Chapter 2:

I soon found out that the back alleyways really are the only place for a good nightmare.

"Monsieur!" A dark haired woman stands with an outstretched leg on the edge of the walkway. "Monsieur!"

I turn my face away and tighten the collar of my coat around my neck. However, she is relentless. She steps off the walkway and into the alley, following close behind me. Quickly, I turn around and step back at the sight of her. Her bruised face, cigarette stained hands, tattered garments, darkened eyes.

"Monsieur..." as she raises her eyes to meet mine.

"Please..." I take another step back.

"I have a place for you, Monsieur. Why don't you just come with me." She motions seductively and reaches out to touch my arm.

I flinch and stare in disgust at the sight before me. She pulls back her arm.

"Or maybe I shouldn't waste my time," as she cackles and throws her head back.

"I'm sorry." I shake my head and turn away. I can hear her laughing and before I have gone another twenty steps I hear her in the distance: "Hey, baby, come with me..."

The tears come with out even knowing it. How it must have been for Satine, having to put on such an act, having to do those things she never wanted to do just because she thought she had no choice.

And suddenly my tears turned to swelling anger. I hadn't felt such a feeling since the day my father told me I would never be worth anything to anyone. How could Zidler have done that to her? How could he allow her to put herself through such a dark and lonely existence?