If you've ever been part of a play, you know how hectic a dress rehearsal is. You want to impress the director, in this case the Duke, without going overboard with stress. Lucky for me, this play has pretty simple costumes. Only Satine, Harold, and the Argentinean change costumes. But no one wanted me backstage, they said I "was going crazy" and they "don't want to deal with crazy people right now." I can't say I was disappointed. At least now I can watch Christian's masterpiece come to life. I sat in the back with Nini Legs In The Air, Arabia, China Doll, and Môme Fromage. I don't particularly like this group of girls, but where else am I going to go?
So I sat and watched while the other four girls gossiped. Gossip about Christian and Satine, and about the craziest calls they've ever had. "And what about you, sweetheart?" Nini mocked, "What's your craziest story?" I opened my mouth, but she just cackled "Oh that's right. You've only ever had one man come. And he got up and left ya." All the other girls joined in with their laughter.
I just ignored it; it'll get me into less trouble with those nasty girls. Of course, they then started to gossip about me and all the rumors they've heard about Alex and I. I spun in my chair "Nini! You leave Alex alone. Talk about me all you want, but leave Alex alone." Is name was like venom in my mouth.
Nini stood over me and pinched my chin between her fingers. "Aww, still in love with the boy?" She pinched my cheeks, making my lips puff out. "Then why did he leave you?" She turned back to her little posse "Found a better whore I guess." They all snickered, causing me to replace my depression with rage. I spat at her face.
She released her hand from my face, letting out an overly dramatic gasp as she did so. The other girls were speechless; they had no idea I was capable of standing up for myself. Never underestimate a quiet girl.
Nini pointed at me, keeping her other hand clasped on her cheek; where my spit glob landed. "You'll pay." She hissed. And I know she means to, but there isn't really anything else that can happen to me. I've grown up without parents, in a house of prostitutes, and the only man I've ever loved used me as a tool. What more could happen?
Nini stormed off towards the Duke. I eyed her suspiciously as the final scene in the play started. She has something on her mind, but lord knows what it is.
They talked through almost the entire scene before Nini came back smiling. "That'll keep you in your place you worthless little girl."
I narrowed my eyes "What did you do?" She smiled and walked off to her little group. Sitting by them was a bad mistake. My eyes darted back and forth between the Duke and Nini the rest of the play.
Company: For I will love you,
Until my dying day!
All was silent. I started to gnaw at my lower lip in anticipation. The Dukes approval was all we needed for this marvelous play to continue on. We are so close.
"I don't like this ending." The Duke awkwardly spat out. I could see everyone's heart drop; all this work for nothing. A stomach felt like someone just stabbed a knife into me and left it there. No? How could he say no?
"Don't like the ending, my Dear Duke?" Harold said, hoping the Duke would change his mind.
"Why would the Courtesan choose a Penniless Sitar player over the Maharajah, who is offering a lifetime of security? That's real love. Once the Sitar Player has satisfied his lust, he will leave the Courtesan with nothing." The Duke explained. I glanced at Christian; I could tell he was getting angry. I was too. Love is so much more complicated than what the Duke thinks.
"That's not true!" I shouted. Everyone looked at me.
"What?" The Duke said in disbelief
"That's not true." I cleared my throat and started walking toward him. "She will be with the one man she knows will never leave her. They will be together forever, until their dying day. How can he leave her with nothing when they have everything they ever wanted by just having each other?"
The Duke snatched my wrist and squeezed it with all his might. I squeaked with pain, but no one could do anything about it. He was the Duke. He's untouchable. "Foolish ideas are better kept in ones mind." He threw my wrist down. I backed away, my head bowed. My wrist was red, but all I could do was massage it. I looked up at Satine. We both knew that the Duke was catching on to her and Christian.
"I suggest," The Duke continued as if nothing happened "that in the end the Courtesan choose the Maharajah."
"B-But," Toulouse interjected, "Sorry—sorry, but that ending does not uphold the Bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom—"
"I don't care about your ridiculous dogma!" The Duke interrupted "Why shouldn't the Courtesan choose the Maharajah?"
"Because she doesn't love you!" Christian yelled. Christian, in a fit of anger, confirmed the Dukes nightmares. I could feel everyone in the room inhale. I stopped rubbing my hand.
"No." I whispered, shaking my head and backing up even more. "No. No no no no no." This can't happen. Satine is the one whose supposed to live happily ever after. No. I can't see my sister have her heart forcefully broken.
"H-him. H-him. Sh-she doesn't love h—She doesn't love him." It's too late Christian; you can't cover up your mistake.
The Duke knows. "Oh, I see." I could barely hear him. Satine circled her head back, a sign that she plans on putting on an act. "Monsieur Zidler, this ending will be rewritten. With the Courtesan choosing the Maharajah. And without the Lovers' secret song. It will be rehearsed in the morning, ready for the opening tomorrow night."
"M-my Dear Duke, Th-that'll be quite impossible." Harold stammered
"Harold! Oh!" I know what Satine is doing. I tried to make eye contact with her. Tried to give her some kind of signal to stop, but she wouldn't look at me. "The poor Duke is being treated appallingly." And she wouldn't look at Christian. "These silly writers let their imaginations run away with them." Instead, she looked at the Duke; the only person in the room who couldn't make her change her mind. "Now, why don't you and I….have a little supper. And then afterwards, we can let Monsieur Zidler know how we would prefer the story to end. Hmm?"
I made my way over to Christian and lightly touched his arm. He had to pretend to be jealous. "Just look away." I whispered. We turned together so our backs faced the two fake lovebirds. I saw Nini out of the corner of my eye. I locked eyes with Christian before leaving him. We are two hopeless souls, doomed to hit all the bumps love lashes out.
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I ran ahead of Nini "What did you do?"
"It's called revenge, sweetheart. Get over it." She stopped and waved me away
"But why Satine? I thought it was me you were after."
"Ha. Well I know you're hurtin'. Otherwise you wouldn't be here would you, you little orphan whore." She snickered.
I clenched my fists; no one is allowed to hurt my big sister. "Nini!" Nini looked up, thinking that I would say something so she could antagonize me more. But that wasn't what I had in mind. I guess me punching her in the nose didn't cross her mind.
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I went downstairs. I had to find Satine and Christian before it was to late. I had to save their love. Just because I can't have my Happily Ever After doesn't mean Satine can't.
I followed their whispers until I saw them in a little hallway out of sight from passerbies. I saw Christian nod "Come what man." He started to leave.
"Christian, don't go." I reached out the pulled him back. "I can't stand here and watch your love crumble apart." I looked at Satine. "Let me take your place."