AN: So, I saw Chicago last night, and it was amazing! I saw it on Broadway two yrs ago and loved it, and the film does a wonderful job re-creating it…Catherine Zeta-Jones rocks! Anyhoo…Here's more of this one…reviews are highly appreciated!
The Nightclub of Your Dreams
Chapter Five: El Tango de la Moulin Rouge
"It's important that you understand, Jack, that I must have final say in the show itself," Richard said flatly. He and Jack were convening in Jack's office the next morning.
"Of course, Richard," Jack smiled.
"I will hold the deeds to the Casino as well. And I am prepared to sign Monica to a contract. She will, of course, come back with me to Los Angeles, once the show is under way."
Jack's jovial expression faltered, but was quickly covered with a forced grin.
"She will…belong to me," Richard said darkly. Off of Jack's panicked look, he continued, "Figuratively speaking, of course," Richard chuckled.
"Of course," Jack muttered uneasily.
~*~
Monica's eyes fluttered open, and she squinted as her eyes adjusted to the flood of light that had entered the room. She turned over, and saw Chandler, still fast asleep on the other side of the bed. She watched him for several silent moments, his chest moving up and down rhythmically, and his sandy hair poking up in several odd directions. She smiled. He was the first person in a very long time that saw through the façade she put up…that saw her for who she was.
Her smile faded, when she began pondering the repercussions that inevitably came with falling in love. One, or both of them would be hurt. She was risking everything—and for what? To fulfill the boyhood fantasies of a penniless…no. No she was risking everything for love. She loved him…as impossible as it may have seemed just yesterday…she had fallen for him.
He yawned, and pulled himself into consciousness.
"Hello," he said quietly.
"Hello," Monica smiled.
"Have you been awake long?"
"Just a few minutes…I was studying your face," Monica ran her finger along Chandler's jaw.
"Oh?" Chandler smiled, and blushed slightly.
"You were…amazing last night," Monica whispered softly, "You must have had many girlfriends…in New York."
"No, I…well, I…" Chandler stuttered, and sat up, pulling the blanket toward his chest protectively.
"It's alright…you don't have to tell me, if you don't want to…" Monica smiled.
"No, I want to…it's just…well, I…it's a little embarrassing," Chandler laughed uneasily, and ran a hand through his matted hair.
"Oh," Monica bit her lip, and stared down at her hands.
"I've never…um, I mean you were…m-my first—" Chandler shrugged.
"I'm your first girlfriend?" Monica asked, but as she watched Chandler's expression change, and his neck disappear deeper into his shoulders, she realized what he was trying to say.
"You mean you…wow," Monica said softly.
"I had a girlfriend once…but we never…" Chandler shrugged, as he pulled himself out of bed, and pulled on a white hotel robe.
"I think that's…precious," Monica smiled, and pulled on her silk robe, as she followed Chandler to the picture window that overlooked the Strip.
Chandler flushed, and turned to look at Monica.
"I…I love you," Chandler smiled.
"I love you too," Monica whispered. Chandler pulled her into his arms, and they watched the activity on the street below in silence.
~*~
Rehearsal Day 12
"Monica, darling, I was hoping that you and I could have a late dinner tonight…to go over the details of your contract," Richard sat himself next to Monica, as she was reading through the first draft of Chandler's show.
"Oh, um, I really should work on the show tonight, Richard…couldn't we…take care of all of this on opening night?" Monica smiled seductively, hoping to win Richard over, and convince him to leave her alone.
Chandler watched from across the room, as Monica smiled at Richard. He felt his stomach lurch, and bile climb into his throat. How could she just turn on her charms like that? Make Richard believe that she loved him? Suddenly, a dark thought made it's way into Chandler's head; what if Monica was playing the same game with him? He shook his head, not allowing such thoughts to permeate his mind and soul.
Monica rid herself of Richard, and made her way over to Chandler. She shot him a look, and Chandler took the hint, and followed Monica to her dressing room.
"Chandler…" Monica started, her eyes dull with dread.
"What…what is it?" Chandler's eyes filled with panic.
"I…I'll have to sleep with him…at some point. He…he won't be put off much longer."
"No! No you don't, I—" Chandler became uncharacteristically agitated.
"Chandler, you know what I am, and what I have to do to survive! Maybe we should end this—"
"No! We can get through this…"
"Chandler…you'll get jealous…and you'll—"
"I'll be okay. I won't get jealous. I love you."
"I don't think that's enough to—"
Never knew I could feel like this
It's like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Every day I'm loving you more and more
Listen to my heart can you hear it sing
Telling me to give you everything!
Seasons may change, winter to spring
But I love you till the end of time
Come what may, come what may, come what may
I will love you until my dying daySuddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you
And there's no mountain too high
No river too wide, sing out this song
And I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide
But I love you until the end of time
"Come what may," Monica whispered, her heart once again enchanted by his wonderful words…by his beautiful song.
~*~
Rehearsal Day 28
Rachel made her way toward the dressing rooms, her mind wandering. She had managed to get to Richard last night, but he still seemed completely taken by Monica. She just could not understand it! Why did all of the good one's go for Monica. Sighing, she walked past Monica's private dressing room, and was taken aback by the sight that caught her eye; Chandler and Monica…kissing.
Rachel smiled, as a new idea began to form in her head—she could still have Richard…if she played her cards right.
"I…don't know…how much longer Richard will…be put off…he is being rather…oh," Monica attempted to talk to Chandler, as he ran butterfly kisses down her neck.
They had managed to keep their affair a secret from everyone, hiding under the pretense that they were both completely absorbed in the show. They would rehearse every night with the entire group, but they would always manage to linger, just a little bit longer, with hopes that no one would be able to see their loving looks, and lame excuses.
But they had gotten careless. They had not noticed Jack, standing across the rehearsal hall, watching the sordid scene, anger rising within him. Eventually, Chandler left, after extracting a promise from Monica that she would meet him in his apartment later that night.
"Promise?" he whispered into her hair.
"Promise," Monica confirmed, and watched as he jogged happily out of the room.
"Is this why you keep putting Richard off?" Jack's voice came from nowhere, startling Monica. She gasped.
"Jack! You scared me!"
"Everything is riding on this show, Monica. We cannot afford this kind of…Richard expects you in his room tonight. You will meet him, and you will do whatever it takes to make sure he takes this show all the way," Jack warned, "And you and Chandler…are finished."
"Jack!"
"It's for the best, Monica. You need to focus your energies on making Richard happy. He wants to marry you, you know."
"Well I don't want to marry him!"
"Yes, you do…at least until I can get the deeds to the casino back…" Jack said softly.
"What?"
"Just take care of Richard, okay?"
Monica watched Jack walk away, and tears formed in her eyes. She didn't want Richard—she never did. She just wanted to be with Chandler…but now…if she did ruin things with Richard…everything would be destroyed, and everyone in the club would lose their jobs. She shook her head, amazed at the way that life was imitating art. It was just like Chandler's show…except that she wasn't dying of some horrid disease. Wandering into her dressing room, she fought off hunger pangs, and popped another diet pill—she wanted to lose 5 more pounds before opening night, and she only had two weeks left.
~*~
Chandler looked at the clock again, and sighed heavily. It was clear that Monica was not coming tonight, after all. Shaking his head, he walked out of the apartment, and made his way toward the casino.
The Moulin Rouge club was relatively empty, and eerily quiet. Chandler scanned the room, hoping that Monica had gotten caught up in something here, and had simply lost track of time.
"Looking for your lover?" Rachel smiled, as she approached Chandler slowly.
"Wh-what?" Chandler asked nervously.
"Monica's with Richard…they're up in her room," Rachel whispered, and ran a hand down Chandler's chest seductively.
Chandler backed away, his eyes darkening.
"Rachel, leave him alone," Ross, said flatly, as he stumbled down the stage steps. He looked at Chandler, and smiled sadly.
"Never fall in love with a woman who sells herself, Chandler," Ross said, glancing at Rachel, "Nothing good will ever come of it."
"I don't know what you're—"
"You two aren't as sneaky as you thought you were. Everyone knows. And we've all been working to make sure Richard didn't know. But…Rachel has her own agenda…he knows…and Monica is now making sure he stays on board."
"She's…sleeping with him?" Chandler choked.
"She has to," Ross said flatly, "it's her job," Ross watched, as Rachel sashayed across the room, "They will only break your heart, these women," Ross sighed, and made his way toward Rachel. He wrapped an arm around her, and twirled her into his arms.
Roxanne, you don't have to put on that red light
Walk the streets for money
You don't care if it's wrong or if it is right
Roxanne, you don't have to wear that dress tonight
Roxanne, you don't have to sell your body to the night
Chandler watched Ross and Rachel's tango, his heart hurting at the very idea that Richard was touching her…kissing her…he felt his jealousy begin to consume him.
His eyes upon your face
His hand upon your hand
His lips caress your skinIt's more than I can stand
Why does my heart cry?
Feelings I can't fight
You're free to leave me,
But just don't deceive me
And please, believe me when I say I love you
Chandler walked out of the dance hall, leaving Ross to fight his own conflicting feelings of love and hate.
Roxanne, you don't have to put on that dress tonight
Roxanne, you don't have to sell your body to the night
Roxanne, you don't have to put on that red light
Roxanne, you don't have to put on that dress tonight
Roxanne!
Chandler made his way down the strip, and turned to see a red light emanating from the window of the room that he knew was Monica's.
Why does my heart cry?
Feelings I can't fight
You're free to leave me,
But just don't deceive me
And please, believe me when I say I love you!!
He cried out in agony; and in her heart, while letting the man she reviled kiss her, Monica felt him cry out, and tried to reassure both of them that their love could overcome this.
Come what may, I will love you until my dying day.
(Come What May~David Baerwald; Roxanne~Sting; El Tango de la Moulin Rouge~lyrics by Baz Luhrmann and Craig Pearce)
AN: Okay, before you start in with the "Rachel is out of character" reviews…IMHO, Rachel, esp. in the first few seasons, is very self-involved, and a person like her, when put into a situation like this, would certainly do whatever it takes to get what she wants…plus, it makes her more interesting, ha!