Chapter 11
Chapter 11

            Diana was insanely busy all day arranging her performance for that evening.  She had to make sure that it went off without a hitch.  Zidler thought she was being paranoid.

            During one of her limited breaks, Diana ventured into the Elephant.  She saw what remained of Satine's things, including the last letter that Diana sent.  Unfortunately, it was too late, arriving after she was dead.  Diana wanted to see the letter again.  She picked up the unopened envelope and began to read.

                                    "Dear Satine,

Don't give up on love just because of the damned Duke.  Christian is too

 dear to lose over occupational duties.  Do you really have the heart to break his?

  Can you bear his tears?  I know you too well Satine and I know this will kill you.

 I already know the pain of losing love and I never wish that suffering on any other

 person, especially you.  Embrace Christian with everything inside you.  This is the

love you have waited your entire life for.  I know my words will not reach you in time,

 just please know what you're doing.

                                                Diana"

            Diana knew Satine would have never gotten this letter on time.  She could have never stopped the tragic chain of events.  Satine was sick and scared.  Diana couldn't dwell on the past any longer.  It was too dark, too painful.  She closed it back up and left it to the past.  Before shutting that dreadful image out of her mind forever, Diana took out Satine's last letter and reread it.

                                    "Dearest Diana,

I don't know what to do.  Today was dreadful.  The Duke demanded we change the ending to Spectacular, Spectacular so the courtesan ends up with the maharajah.   Harold protested at first.  The Dike then persisted asking why the courtesan wouldn't choose the maharajah over the penniless sitar player.  Christian exploded…screaming out "Because she doesn't love you!!!"  He then tried to correct himself but it was too late.  I had to think quickly to save all of us.  I appeased the Duke and told him that I would meet him in the Gothic Tower that night to discuss things.  I could see how much this was hurting Christian. 

As I was going back to get ready, Christian stopped me in the wings.  His eyes alone showed how much pain he was in.  He pleaded with me not to sleep with the Duke.  It hurt so much to see him so close to tears.  I knew the Duke could destroy everything.  "Come what may," I told him.  I know he didn't want t o let me go.

That night, everything went fine, including the Duke keeping the original ending.  Everything was fine until I saw Christian out the window.  The Duke also saw and practically killed me.  I would not be writing this if it hadn't been for Chocolat taking me out of there and into Christian's arms.  Christian said we would leave tonight.  Forget about everything.  I came back here to get my things and abandon the Moulin Rouge.  That's when Harold hit me with a couple of bombs.  That the Duke was going to kill Christian if we didn't do what he wanted and I was dying. 

Now you know where I stand.  I know Christian will wait all night for me.  Right now I don't know what to do.  Do I hurt him to save him like Harold said?  Do I let Christian take me away?  Help me Diana.  I need you now more than ever…

                                                            Love always,

                                                            Satine

            Diana placed both letters next to each other on the vanity.  She couldn't bear to think of it anymore.  She hated the felling of helplessness that the letter brought back.  Diana also knew that Christian should probably never read this, it would be too painful for him.

            A few hours later, as sunset was approaching, the Moulin Rouge was ready for another night.  Diana and Harold were completely satisfied with all their work.  She had set out everything she needed for tonight before she went outside.

            "Harold, I will return shortly.  There is one last task I must perform."

            "Alright, but remember the curtain goes up at 8."

            "I know Harold."  Diana said as she walked out the door.

            Diana stopped briefly outside the Moulin Rouge and gazed up into Christian's window.  She saw him typing away on something.  "What is he working on?" she wondered.  Diana would have to answer that later though.  She walked up to the cliffs outside of Montmartre for a moment of thought.  As she stood atop the cliff, looking over the city, she was taking the diamond ring off her hand.

            "David?  I have to say this.  I know you would want me to go on with my life and I finally have.  I tell you this now because it's symbolic.  The sun will set today on my old life and rise tomorrow on the new with night as its transition.  I will always remember you but I have Christian now."  Diana held the ring up between her fingers as if to give it to the setting sun as an offering.  "This is a symbol of my old life.  I couldn't part with it until now.  I give this back to you now.  Remember me David." Diana said as she threw the ring off the cliff into the approaching night.  The sun as set on David and will rise on Christian.