Everything was quiet at the Moulin Rouge. It was close to dawn and most of the customers had gone home. Calliope found herself back in the room where she had dressed earlier. She couldn't sleep. She had seen so many sites that night. She sat at the window gazing at the stars.
From her seat, she could see Satine sitting atop the elephant room. Someone was climbing the stairway. It was a very good-looking young man. This must be Christian, she thought to herself. One of the other dancers had told Calliope about him earlier. They were gossiping. It seemed however that the rumor was true. Satine did have a secret lover and he had been waiting all night to see her.
This made Calliope think of Michel. She had often daydreamed about Michel coming to her window, but she knew that he had no interest in her. He enjoyed living the life of a bachelor. Besides, he was an only child and often mentioned that Phillip was like a brother to him. He must have looked at her like a sister.
Her head became very heavy suddenly and she decided to lie down. She pulled the covers up over her and drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow, Satine said that she would work with her on her part in the show. Satine told her that if she were good enough that she might even give her a part in "Spectacular, Spectacular."
The next morning, there was a light tap at her door. Calliope looked up and rubbed her eyes. Again, there was another light tap. Next, she heard a whisper.
"Calliope...Calliope, it is me, Satine. May I come in?"
"Yes," Calliope answered. "Please do."
Satine entered with a basket covered with a cloth. Calliope caught an aroma that suddenly made her hungry.
"Good morning," Satine began. "I have brought you some croissants from the baker. They are quite good. Would you like one?"
"Yes," she answered. "Thank you, but you didn't have to buy me croissants."
"Oh," Satine looked up smiling. "I didn't buy them, I asked the duke to buy them for me. He gives me whatever I ask for." Satine began to hum as she laid the cloth across the bed and handed Calliope a steaming croissant.
Calliope pinched a piece of the bread and put it in her mouth. She looked at Satine with curiosity. Finally, she worked up the courage to ask what she had been wondering.
"Do you love the Duke?"
Satine stopped humming for a moment. She thought before she answered. "The Duke is very generous to me."
"But do you love him?" Calliope questioned again.
"You are so inquisitive," Satine answered. "I will share a secret with you if you promise to tell noone."
Calliope nodded.
"I am in love with someone," she began, "but it is not the Duke." Satine paused for a moment. "His name is Christian. He is writing 'Spectacular, Spectacular.' He is so amazing. He is romantic and poetic and I believe he might even die for me. But the duke must never find out because he would surely kill him. That is why you must keep it a secret."
Calliope agreed and they continued on with their breakfast. After a couple of moments, it was Satine's turn to question.
"How about you Calliope? Is there someone that you love?"
Calliope was stunned for a moment. She thought carefully how to respond. "I am betrothed."
"Oh," Satine answered. "How wonderful, but why were you out on the streets. Why aren't you home, planning for your wedding?"
"I don't want to marry him." Calliope continued. "He is cruel and unkind," she paused for a moment. "...and his breath stinks."
"Oh, how terrible," exclaimed Satine. "Well, I am glad that you have come here. I don't have many friends. Most of the diamonds are jealous of me. Perhaps maybe we could be friends."
"I would like that very much," Calliope answered.
"Fabulous," Satine chirped, "after you finish your breakfast, we can work on your part in my dollhouse routine." Satine rose. "Au revoir, mon cher," and then she left the room.
Calliope sat back and smiled. Everyone was being so nice to her. She began to wonder why so many spoke so badly of this place. She quickly finished her croissant. Then she rose out of bed and dressed herself.
As she dressed herself, she noticed that the clothes brought to her were so much more flamboyant than anything she had ever worn. She didn't mind too much. She twirled around the room. It seemed so exciting to be here and to be dancing with Satine.
She ran out of the room and down the stairs. In the main hall, the other diamonds were practicing. They were dancing about the stage. Suddenly, the music stopped and so did the dancers. After a brief pause, one loud note on the trumpet chimed up, and at precisely that moment all the dancers ripped off their dresses, and once again began to dance.
Calliope's eyes widened with shock. Is this what they were expecting of her? Her face reddened with embarassement. She could not possibly dance around in her underwear, especially in front of a large crowd of men.