Author's Note: Once again, none of this is mine...I do not own any of it, and it doesn not own me...or so they say...
Christian woke to a horrible pain in his neck. Rubbing it gingerly, he sat up. He had fallen asleep at his typewriter again. But now it was morning and Christian smiled fondly, thinking about the night before. Satine had been so pleasant to be with. A jolt of excitement ran through his body as he remembered their planned dinner for that night. Christian stood and walked into the small adjacent bathroom. Looking in the mirror, Christian laughed at the typewriter key prints on his forehead. He turned on the faucet and splashed cool water onto his face. Running one hand through his hair, Christian picked up a ragged blue towel and dried his face. He walked back into his room and took his wrinkled shirt off. Walking over to his small dresser, Christian opened the drawer and pulled out a clean shirt. Putting it on, but leaving it un-buttoned, he wandered over to the open balcony doors and walked out into the fresh morning air. The sun was shining brightly down on the already busy streets of Montmartre. Christian jumped as someone spoke behind him,
"It's a bootiful citee, isn't it, Cwistian."
Christian turned and saw Tulose standing in the doorway of the balcony.
"Oh, Tulose, I didn't hear you come in."
"It's quite alwight," Tulose said, "I just wanted to know if it's okay with you if my fwiend, Hawold Zidlew came along with me to lunch. He wants to discuss how ouw play, Spectaculaw Spectaculaw, is coming along and I couldn't think of a bettew time to talk to him. And it will give you a chance to meet one of the most powewful men in Montmartre!"
"Alright, sounds fine to me," Christian laughed, buttoning up his shirt.
"Gweat! Well I'll see choo at about thwee-o-clock then! Tootles!" Tulose walked out the door whistling.
Christian shook his head, amused immensely by the tiny man, sat back down at his typewriter, and wrote Satine a song.
Satine woke up and rolled over. She was startled to find a pair of misty blue eyes staring back at her.
"Oh, my dear Duke! You startled me!" Satine gasped as she sat up and pulled the sheets up to cover her revealing nightgown. She felt quite uncomfortable having the Duke lying in her bed.
"My sweetheart, you looked so peaceful sleeping, I did not wish to disturb you," He said, smiling his weasely smile Satine had seen him smile at her a thousand times during the dinner the night before.
"Oh, thank you. So did you want to tell me something?" Satine asked, trying to inconspicuously edge away from the Duke.
"Yes. I was wondering if you would have dinner with me tonight."
"I'm so sorry, but I'm afraid I have plans already."
"Well, maybe you can make it up to me right now," the Duke leaned over, placing his hand on Satine's thigh and trying to kiss her. Satine leaned back, almost falling out of the bed and placed her hand over the Duke's mouth.
The Duke sighed, "Yes, my dear, I supposed I can." He stood up and put his coat back on, "I will see you tomorrow night." The Duke stalked out of the room, firmly shutting the door behind him.
Satine sighed with relief. She got out of bed and walked over to her closet. She wanted to lay out the perfect dress to wear for Christian that night. She chose a beautiful, Spanish-influenced gown, bright red and adorned with black beads. Matching black satin gloves and black high heels completed the outfit, and Satine laid it out on the un-made bed. She walked over to the door, opening it and sticking her head into the now empty hallway.
"Marie?" Satine called, looking towards the small room where Marie slept. "Marie?"
Marie came hurrying towards Satine, "I'm so sorry, Miss Satine. I did not hear you calling."
"Oh, it's quite alright, Marie. I just need help doing up my corset." Satine walked back into her room with Marie following her.
"What a beautiful outfit, Miss Satine!" Marie exclaimed, seeing the dress that was laid out on the bed. "Are you having dinner with the Duke?"
"Uh...no..." Satine said nervously, know how much trouble she would get in if Zidler found out she was having dinner with an unapproved man, one who wasn't paying for her company, at that!
"Well, who then?" Marie asked nonchalantly, carefully setting Satine's outfit aside and making the bed.
"Um...Tulose," said Satine quickly, "to, uh, see how the play's coming along because, uh...I didn't get a chance to yesterday."
"Oh, that's nice," Marie walked over to Satine, who had put on her corset and began to lace it up. After several minutes of silence except for the occasional grunt from Marie pulling the strings and Satine's panting from trying to suck in her stomach in as far as she could, Marie spoke, "You do know Zidler is having lunch with Tulose today, don't you?"
"Uh..." Satine stalled nervously as Marie finished. Turning around to face Marie, Satine searched for a logical explanation, "...uh..." Satine finally decided to tell Marie, who was giving her a quizzical look. "Oh, alright! His name is Christian and he's wonderful, Marie, he really is. We're having dinner tonight and that is probably all. Oh, you won't tell Zidler will you?"
"Of course not, dear. Everyone needs some personal enjoyment, and I guess this is yours. I do strongly suggest that you don't get too involved physically or emotionally. Just a quick fling and that's it. I'm warning you, Satine, that would only lead to a lot of trouble." Marie gave her a stern look, "I'm serious, Satine."
Satine laughed, "Oh, don't worry about me, Marie. I'm a big girl. I know when to end an affair." Satine slipped on a green silk dress and turned to Marie to button it up. When Marie didn't do anything for a moment, Satine turned to see what was wrong. Marie was standing there, just staring at Satine.
"What?" Satine asked. Marie sighed, turned Satine around and buttoned up her dress. Satine turned and put her leg up on the chair and started to clip her garters. Marie put one hand under Satine's chin and tilted her head until she was looking at Marie.
"You are so beautiful, Satine. You only deserve the best. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Marie kissed Satine softly on the forehead and walked quietly out of the room.
Satine sat there, bewildered for a few minutes by what Marie had said. Shaking her head, she continued to do up her garters. She finished and walked over to her wardrobe. Out of all her shoes she chose a pair of black heels and slipped them on. She thought about what she had to do today. Nothing came to mind and she smiled to herself. 'Good,' she thought, 'I can spend the whole day dreaming of tonight!'