A/N: Thanks for all the amazing reviews! They made me really happy, and lifted my mood when the chamber chorus list was posted today and my name wasn't on it. This is the play, so it will probably be long. Though, if Word refuses to cooperate, it will be short. And this is the chapter where we find out whether Sara lives or dies! Enjoy, and please review! Song for the chapter: Show Must Go On, Elton John with Queen
Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Moulin Rouge, and I have no control over what Ewan McGregor says or does…. He was HOTT in Angels and Demons! :~)
Chapter Ten: Only the Good…
Sara POV:
It was a week before the play. I had called up Ewan McGregor to tell him the dates for the play and he promised he would go to all three performances. I was hyped! How many people can say they saw Ewan McGregor at a school play?
"Alright. Places everyone!" Mrs. Adams called, jolting me back to reality. "We'll start with the kiss."
I grinned excitedly at Chris, and he smiled back.
"Ready? Action!" Mrs. Adams called. I didn't think; I rushed forward and kissed Chris with everything I had, and he kissed back. My body ignited under his touch, as the kiss got deeper than any school play kiss should. But I didn't care. This was bliss. I felt better than I had in weeks, happier than I'd been in months. Mrs. Adams was clearing her throat loudly and obnoxiously, students were whooping and cheering, and we were kissing.
"Now, really! That is much too intense! End it now!" Mrs. Adams was protesting. Chris laughed, ending the kiss.
"Sorry, ma'am." Too bad he didn't sound sincere.
"Can we continue?" The drama teacher glared at me, as if it was my fault.
"Sure!" I flashed a grin at her and delivered my line.
~*~
Final Dress Rehearsal
Chris POV:
"That was perfect!" Mrs. Adams cheered. I smiled at her, wiping away tears. Sara leaped out of my arms, smoothing out her dress and rubbing the "blood" off of her cheeks.
"I hate pretending to die." She whined, bending down and kissing me on the cheek.
"Want me to make it up to you?" I asked, grinning at her disgruntled expression, not noticing the sadness in her eyes.
"How?" She asked.
"We do have three hours of free time before our designated 'bed time.'"
"So…?"
"I heard Angels and Demons was really good!"
"You still haven't given up on that, have you?" She sighed dramatically. "Okay, let's go see it. Dinner is on me!"
"And what, movie tickets are on me?"
"Duh! I'm keeping dinner cheap… Chick-Fil-A!"
"Of course I get the most expensive thing." I grumped, unsuccessfully hiding a grin.
~*~
Dinner was great. We talked about the play, summer plans, and ourselves. We held hands the entire time, and I pretended to ignore the urgency Sara had hidden deep in her eyes.
The movie was beyond fantastic. Sara's eyes were glued to the screen, as were mine. She huddled next to me, covering her eyes when the movie got too bloody or intense.
I played with her satiny hair, running my fingers though it, inhaling the lemony scent. And still, Sara never dropped my hand.
"That was good." Sara commented when the movie ended. "Different from the book, but still really good. Ewan McGregor really understood the Camerlengo's character."
"I never thought he would be evil!" I said, deciding to read the book.
"Who said he was? If you read the book, you'd understand." She teased. "Come on, I need to get my beauty sleep, and you're my ride home."
~*~
Opening Night
Sara POV:
The auditorium was filling up quickly, packed with more people and students than any of us had expected.
Oh. My. God.
He was there.
In the front row.
Ewan McGregor had actually come!
I squealed, and grabbed Alex's hand. "He came!" Alex laughed.
"I am so getting his autograph after the show!" She announced, giggling madly.
"Ladies, settle down! Get your costumes on!" Mrs. Adams said sternly, bustling by.
~*~
I waited for my cue in the wings, watching Chris give a flawless performance, knowing he was just right for the part.
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return." Chris sang.
He walked across the stage (Toulouse's part had been a voice over) and sat down next to a solitary typewriter, typing his lines as he spoke.
The first few minutes of the play flew by without incident, and then suddenly it was my turn. Silver confetti fluttered to the ground as the swing (with me on it) lowered to the ground.
"It's her, the sparkling diamond!" Toulouse whispered, and I began to sing.
"The French are glad to die for love… They delight in fighting duels… But I prefer a man who lives… And gives expensive jewels…"
I stepped off of the swing and danced my way through the small crowd of men, all of who threw 'expensive' jewels at me. I sang the song through, ending up, breathless, in front of Chris, who looked up, startled.
"I believe you were expecting me." I purred.
"Yes. Yes." Christian answered, looking as if he hardly believed his luck.
~*~
McGregor's POV
The play was fantastic, for a school play, that is. The acting was seamless, each actor blending with his or her character perfectly. It was hard to believe that they were only high school students, not experienced and seasoned actors.
"Bravo!" I applauded when the first act ended. The perfect place for intermission, I mused. They had ended it right after the Duke had signed the deeds for the Moulin Rouge, closing the curtain at:
Zidler: I…understand…completely, Duke.
Duke: Good. Now that we have an understanding, it would appear that, uh, you have the means to transform your beloved Moulin Rouge….
The curtain closed at that moment, and the audience rose from their seats, clapping for a good minute before heading off for the fifteen-minute break.
Myself? I headed backstage to congratulate the cast, but before I could, a teacher came bustling up to me.
"No one is allowed backstage." She told me, looking at me sternly, apparently not caring or noticing that I was Ewan McGregor, in the flesh.
"I can't go backstage?" I asked.
"No." She hesitated. "Do I know you? You look really familiar…" She sighed, not wanting an answer, and hurried off to prevent some students from getting backstage.
The lights blinked on and off a few minutes later, announcing the beginning of the second act.
~*~
"…INTO A THEATER!" Harold Zidler shouted when the curtain rose. "We will have the world's first completely modern, entirely electric, totally bohemian, all-singing, all-dancing stage spectacular!"
I looked at all of the characters, noticing that Satine-Sara-was looking a little pale and out of character. She managed to play her part, smiling when she had to smile, speaking when she had to.
The scene changed to Toulouse's studio, where Christian, Satine, and Toulouse were rehearsing for the play, sharing laughs.
Satine: Oh, but a life without love, that's—that's terrible!
CHRISTIAN: Yes, but the Sitar Player. . .
TOULOUSE: Wait, wait, wait!
CHRISTIAN: . . .with the magical sitar. . .
[CHRISTIAN comes in and sits next to SATINE.]
TOULOUSE: That's my part, Christian, th- that's my part. That's my part, Christian. Don't you dare, no!
[TOULOUSE comes over to CHRISTIAN and SATINE.]
TOULOUSE: His magic sitar who can only speak the truth says, he says…
[CHRISTIAN and SATINE laugh, but they only have eyes for each other.]
CHRISTIAN: The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.
~*~
Sara POV:
I loved performing the play. I loved the applause, the way the audience was truly absorbed in the play, I adored the costumes and the sets, but most of all, I loved being able to interact with Chris and to kiss him. What I didn't like? I didn't like the fact that I was suddenly feeling ill again, and that I felt the constant itch in my throat that was begging me to cough.
The audience fell in love with the "Like a Virgin" scene. They were roaring with laughter, tears falling from their eyes, the entire time. And then it was my second favourite scene: "Come What May".
CHRISTIAN: Where were you last night?
SATINE: I told you, I was sick.
[CHRISTIAN walks over and sits on the edge of the bed. He reaches out to take SATINE's hand, but she turns away, moving to sit on the opposite edge with her back to CHRISTIAN.]
CHRISTIAN: You don't have to lie to me.
SATINE: We have to end it. Everyone knows. Harold knows. Sooner or later the Duke will find out too.
[CHRISTIAN looks away.]
SATINE: On opening night, I have to sleep with the Duke, and the jealousy will drive you mad.
[SATINE gets up and walks over to the window. After a beat CHRISTIAN gets up too, and walks across the other side of the room, putting down the paper he was holding. SATINE turns back towards the room.]
SATINE: Christian.
[But CHRISTIAN has gone out onto the balcony, and appears behind her. SATINE turns to face him, and he takes her face in his hands.]
CHRISTIAN: Then I'll write a song, and—and we'll put it in the show, and no matter how bad things get. . .
SATINE: Christian. . .
CHRISTIAN: . . .or whatever happens. . .
SATINE: . . .No…
CHRISTIAN: . . .whenever you hear it, or when you sing it, or whistle it, or hum it, well then you'll know. . .
[CHRISTIAN kisses SATINE on the forehead.]
CHRISTIAN: . . .it'll mean— it'll mean that we love one another. I won't get jealous.
SATINE: Things don't work that way, Christian.
[SATINE turns away from CHRISTIAN and walks back into the room.]
SATINE: We have to end it.
[SATINE crosses to the other side of the balcony. She and CHRISTIAN look at each other through the 'L'Amour' sign. SATINE turns away.]
CHRISTIAN:
Never knew I could feel like this,
Like I've never seen the sky before.
Want to vanish inside your kiss. . .
[SATINE pauses, her back to CHRISTIAN. From the look in her eyes, we see that once again CHRISTIAN has won her over with his poetry, against her better judgement.]
[In the Moulin Rouge main hall, CHRISTIAN is addressing the CAST at a rehearsal. There is now a stage, with the proscenium arch being built over it, and the actors have a few bits of costume on.]
CHRISTIAN: Now, uh, this new scene is the scene where the, uh, sitar payer writes a secret song for the courtesan, so that whatever is happening, what—however bad things are, th-they remember their love. And, um, we could take it from your line Satine, so let's take it, let's take it.
[Onstage, SATINE turns to the ARGENTINEAN.]
SATINE-AS-HINDU-COURTESAN: We must be careful.
ARGENTINEAN-AS-PENNILESS-SITAR-PLAYER: Fear not: we will conduct our love affair right under the maharajah's...
CHRISTIAN: [Aside, to SATINE.]
Seasons may change, winter to spring. . .
[The ARGENTINEAN collapses, unconscious.]
ZIDLER: Honestly amigo, this is impossible!
CHRISTIAN: [Aside, to SATINE.]
. . .But I love you until the end of time. . .
[CHRISTIAN and SATINE are standing on the balcony outside his garret, looking off into the distance.]
CHRISTIAN:
Come what may. . .
[SATINE turns towards CHRISTIAN.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .Come what may. . .
. . .I will love you until my dying day.
CHRISTIAN and SATINE:
Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place. . .
CHRISTIAN and SATINE:
Suddenly it moves. . .
. . .with such a perfect grace. . .
Suddenly my life. . .
. . .doesn't seem such a waste,
It all revolves around you.
And there's no mountain too high. ..
. . .no river too wide. . .
. . .Sing out this song. . .
. . .and I'll be there by your side.
Storm clouds may gather, and stars may collide...
CHRISTIAN:
But I love you…
SATINE:
I love you...
CHRISTIAN:
…till the end...
SATINE:
...until the end...
CHRISTIAN and SATINE:
Of time.
[The DUKE watches the rehearsal. NINI stands behind him.]
CHRISTIAN and SATINE:
Come what may, come what may,
I will love you...
[SATIE plays the piano.]
[Backstage, SATINE starts gasping for breath.]
[CHRISTIAN writes the play in his garret.]
[Backstage, SATINE continues gasping for breath.]
[SATIE writes the score.]
[CHRISTIAN helping TOULOUSE learn his lines. SATINE watches.]
CHRISTIAN: The magical sitar player falls from the roof and says: 'the greatest thing you'll ever learn. . .
(The greatest thing. . .)
CHRISTIAN: . . .is just to love and be loved in return.'
[CHRISTIAN looks at SATINE, who smiles back at him.]
(. . .you'll ever learn. . .)
[Back to the rehearsal. The DUKE watches, and NINI comes up behind him.]
NINI: This ending's silly. Why would the courtesan go for the penniless writer? Whoops! I mean sitar player.
[The DUKE looks at CHRISTIAN. Zoom in on the DUKE's face as he realises.]
CHORUS:
Come what may...
[Onstage, the song is reaching the end. TOULOUSE, wearing the beginnings of his magical sitar costume, comes out of the doors at the back of the stage. SATINE, wearing the Hindu Courtesan's head-dress, and the ARGENTINEAN are in the centre of the stage, surrounded by dancers.]
SATINE-AS-HINDU-COURTESAN and ARGENTINEAN-AS-PENNILESS-SITAR-PLAYER:
I will love you...
[NINI goes back to sit down, looking pleased with herself.]
CHORUS:
Come what may...
[The CHORUS rises up and moves in towards SATINE and the ARGENTINEAN, who turn towards each other.]
SATINE-AS-HINDU-COURTESAN and ARGENTINEAN-AS-PENNILESS-SITAR-PLAYER:
Yes, I will love you...
[ZIDLER, wearing the evil maharajah's turban cries huge fake sobs.]
CHORUS:
Come what may...
[THE DOCTOR and SATIE play in the orchestra.]
[The DUKE watches with rising anger.]
SATINE-AS-HINDU-COURTESAN and ARGENTINEAN-AS-PENNILESS-SITAR-PLAYER:
I will love you till my dying day.
[Pull back as the song ends. The CHORUS turns to face the front; SATINE and the ARGENTINEAN join hands and face the front, raising their other arm into the air. CHRISTIAN, watching with script in hand, sings and acts along. The song ends, and ALL turn to the DUKE for his reaction.]
DUKE: I don't like this ending.
[Silence. CHRISTIAN looks back at the DUKE. The STAGE MANAGER looks up. The CHORUS drops their arms. SATINE steps away from the ARGENTINEAN and crosses her arms. ZIDLER is confused.]
ZIDLER: Don't like the ending, my dear Duke?
[The DUKE stands up.]
DUKE: Why would the courtesan choose a penniless sitar player over the maharajah, who is offering a lifetime of security. That's real love.
[CHRISTIAN watches the DUKE, unsettled.]
DUKE: Once the sitar player has satisfied his lust, he will leave the courtesan with nothing. I suggest that in the end, the courtesan choose the maharajah.
[TOULOUSE steps forward.]
TOULOUSE: But, b-but sorry.
[ALL look at TOULOUSE.]
TOULOUSE: Sorry, but that ending does not uphold the bohemian ideals of, of truth, beauty, freedom...
DUKE: I don't care about your ridiculous dogma! Why shouldn't the courtesan choose the maharajah!
[CHRISTIAN can't contain himself any longer. He yells.]
CHRISTIAN: Because she doesn't love you!
[Stunned silence. CHRISTIAN attempts to cover for his outburst.]
CHRISTIAN: H-him. H-him. Sh-she doesn't love h— she doesn't love him.
[The DUKE looks at SATINE, who is expressionless.]
DUKE: Now I see.
[The DUKE looks back at CHRISTIAN, then addresses ZIDLER.]
DUKE: Monsieur Zidler, this ending will be rewritten, with the courtesan choosing the maharajah, and without the lover's secret song. It will be rehearsed in the morning, ready for the opening tomorrow night.
[For once, ZIDLER is at a loss for words.]
ZIDLER: M-my dear Duke, th-that will be quite impossible...
[But SATINE steps in.]
SATINE: Harold, the poor Duke is being treated appallingly.
[SATINE walks across the stage and up to the DUKE.]
SATINE: These silly writers let their imaginations run away with them. Now, why don't you and I have a little supper, and then afterwards we can let Monsieur Zidler know how we would prefer the story to end, hmm?
[CHRISTIAN looks away.]
~*~
Chris POV:
El Tango De Roxanne. My favourite song in the entire movie, full of all the elements of a tango.
ARGENTINEAN: We have a dance in the brothels of Buenos Aires.
[Spotlights come on. The ARGENTINEAN snaps his fingers and SATIE strikes a chord on the piano. The ARGENINEAN walks along the dance floor, and CHRISTIAN walks along the raised side, parallel to him.]
ARGENTINEAN: It tells the story. . .
[A violin plays a mournful note.]
ARGENTINEAN: . . .of a prostitute. . .
[Spotlight on NINI; laughter, catcalls. CHRISTIAN looks back. NINI steps down to join the ARGENTINEAN on the dance floor.]
ARGENTINEAN: . . .and a man. . .
[CU of CHRISTIAN.]
ARGENTINEAN: . . .who falls in love. . .
[The ARGENTINEAN and NINI face each other, ten paces apart.]
ARGENTINEAN: . . .with her.
[A violin holds a quavering note, the orchestra strikes up a tango. The ARGENTINEAN and NINI dance around each other warily.]
[In the Gothic Tower, SATINE pulls off her other opera glove, looking at the DUKE.]
[CU of CHRISTIAN.]
[The ARGENTINEAN and NINI circle each other.]
[SATINE and the DUKE sit at opposite ends of a long table in the Gothic Tower, watching each other.]
[The ARGENTINEAN and NINI dance closer.]
ARGENTINEAN: First, there is desire.
[In the Gothic Tower, SATINE and the DUKE kiss.]
[In the main hall, as the ARGENTINEAN and NINI dance close but not quite touching; a MAN gets up from the side.]
ARGENTINEAN: Then, passion.
[The ARGENTINEAN grabs NINI's hand and spins her, pulling her close to him. The MAN from the sidelines steps closer. NINI stretches out her arm towards another MAN. The ARGENTINEAN follows her gaze.]
ARGENTINEAN: Then suspicion. . .
[The ARGENTINEAN grabs NINI's arm as she steps away from him. More MEN step in towards them.
ARGENTINEAN: . . .jealousy, anger. . .
[CU of CHRISTIAN]
[The ARGENTINEAN violently spins NINI away from, then towards, him.]
ARGENTINEAN: . . .betrayal.
[The ARGENTINEAN and NINI dance a fast, violent tango. ALL look on.]
ARGENTINEAN: Where love is for the highest bidder, there can be no trust. Without trust, there is no love. Jealousy, yes, jealousy. . .
[The ARGENTINEAN hands off NINI to another man.]
ARGENTINEAN: . . .will drive you. . .
[Cut rapidly between a CU of the ARGENTINEAN, and a CU of CHRISTIAN, tighter each time.]
ARGENTINEAN: . . .mad!
Roxanne!
[NINI starts to dance the tango with the other MAN. CHRISTIAN turns to watch.]
ARGENTINEAN:
You don't have to put on that red light,
Walk the streets for money.
[More MEN move in towards NINI and her partner.]
ARGENTINEAN:
You don't care if it's wrong or if it is right.
[NINI's PARTNER passes her off to another MAN, who drags her across the floor. The ARGENTINEAN sings to her as she passes him.]
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
[NINI changes partners.]
ARGENTINEAN:
You don't have to wear that dress tonight.
[Another MAN takes NINI from her PARTNER. The ARGENTINEAN circles around them.]
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
[NINI's PARTNER spins her towards another MAN, who lifts her in the air.]
ARGENTINEAN:
You don't have to sell your body to the night.
[Close on CHRISTIAN.]
CHRISTIAN:
His eyes. . .
[In the Gothic Tower, the DUKE slowly stands up from the table, his eyes on SATINE.]
[NINI's PARTNER places her down in front of the ARGENTINEAN.]
[SATINE watches the DUKE.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .upon your face.
[CHRISTIAN starts down the stairs to the dance floor. The ARGENTINEAN and NINI kiss.]
CHRISTIAN:
His hand. . .
[SATINE lowers her eyes and sighs.]
[NINI steps back from the ARGENTINEAN.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .upon your hand.
[CHRISTIAN walks through the MEN and DANCERS on the dance floor.]
CHRISTIAN:
His lips. . .
[The ARGENTINEAN turns away. CHRISTIAN moves through the MEN and DANCERS.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .caress your skin.
It's more than I can stand!
[The DANCERS and the MEN pair up. The ARGENTINEAN walks between them, then turns.]
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
[NINI quickly turns to face the ARGENTINEAN, then turns away. CHRISTIAN, his back to the dancing COUPLES, keeps walking.]
CHRISTIAN:
Why does my heart cry. . .
[Many COUPLES, now, dance the tango.]
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
[CHRISTIAN keeps walking out of the Moulin Rouge. The ARGENTINEAN moves towards NINI.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .feelings. . .
[SATINE smiles at the DUKE.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .I can't fight. . .
[The ARGENTINEAN looks toward NINI.]
[SATINE coughs.]
[CHRISTIAN walks between the dancing couples.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .You're free to leave me. . .
[The MEN dip their PARTNERS in the tango.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .Just don't deceive me. . .
[The DUKE bends over SATINE.]
[CHRISTIAN walks between the dancing couples.]
CHRISTIAN:
And please believe me
When I say. . .
[SATINE and the DUKE kiss.]
[CU of CHRISTIAN.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .I love you.
[The DUKE walks along the table towards SATINE.]
DUKE: When this production succeeds. . .
[COUPLES dancing the tango circle each other.]
[The DUKE nears SATINE.]
DUKE: . . .you'll no longer be a can-can dancer. . .
[CHRISTIAN walks forward, looking up at the Gothic Tower.]
[The DUKE leans towards SATINE.]
DUKE: . . .but an actress.
[CHRISTIAN walks forward, looking up at the Gothic Tower.]
[The DUKE leans close to SATINE.]
DUKE: I will make you. . .
[The MEN step towards their partners.]
[he DUKE leans down and kisses SATINE's shoulder.]
DUKE: . . .a star.
[A WAITER opens a jewellery case to reveal an extravagant diamond necklace. SATINE looks at the DUKE as she reaches out to touch the necklace.]
[CHRSITIAN looks over at the Gothic Tower. The BOHEMIANS and the DANCERS sit and wait.]
[The DUKE puts the necklace on SATINE.]
DUKE: Accept it as a gift from this maharajah to his courtesan.
[The ARGENTINEAN looks at NINI]
[SATINE is overwhelmed.]
SATINE: Oh. And. . .
[In the main hall, SATIE, CHOCOLAT, and a DANCER look towards the Gothic Tower.]
[SATINE turns to the DUKE.]
SATINE: . . .and the ending?
[CHOCOLAT leaves the main hall.]
[The DUKE leans close to SATINE. Their faces are reflected in the mirror.]
DUKE: Let Zidler keep his fairy-tale ending.
[Back in the main hall, the tango resumes.]
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
[CHRISTIAN walks out into the garden.]
CHRISTIAN:
Why does my heart cry...
[The tango intensifies.]
ARGENTINEAN:
You don't have to put on that red light.
Roxanne!
CHRISTIAN:
...feelings I can't fight. . .
ARGENTINEAN:
You don't have to do your hair tonight.
[CHRISTIAN walks through the garden.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .You're free to leave me,
But just don't deceive me. . .
[The DUKE kisses SATINE on the balcony of the Gothic Tower.]
CHRISTIAN:
. . .And please believe me
When I say I love you.
[CHRISTIAN pauses beneath the Gothic Tower and looks up.]
[In the tango, the MEN lay down their heads on their PARTNER's shoulders.]
[The tango stops.]
[On the balcony of the tower, SATINE looks down and sees CHRISTIAN standing below.]
SATINE:
Come what may,
I will love you till my dying day.
[CHRISTIAN looks down, unable to stand it.]
[SATINE stiffens against the DUKE's advances.]
SATINE: No.
DUKE: No?
[The DUKE follows SATINE's gaze down to CHRISTIAN.]
DUKE: Oh, I see. It's our very own penniless sitar player.
[Frightened, SATINE turns and goes inside. The DUKE follows her, closing the doors behind him.]
SATINE: Dear Duke.
DUKE: Silence!
[The DUKE grabs SATINE's arms, forcing her onto the floor.]
[The strains of the tango creep back in.]
DUKE: You made me believe that you loved me.
SATINE: No.
[The DANCERS mover closer to their PARTNERS.]
[The DUKE's hands slide down SATINE's neck, under the necklace.]
[The TANGO DANCERS move slowly as the music builds. NINI sits, watching.]
[The DUKE's hands slide further under the necklace.]
[The ARGENTINEAN moves towards NINI.]
[The DUKE's hands slide still further under the necklace.]
[The ARGENTINEAN walks towards the dance floor; NINI moves away.]
[The DUKE breaks the necklace, and it falls off SATINE's neck.]
[The ARGENTINEAN steps onto the dance floor.]
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
[CHRISTIAN throws open the door to his garret.]
CHRISTIAN:
Why does my heart cry. . .
[The DANCERS resume the tango.]
[The DUKE chases SATINE around the table. As she struggles to get away from him, she knocks the trappings of romance off the table.]
[The ARGENTINEAN.]
[The DUKE chases SATINE.]
[CU CHRISTIAN.]
CHRISTIAN:
Feelings I can't hide?
[The DUKE grabs SATINE.]
[In the tango, the MEN roughly dip their PARTNERS.]
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
CHORUS:
Why does my heart cry. . .
[The DUKE throws SATINE to the floor, and walks around her.]
ARGENTINEAN:
You don't have to put on that red light.
[The tango grows more violent.]
[The DUKE clasps his arms around SATINE.]
[NINI joins the tango again.]
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
CHORUS:
. . .Feelings I can't hide.
ARGENTINEAN:
You don't have to wear that dress tonight.
Roxanne!
[The DUKE starts ripping SATINE's dress.]
DUKE:
Why does my heart cry...
[SATINE's movements are mirrored by NINI in the tango, as the MEN form a circle around her.]
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
[The DUKE rips SATINE's dress off her.]
DUKE:
. . .Feelings I can't hide.
ARGENTINEAN:
Roxanne!
[The ARGENTINEAN yells.]
[The DUKE yells.]
[CHRISTIAN yells.]
[SATINE puts her hands to her face.]
[NINI is thrown from one MAN to another in the circle.]
[The DUKE throws SATINE on the bed. She scrambles backwards, but he advances on her. She closes her eyes.]
[The ARGENTINEAN grabs NINI.]
[CHOCOLAT appears behind the DUKE and punches him.]
[The ARGENTINEAN lets NINI drop. She lies in the middle of the circle of MEN.]
[The music ends.]
[SATINE opens her eyes and looks at CHOCOLAT, who looks at the DUKE, unconscious on the floor.]
[CHRISTIAN stands in the window of his garret, waiting.]
[In the main hall, ALL have fallen asleep.]
[CHRISTIAN turns as the door opens. A distraught SATINE enters, followed by CHOCOLAT. SATINE runs to CHRISTIAN, who holds her tightly.]
SATINE: I couldn't, I couldn't go through with it. I saw you there, and I—I felt terribly, and I couldn't do it, and the Duke, he saw. He saw, and he...Christian, I love you...
CHRISTIAN: It's okay.
SATINE: …and I couldn't do it, I don't want to pretend anymore, I didn't want to lie, I don't...and he knows. He knows, and he saw you...
CHRISTIAN: It's all right, you don't have to pretend anymore. We'll leave, we'll leave tonight.
SATINE: Leave? Wh—but the show...
CHRISTIAN: I don't care, I don't care about the show. We love each other, and that's all that matters.
[SATINE smiles.]
SATINE: Yes, as long as we have each other.
[CHRISTIAN and SATINE kiss.]
SATINE: We have each other.
The scene ended and I hurried backstage to get a much-needed drink of water. Satine stayed onstage to learn that she was dying and that I would be killed if she didn't end the relationship with me. How sad. I smirked, gulping down mouthfuls of water.
"Chris! Get ready!" Someone hissed. I looked up, meeting Alex's gaze.
"Why do you always get the boy roles?" I asked her, motioning to her outfit.
"Because I make a good guy." She answered, flushing a bright scarlet.
"Right…" Before she could protest, I hurried off and waited for my cue.
~*~
The play was almost over. I noticed that Sara was coughing almost constantly, and thought that she was getting a little too into character. But, the coughing sounded harsh and painful. Was she all right?
Sara POV:
Oh, God. I felt like I was going to faint, but I couldn't! Not when the end was so close. All I had to do was finish my lines and 'die' in Chris' arms. Apparently, that wasn't going to happen tonight.
Chris POV:
I opened my mouth to say my line, the line about paying my whore, when Sara started coughing violently, specks of blood hitting the floor. I was at a loss. What did I do? Continue acting, or comfort her?
I made my choice, wishing it wasn't a mistake. I delivered my line and threw down the bundle of cash, then stalked off of the stage, waiting for Sara to sing her line.
Toulouse said his, and I kept walking. I didn't hear Satine's line. Finally, after a tense moment, she delivered the beginning notes.
"Never knew I could feel like this…" I heard a thud as she fainted.
"Sa-Satine!" I turned and started running towards Sara's limp body. "Satine!" I bellowed.
Ewan POV:
Hmm. Satine was fainting earlier than she should. And why was everyone in a daze, except for Christian, who was dashing towards the stage, shouting her name? And why was the lady next to me repeating "no…no…no…"? It was all very confusing.
Sara POV:
I couldn't breathe. The air seemed impossibly thick, and the world was so far away. Was I dying? I felt Chris wrap his arms around me, shaking with sobs.
"No.... No! Don't leave me!"
"Isn't.... Isn't it funny?" I managed to ask, trying to memorize his bold and handsome Scottish features. "That.... That this.... started.... as a school play...." My voice faded. I coughed, and stars danced before my eyes. "That this started as a school play and ended.... ended as.... reality...?" I couldn't say more.
"Don't say that! You're not going to die! You are not going to die!" He was begging me, and I knew that if I held on, held on just a bit longer, I would have a chance at living. But holding on was so hard. Each breath was painful, each cough bringing up increasingly more blood.
"Don't deny it…" I whispered to him, tears rolling down my cheeks. "I'm going to die, and you're going to write our story." I told him, wishing that I didn't have a microphone taped to my cheek. The whole audience was listening in to our whispered conversation, the words magnified by our microphones.
"You're not! You can't!" He protested. I wondered if he'd known all along, known that I was hiding something from him.
"You think I want to?" I asked, my voice shaky and weak. "Don't you think I've been waiting every day, hoping against hope for a cure that will never…" My voice faded and I closed my eyes, losing the battle to stay awake. "Never come… during my lifetime?" I finished, my breast heaving.
"Sara… Sara, I love you!" He brought me close to him, and I tried to raise my arms up to hug him. But I couldn't. I was so weak. Finally, one arm rose, and I traced my fingers over his tormented face.
"I love you, too, Chris." I whispered. "Always know that." I smiled weakly at him as my vision faded. "I love you…" I breathed.
"Satine! Sara! Satine!" Chris shook me, but I couldn't move. The world was dark and my senses were drifting away. The last thing I felt was Chris's tear-wet lips on my bloody ones.
A/N: So, is she dead or alive? You'll find out soon! Please review, and I'll update sooner than I would with no reviews! Oh, and I copy and pasted the lines from a Moulin Rouge script, and I tried to fix most of what would be impossible to perform on a stage. If I didn't catch it, I'm sorry.