Two long weeks passed. Most of the time, Satie was asleep. When he was awake, he was writing music. When the doctor came in to check up on him, he announced that Satie could go back to his regular schedule. Satie had gotten over losing Honora. For some reason, he didn't love her after all. It was easy for him to just brush it off, because he was secretly focusing his energies on Rosalie. He walked into the Moulin Rouge that night with a determination and a fire burning in him. As he played the vibrant, energetic music, he searched the crowd for his beloved, but saw not one sign of her. Her sister, Nini, filled in for her musical number. After the club was closed for the night, Satie ventured up to Harold's place to grab his things. He had intentions to return to his garret that night. As he climbed the stairs, he heard the clicking of heels running down. "I'm going back to the club, Harold!" the voice announced hurriedly. Satie shrugged, grabbed his things, and went back to the club. It was only midnight. He didn't need to be home for a while. That's when he saw Rosalie, socializing with her sister. Satie approached her with a smile on his face. Spotting him, Rosalie whispered something to her sister and motioned for Satie to walk to a dark corner with her. "It's been a long time since I've seen you." Satie stated quietly, "Why weren't you here tonight?" "Shhh! Listen, we have to talk. Satie, there's a reason why I wasn't here tonight. I'm pregnant." Rosalie whispered, looking over her shoulder suspiciously. "What? Who is the father? Is it me?" "I don't know who the father is! You see there are three guys who might be the father. You are one of them." She whispered again, "Anyway, I can't stay here anymore. Harold has strict rules against love and children." "Where are you going? Do you have plans for the future of yourself and your child?" Satie responded quietly. "I think I'm going to put the child up for adoption. There's no way I'll be able to support it. Even if everything works out, the only job I'll be able to get is one as a seamstress or a streetwalker. I couldn't do that again! Dancing is my only passion!" Rosalie whimpered. "Why don't you move in with me? You know I love you." Satie said. "What are you talking about? You love me? Satie, we're not allowed to love!" "But I do. You're the only woman for me! Why can't we bend the rules a little?" "Because, we both have jobs to do. Mine is to give birth to a child, give it up for adoption, and find a job. Your job is to make Harold happy as a musician. Love will interfere with our jobs." Satie sat back in a nearby chair, stunned. Rosalie sighed and turned around. Before she began to walk away, Satie whispered, "Do you love me?" With a heavy sigh and without turning around, Rosalie said, "Love leaves both people involved with broken hearts and lives filled with anger and pain. The truth may be hard to handle, but I don't have any feelings for you, Satie. I slept with you because I was bored. You were nothing but a pawn in my game of sexual conquest." With that, she turned away, heading towards the door with her heels clicking.

*A Few Hours Later

He hadn't gone after her. As much as he wanted to, her words had stung him. She had felt nothing for him. Heartbroken and alone, Satie headed for his garret. Stepping inside, he noticed a sign on the floor. It was an eviction notice. All of his belongings had been boxed up, and his mattress was folded up. Setting his suitcase down and crumbling the notice in his fist, he felt hot tears of anger running down his cheeks. Reaching into his suitcase, he retrieved a blade. He sharpened and set the blade against his forehead. With a swipe towards the back of his head, pieces of his beautiful blonde hair fell to the floor. With each stroke, he mumbled about his past. Swipe! "This is for Honora!" Swipe! "This is for my sister!" Swipe! "This is for Rosalie!" It continued until his head was completely bald. Every person he had ever lost was mentioned, and Satie's smooth head represented his letting go of the past. Staring out of the window, Satie watched the city of Monmartre waking up. He could see the market stands being set up, and the last customers exiting the houses in the bordello. The world was waking up, and the voice of a lone woman walking on the street filled the air.

Isn't it weird. Isn't it strange. Even though we're just two strangers on this runaway train We're both trying to find a place in the sun We've lived in the shadows, but doesn't everyone Isn't it strange how we all feel a little bit weird sometimes.

Soon, more voices joined in. As Satie walked down the stairs and exited, he saw the streets starting to fill with people. They were all singing as Satie watched.

Isn't it hard standing in the rain You're on the verge of going crazy and your heart's in pain No one can hear though you're screaming so loud You feel all alone in a faceless crowd Isn't it strange how we all get a little bit weird sometimes

Satie listened and decided to join in. The words and music consumed him as he sang.

Sitting on the side, waiting for a sign, hoping that my luck will change Reaching for a hand that can understand, someone who feels the same When you live in a cookie cutter world being different is a sin So you don't stand out and you don't fit in. Weird Sitting on the side waiting for a sign Hoping that my luck will change Reaching for a hand that can understand Someone who feels the same When you live in a cookie cutter world If you're different you can't win So you don't stand out and you don't fit in. Weird Isn't it strange how we all feel a little bit weird Strange, how we all get a little bit Strange, 'cause we're all just a little bit weird sometimes

Song used: "Weird" by Hanson *Author's Note: Ugh. chocolate covered espresso beans, "Cruel Intentions", and Darren Hayes do not mix! I figured this out just as I was finishing this story. I watched the movie above the day before writing this, and I was listening to my new Darren Hayes CD while eating espresso beans. Images of the movie kept popping into my mind, which explains the "sexual conquest" bit. Sorry that these past two chapters were short, but at least it's better than nothing!