Satine's story.
The rain swept through the narrow streets of Montmatre, banging shutters and doors as it went. A young girl, no more than 10 years old, walked slow along the Boulevard de Clichy huddled in her ragged coat. Ahead, gaslights lead the way through the fog to a building site. A partially constructed windmill stood where Le Café de la chandelle verte one stood. The girl, soaked through by the driving rain, searched desperately for a safe shelter. Eventually, after much deliberation, she huddled in a corner of a half built Elepant.
The year was 1887, Charles and Harold Ziddler had nearly completed their construction of their truly Bohemian brothel, Le Moulin Rouge. Outside their office window, the rain darkened the fresh paintwork on the mral of the brothers' faces. Harold, restless after the long day out signing papers, dicided to go for a walk. Outside, curled up in a ball, inside the leg of a giant papier mache elephant, he found a sleeping girl. Her hair was dripping wet and she was shivering.
"Cher seigneur! We'd better get you warmed up!" He smiled down at the girl as he picked her up in his arms and carried her inside.