CHAPTER SIX
Roxane stared at herself in the mirror in the dressing room she shared with all of the other girls. Behind her, the dancers were readying themselves for the evening's performance, laughing and teasing one another. It was a mirthful atmosphere, but Roxane couldn't share it.
Her costume ready, she walked down the corridor leading to the main dance floor. Along the way, she passed Satine's dressing room. The door was open, and the star of the Moulin Rouge sat inside, preparing herself for the long night ahead. Noticing Roxane, she beckoned her to come in.
"Oh! Roxane! Please come inside," she bid her. Roxane obliged. Marie was busy lacing up Satine's corset, which was covered in red sequins as Satine attempted to place some ostrich feathers in her elaborate hairdo. Roxane tried to casually take in everything in Satine's dressing room: the birdcage with her tiny bird, pictures of the actress Sarah Bernhardt, postcards of faraway places. Picking up a postcard of Rome, Roxane asked,
"Have you been to Rome?"
"Why yes," Satine replied. "One of my…patrons took me there last summer." Roxane understood that "patron" was a euphemism for "customer." "What about you, Roxane, do you like to travel?"
"I don't know. I've never been anywhere, except Brittany and here," Roxane replied, shyly.
"Well, someday you shall. Someday, I know you'll fly away from here!" Satine exclaimed, exuberantly, but was suddenly racked by a sudden fit of coughing.
* * * * * *
A hoarse cough roused Roxane from her dream, and she remembered that she was still living in the Hotel Blanche, next door to a consumptive who kept her up at night with the hacking and wretching that comes as a result of the terrible disease.
Roxane rolled over and looked outside. Morning was creeping over Paris. The lace curtains danced in the breeze from the open windows, and thoughts of the previous night came flooding back to her.
It was only a kiss, but to Roxane, it was the culmination of more than a year of her life. She gathered her Belgian lace shawl around her pale, bony shoulders and sat against the window sill, looking out over the city as the sun began inching over the buildings. She closed her eyes, sensing that it wasn't only a new day—it was a new world. She enjoyed the early morning reverie for a few minutes more until she was disturbed by steady knocking at the door. Thinking it was perhaps Christian, she rushed toward it and threw it open. To her dismay, she was greeted not by Christian, but by a very disheveled looking Nini, who looked as though she hadn't had time to change out of her costume from the night before.
"You're needed," she said in her usual catty manner.
"What for?" Roxane asked incredulously.
"What do you think, little miss ballerina, Zidler asked for you. He and the Duke are going over the terms of the Duke's investment in that little show you're starring in," Nini sneered jealously. "So kindly get yourself dressed and over to Zidler's office right away," and with that, Nini turned on her heel and stalked off down the hall. Roxane rolled her eyes, shut the door, and began changing into something more suitable than a nightdress.
When she was half-dressed, there was another knock on the door. Exasperated, Roxane exclaimed, "What is it now, Nini?" The door opened, and Roxane was surprised to find standing before her not Nini, but Christian, fully dressed in a suit, carrying a single white lily.
"Good morning, Mademoiselle Roxane. Oh, pardon me, I didn't realize you hadn't finished dressing. Please, excuse me," Christian said demurely.
"No, no, don't go!" Roxane exclaimed, perhaps a little too eagerly. Christian raised an eyebrow in surprise, as if to signal his assent. Roxane grabbed the remainder of her dress and scurried behind the dressing screen she had set up in the corner of the room. She was used to being undressed in front of men, but for some reason, Christian made her feel almost ashamed of it, but not in a negative way. With him, she didn't feel like a whore.
"I was wondering," Christian began, a tinge of nervousness in his voice, "If perhaps you were free this morning to take a walk with me, along the river. It's a lovely day, and I would be delighted if I could be joined by the company of such a beautiful woman."
Roxane turned scarlet. She was so used to the uncouth demands of her customers that she had grown unaccustomed to the company of a real gentleman. Quickly, she finished dressing herself so that she could speak to Christian more properly.
"Well, if you don't mind making a stop at the Moulin Rouge along the way, I would love to," she told him. "I have to speak with Zidler." With that, Christian and Roxane set off across the street to the nightclub. As they made their way up the stairs to Zidler's office, Marie, who "chaperoned" the girls, stopped them.
"You best not go in there just now, Christian," she warned. "The Duke's in there talking with Zidler, and I don't imagined he'd be happy to see you. Mam'selle Roxane, you'd better go ahead." Roxane nodded and exhaled deeply. She did not like the idea of bargaining with the Duke, but she smoothed her hair took a deep breath and went into Zidler's office.
"Ah! There you are, my little bluebird!" Zidler exclaimed exuberantly. "You see, dear Duke, I told you she'd arrive on time!"
"Yes, quite," the Duke said shortly.
"And now that our star is here, we can begin to discuss the terms of the show and your most generous investment!" Zidler continued. Roxane nervously took a seat next to the Duke. He turned toward her and gave her a forced, rodent-like smile. She certainly did not possess Satine's stunning beauty and presence, but he supposed she would suffice. "Now, shall we discuss the terms of the contract, my dear Duke?"
"I suppose, Zidler, but let me make it clear that I'll not put up with any more shenanigans from the likes of any of you show-business people!" the Duke blurted out.
"Oh no no, of course not!" Zidler squeaked, eyeing Roxane. "Of course you know, dear Duke, what a success Spectacular, Spectacular was! The entire show sold out, and you couldn't believe the demand for more tickets! What a pity it was there was only one performance," Zidler stopped, a look of sadness crossing his face. The Duke sat with a blank expression. "But, the public is thirsty for another show from the Moulin Rouge, and I think that this time, we have a show that will eclipse Spectacular, Spectacular in its success!"
"Really?" the Duke asked, pondering the amount of money he could make. "And what is this little production called?"
"Uh, well, you see the writers are still working on that, but it's a wonderful story!" Zidler lied through his teeth.
"Is that so? Tell me it," the Duke raised an eyebrow, challenging Zidler's integrity.
"Oh. Well. There's this beautiful, young…" a look of panic flashed across Zidler's face. Roxane could feel her heart beat faster as Zidler searched his expansive imagination for a good storyline.
"Princess!" Roxane blurted out. Zidler's eyes widened, and Roxane felt as though she had made a terrible mistake.
"Yes," Zidler continued softly. "A princess, whose kingdom is being threatened by its evil, warring neighbors, so her father marries her off against her will to the king from a larger kingdom!" Then, he looked triumphantly at Roxane as if asking her to continue the story.
"But she doesn't know that…that…" Roxane stumbled for words and began to feel the Duke's incredulous gaze bearing down upon her. Just then, she looked to her right, behing the Duke and saw Christian standing there, attempting to hide behind one of the curtains. "She doesn't know that the king has a son, a prince, who also is bound by duty, in a marriage to a different princess from another kingdom!"
"Brilliant!" Zidler exclaimed, commending Roxane's ability to think on her feet. The Duke shot him a puzzled look. "I mean, uh yes, isn't it a brilliant plot so far?"
"Perhaps. What happens next?" the Duke prompted. Zidler again looked at Roxane.
"Uh, well, the princess and the prince are both…very sad, being so duty- bound by their kingdoms, but one day, they happen to meet in castle, and they fall madly in love with each other!" Roxane exclaimed, directing her words at Christian, who smiled shyly.
"Always these stories about love!" the Duke spat bitterly. "Well, I suppose if that's what the public wants, it's acceptable, it just seems rather ridiculous, that's all."
"Oh, but my dear Duke, there's more!" Zidler cut in. "Roxane. Continue, please."
Roxane's eyes widened as she scrambled to concoct the rest of the plot.
"Uh, well, the prince and the princess carry on their love affair in secret, until one day, a…a young man in the court, a…a…" she stammered.
"A courtier!" Zidler exclaimed. "A cowardly, ambitious, spiteful young courtier, who has also fallen in love with the princess, discovers them, and reveals the whole affair to the king!"
Zidler noticed as the Duke stifled a yawn.
"And of course, in this kingdom, the punishment for infidelity…is…death," Zidler hissed.
"Ooh, death," the Duke smiled, his rodent-like face turning into a faint grimace. But suddenly, he remembered the events of a year earlier, and the thought of infidelity reminded him of what he felt was his own betrayal. "As it rightly should be the punishment for one who pretends to be in love with someone when she is all the while dallying with someone else who is completely unworthy!"
Roxane quickly glanced at Christian, hoping he wouldn't take this opportunity to let out all of his aggression against the Duke.
"Uh, yes, well, anyway," Zidler continued cheerfully, but then adopted a graver tone as he continued the story. "The King is deeply pained by the news of his bride's unfaithfulness, and that his son was unfaithful to his wife, and with great trepidation, he must sentence them both to death!"
Zidler looked at Roxane, half expecting her to finish the story. She shrugged slightly, as if indicating him to proceed.
"And so, on the eve of their execution," Zidler began, but then paused, appearing to add to the momentousness of the occasion. Really, he just was buying time to devise an ending to the play. "The night before they are both to be publicly executed…they…they fear they will never see each other again, and…and…"
"And then, a young servant boy, played by me, who observed the whole, unjust situation, steals a key from the guardsman, fwees the prince and the pwincess in the middle of the night, and helps them to escape!" It was Toulouse, who had been listening the entire time, bursting through the door. The Duke bristled at the dwarf's presence, but Roxane and Zidler breathed an audible sigh of relief. "And the pwince and pwincess wun away together and spend the west of their lives bwissfuwwy happy! Because, you see, love weally does overcome all obstacles!"
"So you see, my dear Duke," Zidler broke in, sensing the Duke's annoyance with Toulouse, "this play has all the elements people love: war, intrigue, secrets, betrayal, and of course, love! And like Spectacular Spectacular, it will be a musical extravaganza, but this time, told also through the medium of dance, because you see, our little Roxane is quite a ballerina!"
The Duke remained silent, pondering the storyline.
"Well, I suppose if this is what the silly public eats up, I could put my support behind it. I personally think that plays about love are ridiculously unnecessary and entirely unrealistic, but if this is what will make the money, then go ahead with it," he said disdainfully.
"Excellent! Then our rehearsals may proceed! Toulouse, alert Marie that it is all right to commence the rehearsals this evening at seven o'clock!" Zidler said excitedly, devising a reason to get Toulouse out of the room. Toulouse nodded and said his goodbyes. "Roxane, I thank you for joining us, and I will see you this evening for the first rehearsal!"
"Thank you, Harold. And thank you, dear Duke, for your involvement in our show," she said, as charmingly as she could. The Duke took her hand and kissed it.
"Of course, mademoiselle. And good day to you," he said slimily. Roxane couldn't wait to remove her hand from the Duke's and hurriedly walked out of the room, leaving the door open so that Christian could escape as well.
"Well, now that that is out of the way, shall we get down to business?" Zidler suggested.
"Yes."
"Well, then, shall we…ah!" Zidler exclaimed suddenly as he noticed Christian attempting to sneak out of the room, behind the Duke's notice.
"What?" the Duke added, irritated.
"Ah, ah, ah," Zidler stammered, trying to keep the Duke's attention on him as Christian slipped out the door, allowing it to slam behind him. The Duke spun around.
"What was that?" he demanded, sensing that something was amiss.
"Oh nothing, nothing, my dear Duke! Please. Proceed."
"Very well," the Duke said, standing up. He walked about the room as he spoke, as if checking to make sure he and Zidler were alone. "We'll overlook the fact that Mademoiselle Satine's, uh, unfortunate death rendered my last contract with you null and void," the Duke began. His emphasis on the word "unfortunate" suggested that he thought her death was anything but. "And now, I desire a new contract. I want 15% of the returns on this…show. I want to recoup my investment from Spectacular Spectacular, you see, which is why I require such a large amount of the returns. If I do not receive an amount equivalent to 15% of the returns, then the Moulin Rouge will be mine. Do not protest, Zidler, as I still hold the deeds to the Moulin Rouge anyway! However, if my demands are met, the deeds will return to your possession."
Zidler looked gravely at the Duke. "I suppose you have left me with no choice, Duke. I must assent to these demands."
The Duke nodded smugly. He looked out the window to the street below and saw Roxane, smiling and laughing as the held the hand of a well-dressed young man. The Duke's eyes narrowed when he realized who it was. "That damned writer!" he muttered furiously. But then, a sly smile played across his lips.
"And I want to add something else to the contract, Zidler," He said suddenly. "That little dancer you seem to have so much faith in is no Satine, but she is exquisite, and since she will likely be a star after this, I would like to have a contract with her as well, which will allow me to possess her. And I think you understand what I mean by possess. Mademoiselle Roxane will come to me opening night to seal our deal, is that understood? I trust you will inform her of this little addendum to the contract."
"Of course," Zidler said sullenly.
"Splendid," the Duke said, exceedingly proud of himself. "Well, I feel satisfied enough to sign that contract now!"
Zidler, almost mechanically, gave the contract to the Duke to sign. The Duke scrawled his name, and then reached for his hat.
"Well, Zidler, I think that concludes our little…transaction," the Duke sneered.
"Indeed," Zidler rejoined sadly. He had hoped that he could shield Roxane, as much as a courtesan could be, from someone like the Duke. She was nowhere near as worldly as Satine, despite the fact that she had worked at the Moulin Rouge for more than a year. But now, Zidler's fast-dwindling finances made it necessary for her to become the Duke's property. Zidler sunk into his chair, the look of a despondent father who lost his child crossing his face.
Roxane stared at herself in the mirror in the dressing room she shared with all of the other girls. Behind her, the dancers were readying themselves for the evening's performance, laughing and teasing one another. It was a mirthful atmosphere, but Roxane couldn't share it.
Her costume ready, she walked down the corridor leading to the main dance floor. Along the way, she passed Satine's dressing room. The door was open, and the star of the Moulin Rouge sat inside, preparing herself for the long night ahead. Noticing Roxane, she beckoned her to come in.
"Oh! Roxane! Please come inside," she bid her. Roxane obliged. Marie was busy lacing up Satine's corset, which was covered in red sequins as Satine attempted to place some ostrich feathers in her elaborate hairdo. Roxane tried to casually take in everything in Satine's dressing room: the birdcage with her tiny bird, pictures of the actress Sarah Bernhardt, postcards of faraway places. Picking up a postcard of Rome, Roxane asked,
"Have you been to Rome?"
"Why yes," Satine replied. "One of my…patrons took me there last summer." Roxane understood that "patron" was a euphemism for "customer." "What about you, Roxane, do you like to travel?"
"I don't know. I've never been anywhere, except Brittany and here," Roxane replied, shyly.
"Well, someday you shall. Someday, I know you'll fly away from here!" Satine exclaimed, exuberantly, but was suddenly racked by a sudden fit of coughing.
* * * * * *
A hoarse cough roused Roxane from her dream, and she remembered that she was still living in the Hotel Blanche, next door to a consumptive who kept her up at night with the hacking and wretching that comes as a result of the terrible disease.
Roxane rolled over and looked outside. Morning was creeping over Paris. The lace curtains danced in the breeze from the open windows, and thoughts of the previous night came flooding back to her.
It was only a kiss, but to Roxane, it was the culmination of more than a year of her life. She gathered her Belgian lace shawl around her pale, bony shoulders and sat against the window sill, looking out over the city as the sun began inching over the buildings. She closed her eyes, sensing that it wasn't only a new day—it was a new world. She enjoyed the early morning reverie for a few minutes more until she was disturbed by steady knocking at the door. Thinking it was perhaps Christian, she rushed toward it and threw it open. To her dismay, she was greeted not by Christian, but by a very disheveled looking Nini, who looked as though she hadn't had time to change out of her costume from the night before.
"You're needed," she said in her usual catty manner.
"What for?" Roxane asked incredulously.
"What do you think, little miss ballerina, Zidler asked for you. He and the Duke are going over the terms of the Duke's investment in that little show you're starring in," Nini sneered jealously. "So kindly get yourself dressed and over to Zidler's office right away," and with that, Nini turned on her heel and stalked off down the hall. Roxane rolled her eyes, shut the door, and began changing into something more suitable than a nightdress.
When she was half-dressed, there was another knock on the door. Exasperated, Roxane exclaimed, "What is it now, Nini?" The door opened, and Roxane was surprised to find standing before her not Nini, but Christian, fully dressed in a suit, carrying a single white lily.
"Good morning, Mademoiselle Roxane. Oh, pardon me, I didn't realize you hadn't finished dressing. Please, excuse me," Christian said demurely.
"No, no, don't go!" Roxane exclaimed, perhaps a little too eagerly. Christian raised an eyebrow in surprise, as if to signal his assent. Roxane grabbed the remainder of her dress and scurried behind the dressing screen she had set up in the corner of the room. She was used to being undressed in front of men, but for some reason, Christian made her feel almost ashamed of it, but not in a negative way. With him, she didn't feel like a whore.
"I was wondering," Christian began, a tinge of nervousness in his voice, "If perhaps you were free this morning to take a walk with me, along the river. It's a lovely day, and I would be delighted if I could be joined by the company of such a beautiful woman."
Roxane turned scarlet. She was so used to the uncouth demands of her customers that she had grown unaccustomed to the company of a real gentleman. Quickly, she finished dressing herself so that she could speak to Christian more properly.
"Well, if you don't mind making a stop at the Moulin Rouge along the way, I would love to," she told him. "I have to speak with Zidler." With that, Christian and Roxane set off across the street to the nightclub. As they made their way up the stairs to Zidler's office, Marie, who "chaperoned" the girls, stopped them.
"You best not go in there just now, Christian," she warned. "The Duke's in there talking with Zidler, and I don't imagined he'd be happy to see you. Mam'selle Roxane, you'd better go ahead." Roxane nodded and exhaled deeply. She did not like the idea of bargaining with the Duke, but she smoothed her hair took a deep breath and went into Zidler's office.
"Ah! There you are, my little bluebird!" Zidler exclaimed exuberantly. "You see, dear Duke, I told you she'd arrive on time!"
"Yes, quite," the Duke said shortly.
"And now that our star is here, we can begin to discuss the terms of the show and your most generous investment!" Zidler continued. Roxane nervously took a seat next to the Duke. He turned toward her and gave her a forced, rodent-like smile. She certainly did not possess Satine's stunning beauty and presence, but he supposed she would suffice. "Now, shall we discuss the terms of the contract, my dear Duke?"
"I suppose, Zidler, but let me make it clear that I'll not put up with any more shenanigans from the likes of any of you show-business people!" the Duke blurted out.
"Oh no no, of course not!" Zidler squeaked, eyeing Roxane. "Of course you know, dear Duke, what a success Spectacular, Spectacular was! The entire show sold out, and you couldn't believe the demand for more tickets! What a pity it was there was only one performance," Zidler stopped, a look of sadness crossing his face. The Duke sat with a blank expression. "But, the public is thirsty for another show from the Moulin Rouge, and I think that this time, we have a show that will eclipse Spectacular, Spectacular in its success!"
"Really?" the Duke asked, pondering the amount of money he could make. "And what is this little production called?"
"Uh, well, you see the writers are still working on that, but it's a wonderful story!" Zidler lied through his teeth.
"Is that so? Tell me it," the Duke raised an eyebrow, challenging Zidler's integrity.
"Oh. Well. There's this beautiful, young…" a look of panic flashed across Zidler's face. Roxane could feel her heart beat faster as Zidler searched his expansive imagination for a good storyline.
"Princess!" Roxane blurted out. Zidler's eyes widened, and Roxane felt as though she had made a terrible mistake.
"Yes," Zidler continued softly. "A princess, whose kingdom is being threatened by its evil, warring neighbors, so her father marries her off against her will to the king from a larger kingdom!" Then, he looked triumphantly at Roxane as if asking her to continue the story.
"But she doesn't know that…that…" Roxane stumbled for words and began to feel the Duke's incredulous gaze bearing down upon her. Just then, she looked to her right, behing the Duke and saw Christian standing there, attempting to hide behind one of the curtains. "She doesn't know that the king has a son, a prince, who also is bound by duty, in a marriage to a different princess from another kingdom!"
"Brilliant!" Zidler exclaimed, commending Roxane's ability to think on her feet. The Duke shot him a puzzled look. "I mean, uh yes, isn't it a brilliant plot so far?"
"Perhaps. What happens next?" the Duke prompted. Zidler again looked at Roxane.
"Uh, well, the princess and the prince are both…very sad, being so duty- bound by their kingdoms, but one day, they happen to meet in castle, and they fall madly in love with each other!" Roxane exclaimed, directing her words at Christian, who smiled shyly.
"Always these stories about love!" the Duke spat bitterly. "Well, I suppose if that's what the public wants, it's acceptable, it just seems rather ridiculous, that's all."
"Oh, but my dear Duke, there's more!" Zidler cut in. "Roxane. Continue, please."
Roxane's eyes widened as she scrambled to concoct the rest of the plot.
"Uh, well, the prince and the princess carry on their love affair in secret, until one day, a…a young man in the court, a…a…" she stammered.
"A courtier!" Zidler exclaimed. "A cowardly, ambitious, spiteful young courtier, who has also fallen in love with the princess, discovers them, and reveals the whole affair to the king!"
Zidler noticed as the Duke stifled a yawn.
"And of course, in this kingdom, the punishment for infidelity…is…death," Zidler hissed.
"Ooh, death," the Duke smiled, his rodent-like face turning into a faint grimace. But suddenly, he remembered the events of a year earlier, and the thought of infidelity reminded him of what he felt was his own betrayal. "As it rightly should be the punishment for one who pretends to be in love with someone when she is all the while dallying with someone else who is completely unworthy!"
Roxane quickly glanced at Christian, hoping he wouldn't take this opportunity to let out all of his aggression against the Duke.
"Uh, yes, well, anyway," Zidler continued cheerfully, but then adopted a graver tone as he continued the story. "The King is deeply pained by the news of his bride's unfaithfulness, and that his son was unfaithful to his wife, and with great trepidation, he must sentence them both to death!"
Zidler looked at Roxane, half expecting her to finish the story. She shrugged slightly, as if indicating him to proceed.
"And so, on the eve of their execution," Zidler began, but then paused, appearing to add to the momentousness of the occasion. Really, he just was buying time to devise an ending to the play. "The night before they are both to be publicly executed…they…they fear they will never see each other again, and…and…"
"And then, a young servant boy, played by me, who observed the whole, unjust situation, steals a key from the guardsman, fwees the prince and the pwincess in the middle of the night, and helps them to escape!" It was Toulouse, who had been listening the entire time, bursting through the door. The Duke bristled at the dwarf's presence, but Roxane and Zidler breathed an audible sigh of relief. "And the pwince and pwincess wun away together and spend the west of their lives bwissfuwwy happy! Because, you see, love weally does overcome all obstacles!"
"So you see, my dear Duke," Zidler broke in, sensing the Duke's annoyance with Toulouse, "this play has all the elements people love: war, intrigue, secrets, betrayal, and of course, love! And like Spectacular Spectacular, it will be a musical extravaganza, but this time, told also through the medium of dance, because you see, our little Roxane is quite a ballerina!"
The Duke remained silent, pondering the storyline.
"Well, I suppose if this is what the silly public eats up, I could put my support behind it. I personally think that plays about love are ridiculously unnecessary and entirely unrealistic, but if this is what will make the money, then go ahead with it," he said disdainfully.
"Excellent! Then our rehearsals may proceed! Toulouse, alert Marie that it is all right to commence the rehearsals this evening at seven o'clock!" Zidler said excitedly, devising a reason to get Toulouse out of the room. Toulouse nodded and said his goodbyes. "Roxane, I thank you for joining us, and I will see you this evening for the first rehearsal!"
"Thank you, Harold. And thank you, dear Duke, for your involvement in our show," she said, as charmingly as she could. The Duke took her hand and kissed it.
"Of course, mademoiselle. And good day to you," he said slimily. Roxane couldn't wait to remove her hand from the Duke's and hurriedly walked out of the room, leaving the door open so that Christian could escape as well.
"Well, now that that is out of the way, shall we get down to business?" Zidler suggested.
"Yes."
"Well, then, shall we…ah!" Zidler exclaimed suddenly as he noticed Christian attempting to sneak out of the room, behind the Duke's notice.
"What?" the Duke added, irritated.
"Ah, ah, ah," Zidler stammered, trying to keep the Duke's attention on him as Christian slipped out the door, allowing it to slam behind him. The Duke spun around.
"What was that?" he demanded, sensing that something was amiss.
"Oh nothing, nothing, my dear Duke! Please. Proceed."
"Very well," the Duke said, standing up. He walked about the room as he spoke, as if checking to make sure he and Zidler were alone. "We'll overlook the fact that Mademoiselle Satine's, uh, unfortunate death rendered my last contract with you null and void," the Duke began. His emphasis on the word "unfortunate" suggested that he thought her death was anything but. "And now, I desire a new contract. I want 15% of the returns on this…show. I want to recoup my investment from Spectacular Spectacular, you see, which is why I require such a large amount of the returns. If I do not receive an amount equivalent to 15% of the returns, then the Moulin Rouge will be mine. Do not protest, Zidler, as I still hold the deeds to the Moulin Rouge anyway! However, if my demands are met, the deeds will return to your possession."
Zidler looked gravely at the Duke. "I suppose you have left me with no choice, Duke. I must assent to these demands."
The Duke nodded smugly. He looked out the window to the street below and saw Roxane, smiling and laughing as the held the hand of a well-dressed young man. The Duke's eyes narrowed when he realized who it was. "That damned writer!" he muttered furiously. But then, a sly smile played across his lips.
"And I want to add something else to the contract, Zidler," He said suddenly. "That little dancer you seem to have so much faith in is no Satine, but she is exquisite, and since she will likely be a star after this, I would like to have a contract with her as well, which will allow me to possess her. And I think you understand what I mean by possess. Mademoiselle Roxane will come to me opening night to seal our deal, is that understood? I trust you will inform her of this little addendum to the contract."
"Of course," Zidler said sullenly.
"Splendid," the Duke said, exceedingly proud of himself. "Well, I feel satisfied enough to sign that contract now!"
Zidler, almost mechanically, gave the contract to the Duke to sign. The Duke scrawled his name, and then reached for his hat.
"Well, Zidler, I think that concludes our little…transaction," the Duke sneered.
"Indeed," Zidler rejoined sadly. He had hoped that he could shield Roxane, as much as a courtesan could be, from someone like the Duke. She was nowhere near as worldly as Satine, despite the fact that she had worked at the Moulin Rouge for more than a year. But now, Zidler's fast-dwindling finances made it necessary for her to become the Duke's property. Zidler sunk into his chair, the look of a despondent father who lost his child crossing his face.
