AUTHOR'S NOTE: Didn't seem to get reviews? Oh well, I guess. Maybe someone
out here is reading it.
***************************************************************************
They have been at it all day. Casting has, for the most part, gone well. All the minor roles have been cast, and the only ones they are having trouble with are three: the Courtesan, the Penniless Sitar Player, and the Marahjah.
Christian, Toulouse, and Zidler sit watching all auditions as William is in the back being part of backstage crew.
Satie's fingers started to ache from playing the piano so much for the auditions.
One fellow, whose tall and slim, auditions for the play.
\\MAN\\
But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief.
Zidler is about to fall as sleep as Christian gazes aimlessly, obviously bored, and Toulouse looks excited. He whispers to Christian.
\\TOUSLOUSE\\
He's perfect.What do you think?
Christian just glances at before sitting straight to confront the man.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Thank you, Andre; you are the new Penniless Sitar Player.
\\ANDRE (excited)\\
Oh thank you, sir.
The young man walks off and up comes a big man of muscle and few looks.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Name?
\\MAN\\
Russell Anson.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Can you sing?
\\RUSSELL\\
Of course.
He puts a serious face on and starts to sing some kind of opera, which awakes Zidler in alarm.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Thank you, you are the Marahjah.
Russell gives a small flinch in disappointment.
\\RUSSELL\\
I am grateful, sir.
Russell leaves the stage to sit among the other cast members.
Many young actresses try-out for the Courtesan, but most are either ugly and can sing and perform or beautiful but sing horribly, or overdo their singing and acting it makes you cringe. But none of them has the talent, voice, or possessed the beauty for the role.
Christian, Toulouse, and Zidler finally take a break.
Toulouse paces at up an down the aisle
\\TOULOUSE (frustrated)\\
We still don't have the new Courtesan. This is hopeless!
Zidler arises in fury.
\\ZIDLER\\
I did not buy the Moulin Rouge for nothing! We better have that part filled!
He turns to Christian who massages his temple while slouching lowly in his chair
\\ZIDLER\\
All the parts must be cast today, Christian.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
I know, I know.
\\ZIDLER (sighing)\\
I' going for a walk.
He rushes away and out the door.
Toulouse slows his pace and stops at the row where Christian sits.
\\TOUSLOUSE\\
I need I break too; I'll be outside with my absinthe.
He departs, no one realizing Satie has fallen asleep atop the keys of his piano.
There is dead silence apart from the quieted talking of the actors. The door open, the sunlight seems to dance around a slender figure, no doubts a woman; all chatter stops as the actors stop to stare her way. Christian doesn't budge to see who it is.
\\WOMAN (politely)\\
Are these the auditions for the Bohemian show?
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Yes.
Footsteps are heard as she makes her way down the aisle.
\\WOMAN\\
Am I not too late?
\\CHRISTIAN\\
No.
The young woman makes I to the stage as Toulouse walks back in with half a bottle of absinthe.
\\WOMAN\\
I was thinking of acting out-
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Can you sing?
\\WOMAN\\
I suppose.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Sing then.
\\WOMAN\\
What should I sing?
He waves a hand about.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Anything.
\\WOMAN\\
Alright.
There is a brief pause in thought as Christian gives a quiet sigh.
\\WOMAN\\
Never knew I could feel like this,
Christian suddenly stops massaging his sore temples hearing this angelic voice.
\\WOMAN\\
Like I've never seen the sky before.
Toulouse drops his bottle with a clash but is doesn't pull attention away from the young woman.
\\WOMAN\\
Want to vanish inside your kiss,
He raises his gaze to the young woman slowly, who look about eighteen. Her flaxen hair is pinned back tightly with two, front, light, small, sections having fallen out. Her skin is pale but with color to it with small red lips and luminous gray eyes. She wears a pale light and dark blue, with jacket, blouse, and skirt with a plain bustle.
Everyone listens with interest even catching the attention the backstage crew. William finally pauses in dead silence in awe of watching this beauty sing superbly.
\\WOMAN\\
Everyday I'm lovin' you more and more. Listen to my heart can you hear it sing, come back to me and forgive everything! Seasons may change, Winter to Spring. I love you, till the end of time.
\\CHRISTIAN (astounded)\\
How do you know that song?
The backstage crew moves about in behind her as they paint and create backgrounds.
\\WOMAN\\
In 1899, I went with my parents to see "Spectacular, Spectacular"; I was about twelve then. I love the finale song; it moved me so (As she continues to speak flashes, in Christian's mind, of Satine him together come to him rapidly as he can still hear the young woman.) seeing love truly overcame all obstacles. After all they had been through love conquered all.
\\CHRISTIAN (in a slight daze)\\
What's your name?
\\WOMAN\\
Mirabelle Chevalier. I know, Mirabelle, silly name isn't?
\\WILLIAM\\
It means of wondrous beauty.
Mirabelle jerks her head to him as Christian stares as well to William who gazes back; the two young adult's eyes meet. Nothing diverts their attention from each other, until William becomes embarrassed and looks away for a distraction.
Christian catches Mirabelle's attention.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Miss Chevalier, you've made it as the new Courtesan.
Mirabelle smiles brightly.
\\MIRABELLE\\
Thank you, sir.
She steps down as William watches her every move.
***************************************************************************
They have been at it all day. Casting has, for the most part, gone well. All the minor roles have been cast, and the only ones they are having trouble with are three: the Courtesan, the Penniless Sitar Player, and the Marahjah.
Christian, Toulouse, and Zidler sit watching all auditions as William is in the back being part of backstage crew.
Satie's fingers started to ache from playing the piano so much for the auditions.
One fellow, whose tall and slim, auditions for the play.
\\MAN\\
But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, who is already sick and pale with grief.
Zidler is about to fall as sleep as Christian gazes aimlessly, obviously bored, and Toulouse looks excited. He whispers to Christian.
\\TOUSLOUSE\\
He's perfect.What do you think?
Christian just glances at before sitting straight to confront the man.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Thank you, Andre; you are the new Penniless Sitar Player.
\\ANDRE (excited)\\
Oh thank you, sir.
The young man walks off and up comes a big man of muscle and few looks.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Name?
\\MAN\\
Russell Anson.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Can you sing?
\\RUSSELL\\
Of course.
He puts a serious face on and starts to sing some kind of opera, which awakes Zidler in alarm.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Thank you, you are the Marahjah.
Russell gives a small flinch in disappointment.
\\RUSSELL\\
I am grateful, sir.
Russell leaves the stage to sit among the other cast members.
Many young actresses try-out for the Courtesan, but most are either ugly and can sing and perform or beautiful but sing horribly, or overdo their singing and acting it makes you cringe. But none of them has the talent, voice, or possessed the beauty for the role.
Christian, Toulouse, and Zidler finally take a break.
Toulouse paces at up an down the aisle
\\TOULOUSE (frustrated)\\
We still don't have the new Courtesan. This is hopeless!
Zidler arises in fury.
\\ZIDLER\\
I did not buy the Moulin Rouge for nothing! We better have that part filled!
He turns to Christian who massages his temple while slouching lowly in his chair
\\ZIDLER\\
All the parts must be cast today, Christian.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
I know, I know.
\\ZIDLER (sighing)\\
I' going for a walk.
He rushes away and out the door.
Toulouse slows his pace and stops at the row where Christian sits.
\\TOUSLOUSE\\
I need I break too; I'll be outside with my absinthe.
He departs, no one realizing Satie has fallen asleep atop the keys of his piano.
There is dead silence apart from the quieted talking of the actors. The door open, the sunlight seems to dance around a slender figure, no doubts a woman; all chatter stops as the actors stop to stare her way. Christian doesn't budge to see who it is.
\\WOMAN (politely)\\
Are these the auditions for the Bohemian show?
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Yes.
Footsteps are heard as she makes her way down the aisle.
\\WOMAN\\
Am I not too late?
\\CHRISTIAN\\
No.
The young woman makes I to the stage as Toulouse walks back in with half a bottle of absinthe.
\\WOMAN\\
I was thinking of acting out-
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Can you sing?
\\WOMAN\\
I suppose.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Sing then.
\\WOMAN\\
What should I sing?
He waves a hand about.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Anything.
\\WOMAN\\
Alright.
There is a brief pause in thought as Christian gives a quiet sigh.
\\WOMAN\\
Never knew I could feel like this,
Christian suddenly stops massaging his sore temples hearing this angelic voice.
\\WOMAN\\
Like I've never seen the sky before.
Toulouse drops his bottle with a clash but is doesn't pull attention away from the young woman.
\\WOMAN\\
Want to vanish inside your kiss,
He raises his gaze to the young woman slowly, who look about eighteen. Her flaxen hair is pinned back tightly with two, front, light, small, sections having fallen out. Her skin is pale but with color to it with small red lips and luminous gray eyes. She wears a pale light and dark blue, with jacket, blouse, and skirt with a plain bustle.
Everyone listens with interest even catching the attention the backstage crew. William finally pauses in dead silence in awe of watching this beauty sing superbly.
\\WOMAN\\
Everyday I'm lovin' you more and more. Listen to my heart can you hear it sing, come back to me and forgive everything! Seasons may change, Winter to Spring. I love you, till the end of time.
\\CHRISTIAN (astounded)\\
How do you know that song?
The backstage crew moves about in behind her as they paint and create backgrounds.
\\WOMAN\\
In 1899, I went with my parents to see "Spectacular, Spectacular"; I was about twelve then. I love the finale song; it moved me so (As she continues to speak flashes, in Christian's mind, of Satine him together come to him rapidly as he can still hear the young woman.) seeing love truly overcame all obstacles. After all they had been through love conquered all.
\\CHRISTIAN (in a slight daze)\\
What's your name?
\\WOMAN\\
Mirabelle Chevalier. I know, Mirabelle, silly name isn't?
\\WILLIAM\\
It means of wondrous beauty.
Mirabelle jerks her head to him as Christian stares as well to William who gazes back; the two young adult's eyes meet. Nothing diverts their attention from each other, until William becomes embarrassed and looks away for a distraction.
Christian catches Mirabelle's attention.
\\CHRISTIAN\\
Miss Chevalier, you've made it as the new Courtesan.
Mirabelle smiles brightly.
\\MIRABELLE\\
Thank you, sir.
She steps down as William watches her every move.