A.N. Finally! I'm done with school for the year. Thanks for the positive reviews!
Disclaimer: I don't own Moulin Rouge
Harold sat alone in his office. He had dismissed the rehearsal early that day. He couldn't concentrate on anything since Satine's fall. Not that it was the first time he had watched her fall from a set. Harold thought back to about a month earlier, when she had fallen from her swing. Although he hated to admit it to himself, watching Satine fall bothered Harold more than it should have. He had always stressed with the girls the idea that emotions had no place in the underworld. While all of the girls maintained a professional friendship, it was unlikely that they all cared about each other at all. With Satine, however, it was different. Everyone, especially Harold, deeply cared about Satine's well being. Watching her fall from that swing was the scariest moment Harold had experienced in years. Her more recent fall ranked right up there with that moment. And then there was her breakdown that morning.
Satine's breakdown wouldn't have been as scary to everyone if they hadn't seen it about 10 years earlier. While Marie's retelling of Satine's first day had been mostly accurate, there was one thing that she had misinformed Christian about. Satine had not been 16 when she first arrived. She had been just shy of her 13th birthday. Memories of that day filled Harold's mind.
He had been sitting all alone in the main dance hall, with the exception of a few crew and band members coming in and out. The door opened, and Marie led in a small, scared young girl. The girl was painfully thin, and looked as if she had been living on the street for quite some time, but her red hair (a rare find) and blue eyes told Harold she could be a star. However, it soon became apparent that it would take a long time. As Marie led her across the room, she clung to her hand and looked as if she was about to cry.
Marie led the girl to the front of the room. "I got a new one for you, Harold. This isÉwhat's your name, again?" she asked, looking in the girl's direction.
The girl hesitated a bit as she answered. "Satine" she said, her voice barely loud enough for Harold to hear. Marie leaned close to Harold and whispered "Be careful with this one, she's still very young and she's scared to death
Harold suggested that Satine meet the rest of the girls. He called them all to a meeting. "Girls, I'd like to introduce our newest performer. This is Satine.
Satine looked up at all of the tall (with the exception of the dwarf) heavily made-up women staring down at her. A wave of terror hit her and she ducked behind Marie.
"I want to go home! I want my mommy." As Satine continued to sob, the rest of the diamond dogs either slowly walked away or stayed and helped Marie comfort her. The ones that stayed remembered their own first days all too well. Harold watched from a distance as Marie slowly lifted her up and sat down in a nearby chair, holding her on her lap.
That image had never left Harold. Even as the years went on and Satine matured, Harold always thought of her as that little girl crying on Marie's lap. That morning had been exactly the same, except instead of crying on Marie's lap she was crying on the writer's.
Just then, Christian entered the office. "Sorry if I'm disturbing you, Harold, but there's a problem with Satine that I think you should know about" he said.
"Well, what is it? Is she alright?" Harold asked.
"Physically, yes. But I'm afraid her memory is not bouncing back as quickly as we all thought it would. Harold, I tried to rehearse with her today. She can't remember half of her lines." Christian answered.
"Is that all? We can always have her rememorize them." Harold was relived for the moment.
"Actually, no. The real problem is that she has no memory of who the Duke is at all. And I don't think he will be happy to hear about this when he returns.
Harold thought for a moment about what would be the best thing to do. "Bring her over here, I need to see this for myself. Tell her there's no one else here, so she won't be afraid" he said.
Five minutes later Christian walked back into Harold's office, this time leading Satine in by the hand. Satine seemed scared, so Harold made an effort to speak in a soft voice so he did not cause another breakdown.
"Gosling, are you sure you're alright?" he asked. Satine shook her head.
"You really don't remember who the Duke is?" Satine shook her head again. Harold saw the familiar look in her eyes that said she was going to start crying. He thought of what the Duke's reaction would be when he found out that Satine no longer remembered who he was. Most likely he would take it out on Satine. Harold just could not allow his little sparrow to be put in any more danger. As much as it killed him to do so, he had to do it. He had to send her away.
"Christian, as of right now I'm putting the show on hiatus. We can't let Satine be here like this when the Duke gets back. You take Satine to London. I know you have a residence there and I also know of a doctor there who specializes in head trauma. I'll give you his name and address. Take Satine to him and get her some help. I'll write to the Duke and tell him we're taking a hiatus on account of his sickness. As soon as Satine is better, write to me and we'll decide what to do then.
Christian nodded, and stood up. This signaled Satine to do the same. Harold walked over to Satine and gave her a hug. "Goodbye, gosling" he said.
As Christian led Satine out of the office Marie, who had been listening at the door, took Satine's other hand. "Now you hurry up and get better, lovie. We'll see you soon.
Later on, back at Christian's apartment, Christian began to pack the few things he had brought to Paris. Satine sat on the bed and watched him. For some reason, Christian felt that Satine hadn't fully accepted that they were leaving. Suddenly, she spoke up.
"Christian, why do we have to leave? Why can't we let this Duke see me?" she asked.
Christian stopped what he was doing and walked over to her. "Well, the Duke is not exactly the most understanding person. If he found out that you didn't remember him, he might try to hurt you.
"Why is it so important that I remember him?" Satine asked. Christian sat down next to her. "The Duke thinks that you are in love with him, Satine. That's the only reason he's putting money into the show.
Satine was confused. "But, I'm in love with you. I love you, not some Duke. How can this Duke expect me to love him when I'm already in love with you?
"Satine, no one knows about us being in love yet. We've been hiding it. But you know what? When we get to London, we won't have to hide it anymore." As Christian said this to Satine, he realized it for himself. There was a silver lining to all of this.
Satine leaned her head against Christian's shoulder. As she drifted off to sleep she whispered "I think I'll like it in London.