CHAPTER 6

The next day at lunch, Christian and the Argentinean were excitedly whispering their plans for escaping.

Christian: "We'll steal spoons and dig our way out!"

Argentinean: "Christian, you so smart. I love you."

Christian ignored this, as he was too excited thinking about the escape.

Christian: "We'll get out of this wretched place and be free once again! I'm going straight to Satine and saving her from that awful Duke."

Argentinean: "Excuse me a moment . . . "

The Argentinean turned around and began to cry, trying to hide his feelings from Christian. Christian was busy writing his escape route down on his hand when a shadow covered his light.

Xavier: "What're yuh writin' on yer hand there?"

Christian: "N-nothing . . . "

Xavier: "That wouldn't be no escape plan would it?"

Christian: "No! Heh heh, nothing like that."

Xavier: "Lemme see it, then."

Christian: "NO! Back away!"

Xavier smiled crookedly.

Xavier: "Well, if yeh won' lemme see it, then maybe you'll show the guard . . . "

Christian: "No, that's not necessary!"

Xavier: "Oooh, guard?"

Christian tugged Xavier's beard down to level their faces. He whispered intently,

Christian: "Alright, it's an escape plan."

Xavier: "Well, lemme in on it."

Christian: "No!"

Xavier: "Lemme in on it and I promise not to tell the guard."

Christian sighed, defeated. He had no other choice.

Christian: "Fine, but keep quiet about it!"

Xaiver: "I won' tell a soul."

Christian: "When we go to the showers tonight, sneak in our cell and we'll start digging. Got it?"

Xavier: "Got it."

Christian: "Good. Now get out of here, you look suspicious!"

Xavier: "Hey, Christian?"

Christian: "What?"

Xavier: "I can bring Mr. Dick along, can't I?"

Christian froze and stared at Xavier with a frightened face.

Christian: "Er - sure, you can bring your . . . dick. Just keep him in your pants."

Xavier: "I promise! Mr. Dick won't be no trouble."

Christian: "No . . . 'popping' out, okay?"

Xavier: "Okay!"

Xavier happily skipped away and Christian turned to the Argentinean, who was uncontrollably crying.

Christian: "What's the matter with you?"

Argentinean: "N-nothing! I just . . . uh, miss homeland - Argentina."

Christian put a comforting arm around the Argentinean. The Argentinean smiled.

Christian: "No worries, my friend! Once we get back to Paris I'll buy you a ticket back to Argentina. My gift to you is my ticket."

Argentinean: "No, no thank you. You very generous, but I would miss you - I mean - everybody too much."

Christian: "Argentinean, you've been up late crying every night and now I know why. Face it, you miss Argentina and I think it's time for you to go back. Don't worry - we'll send you post cards."

Argentinean: "NO! I won't leave y- . . . everybody!"

Christian: "Once you get home you'll forget all about us."

Argentinean: "Never!"

Christian: "Look, there's no talking me out of it. I insist on buying your ticket. You're going home as soon as we get to Paris and that's final!"

The Argentinean's eyes filled with tears and he buried his face in his hands, wailing and screaming.

Christian: "Aww, tears of joy! I'm such a wonderful person!"

FROM BEETLE: Thanks for reading! Please review.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the Moulin Rouge.