DISCLAIMER – I don't own the idea for "Moulin Rouge" just borrowing it for my version of the events that take place after Satine's Death.
I wasn't much noticed before, he wouldn't notice me now. She had been his world for what; a month? Well for a man who probably never had a date in his life, a month's worth of affection and attention from any woman could drive him to think it was more.
"Take this to him, he's barely eaten." Toulouse handed Kathrynne a tray of food and away she went. It was a long walk, up three flights. It was the walk from the landing down the corridor that seemed to take the longest.
"Excuse me," She tapped at the door. "Christian?"
Carefully she balanced the tray on her hip and opened the door. Christian was lying on his bed, which now was merely a mattress. He had sold his blankets and most of his clothing to keep his small hovel of a room.
"Christian?"
"Oh, Kathrynne, sorry I'm lost in thought." He popped his head up and looked at her. "It's complete."
"The story?" She placed the tray next to his typewriter.
"Yes, it's our story, the story of our love," Kathrynne smiled at him.
"Good for you," Kathrynne said trying to choke back the pangs of jealousy. "Well, this is compliments of Toulouse."
"Would you like to read it?" Christian jumped up and ran to his desk.
"No, thank you for the offer," Kathrynne swept past him and shut the door on her way out.
She remembered his arrival a year ago. He was a charismatic young man with nothing to lose and everything to gain; a life full of hope.
Toulouse had rushed to the Moulin Rouge with the news of an English writer, who could only be described as the leader of the Bohemian Revolution.
"Oh Kathrynne you must meet him! You would never believe your ears!" Kathrynne giggled.
"Dear Toulouse, you said that about Audrey. He just turned out to be a stuck up little deviant!" Kathrynne poured him some tea.
"Absinth if you have it," He always tried to get a drink out of her.
"You know I don't have it, Uncle Harold wouldn't allow it." Harold Zidler had allowed his niece to move to the Moulin Rouge on the promise that she would stick to her studies and not be wrapped up in the events that took place there in the evenings.
"I will bring him tonight! You will see!"
"Fine Toulouse, bring him. Oh is it really four? Uncle wanted me to accompany him to receive the financier. Just be prepared for this evening."
It would be a week after before they met face to face and it was on a mere lark that they met. Christian had been rushing off to Satine's elephant hide-away.
Satine, she had been his obsession for a month or so, she died. Consumption; a silent killer. Harold wasn't sure how to proceed, his star was dead and the other girls wouldn't fill the spot. Kathrynne offered up her services, but was turned away. She could sing, dance a little, but it wasn't enough.
The Duke wasn't favourable after what happened. Kathrynne sought him about to return the deeds to the Moulin Rouge. Again she was turned away. The Duke allowed it to remain open, but it was a failing venture.
Kathrynne took her time getting back downstairs. Haddy had another tray prepared for another tenant and sent Kathrynne off on her own.
"Make sure she pays you!" Haddy yelled. Kathrynne waved up her hand and disappeared.
Kathrynne dropped off the tray to the elderly lady on the second floor. Kathrynne collected the payment and hesitated going back downstairs. She heard the Argentinean stumble up the steps.
"AHH! Kathrynne! HELLO!" He was a very outspoken man. Kathrynne noticed his eyes roll into the back of his head. Kathrynne ran and caught him just as he fell. Unfortunately, he weighed more than she could hold.
"TOULOUSE! CHRISTIAN! HADDY! ANYBODY!" Kathrynne yelled struggling to breath. Suddenly Kathrynne felt her chest get litter and a squabble of voices.
"Are you ok?" The voice of an angel.
"Yeah, thank you Christian," Kathrynne stood and brushed herself off.
"Have you read it?"
"No Toulouse I have not," Kathrynne said. Toulouse knew that Kathrynne had an infatuation with Christian.
"Well it is what could save the Moulin Rouge!"
"Exactly! We'll find a investors, someone has to be interested." Christian started rambling off plans.
"Yes, well unfortunately the Duke refuses to return the deeds and my Uncle is this close to shutting the doors all together." Kathrynne held her fingers millimetres from each other.
"Well I'll speak to the Duke!" Toulouse offered.
"If you or Christian, or even our dear Argentinean were to approach him, off with your heads." Kathrynne ran her thumb across her neck.
"I've already tried. I offered him the same thing Satine was offering him, he didn't take it."
"Satine never offered it to…"
"CHRISTIAN! FOR GOD'S SAKE! STOP TRYING TO MAKE HER A MARTYR! THE ONLY REASON THE DEAL WAS MADE WAS BECAUSE SHE OFFERED HERSELF ON THE TABLE! THAT'S WHAT PROSTITUTES DO!" Kathrynne didn't even realize it came out of her mouth until it rang in her ears.
"Christian what she's trying to say is that…"
"I know exactly what she's saying."
"Do you Christian? Do you really? Or are you just going to take a cheap shot at me and say I'm no better than the women of the Moulin Rouge? Well I have news for you, SIR, I never worked at the Moulin Rouge! I lived with my uncle! I never partook in the goings on." Kathrynne shoved Christian out of the way.
"Where are you going?" Haddy yelled.
"FOR A DRINK!" Kathrynne shouted and slammed the door shut.
A few hours later…
"Where is that vagabond?" Zidler threw open the door to Christian's apartment. "What did you say to her?"
"W-w-who?" Christian stammered.
"My Great-Aunt Sally! Kathrynne!" Zidler moved closer to Christian.
"N-Nothing!" He almost screamed in terror.
"Kathrynne just doesn't pick up a bottle of absinth and enjoy herself! She was found outside the far gates with a bottle of absinth screaming about you."
"I swear I didn't say anything!"
"First you trick Satine with words and she dies and now my own niece is being ruined by you! Stay away, Christian."
Moans and footsteps could be heard in the hall. The Argentinean was slowly shuffling into an empty apartment carrying, what seemed to be a very large blanket. Zidler walked out, with Christian on his heels.
"HERE!" the Argentinean said roughly.
"She'll be feeling it in the morning," An elderly woman walked in and tossed her coat off to the side.
"Stay with her Marie," Zidler said and crowded over the bed looking at Kathrynne.
Christian moved quickly into the corner when Zidler passed him. "What did I do?"
"Christian…ah how should I put this…she likes you." Toulouse said. "For quite awhile."
"So she's gone and drunken herself to near death?"
"Christian. It's LOVE!" The Argentinean said roughly.
"Marie?" Kathrynne moaned.
"Yes dear, what is it?"
"Tell them to shut their fucking mouths." Kathrynne held her head in her hand and rolled over to burry herself in her pillows.
"Pardon, Marie? Kathrynne has another visitor." Haddy said and showed a tall lengthy gentleman into the, already crowded, room. His mousy face could not be mistaken.
"Will she be alright?"
"Yes, Sir. Just never had this much to drink before," Marie replied and gave a bow.
"When she's awake send for me; we have business to discuss."
"Business, business. Always business with you!" Kathrynne muttered from under the pillows. "Can't you ever stop by just to say hello?"
"What drove you to this, my dear?" Kathrynne gave a quick glance to Christian.
"Just a bad day, Duke. I will meet with you for an early lunch." He nodded and excused himself.
The group looked at her. It felt as though a million eyes were now staring upon her. The wrenched feeling started lurking in her stomach. Kathrynne jumped out of bed and ran to the window and prayed no one was walking below her. Kathrynne wiped her mouth and walked back to her bed.
"Zidler needs his deeds back. At least when I do what I have to do, I admit it." Kathrynne said. "I don't beat around the bush and act all innocent."
"Have you?"
"No, remember I was turned down? Was I speaking to myself when I said that? This is a business transaction, not one involving sex or selling one's self for the shotty chance of fame."
Marie ushered everyone out into the hall. The men stood their momentarily. "It has been a year Christian."
"Yeah well, I love Satine and she loved me!"
"FINE! I WILL TAKE KATHRYNNE!" The Argentinean replied angrily before he hit the floor.
"You will only continue to find sadness under those conditions." Haddy chimed in as she walked past the group of men.
Christian retired to his room for the night. The day's events swirled in his mind. One side of his mind was rationalizing the situation, the other kept chiming in that he loved Satine.
She's dead, she can't love you anymore. But that doesn't mean I can't continue to love her! But that also doesn't mean that you can miss out on this chance…
All night long his mind kept fighting back and forth. He paced for hours. No sleep came to him, just the urge to pace and think about the events.