Disclaimer: I Don't Own The Outsiders or Moulin Rouge. All rights belong to their respectable owners.
'Hi' -Acting
Chapter Two
They began to cheer only to still as the teen froze on the swing, gave a gasping breath, then fell backwards unconscious.
The audience held their breath as the beauty fell from the swing, and Soda had to force himself not to jump up and scream for his little brother to be alright, reminding himself that it was all part of the play. Just as they thought the boy would hit the ground, he was caught by a tall dark skinned man and carried away.
For a moment, the entire theatre was silent, the audience all holding their breaths, then Ziddler let out a laugh.
"Hahaha! Sa-Tine! Sa-Tine!" He chanted and the people on the stage chanted along. On the other half of the stage, the dark skinned man carried the unconscious singer into a old room and lay 'her' on the bed. Out on the stage Ziddler gave a fake pout.
"Now look at what you've done. You've gone and scared our precious diamond away."
The men groaned, sadly. Ziddler smirked.
"Luckily I see a few Moulin Rouge dancers for you to Hunk-a doo-la with!"
The men cheered and most of the moulin rouge dancers started to dance across the stage. Meanwhile in the room a few of the dancers were standing around the unconscious red-head.
"Don't look like the Duke will get his money's worth tonight." One dancer commented snidely and another one reprimanded her.
"Be nice, Ninny!"
A small, older woman wearing similar make-up kneeled beside the unconscious vixen and dabbed his face before opening a small metal canister and tilting it into 'her' mouth. The red-head spluttered, then coughed, grey-green eyes fluttering open. The older woman smiled down at her, watching as she sat up.
"Maybe you should rest, Satine."
The red-head smiled wanly. "All these...silly costumes.."
She coughed and Marie nodded. "Just a little fainting spell, dear."
A short balding man walked over to them frowning. "Out girls! Out! Get out there and make those gents thirsty."
The audience chuckled and Soda leaned over to Darry. "Pony's really good." He whispered and their older brother nodded, eyes focused on the stage.
"Makes me wonder how long he's been doing this." He replied watching as the scene changed to pony standing in front of a vanity doing his make up while Marie stood behind him lacing his corset. The two talked for a few moments before Ziddler entered the stage.
"Dumpling, is everything alright?"
A smile crossed the courtesan's full cherry lips. "Oh yes! Of course, Harold."
A relieved smile crossed the man's features. "Oh thank goodness. You certainly worked your magic with that duke on the dance floor."
The beauty's smile widened and she spun around, posing seductively.
"How do I look? Smoldering temptress?"
Ziddler grinned and walked over to her taking in her outfit.
"Oh, my little strawberry!" He exclaimed. "How could anyone resist gobbling you up!"
Soda made a face at words but said nothing watching as 'Satine' giggled in excitement.
"Everything's going so swell!" The showman cried, throwing his arms out grandly before the stage went dark.
A wave of murmurs went through the audience, all of them curious as to what would happen next. After a few minutes, the stage lightened to show Christian standing in an elegantly decorated room, twisting the edges of his hat in his hands nervously. Behind him was a changing curtain and the saw Satine's red dress hanging over it. Moments later the vixen exited wearing black lingerie and a gorgeous black see through robe over it, long red curls spilling over her shoulders and down her back.
"This is a wonderful place for a poetry reading, don't you think?" She asked sultrily and the greasers were surprised to hear such a tone from their youngest.
Christian chuckled nervously. "Y-yes." He responded and the red-head walked over to a nearby table laden with food and champagne.
"Supper? A little champagne?" She offered and the writer shook his head.
"I'd rather get right to it if you don't mind?"
An affronted look crossed the vixen's fair features and she dropped the champagne bottle back into the bucket of ice then spun around with a strained smile.
"Very well." She took a step back and laid across the bed seductively.
"Then why don't you come on over here and get it over with."
Christian blinked. "Actually I prefer to do it standing."
Satine raised an eyebrow and made to stand but Christian shook his head.
"You don't have to stand. It quite long"- The woman's eyes widened and her eyebrow rose further-" I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable."
He paused and gave a cute, boyish smile. "Its quite modern, what I do and it may feel a bit strange at first. However, if you are open, I believe you will enjoy it."
A slow, surprised smile crossed the temptress' lips. "I'm sure I will."
He nodded and turned away. "The sky...the blue..." He faltered and tried a few theatre exercises then started again. "The birds...Why am I so shaky? Come on!" He urged himself. "I think..."
A low moan left Satine and her back arched. Christian blushed and swallowed, spinning back around.
"Come on..." He urged himself again and the woman sat up with a frown.
"Is everything alright?"
He nodded. "I'm just nervous. Some times it takes a while for ..." HE paused and a look of realization crossed the woman's features.
"Ohhh."
He nodded again. "You know, inspiration-"
She stood and walked over to him, hips swaying seductively. "LEt me help you with some-" She grabbed his croth and the audience gasped in tandem with him-"Inspiration."
"Somehow, I don't think they're the same page." Darry muttered watching as his little brother continued to act his part, trying seduce the poet who was starting to look extremely uncomfortable. Finally the man seemed to burst, but instead of yelling...a song burst from his lips.
My gift is my song
Satine froze and looked up at him wide-eyed, wonder plain on her face. Christian turned to her.
And this ones for you.
And you can tell everybody, that this is your song
It may be quite simple but, now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is, now you're in the world
A light blush crossed her cheeks, grey-green hues softening as they stared at the man. He smiled and turned back to the 'window'.
Sat on the roof
And I kicked of the moss
Well some of these verses, well they- they got me quite cross
But the Sun's been kind, while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that, keep it turned on
So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is, what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
He pulled the courtesan to her feet and they began to dance around the room, a slow vivid smile crossing her lips as they danced. The audience cheered happily.
And you can tell everybody
This is your song
It maybe quite simple but
Now that its done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind
That I put down in words
How wonderful life is
Now you're in the world!
The dancing couple slowly came to a stop, the writer dipping the red-haired beauty in his arms. She stared at him in awe, and smile.
"Oh...I can't believe it." She whispered. "I'm in love. I'm in love with a young and talented duke."
Christian's brow furrowed. "Duke?"
She hummed dismissively. "The title is not important of course."
He shook his head. "I am not a duke."
She blinked. "Not a duke?"
"I'm a writer." She leaned in to kiss him then stilled and pulled away.
"A- a writer?"
"Yes a writer. Toulouse-"
"Toulouse?" She shrieked then gasped. "Oh no! Not another one of Toulouse's oh-so-talented, charmingly bohemian, tragically impoverished prodigies."
He shrugged and gave a humble smile. "You could say that."
"Oh no! I'm going to kill him!" She cried and his smile fell. "There may be a small hitch-"
Satine moved over to the door and he followed.
"Toulouse told me-"
"What about the Duke?" She lamented before opening the door she slammed it quickly, panic marring her features.
"The Duke! You have to hide!"
Someone knocked on the door. "Dear, are you decent for the Duke?"
The audience sat on the edge of their seat watching as Satine sent each other panicked looks. Some how they got the feeling that things only got more complicated from here on out.
TBC...