-A Dream Come True-



Christian grabbed Katie's hand and pulled her back in the direction of the theater.

"Wait" said Katie "What are you doing, what do you mean?"

"Don't worry" replied Christian "I'll take you to a place more real than you can imagine."

The two arrived back in the theater and made their way to the screen. Still flickering above them were the Bohemians, passing the time by playing a game of cards or taking a nap. Suddenly, the Narcoleptic Argentinean caught sight of Christian and Katie.

"Ah" he shouted, "There he is!"

"Christian" cried Toulouse "What is going on? You have to get back up here!"

Christian smiled "That is exactly what I was thinking." He then took Katie's hand and pulled her with him back up on to the screen.

The change was amazing. Suddenly Katie felt so full on energy and everything was so bright and colorful even in Christian's room. The Bohemians were all in a state of shock, their eyes fixed on Katie. No one spoke.

Finally, Christian broke the silence. "Well everyone, I'd like you to meet Katie."

Satie turned to Christian with a very confused look. "She can't be here…Christian, how is this possible?"

"What does it matter?" Christian questioned, "She's here isn't she?"

After a moment of silence, the Doctor spoke "Ah…would you like a drink?" He held up the bottle of Absinthe toward Katie.

"I'm not sure…" said Katie looking at Christian for the answer.

"Yes we will all have a drink!" cried Christian "That is what we always do before we go to the Moulin Rouge. Why should tonight be any different?"

All eyes fell on Katie and Audrey for a moment and then the Doctor started pouring.

"Christian?" inquired Audrey "What am I supposed to do? I've never still been here before."

"Well" said Christian "Tonight will be your first visit to the Moulin Rouge as well as Katie's"

"Wonderful" shouted Audrey "I have always wanted more screen time."

The doctor handed out the glasses and Christian raised his to the room. All did the same and after a little hesitation tipped them back. The bitter taste hit Katie hard, but it soon faded away and she focused her attention on the bottle, ready for the Green Fairy to make her first appearance. Then, right on cue, she winked her eye.

"I'm the Green Fairy!"

She then flew out the window and all joined her in singing:

"The hills are alive with the sound of music"

Suddenly, Katie felt a rush of colors swirl around them as they fell back in laughter. She then found herself out on the roof wearing a turn of the century outfit and singing with the rest of the Boho's

"For Freedom, beauty, truth and love!"

Then another swirl of light and color and she fell into the spinning windmill only to land in the center of the action at the Moulin Rouge. The chaos that she had seen on the screen all those times came nowhere near what she was experiencing at the moment. The music, the can can girls, the excitement. It was almost too much to take. **I can't believe this is happening thought Katie I don't understand.**

As she was trying to compose her thoughts, Christian took her hand. "Come on, we have a seat right over here." He led her to the booth right next to the one where Zidler and the Duke were seated, as she would have expected.

Now that Katie finally had a chance to take in all that had happened, she realized that she didn't remember putting on the outfit she was wearing. "Christian" said Katie indicating her clothes "How did I get into these?"

Christian smiled "Yes, I almost forgot to tell you. In this movie there are a lot of jumps like what we just did and you always end up wearing exactly what you should."

"I see," said Katie "That's convenient."

**That would explain how Satine could change her outfit so fast and now I can do it too.** Just as Katie was thinking of Satine, the dance hall went dark, and a hush fell over the room. A small hole opened in the roof and she was slowly lowered on her trapeze.

After a moment she began to sing, "The French are glad to die for love. They delight in fighting duals."

As she continued her song, a thought occurred to Katie, she quickly caught Christian's attention. "Christian" she said "What about Satine?"

"What do you mean?" he replied.

"Well, the whole basis of this movie revolves around you and Satine." She said, "How will me being here effect that?"

"For once, I don't care." Said Christian "I have been concerned with what happens to Satine for thousands of performances. Tonight I'm going to let her fare for herself. You and I are here to experience what you have, until now, only seen. She can go with the Duke, I guess. That would help everyone in the end. Audrey here could direct in my place."

Audrey's face lit up "I'm so glad you came Katie."

Katie smiled, and focused her attention back on Satine's act. She was already at the part where she and Zidler were talking in the middle. There was a difference this time, however, because when she looked over toward the table she had a very confused look on her face.

"Are you sure that it's ok for me to be here Christian?" Katie said as Satine and Zidler disappeared behind a curtain of skirts.

"Stop worrying" Christian replied, "you're here to have fun."

Katie went back to watching the show just in time to see Satine on her way toward the booth.

"…girls best friend" the song ended, and Satine stood for a moment before she spoke. "Who is this?" she asked Christian.

"Satine, I'd like you to meet Katie"

"Who is Katie, and why is she here?" said Satine.

Satie piped up "Satine, she's real."

A very confused look spread over Satine's face "How is that possible? How did she get here?"

"I brought her" said Christian "She had seen the movie so many times that I had to meet her and I was sure she would love to experience the Moulin Rouge for herself. Now, I'm sorry, but tonight I will be spending my time with her."

"What?" Satine gasped, "You can't…"

"Excuse me," interrupted Zidler as he and the Duke had appeared. "But what is going on? Who is this?"

"This is Katie" said Satine curtly, "She's real."

Zidler's eyes went wide as he looked from Satine to Katie. "I don't…" he paused for a moment. "What happens next?"

"Well," said Christian "I think we should have a dance. That is what we always do, and afterward, Katie and I are going to see what this city has to offer. Perhaps a trip to the Eiffel Tower?"

"But…Christian" said Zidler "What will we do?"

"It's up to you." said Christian "You can do what ever you want. Now Katie, lets have that dance." Christian stood up and held a hand out for Katie as he placed his top hat back on his head with the other.

As he stood the light framed his face and caught his perfect smile. Katie found that she could only gasp in reply "Yes, yes"

Zidler ran to the bandstand "I've always wanted to sing this one song, and now is my chance." He motioned to the conductor and began: "Your baby doesn't love you anymore…two, three, four…" but he was not allowed to go any further as a great Boo arose from the crowd.(nod to Jim)

"Hmm…" said Christian "Maybe we should skip that dance." He turned to Katie with a smirk on his face.

"That sounds wonderful." Katie laughed and she followed Christian as he led her out of the dance hall.

They walked through the garden and out onto the Boulevard de Clichy. Then, suddenly, they were drifting down the Seine in a beautiful boat. Then strolling down the Champs Elysees. Finally, looking out at Paris from atop the Eiffel Tower. The night was so beautiful and music seemed to follow them everywhere, Katie could hardly believe it was real.

The most perfect night Katie could ever have imagined slowly came to an end. She and Christian returned to the garret just before dawn and they held each other as they watched the sun rise from behind the turning sails of the Moulin Rouge. Katie couldn't believe how happy she was at that very moment. She never wanted to move. Christian lifted her chin with his hand so her eyes were in line with his. He smiled, and kissed her with the same power and perfection as he had before. Katie felt as if she would die from the euphoric state of bliss that encompassed her. Her life had become a dream.

**Dream,** thought Katie, **this would be better than any dream I could ever have.** At this thought, however, her beautiful world seemed to be fading away. She fought so hard to hold on to it but Christian's touch slowly began to lighten. She was suddenly aware of the sound of her roommate's breathing and the brightness behind her eyelids. She wanted to cry.

**It was all a dream, I don't want to believe this, I want to go back.** she thought, but it had been a dream, and the very doubt of its reality had taken Katie away from what she had always wished for. She lay, with a tear in her eye, disappointed that she couldn't have made it last just a few moments longer. She knew it couldn't be, though, and she would never have it again, but she could always think of it. She decided to write it down, however, so that she would never forget her night of bliss. She had to work quickly though, because today was the real last day that she could see Moulin Rouge, and after the dream she just had, there would be no chance of passing up this show.