August 1898

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Did the damned clock ever stop? Christian sighed heavily. His father immediately put him to work all day every day at the factory, before Christian had a chance to think his life out! He hated every moment of it!

Bang! The door to his father's office slammed open. It was Uncle Lolol, Father's brother.

"My own brother!" Lolol grumbled. He took a drink from his flask. Christian walked out from his workplace and followed Lolol.

"Uncle, what's wrong?"

"Your damned father fired me, that's what!" He said angrily.

"I'm sorry, Uncle. Say, how about we have tea together? Would that be better?" Christian offered.

Lolol peered at Christian. He and his father were so unlike. His father was tall and gangly. Lolol was fat and short with a pudgy nose and red face.

"I love hearing your stories about other countries, Uncle."

For the past couple months, Christian had been visiting Lolol at teatime, and Lolol would tell him of all sorts of places. That's what Christian wanted to do. Travel, and write. Write in some other country, far from London, far from his parents, and this dreadful factory. Uncle shook his head no.

"I think it's just going to be me and my flask tonight." Lolol stumbled off.

Christian gave his goodbyes and looked out the window. It was sunset, time for him to go!

Christian exited the backdoor. He walked over to a patch of trees. His sister was waiting for him. He saw Lily kiss a young man goodbye. She quickly rushed over to Christian.

"Who is that?" Christian asked.

"That's John Dundas, father's friend's son."

"Oh."

"His parents are the wealthiest in Scotland."

"He's Scottish, then."
"Yes." Lily replied. She was smiling. Christian studied her face.

"How long have you been seeing him?" This was the first Christian had heard of Mr. Dundas.

"Many weeks. You're just too dreamy to notice." Lily chuckled.

"Do you love him, then?" Christian asked.

Lily looked down on the ground.

"He is the best choice for a husband. Mum and Father would be proud. John and I are good friends."

Christian pulled Lily toward him. He and Lily were very close, he only wanted the best for her.

"You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Love is the most precious gift in the world, do not waste it."

Lily chuckled and continued walking.

"Christian, you are so young. I'm nearly twenty. If there's anytime to get married, it's now. I know what I'm doing. You don't have to recite your poetry to change my mind."

Christian gave her a look of concern. Lily waved him off, nodding. She chuckled and took Christian's hand, and together they walked home.

It was another sunny afternoon. Christian decided to take his lunch break with Lolol. They sat at his table, drinking tea.

"Tell me about Monmarte, Uncle." Christian pleaded.

"Monmarte." Uncle said slowly. His face neared Christian, his pudgy nose close to him.

"You couldn't imagine what goes on quite openly everyday. Bohemians, singers, writers, run wild in the streets reciting their poetry, singing their songs, trying to change the world with their 'Bohemian Revolution' Street whores are all around, trying to sell their fragile bodies. But the real courtesans are in the Moulin Rouge. The Moulin Rouge has parties that never end, lights that never stop shining, dancers that never stop dancing, the windmill never stops turning. The Moulin Rouge is endless."

Christian was in complete awe, hanging on every single word Lolol said. Could this be the place for him?