Jocelyn was lying awake in
her bed, staring at the ceiling. She
was listening to the sound of her father punching the keys of his rusty, old
typewriter. Every night, since she
could remember, Christian sat until the wee hours of the morning typing away at
an unfinished story. At night he came
alive, like it was apart of him that he hid from the world and trusted no one
but himself with what creative ideas he had in his head. Jocelyn sometimes worried about him. Toulouse had said Christian changed, when
her mother died she took apart of him with her.
Suddenly Christian stopped
typing. He got up and climbed into
bed. Jocelyn turned over and looked at
the moon shining through the window. Her father had left her with a short answer from earlier. "Angel of the Underworld." What did he mean by that? She didn't expect a straight answer, but not
one like that. He never gave her one. Everytime she asked a question, Christian
would give her short answers or change the subject. Jocelyn only knew a few facts to the mystery that was her
mother. She knew that she looked
exactly like her, except for her black hair. She knew that her mother wanted to be famous, and that she was very
beautiful.
There was faint music coming
from outside. Jocelyn walked over to
the window and opened it. Stars were
glittering as the moon shined bright in the night sky. The Moulin Rouge was glowing with bright
lights and a faint beat of music coming from the core of the building. The elephant was standing proud, showing
it's greatness for all to see. During
the day the club would be deserted and ghostlike, but at night it was alive
with a power and passion. Jocelyn
looked curiously at it. There was a
mystery about that too. Her father
always hated the Moulin Rouge. He
always had a painful look on his face if it's name was even mentioned. But what could be so bad about it? It seemed harmless and Toulouse always had a
good word for it. Then again Toulouse
had a good word for everything when not in his right mind, which he
never was.
Maybe there were some things
that weren't meant to be found out. Or
maybe Jocelyn had been misinformed. What ever it was, she would soon found out.
The next morning Jocelyn
stood at the small stove, cooking breakfast. Christian was still asleep and would be until late in the morning. She would cook breakfast and then save it
for when he eventually woke up. That
was how it was done every morning. Everyday it was the same routine. Jocelyn didn't complain but she was sick of living everyday like the one
before it. What added to their mediocre
lives was the rent, the grocery bill, and medicine. They had just made by this month, but what would happen next
month? They needed the money,
especially for her father's medicine. He was not as strong as he used to be. Their only choice was for Jocelyn to get a job. That was her mission for today.
Breakfast was finished, and
Jocelyn took off the old apron and laid it on a chair. She quietly gave her father a small kiss and
crept out the door. She walked down the
creaky stairs of the building and bumped into Toulouse on the way down.
"Hello there Jocelyn!" he
smiled.
"Hello Toulouse. How are you doing today?" she replied.
"Just fine. How is Chwistian?"
"Right now he's sleeping,
but I think he's feeling better."
"Good! Have you wead the papers this morning?"
"No I haven't why?" Jocelyn
asked.
"The Moulin Wouge is looking
for a new Spawkling Diamond," he said excitedly.
"I got to go Toulouse see
you later!!" Jocelyn called as she ran the rest of the way down. This was great! This was her job! She
heard they pay good money, and it was so close to her house.
She hurried out of the
building and onto the streets. This would
solve all their problems. She didn't
exactly know what the job description was but she didn't care. As long as she got the job what did it
matter? Her father would be so
happy. Jocelyn stopped short, her hand
on the door to the Moulin. What would
her father say? He would never want her
working there, but they needed the money desperatly. She couldn't tell him. He
would rather live a pauper than have his only daughter working there. No…she wouldn't tell him. For once in her life she would have to
lie. She fixed her appearance, and went
inside.
Jocelyn was amazed at the
assortment of colors and lights inside the club. It was beautiful compared to the outside world. Now where did she have to go? She walked around the place having a look
around. There were a bunch of dancers
in one corner, practicing a routine while others stretched and yawned. They were very beautiful also. What kind of place was this?
"Can I help you?" asked a
voice behind.
Jocelyn turned around and
saw a middle-aged woman in a black satin dress standing in front of her. "Um…yes. I heard you were looking for a new Sparkling Diamond, did I come to the
right place?" Jocelyn replied shyly.
"Yes come right this way,"
the woman smiled showing her through a door.
She was in an office and
there behind a desk was an old looking man. Jocelyn figured he was the owner of the place.
"Marie, who is this?" he
asked with a deep voice.
"This is…uh what's your name
dear?"
"Jocelyn."
"This is Jocelyn. She is here about the Sparkling Diamod
position," Marie explained.
"Hmmm I see. Can you sing?" he asked eyeing Jocelyn over.
"Yes, very well," Jocelyn
replied.
"Can you dance?"
"I can learn, I'm a fast
learner."
"Interesting," he said. There was a long pause while the man got up
and walked a circle around her. When he
sat down he spoke. "Well, you have the
looks and everything else can be taken care of. We'll see if you sing well or not and as for dancing I'm sure you're
right and you can learn that. I must
warn you though, being the Sparkling Diamond is not something to take lightly. It has a lot of demands and is not easy, it's
also a night job..."
"I can do it. I'm sure I can," Jocelyn replied.
"We'll see. My name is Harry Zidler and welcome,
Jocelyn, to the Moulin Rouge. You my
dear, are the new Sparkling Diamond."
"Thank you so much!" Jocelyn
said smiling from ear to ear.
"Marie, take her to get fitted
and tell her of her duties," Harry said getting back to the papers on his desk.
"Go on dear, I'll be with
you in a minute. I want a word w/
Harry," Marie smiled.
"All right," Jocelyn said
leaving the office.
Marie waited until the door
was closed.
"Well that was nice of you
Harry. Are we seeing a softer side of
you? Giving the Sparkling Diamond away
to the first beautiful girl who walks through your door?"
"I know, but there is
something about that Jocelyn girl. She
looks like…but it's impossible," Harry said shaking his head.
"Like who?"
"She looks a great deal like
Satine."
TBC