want the Duke to be able to trace anything to us.
As I stepped onto the gangway, I grabbed the railing like a lifeline. It was as if I could feel every small wave in the ocean through it, as well as the footsteps of those above me. It was a group of four, three women and a man. One of the women was obviously a maid, carrying several boxes and a coat. The other two were clearly first-class like myself, one in a large purple hat.
"Welcome to the Titanic, will you be requiring anything?" an employee asked me kindly.
"No, wait yes actually, where is room B-50?" I asked and the man smiled.
"Allow me to show you."
