Wow…so many people have faved this story! That makes me very happy, but please, please, PLEASE reply…I'd like you guys to tell me your favorite parts or what I need to improve on. Thanks…anyway, here is where Remy enters a coffee shop for a little entertainment…the song, "Le Festin" is featured in here and will be featured in the story a total of 3 times: twice in French and once in English.
Oh, and the name of the coffee shop, "Le Café Du Mogador", is the name of a real coffee shop in France…I did a random search for French restaurant/shop names and this one popped up…plus, it said something about theatre, so I found it to be perfect. The description of the shop that I give is probably not what the real one looks like.
Alright, enough of my babbling…
On with the show!
-
Chapter 3
Le Festin
-
I scurried deep into the night, doing my best by hiding in the shadows so that no one would see me. I hated doing this…it always makes me feel like a monster…an outcast…
No…scratch that…I am an outcast…No way avoiding that…
As I crossed the final street, there it was. A cute little café by the name of "Le Café Du Mogador." I saw some people entering the coffee shop and I ran in just before the door closed.
The atmosphere of the café was wonderful. People were chatting away while others were working on their laptops. I even saw a glimpse of a young female drawing a sketch in her sketchbook. There were also few waiters and waitresses passing coffee and pastries to everyone. I made my way up a pipe that went all around the wall. And the smells…oh, they were to die for! I could smell all sorts of soups and pastries…heck, they smelled so excellent, that I could easily tell right away what ingredient were used for each pastry and soup dish. Mmm! The smells were so heavenly…
Once I came to a small shelf, which held books and whatnot, I jumped from the pipe and made my self-comfortable. It was a pretty good seat! In front of me were tables full of customers, and beyond that was a small stage with a purple backdrop and a pale yellow spotlight.
I caught a glimpse of Colette and Linguini. I was eagerly tempted to go over to them but I didn't want to intrude on their date…also, it was much too dangerous, for they were in the first row in front of the stage.
I kept my distance and waited for the show to start.
Little did I know how much this one performance would help change the course of my life…
-
"Alfredo?"
Linguini snapped out of his trance at the sound of Colette's voice. He couldn't help but worry over Remy. He gave her a warm smile.
"Are you alright?" she asked. "You seem…eh…disturbed about something…"
Linguini sighed. "It's our little chef…something's wrong with him…I don't know what but I can feel it…Colette, he just doesn't seem happy and it worries me. He's my friend…my first friend since my mom died and I really wish I knew what was on his mind...gah! It frustrates me that I can't tell exactly how he's feeling…"
Colette took a hold of Linguini's hand. "I know this tiny chef means a lot to you…after all that you two have been through…"
Linguini smiled. "I am indebted to him. He is the reason why I have a nice apartment, a comfy job and…you."
Colette blushed slightly and leaned in to give Linguini a quick kiss on the lips.
"I'm sure he'll be alright," said Colette. "And of not, then we will do our best to cheer him up…"
Linguini sighed and put an arm around Colette as the lights in the coffee shop began to dim…
-
Finally, the show was about to start. Someone stepped onstage and everyone began to clap. Then, a few people with instruments began to set up. I applauded along with everyone else…which I admit, was kind of dumb since no one could hear me…
"Thank you," said the announcer who was a small little man who had to use a stool to make it up to the microphone. "My name is Monsieur Aglionby, owner of this coffee shop. Tonight, we have a bit of a treat for you on. The daughter of a very dear friend of mine is a singer and she has agreed to perform in my coffee shop. I hope you enjoy her performance…so, without further ado, here is Mademoiselle Natalie Devereux!"
Everyone began to clap and that was the first time I laid my eyes on Nat.
When she walked on stage, she looked quiet elegant, as if she knew exactly what to do. She wasn't dressed up or dolled up in performing make-up, which was actually somewhat of a relief. Performers usually put so much make up on, that it's scary. She just smiled at everyone and took her place on the stool. She took the microphone into her hands and inhaled deeply before she opened her mouth to sing:
Les rêves
des amoureux sont comm'(e) le bon vin
Ils donn(ent) de la joie
ou bien du chagrin
Affaibli par la faim je suis malheureux
Volant
en chemin tout ce que je peux
Car rien n'est gratuit dans la vie
I had to admit; I was impressed…Her voice was so smooth and soothing. I allowed myself to lay back and close my eyes…even though I don't know French, I could picture the song clearly in my head…each note that emerged from her voice had a different color to it…color I could feel encircling me…It was an amazing feeling…
L'espoir
est un plat bien trop vite consommé
A sauter les repas je
suis habitué
Un voleur solitaire est triste à
nourrir
A un jeu si amer je n'peux réussir
Car rien
n'est gratuit dans…
La vie… Jamais on ne me dira
Que
la course aux étoiles ; ça n'est pas pour
moi
Laissez moi vous émerveiller et prendre mon en vol
Nous
allons en fin nous régaler
The band began to pick up on the tune as Natalie began to dance around with a bright smile on her face. That smile seemed so infectious…I couldn't help but smile too…
This rhythm was so lively! So full of color and vivacity…I was getting the same feeling I get when I mix new flavors together in my recipes…
La fêt(e) va enfin
commencer
Sortez les bouteilles ; finis les ennuis
Je
dresse la table, de ma nouvell(e) vie
Je suis heureux à
l'idée de ce nouveau destin
Une vie à me cacher et
puis libre enfin
Le festin est sur mon chemin
Une vie à
me cacher et puis libre enfin
Le festin est sur mon chemin
She finally ended the song in a nice quiet little tone, that I thought fit perfectly. Once she sung her last note, everyone applauded, including me. Stupid yes, but I couldn't help it. I really enjoyed her performance…
In fact, I think I clapped the hardest…
-
Linguini and Colette clapped as the young singer bowed and hugged Monsieur Aglionby before stepping off. Then, the girl began to talk to other people in the coffee shop, who congratulated her on her performance.
"That was great, wasn't it?" asked Linguini Colette smiled.
"Yes…she was…a bit too sweet for me but nonetheless, great…I suppose"
Colette eyes darted towards the floor. Linguini wondered what was wrong until his mind finally registered it. He gave her a small peck on the cheek.
"Aww…Colette…she will never be as great as you…"
Colette smiled. "And don't you forget it!" she said jokingly punching Linguini in the arm. Linguini laughed nervously, but rubbed his arm soothingly once Colette looked away.
-
I admit it…even though the whole "being human thing" is still in my mind, that girl's singing put me at ease a bit. At that moment, I really couldn't explain it…the song kept repeating itself in my head…it had a meaning to it…one that I won't be able to understand unless I magically learn French in an instant!
-
Seeing that the show was over, Remy decided that he should get out of there. He began to make his way down the pipe when he slipped a bit. Scared, he tried his best to hang onto the pipe, afraid of falling. Unfortunately, his little paws gave in and he fell…
PLOP!
Remy squeaked a bit in pain…he didn't fall to the floor, but inside a hot coffee mug instead. Remy heart was racing as he noticed her was on a small little serving plate being carried by a waiter. The waiter walked to where a teenage couple was sitting.
"Here is your order," said the waiter placing down the plate. Both the teenagers grabbed their mugs. Just as the girl was about to take a sip out of her coffee…
She noticed Remy…
"RAT!!!" she screamed, immediately dropping the mug in utter disgust. The girl immediately got on her chair and stood up, pointing at Remy and screaming bloody murder.
Remy panicked as something was thrown at him, barely missing him. The girl's boyfriend had thrown his coffee mug.
"KILL IT!" he screeched.
Remy ran as fast as he could as chaos ensued in the coffee shop. People threw coffee mugs in every direction, trying so desperately to rid themselves of Remy.
"Everyone, please clam down!" yelled Aglionby to the panicked customers of the coffee shop. Unfortunately, his small voice could not be heard. Natalie stood by him, more afraid of the sudden panicked commotion than the rat. She grabbed Aglionby's hand.
"I'm so sorry…" she whispered, her voice with a hint of a French accent. She knew that when a rat is found in an establishment, it usually spells doom for the business.
Linguini and Colette tried to make their way out of the coffee shop. Linguini stood there amongst everyone and panicked himself.
"What are we going to do!? Everyone here is insane and panicking and their blocking our path…we're trapped! We can't get out! It's impossible! We'll never be safe…we're stuck here forever!!!!! What will we do? What will we do? What will we…"
"Linguini…shush!" said Colette, somewhat annoyed. "Follow me."
Linguini followed closely by Colette as she literally pushed her way towards the door.
"Out of our way…you're blocking the exit! More please! Thank you…Hey! Can't you see you're blocking the door!? MOVE IT YOU IDIOTS!"
Linguini looked behind him when he saw a blue something get whacked and thrown forcefully on the ground. He saw that it was a rat, who was hit by a janitor's broom.
Only, it was no ordinary rat…
"Little chef?" wondered Linguini out loud.
Immediately, he grabbed a coffee mug that was sitting at a table. He emptied it's contents and grabbed an empty plate. He used the plate to scoop Remy off the floor and used the coffee mug to cover and protect him. He ran back towards Colette, who finally reached the door. With a big forceful shove, they escaped chaos.
"Phew!" sighed Linguini with relief. "I'm glad that's over!"
"Hmph!"
Colette crossed her arms. "What was all that idiotic panic about?"
Linguini took off the mug to reveal Remy. Colette gasped.
"Tiny chef?" she asked in bewilderment.
"You should have scurried towards us little chef," said Linguini to Remy, "we would have hidden you from everyone."
"They ruined out date," said Colette, motioning towards the still panicking people of the coffee shop. "…and for what? A small rat?"
"People just don't understand…not like us…" said Linguini, looking at Remy sympathetically.
"Are you hurt?"
Remy shook his head.
Colette gave them both a worried look. "C'mon, let's get out of this hellhole, eh?"
As they walked away, Remy couldn't help but look back at the coffee shop…
-
I just couldn't believe it…all that chaos…all because they saw me…
A perfect night ruined…
My head is a little sore from the broom, but otherwise I am fine. Right now…for some odd reason, I can't help but think of that singer…I wonder what she thought of a rat in a coffee shop? Probably disgusted…
I'm living in a world that hates me and wants me dead.
And who knew it would keep getting better…
-
Boy, I sure do love to torture Remy, don't I? Well…I hope you all enjoyed this chapter…oooh…we're getting even closer to Remy turning into a human! Yay! That will be fun to write…until hen, the next chapter will feature your typical busy workday at "La Ratatouille."
Thanks for reading!
-Kim (Midnightmoon14)