After Satine died, Spectacular Spectacular became a traveling show,
with Christian as the writer. A new romance blooms between the young man
and an actress, but can Christian love again?
*Disclaimer* I own only Grace, and the play. I can't think of any thing else, I'm too tired.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
London, England 1901
Christian sighed as he crossed off another name from the list. "Are there any more?" he asked tiredly. Zidler looked out into the hotel hallway and closed the door.
"That's all," he replied, sitting in an overstuffed chair. Christian looked up. "What did you think?" Zidler asked eagerly as he leaned forward.
"Nothing," Christian answered angrily. "None of them have the right talent for the part!" Zidler blinked.
"Well, I thought the tall woman did very well," he stated. Christian stared at him. "Harry, that was a man." Zidler had been puffing on a cigar and choked. Christian groaned and closed his eyes. "I wish she didn't die."
"Don't do this again," Zidler said sharply. "We couldn't help her. When we finally learned of the tuberculosis, she was too ill. Unfortunately, we can't go back in time." Christian leaned back in his chair and opened his eyes.
"Thank you for helping me, Harry," he murmured, looking at the man sitting across from him. The latter shrugged.
"I had nothing in Paris. This is where I belong," he replied, putting out his cigar. Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," Christian called. He closed his eyes as the door opened.
"Hello," he heard Zidler greet the visitor. "Can I help you?"
"Yes. I'm sorry I'm late, but I'm here for the auditions. Am I in the wrong room?" asked a gentle voice.
"No, no! This is the right room. Sit down, please!" Zidler laughed cheerfully. "Christian, open your eyes and greet this lovely young lady." Christian sighed and opened his eyes slowly. Then they snapped open.
Her hair was dark and wavy, and reached to about the middle of her back. She had deep, thoughtful brown eyes, and her cheeks were rosy. This was indeed a lovely young lady. Beautiful, in fact.
"Hello, Miss.." Christian trailed off.
"Badin, Jadeana Badin. You can just call me Jade, or Ana," she answered.
"In that case, you can call me Christian, and this is Mr. Harold Zidler."
"Either name is fine," the other man added.
"I'm please to meet you both," she said quietly. There was silence for a moment.
"Eh, what do you do for a living?" Zidler asked. She smiled.
"I don't do anything," she admitted. "I came from a rather poor family, but I learned all that I know from the priest in my home in Wales. The only way to really make money was to beg or sell my body, but I did neither. I didn't want to be like my mother. I left home and, with the help of another priest, got a job and earned enough money to come here. I've been doing well since, with only a few jobs in between. I've been told I'm a brilliant actress, though." She smiled.
"Well, then...Jade. That is an unusual name," Christian commented. She shrugged with another small smile.
"I can't lie. It's not my name. My real name is Grace." She looked up. "I hope you aren't mad."
"No, it's a beautiful name. Why did you hide it?" Christian inquired.
"I thought it would help to have an unusual name, that's all."
"Well, it didn't, really. You concealed it well, but you're too honest. Now, if you would just please stand up and read these lines with me, we can begin." As she stood, her traveling cloak fluttered to the floor, revealing a form-fitting white dress. Christian noticed that she had a very nice figure, and watched her pick the cloak up.
"Right, then." He stood up and went to the other side of the desk. He showed her where the lines started. "You are Estelle, and I will be Thomas." She nodded and cleared her throat. Then she looked up expectantly. "Are you going to start?" she asked amusedly. Christian caught himself staring and laughed.
"Yes, of course." He also cleared his throat. "Estelle, what would your father say if he found out you were here?" he quoted from the script.
"I don't care what he says. I just want to talk to you," Grace countered, looking up at Christian.
"But I don't want you to be locked in your room again. I care about you, Estelle, and I want to see you. But your father would disapprove," he answered quietly.
"He can't stop me from loving you," she said softly, stepping closer. Christian was surprised at how much she was getting into the role. Zidler watched in amusement.
"I love you too, Estelle. I won't let anything happen." He cupped her chin and made her look into his eyes. "I promise."
'Oh, he's handsome," Grace thought as she looked into his gray eyes. She smiled.
"I believe you," she whispered. Then she blushed. "Do we really have to kiss?" she asked. Christian glanced at the script and let go of her face.
"No," he replied. Then, he stopped, and looked up at her in awe. "How did you do that?" he asked. She looked confused.
"Do what?" she asked innocently.
"You barely glanced at the script the entire time, and yet you knew they were supposed to kiss!" Christian exclaimed. Zidler had stood up by this point and both men were looking at the girl accusingly. She winced.
"I have a photographic memory," she replied. "I can memorize lines in an instant." Christian grinned.
"How old are you?" he asked excitedly.
"Twenty-two, and yourself?"
"Twenty-five," he answered absently. He turned to Zidler. "Get the others! We've found our girl!" As Zidler left, Christian turned in time to grab Grace's elbow as she faltered. She looked up at him with wide eyes. "I got it?" she asked incredulously. He smiled gently.
"Yes," he answered, squeezing her hand. "You got it." She laughed.
"That was easier than I thought!" He chuckled lightly as the rest of the group tramped in. Nini looked Grace over. "This her?" she asked. Christian nodded.
"Everyone, meet Grace," he announced. The Argentinean burst forth.
"You must be a great actress to join Spectacular Spectacular! I am.." Suddenly, he collapsed on the floor. Grace gave a little gasp.
"Don't worry, he has narcolepsy," Christian reassured her as he and Zidler moved him to a chair. "Before I introduce everyone to you, we can go get your things." He reached for his coat.
"Wait!" Grace exclaimed. Christian turned to her.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I brought my things with me," she explained, rushing out into the hallway. She returned a moment later with two suitcases. "There," she said, setting them down and smiling at everyone. Toulouse spoke up.
"You certainly picked the right girl, Chwistian," he said happily. Christian smiled brightly at Grace, who returned the smile.
"I think so."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"This is your woom," Toulouse said. He opened the door to Grace's room. "We made suwe to keep a vacancy for you. We are vewy happy to have you with us." Grace stepped into the room with a smile.
"Thank you, Toulouse. I appreciate it." She set her things near the bed. "Can you tell me when practice is?"
"We will wake you at six in the morning, and pwactice begins at eight- thirty or so. We have fowtune on our side and got a weal stage to perfowm on," he answered excitedly. Her eyes widened.
"Do you make much money with the plays Christian writes?" she asked curiously. He shrugged.
"Chwistian is a vewy good writer. We make a considerable amount of money, which keeps us on the woad. Maybe, sometime soon, I can tell you more, but we must see if you awe twustworthy. We mean no offense."
"I understand," Grace answered. Toulouse bowed.
"Then I will weave you to west. Goodbye, Gwace."
"Thank you again, Toulouse," she called as he shut the door behind him. She set about unpacking and was soon settled in. She sat down on her bed to think for a minute when the door burst open.
"Hello," Nini said cheerfully as she entered. She sat down next to Grace, who looked a bit startled. "Oh, no need to be worried, doll. I'm just here to put some things into place." She stood up and pulled Grace up with her. She circled the young girl slowly.
"Yes....nice figure, wonderful posture.....well, you've got a chest, that's always a good thing." She stopped in front of her. "Can you sing?" Grace looked a little scared.
"Yes, I suppose," she answered quietly. Nini sighed.
"Well, the answer is going to have to be more definite. Christian writes mostly musicals, and this one happens to be one. If you can't sing, you're done for. He'll want to hear you sing tomorrow. I'm just letting you know beforehand. And also, you can't be afraid to show some skin, if the need arises. You seem like a nice, reserved girl, but you'll have to come out of your shell. And."
"Roxanne, please!" Christian exclaimed. He strode into the room. "I'm sure Grace knows what she's doing, and maybe she would like to get some rest."
"Thank you, Roxanne. I appreciate the advice," Grace said with a smile. She turned to Christian as Nini left quickly. "Would you like to speak to me?"
"No, I was just rescuing you from the clutches of Roxanne. She can be a bit eccentric," Christian explained, backing up to the door. "But, I'm sure you're tired. Get some rest, and someone will wake you for dinner." He closed the door before she could say anything. She smiled softly to herself and laid down on the bed. Closing her eyes, she sang quietly to the ceiling.
Rain falling gently,
Mingling with the tears
On my face.
Washing away sadness,
Healing my soul.
You didn't hear me crying.
You were sleeping sound.
I hurt inside,
But still live on.
Just to be with you.
It was just a little verse off the top of her head, but it got her to relax and drift off into sleep.
Christian listened to Grace's quiet musings, and walked sadly to his room. It was time to call back the past and heal the wounds that had been reopened with every memory of her. His Satine.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Okay, yeah, short and sweet, but I'm going to put more. Promise. I want at least one review, but it'll still keep going, even if you hate it. I'll take comments and suggestions. I'll get into Grace's past more so as I get on with it, so no flames for that. I like friendly criticism, though!
*Disclaimer* I own only Grace, and the play. I can't think of any thing else, I'm too tired.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
London, England 1901
Christian sighed as he crossed off another name from the list. "Are there any more?" he asked tiredly. Zidler looked out into the hotel hallway and closed the door.
"That's all," he replied, sitting in an overstuffed chair. Christian looked up. "What did you think?" Zidler asked eagerly as he leaned forward.
"Nothing," Christian answered angrily. "None of them have the right talent for the part!" Zidler blinked.
"Well, I thought the tall woman did very well," he stated. Christian stared at him. "Harry, that was a man." Zidler had been puffing on a cigar and choked. Christian groaned and closed his eyes. "I wish she didn't die."
"Don't do this again," Zidler said sharply. "We couldn't help her. When we finally learned of the tuberculosis, she was too ill. Unfortunately, we can't go back in time." Christian leaned back in his chair and opened his eyes.
"Thank you for helping me, Harry," he murmured, looking at the man sitting across from him. The latter shrugged.
"I had nothing in Paris. This is where I belong," he replied, putting out his cigar. Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," Christian called. He closed his eyes as the door opened.
"Hello," he heard Zidler greet the visitor. "Can I help you?"
"Yes. I'm sorry I'm late, but I'm here for the auditions. Am I in the wrong room?" asked a gentle voice.
"No, no! This is the right room. Sit down, please!" Zidler laughed cheerfully. "Christian, open your eyes and greet this lovely young lady." Christian sighed and opened his eyes slowly. Then they snapped open.
Her hair was dark and wavy, and reached to about the middle of her back. She had deep, thoughtful brown eyes, and her cheeks were rosy. This was indeed a lovely young lady. Beautiful, in fact.
"Hello, Miss.." Christian trailed off.
"Badin, Jadeana Badin. You can just call me Jade, or Ana," she answered.
"In that case, you can call me Christian, and this is Mr. Harold Zidler."
"Either name is fine," the other man added.
"I'm please to meet you both," she said quietly. There was silence for a moment.
"Eh, what do you do for a living?" Zidler asked. She smiled.
"I don't do anything," she admitted. "I came from a rather poor family, but I learned all that I know from the priest in my home in Wales. The only way to really make money was to beg or sell my body, but I did neither. I didn't want to be like my mother. I left home and, with the help of another priest, got a job and earned enough money to come here. I've been doing well since, with only a few jobs in between. I've been told I'm a brilliant actress, though." She smiled.
"Well, then...Jade. That is an unusual name," Christian commented. She shrugged with another small smile.
"I can't lie. It's not my name. My real name is Grace." She looked up. "I hope you aren't mad."
"No, it's a beautiful name. Why did you hide it?" Christian inquired.
"I thought it would help to have an unusual name, that's all."
"Well, it didn't, really. You concealed it well, but you're too honest. Now, if you would just please stand up and read these lines with me, we can begin." As she stood, her traveling cloak fluttered to the floor, revealing a form-fitting white dress. Christian noticed that she had a very nice figure, and watched her pick the cloak up.
"Right, then." He stood up and went to the other side of the desk. He showed her where the lines started. "You are Estelle, and I will be Thomas." She nodded and cleared her throat. Then she looked up expectantly. "Are you going to start?" she asked amusedly. Christian caught himself staring and laughed.
"Yes, of course." He also cleared his throat. "Estelle, what would your father say if he found out you were here?" he quoted from the script.
"I don't care what he says. I just want to talk to you," Grace countered, looking up at Christian.
"But I don't want you to be locked in your room again. I care about you, Estelle, and I want to see you. But your father would disapprove," he answered quietly.
"He can't stop me from loving you," she said softly, stepping closer. Christian was surprised at how much she was getting into the role. Zidler watched in amusement.
"I love you too, Estelle. I won't let anything happen." He cupped her chin and made her look into his eyes. "I promise."
'Oh, he's handsome," Grace thought as she looked into his gray eyes. She smiled.
"I believe you," she whispered. Then she blushed. "Do we really have to kiss?" she asked. Christian glanced at the script and let go of her face.
"No," he replied. Then, he stopped, and looked up at her in awe. "How did you do that?" he asked. She looked confused.
"Do what?" she asked innocently.
"You barely glanced at the script the entire time, and yet you knew they were supposed to kiss!" Christian exclaimed. Zidler had stood up by this point and both men were looking at the girl accusingly. She winced.
"I have a photographic memory," she replied. "I can memorize lines in an instant." Christian grinned.
"How old are you?" he asked excitedly.
"Twenty-two, and yourself?"
"Twenty-five," he answered absently. He turned to Zidler. "Get the others! We've found our girl!" As Zidler left, Christian turned in time to grab Grace's elbow as she faltered. She looked up at him with wide eyes. "I got it?" she asked incredulously. He smiled gently.
"Yes," he answered, squeezing her hand. "You got it." She laughed.
"That was easier than I thought!" He chuckled lightly as the rest of the group tramped in. Nini looked Grace over. "This her?" she asked. Christian nodded.
"Everyone, meet Grace," he announced. The Argentinean burst forth.
"You must be a great actress to join Spectacular Spectacular! I am.." Suddenly, he collapsed on the floor. Grace gave a little gasp.
"Don't worry, he has narcolepsy," Christian reassured her as he and Zidler moved him to a chair. "Before I introduce everyone to you, we can go get your things." He reached for his coat.
"Wait!" Grace exclaimed. Christian turned to her.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I brought my things with me," she explained, rushing out into the hallway. She returned a moment later with two suitcases. "There," she said, setting them down and smiling at everyone. Toulouse spoke up.
"You certainly picked the right girl, Chwistian," he said happily. Christian smiled brightly at Grace, who returned the smile.
"I think so."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"This is your woom," Toulouse said. He opened the door to Grace's room. "We made suwe to keep a vacancy for you. We are vewy happy to have you with us." Grace stepped into the room with a smile.
"Thank you, Toulouse. I appreciate it." She set her things near the bed. "Can you tell me when practice is?"
"We will wake you at six in the morning, and pwactice begins at eight- thirty or so. We have fowtune on our side and got a weal stage to perfowm on," he answered excitedly. Her eyes widened.
"Do you make much money with the plays Christian writes?" she asked curiously. He shrugged.
"Chwistian is a vewy good writer. We make a considerable amount of money, which keeps us on the woad. Maybe, sometime soon, I can tell you more, but we must see if you awe twustworthy. We mean no offense."
"I understand," Grace answered. Toulouse bowed.
"Then I will weave you to west. Goodbye, Gwace."
"Thank you again, Toulouse," she called as he shut the door behind him. She set about unpacking and was soon settled in. She sat down on her bed to think for a minute when the door burst open.
"Hello," Nini said cheerfully as she entered. She sat down next to Grace, who looked a bit startled. "Oh, no need to be worried, doll. I'm just here to put some things into place." She stood up and pulled Grace up with her. She circled the young girl slowly.
"Yes....nice figure, wonderful posture.....well, you've got a chest, that's always a good thing." She stopped in front of her. "Can you sing?" Grace looked a little scared.
"Yes, I suppose," she answered quietly. Nini sighed.
"Well, the answer is going to have to be more definite. Christian writes mostly musicals, and this one happens to be one. If you can't sing, you're done for. He'll want to hear you sing tomorrow. I'm just letting you know beforehand. And also, you can't be afraid to show some skin, if the need arises. You seem like a nice, reserved girl, but you'll have to come out of your shell. And."
"Roxanne, please!" Christian exclaimed. He strode into the room. "I'm sure Grace knows what she's doing, and maybe she would like to get some rest."
"Thank you, Roxanne. I appreciate the advice," Grace said with a smile. She turned to Christian as Nini left quickly. "Would you like to speak to me?"
"No, I was just rescuing you from the clutches of Roxanne. She can be a bit eccentric," Christian explained, backing up to the door. "But, I'm sure you're tired. Get some rest, and someone will wake you for dinner." He closed the door before she could say anything. She smiled softly to herself and laid down on the bed. Closing her eyes, she sang quietly to the ceiling.
Rain falling gently,
Mingling with the tears
On my face.
Washing away sadness,
Healing my soul.
You didn't hear me crying.
You were sleeping sound.
I hurt inside,
But still live on.
Just to be with you.
It was just a little verse off the top of her head, but it got her to relax and drift off into sleep.
Christian listened to Grace's quiet musings, and walked sadly to his room. It was time to call back the past and heal the wounds that had been reopened with every memory of her. His Satine.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Okay, yeah, short and sweet, but I'm going to put more. Promise. I want at least one review, but it'll still keep going, even if you hate it. I'll take comments and suggestions. I'll get into Grace's past more so as I get on with it, so no flames for that. I like friendly criticism, though!