The Letters of the Moulin Rouge

    I have been charged with the responsibility of bringing to the world, the letters of two of the most wonderful people I have been privledged to meet.  This is a story about love. A love that overcame many obstacles, and lives on even after the lovers have departed this world.
    These are the letters they sent to each other, beginning with their meeting. They were entrusted to me by my friend Christian; his last request being I was to tell their story from their points of view.
    Christian passed away earlier this year, a little over a year after losing his true love Satine. He could not find the strength to go on without her, after fulfilling his promise to write their story.
    Now I must fulfill my promise to him, to them both. Remember my dear friends, that the greatest thing you will ever learn is just to love and to be loved in return.

Toulouse
 

Truly,
Christian

Please do not think me unkind when I thought of you as the Duke. Harold
Zidler had mentioned a meeting with the Duke for this evening; and he told
me just before I appeared before you for the dance, that Toulouse was waving
his handkerchief at the Duke. Well of course when I saw that he was waving
it at you, I just naturally thought you were the Duke.
I am flattered by your praise of my person.  As I'm sure you are aware as I
do not wish you lead you on, I am a courtesan. I am paid to make men believe
what they want to believe. I do wish to say I apologize if you thought
something was there between us.  You seem like a fine young man and I don't
mean to hurt your feelings. I never thought you a clod on the dance floor,
it was commendable that you even kept up with me.
If you wish to attend the Moulin Rouge again, I will be appearing, and
perhaps I will save you a dance.

With warmest Regards,
Satine

Madamoiselle Satine,
I was overjoyed to receive your response and I can see where the confusion came in to play. And I forgot to thank you for what
you did for me, you've helped me realize a dream with your quick thinking to the Duke and to Harold I've landed my first job as a
writer. I hope that I can live up to the praise that you showed me to the others, I wouldn't want to seem a failure.
 Please don't think me forward, but how your letter was worded, it saddens me Satine it seems that you've never known true
love.And that is such a heart break; for they say that with true love even the worse things can be bearable, and that  nothing else
matters but the one you share your love with..it's such a grand idea, my father and most of my family would disagree; they would
answer with, well especially my father"I must give up this foolish obsession with love"but as I write this to you now I have to ask
is it foolish ? I feel that love is one of the greatest things that we can strive for, to love and to be loved maybe some day I can
even make my father understand this..one can hope.
 I'm being asked by Toulouse to attend the performance tonight; which I shall I hope that I'll be your choice to dance with.If I
maybe so bold I have much more I would like to say to you in person.Would you be able to give me a private moment so that
we may talk after your performance?

Truly,
Christian

Monsieur Christian,

I was not expecting a response to my letter. I don't wish to chastise you in
any way, please believe that; but do you really know what would have happend
if the Duke had known what was really going on? It would have been the end
for all of us. Harold would never have gotten over losing the Duke as an
investor.
I feel it is only fair to say to you, that I didn't need to lie to the Duke
or Harold upon telling them of your talent. You truly are talented Monsieur
Christian, I'm positive Spectacular Spectacular is going be wonderful.
I wonder why it is that you seem to believe that I have never experienced
love. Love is a game Christian, you would do well to listen to your father
and family when they tell you of that. I have known from an early age that
Love is bought and sold; there is nothing more to it than that. Perhaps in
time you will come to see the truth in that.  We must not throw away our
lives on some silly fantasy.
I of course will be at the Moulin Rouge this evening, if you wish to dance
with me, I may just be available.

Satine

I will not lie to you, I was rather surprised when you showed up last night.
I certainly was not expecting you. I find myself a little reluctant to add,
that I was pleased by your visit. I will also confess that on my way to the
top of the elephant, I was glancing toward your abode. I did notice you hard
at work at your typewriter. I can only assume you were writing the show.
You say that love shouldn't be bought and sold, that it must be cherished. I
find it difficult to believe in that reasoning. The life I have lived up
until now, has shown me such a different way of life. perhaps I will tell
you about it one day. What is it about you that makes me want to tell you
the deepest parts of myself? With you, I can almost believe anything is
possible and that love is real.
For the most part what I can tell you of Toulouse, is he is what he appears
to be. He will never betray a friendship, he has been there for me from the
very beginning. Toulouse does have a fondness for Absinthe, have he gotten
you to try it yet? It's all the rage here in Paris, true bohemian culture.
One more thing before I sign off, I wish to thank you Christian, for a truly
magical evening. I do believe it's the first time I have been swept off my
feet.
You are going to be bad for business, I can tell.

Truly,
Satine

I enjoyed the time that we spent together and I must say that you're going to be challenge; for I wish to show you the true side of
what love is.  I would never buy your affection Satine, a woman of your beauty and grace should be swept off her feet and made to
feel like the queen that she is.  I know that as I write these words, you're thinking that the foolish boy is seeing something there that
isn't; but your farthest from the truth and I know that it will take sometime to convince you of that.  I'm willing to wait and take my
time.

I want you to know Satine, that I'm flattered that you feel that you're able to tell me things from your past and I hope that if you
need to talk, that you'll turn to me as you confidant.  I'll let you know Satine, I'll never betray you and reveal what is said
between the two of us..your trust is to important to me.

As with the Toulouse issue, I'll set that aside for now and maybe when I'm able to focus on that I will try and find out more about
him. I think that he could be an interesting side story for the public to read.

I must close for now, because in the morning Harold wants to read what I've written so far so I bid you goodnight.

Christian

I was pleased to hear that you enjoyed our interlude the other evening. I do
not know why it is that you have such an affect on me. It's not as if I'm
some silly young innocent girl; but that is how you have made me feel.

I feel I owe it to you, in some strange way, to make you understand why I'm
not so sure I believe in love.  To you, love is what you have heard about in
songs and read about in books. In real life though Christian, it isn't like
that. We are from such different worlds you and I, I fear you may not be
able to understand my position.

I have been living at the Moulin Rouge, living with Harold and Marie since I
was 6 years old. My parents, god rest them, died of the Plague and my fate
was to be sent to an orphanage.  Marie had been one of the caretakers at the
institution; I to this day do not now what made her want to take me away
from there, but one day, she packed up my belongings and brought me here.
Harold was immediately enthralled and he and Marie raised me.
I was given a proper education, and the finest clothes. I was taught my
manners, as well as how to manipulate men for my own gain. I was put to work
here at the age of fourteen.  I have been a courtesan ever since. I owe both
Harold and Marie much, I would not have had the life I have now if it hadn't
been for them. I would not be as close as I am to realizing my lifelong
dream of being a real actress.

I find though that I think of you often, and gaze to your windows wondering
what you are doing.  What is this feeling that has come over me? Why do I
suddenly feel like the shy young girl that I have never been?

I would like to ask you, if you would, to come calling to my rooms; I wish
to speak with you again outside of the show. I understand if you find that
you are too busy, perhaps we may dance again if you find the time.

I fear I may be being far too forward in this.

Sincerly,
Satine

 What a welcome surprize to receive your letter in the post. I sit here reading it in the waning light from
 my lamp and I have to tell you the thought of you has put a smile upon my face; and filled me with joy.
 For I find myself in the worst state of depression, for I'm longing for my family but I'm telling myself
 that I shan't let this defeat me. For I will truimph and I will make my dreams and those of yours come
 true; you will be a legitimate actress when the show is ready.

 It's admirable what Harold and Marie have done for you and I  respect your loyalty to them; but
 please don't take offense the view on love that they taught you is askew. For love, true love that is will
 make you feel like nothing else matters and when someone else loves you with all of their heart, you'll
 feel as if you're on top of the world. It's a wonderful feeling so I'm told and I hope to find out one day.

 I'm flattered that you would like for me to come calling to your rooms and I admit I find myself
 looking to your window hoping to get a glance of you. When I see you seated in your rooms I
 wonder what you're thinking and it saddens me when I see you in such despair I know that this
 doesn't happen often, but when it does I wish that I could comfort you.

 I'll be able to see you after 9:00 p.m. and I'm able to stay for as long as you require me to and we
 can talk about anything that you would like.  I also would like to extend an invitation to you when
 you've the time. I found a little out of the way bistro that I would like to take you if that is
 permissable??

 I'm needing to close this letter for now. I've show that is demanding to be brought into the light and I
 must carry on until we talk again.

 Christian

Christian,

I wish to thank you for responding to my letter with such haste. It is not
often to find one so eager to coorespond with.

It must be diffcult to be so far away from your family; I must admit I do
not know what that is like. Please if you would, tell me more of your
family. I wish to know more about you, of your life. I'm sure I must have
bored you to tears by now with stories of myself. I am sure your family must
be wonderful for you to miss them so.

I fear I fall into bouts of sadness on occasion, it is nothing to worry
about I assure you.  At times I must admit, a certain loneliness comes over
my heart and it is hard to dispel. You have gladdened my heart with your
kindness and brought a smile to my face as well. I have no doubt you will
find the love you so long for. You are truly a caring and compassionate man.
If it weren't for the fact that I am a courtesan, I may find myself falling
for you.

I am thrilled that you will visit me in my rooms, past the 9:00pm hour would
be fine with me, as it is after my performance. Please let me know when you
are available, so I can make arrangements.  I would also love to go with you
to the bistro; I'm sure it would be an adventure.

Until we meet again,
Satine

 Well I'm glad to tell you something of my life and family. Well my father is the fifth Duke of York and
 with that the family is well established. Father wanted me to do something noble with my life and
 when the idea of becoming a writer was presented to him he was not thrilled to say the least. My
 mother died when I was very young and I know that father misses her so,but he will never let on. I
 guess when I left it was like his world came down around him, but I promised myself that I would not
 return home until I made something of myself.

 If you want to know more, I'll tell you when we meet tonight and I can't wait to take you to the bistro.

 Christian

It has been only an hour or so since we parted company, but I already miss your presence.  I wanted to write to tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed our evening at the bistro.  Learning about your family was an interesting and wonderful experience. I can see now where you have gotten your spirit from.

Toulouse has told me he is taking you on a tour of the Bohemian side of Paris.  I feel I must warn you that Toulouse's idea of a tour, is staking out a local brothel and drowning himself in Absinthe.  I'm sure though, if asked, he would be pleased to show you some of Paris' more famous and reputable sites.

Harold was asking me about you when I returned to the Moulin Rouge.  He seems concerned that we are coorsponding quite often and are spending a lot of time together.  I do not know why he is worried about this; he has never shown any sort of concern before with any of my friends.  Perhaps he senses something is there between us.

I must go now, but I await seeing you tomorrow; please inform me of your tour of Paris.

Yours,
Satine

 Yes, Toulouse is an excellent guide to the bohemian side of the city, he is sometimes very
 overwhelming.  I tried to get a message to you yesterday,but was unable, which saddened me greatly.
 I'll try again today to send a message to you; I hope that Harold or Marie don't intercept it first.
 I shall be at the Moulin Rouge and I await the chance to dance with you my love, for when we are
 together, the angels weep and heaven seems a little more real..I know I'm forever the writer, but my
 dear Satine you're my greatest inspiration. I must go and speak with Harold, he is withholding
 money from me and I'm running out of funds .
 Until Next Time My Love.
 Christian

 Christian would kill me if he knew what I'm doing, because he wants this to be a surprise for you and I
 felt that you should know what's coming.
 Satine, the boy is going to risk it all for you and take the big step; he wants to marry you. The thing
 about Harold was part of it but not all. I'm so happy that the two of you have found each other and I
 hope that your answer to the boy will be yes..for he does love you with all of his heart Satine.

 I must go my dear
 Toulouse

 Last night was a trip to heaven; how many mortals can say that they have touched the face of their own
 angel?  I can and it fills me with love.
  Harold was forthcoming with the funds that he owes me, I was expecting that there was going to be
 trouble. He also grumbled something about us as I left, but I paid it no heed for love has made me feel
 invicible and that nothing is impossible when you're loved .
  Satine, I apologize for how I'm going to put this forth to you..Satine my love, I'm wanting your hand in
 marriage. I want to take you away from Harold and the Moulin Rouge. I  want to take you somewhere
 that love is the only language spoken.
  I will be at the Moulin Rouge this evening I hope for your response my love.
 Until we are together,
 Love Christian

My darling last night was a paradise beyond what the Gods themselves could
imagine.
I was worried that Harold was withholding your funds, after all the work you
have done for us, writing this wonderful show. Of course he would be
grumbling about the whole thing; he still thinks I should tell you that it's
over. He has become so afraid of the Duke, I'm not exactly sure why. When I
asked him to explain himself, he abruptly told me it was nothing; and
insisted I tell you that this is heading toward destruction.
Oh Christian, when I read your question to me, it was if the sun had burst
and was shining down on my face.  The Angels in heaven are singing today my
love. With all of my heart and soul I would be proud to be your wife. We
will have to leave in secret, or will all due haste; before the Duke
discovers us. I fear what he will do once he finds out.
To finally be with you forever is what I have been dreaming about for
months. Please tell me this dream will come true.

Love forever,
Satine

 It's true the boy has spoken of nothing but it for days and I hope that you'll say yes to him; he loves
 you so and it brings me much happiness to see to people in love find each other.
 I will make sure that the boy doesn't do anything silly, for if he does there would be no wedding and
 that would be a shame!!!.
 When many years from now I hope that you'll remember your friend smile, and maybe name one of
 your kids after me(I can hope right?)
 Until Next Time
 Toulouse

I have given Christian my answer, I have told him I will marry him. Oh
Toulouse my friend, you will never know what you have done for me. That
night you brought him to me, was the night my life truly began. I can never
thank you enough for this.  Naming one of our children after you wouldn't be
nearly enough to repay you. You have been a good friend to me over the
years, and I'm pleased to see how well you have taken to Christian and him
to you.
I do hope you will attend the wedding. And beware of the Duke Toulouse, and
keep your watchful eye on Christian.

Au Revoir mon ami,
Satine

 You've made this simple writer a happy man that you've said yes; I will now confide in you this.
 Toulouse and the others from my lodgings, have been helping put something in action. I have a plan
 to get us away from Harold and the Duke. Before they know what the real reason is, we shall be safe
 from their prying eyes and we'll finally be free to love each other in the open.
  Now for your part Satine, I want you to wait for Toulouse tonight by the stage door and he will take
 what things that you want to remember the Moulin Rouge. I can't ask you to totally forget your past;
 but you must pack light my love.Also; Toulouse has some documents for you for our journey away
 from here,so guard these well.

 I must close for now, Harold is coming and I don't want him to know this.
 So we shall soon be free my love,
 Love You
 Christian

How much longer must we wait until we can be together in the open? Do we
wait until after the show opens? Or do we leave before then? The rehearsal
we are supposed to have tonight, The Duke wishes to attend. he says he
wishes to see how his money is being invested. I suspect there is another
reason for his attendance this evening.
I will await Toulouse at the stage door during one of the breaks in the
rehearsal. There isn't a lot I wish to bring with me; as my life has been
non-exsistant until you came into it.
Harold has been hovering almost non-stop lately; it's these ridiculous
fainting spells I have been having recently. I told Marie not to worry, they
are just the silly costumes. They both have been acting quite attentive to
me lately; ever since the doctor was called the last time.

I will close since I must get this letter safely to you.
All my love,
Satine

 You've made me so happy! What a joyous occasion we will celebrate in the only way that I know
 how..but for you mon cher I will  tone it down. I know that I can get carried away and I admit I've
 sometimes been carried out;but I wish to live this life to the fullest, for we have but one go around so I
 want to make the most of it.
  I shall be at the Rouge tonight and so please mon cher be ready for this all most go off with out a
 hitch; one slip and we are all in it Satine so be careful. The boy has been on cloud nine since
 you've answered him. I remember the awkward boy when we first met and my how Christian has
 changed; he has excepted the bohemian culture very easy and I am privledged to call him a friend.
 So Satine mon cher, I will close for now so I can prepare for this evening and pray to god that there
 are no problems..which I know there will not be because the gods smiled when the two of you where
 brought together.
 Until tonight Mon Cher
 Toulouse

I must tell you something and you must promise not to tell Christian a word
of this. I know you both attended the Moulin Rouge last night for
rehearsals, and I was not in attendance.  I realize he is jealous of the
Duke for he did not believe the reason I missed our meeting afterwards. He
questioned me, and when I told him I was ill, he refused to believe it.
Toulouse, I was in fact ill; I did not lie to Christian. You and he both
know of the fainting spells I have been having recently. I was on my way to
the rehearsal, when I started to cough uncontrollably, and finally fainted.
Now Toulouse, you must promise me not to tell Christian of what i'm about to
tell you. When I was coughing my dear friend, I was bringing up blood. This
hasn't been the first time,and the doctor was called. I no not what he said,
for I was unconscious. Harold and Marie know, but they refuse to tell me
what he said.  I am worried my friend, they seem to be acting rather
strange. Harold continuously insists I give up Christian.
I must go now, Harold is knocking on my door, something about the Duke and
dinner this evening in the tower. I will try to hold him off for one last
time.

until this evening mon cheri,
Satine

 I apologize for not writing until now, but the Duke's manservant has been watching my every move so
 I have to be on my guard. I hope you understand why I had to be careful.
 I hope that Toulouse met you and was able to get the things that you wanted to take and he gave the
 documents and travel tickets..Hide these don't let anyone know, for if they are found that will be the
 end of the two of us,so take care my love.
 I'll be at the rehearsal tonight, I hope that I can steal you away for a few moments to ourselves; but if
 that is impossible I'll meet you in the park on Sunday at the usual time.
 I can't wait to see you my dearest one
 Love,
 Christian

At this moment I feel my heart is being torn out. What a horrible scene
tonight at the rehearsal. From the way the Duke was acting, stating he
wanted the ending to be changed, I was worried he was about do you great
bodily harm.
I have learned my dear Christian, that Lily intentionally let the Duke in on
our relationship.  She had mentioned thinking the ending silly; why would a
courtesan pick a poor writer instead of the Maharaja. He understood her
meaning my dear one. That is why he wants the ending to be the courtesan
picking the Maharaja, instead of the sitar player.
I saw the look on your face dear one, when I said I would join him for
dinner this evening. Please don't be cross with me; I do this for us, he
could destroy everything. I can't let him hurt us Christian, not when we
have come so far.
Please know that I love you, "Come What May", and forgive me what I must do.

forever yours,
Satine

My dear friend Toulouse, You know what transpired at the rehearsal this
evening. I talked to Christian and tried to reassure him that meeting the
Duke tonight in the tower, was only a means of easing his anger. I must make
him think I'm only using Christian for our gain. Please my dear friend,
while i"m at the tower with the Duke, take Christian's mind away from me.
Iknow he is jealous of my having to be with the Duke, no matter what he
tells me; but this must be done.
Toulouse, I fear he will think ill of me; as will you no doubt. I can't
blame you, but I do this only to protect you all.
I am also worried that Harold and Marie are keeping what the Doctor told
them from me. they say it's nothing to worry about, but I can't help but
wonder. I feel weaker by the day, I haven't the energy I once did my friend.
I do believe I am in need of a little time off after the show opens. Thank
you, I know I can trust you with my secret.

Satine

Satine,

I just want you to realize that I'll not betray your trust in me; for mon ami we have known each other many years and I would
hate to lose a good friend like you over this. I'll say this it worries me that they have kept this secret from you and will not tell
you what the doctor has said on the matter it concerns me so.
Christian has been so busy lately with the show and the plans that he is doing; the rest of us will help, for we are very fond of the
two of you and want you to be happy above all things. I will say this as well, the Duke has been snooping around the
lodgings and so everyone is on edge. Satine my dear, he misses you so the boy longs to be with you I'll do what I can to help of
course.
But I must close for now mon cher I have things to take care of for Christian so I'll close for now.

Toulouse

 I must close for I'm being called to a meeting with Harold and the Duke so keep the faith

 Christian

 I received your letter by the usual way and I'll make sure that when you go to the tower with that
 toad of a duke the boy will be occupied. I'm here for you mon ami as I have been since the first days.
You can always count on Toulouse my dear; I've not touched a drop of absinthe since Christian put his
 plan into effect as Christian would say"We must have a clear head for this"and my dear one my head
 has never been so clear.
  I will do something for you I will look for the doctor that was at the Rouge that night and I will bring
 him to the side door during a break in rehearsal and then you may find out for yourself mon cher what
 they have been keeping from you all this time.
  I have to close for there is a knock at the door and I assume that is Christian; so I'll close and not to
 worry your old friend will get you through this I promise.

 Until tonight Mon Ami,
 Toulouse

You are the kindest friend I have or could ever want in my life. YOu have
seen me through so much already, and I can never repay you for what you have
done for me and for Christian.
Harold was overjoyed when I informed him of my meeting with the Duke this
evening in the tower. He keeps insisting it's for the best, and it's the way
it's supposed to be. If I refuse, our dearly beloved Moulin Rouge would
cease to exsist. I don't care about the Moulin Rouge anymore; I'm only doing
this for you all. For you and Christian, and the others who have worked so
hard on this show.
I would be appreciative if you could bring the doctor tonight to my rooms, I
would like to hear what Harold and Marie are keeping. please let me know if
you are able to find him. and Toulouse, thank you from the deepest part of
my heart, for all you are doing for Christian. He needs you now.

Truly,
Satine

 I write this with much saddness in my heart; it pains me so to see you have to curry the favour of that
 man but I'll try not to be jealous..I'll try

 Lily has done us great harm and I feel I made a scene with the rest of the troupe when she got into
 my face. I did the unthinkable, I shoved her to the floor; I felt such rage and such pain she shattered
 such a beautiful dream,I hope that we'll survive my love.

 Toulouse feels that I need to clear my head, for I think that he is right if I stay here with the others right
 now I don't know what I'll do. Perhaps I'll go for a walk to clear my head and then maybe I'll
 return..maybe I just don't know.

 I will close for now but I think of you,

 Love

 Christian

My darling Christian,

It felt so good to have you hold me earlier this evening. The meeting with
the Duke was a completely and utter disaster. I saw you walking by as did
the Duke, and I couldn't go through with it.  He was extremely upset with
me.  I'm not sure if I should tell you this or not, but I feel I can't keep
it from you either.  Christian, when the Duke saw you and my reaction to
seeing you, he went insane. He attacked me, please don't worry my love, it's
nothing I haven't gotten used to. That's the reason I was in such a state
when I came to see you. I can't pretend anymore Christian, I don't want to.
I only want to love you my dear. You have shown me what true love can really
be. I will always be grateful to you for that. I'm in my rooms now packing
like we planned. I still have the travel papers,that is if you still want me
mylove. I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave me behind.  I fear that
may be so.

I will be returning shortly but for now Harold has discovered what I'm
doing, and will no doubt try to talk me out of my plan. I refuse to let him
this time.

We will be together soon my love.

Forver,
Satine

 I take simple pleasure in the happiness that the two of you have found in eachother and I want only
 the best for both of you,Harold mon cher has been under foot as of late I think Lily has been up to
 something I'm not sure as to what for Harold and I can barely stand eachother but now he just won't
 leave me alone,so be careful mon ami I think Harold maybe on to what Christian has been planning.

 I'll leave this very afternoon to find the doctor and I'll bring him to your rooms and I promise that
 you'll have the answers that you're searching for there will be no more secrets from you but I want
 you to do something for your old friend I want you to rest this evening conserve your strength the
 worst is yet to come I fear but we'll survive.

 I'll close for now take care mon ami and remember that your not far from this old heartand that you
 are in my thoughts.

 Yours,

 Toulouse

 When I held you in my arms it was like the warmth of the sun radiating through my body; how I hate
 when we only have those fleeting moments  together.But we must until the plan can be put into
 action. It angers me so to hear what that boorish man had done to you, my blood burned with rage
 and I wanted to take him into the street and beat him like the animal he is. My dearest one when we
 are far away from The Moulin Rouge and all of them, I will show true love in such a way that you'll be
 basked in it's warm glow forever. I make this vow to you; I'll never raise my hand to you as the
 duke did .

 Satine my love, never question how I feel about you; that has not changed and it never will. I want you
 to be my wife and I want us to be happy together. Oh Satine I know that you'll enjoy England ,so
 pack my love and don't let Harold sway you with his talk.We are destined to be together and they
 can't stop that always remember that Satine.

 Sweet Kisses To You,

 Christian

This will be one of the hardest letters I have ever had to write in my life.
  I now know what the secret is that Harold and Marie have been keeping from
me.  Before I get to that though, there is something I must do and I fear
you will think ill of me for it.  You must promise me that once you know
this secret, you will not tell another living soul, including and especially
Christian. I trust your word Toulouse, you have not failed me, and I do not
assume you will now. I confess it to you, because the pain that is in my
heart now threatens to overwhelm me.

Tonight as you know, I went to the tower to meet with the Duke; that meeting
turned disasterous. We were out on the balcony, I happened to see Christian
walking by and I couldn't go through with it. The Duke saw him as well, and
immediately knew why I was hesitating. Lily had told him what was going on.
I do not know what had possessed her to do so. He was extremely angry; he
attacked me Toulouse. I am quite certain he would have done me greater harm
had it not been for my rescuer.
He took me to Christian under my request, and we made plans to leave
tonight.  As I was writing a letter to say goodbye to my friends, Harold
came in and told me it was no use; that I should give Christian up. I told
him all my life he had made me believe I was only worth what someone would
pay for me. I got my coat on and as I was going out the door, he suddenly
told me what the doctor had said about my condition.

Toulouse, when he told me this, I asked him if it was a trick, and he said
no, that the doctor had told him and Marie. I later confirmed it with the
doctor. What I now tell you is the truth.

Toulouse my dear good friend, I am dying. Seeing it on paper this way
doesn't make it anymore real; and I have prayed and prayed that it's not so.
  I have consumption, the doctor doesn't give me much longer to live. I'm
afraid Toulouse, I do not want to die. There is so much that I have wanted
to do with my life. I have finally found Christian and true happiness and
it's being taken away.

Please indulge my self pity for a moment, for I will not dwell on myself for
long. I must now tell Christian I have never loved him and was only using
him. It is better this way my friend, Harold was right all along, I must let
him go. Please be there for him, he will need you now. I plan to go to him
tomorrow morning.

I will still do the show, as Harold says, "the Show must go on". Please do
not think ill of me, I could not bear you hating me as well as Christian. I
plan on leaving Christian, that I pray you will give to him once I'm gone to
tell him the truth. That will be my last request of you.

Your true friend,
Satine

I am not sure why I'm writing this letter, except to maybe make sure what I
have told you this morning is clear.
When the Duke came to see me last night after I left you, he was most
apologetic for the way he acted at the tower.  He has offered me everything
I have ever dreamed of. He has promised to make me a star, and I have always
wanted to be a real actress; he can make that happen for me.
The difference between us Christian is that you can leave anytime you want
to. You can go back home and be with your family when your adventrue is
done. This is not the case for me, this is my home. The Moulin Rouge is my
home, and I will not see it fall to ruin. I can't leave Harold in such a
state after all he has done for me.
We have been living a fantasy since day one.  It has been fun and
distracting for a time, but now I must return to my real life; to my true
purpose.  I'm sorry if i lead you to believe something I shouldn't have. I
will return the travel papers to you, or I shall give them to Toulouse.
I am the courtesan Christian, and in this story, I choose the Maharaja.

Have a safe journey if you choose to return to England.

Sincerly,
Satine

 I found myself fighting back tears when I found your letter I still don't see or fathom after what that
 man has done to you that you would go with him I just can't believe it..it makes no sense .

 I understand your loyalty to the Moulin Rouge and to Harold but I want you to understand as well
 and bear in mind this is from my view that your faith in them is not returned for look at how things
 have changed between us,it shatters my heart when I think to how we where to how we are now
 where did I go wrong by you Satine am I the one at fault..did I push to hard for us to be together..or
 was I the naive school boy in believing that a beautiful woman like you could fall for someone like me.

 Toulouse has been trying to comfort me and he is a true friend but I wish that he would leave me to
 my misery..I told you Satine that I would love you "Come What May"and you may not want to hear
 this but with all my heart and soul I still love you and I wish that you felt the same for me still..I wish
 that still.

 I've yet to decide wether I'll return to England I can't seem to focus on that as of yet.my father would
 feel justified in what has happened to me and I will never live this down once he knows..but I guess
 it's my cross to bear.

 Please say that you'll meet me one last time.

 Christian

 My heart was saddened to read that one such as you is being taken from us much before her time,I
 hoped that as we got older mon cher that we would be able to talk of the days at the Moulin Rouge
 and look back and smile but fate has other plans.

 I don't think ill of you I've admired your strength and character from the early days of our meeting
 and I will do as you ask I will keep this secret to my heart..but I feel that you should tell him if
 anything you've got to be honest with him he will see you through this I know that.

 I'll try and see you before the performance and I want to talk some more and I hope that you'll grant
 this request to me.

 I'll see you soon

 Toulouse.

Satine,

My heart was torn from my chest when I read your letter how after all that odious man has done to you will go with
him..explain this to me make me truly understand for I'll admit that at this moment I do not.

So you're saying  to me now after all that we've been through and suffered for is for not that you where playing with the heart of
a foolish boy and that I mean nothing to..Satine you've made my world complete and I want us to be together don't turn me
away now..please don't turn me away.

If you wish to return the papers Toulouse will get them from you and anything else that you think that I may want to remember
you by,this is so hard Satine why are you pushing me away..why??

I still Love You

Christian

I truly am sorry if I have hurt you in anyway. I do remember telling you in
the beginning I couldn't fall in love with anyone; that I was paid to make
men believe what they wanted to.  To put this bluntly, we needed you
Christian, your talent, to make sure the show was fantastic so the Duke
would invest.
 

I don't know how I can make you understand, maybe you never will, since you
have come from such a sheltered upbringing. I'm sure you know you should be
grateful for what you have, to be able to go home to a family..is the most
precious thing to have in life.

I will give the papers to Toulouse, I have written to him asking him to come
and get them. I have yet to receive a response from him.  Christian, you are
a good man, you deserve far better then this, and far better then what I am
able to give you. The show opens in a couple of days, after that we must
part ways forever.

Sincerly,
Satine

I find it difficult to write this letter; knowing what you must think of me.
I never tried to hurt you in anyway, I do hope you know that. This was a
business arrangement made with the Duke before you came to the Moulin Rouge.

Christian, I don't know how to make you understand my position in this
matter.  It seems that every time I try, you find a way to discredit what I
have said. I do not want to seem like the devil here and I do not know what
to say to you.  How can I make you understand something that you have never
had to live with? That you have never had to feel? HOw can you know the
feeling of only being worth what someone would pay for you? Christian, that
is what I am, I'm a courtesan. I'm not the sweet innocent girl you would
make me out to be.

I was a fool to believe in love. A fool to believe that dreams could be made
real. It all ends today Christian; it all ends today.
Another failed romance...does anybody know what we are living for? I've got
to find the will to carry on.  After all the show must go on.

I will give Toulouse the papers this evening at the opening of the show. I
assume you will be in attendance?  I do hope the show will go well for all
involved.

I must close for now, for I am tired and need to rest for the performance;
it seems energy is so hard to find these days. Take care Christian, know
that I wish you well.

Truly,
Satine

Toulouse

My Dearest Christian,

If you are reading this letter, then I am now gone. I am so terribly sorry
that I never told you that I was dying my love. For one, I could not bear to
hurt you in such a way; and for another I knew you would not leave my side
and I desperately needed you to do so.

Christian, I will tell you now of why I pushed you away in those last few
days.  It broke my heart to not have you with me when I needed you the most,
but it was a risk I had to take.
My dearest one, the Duke threatened to kill you if we were ever together
again.  Harold told me the night we made the plans to leave and he would
have done it if given half the chance.  I never wanted to hurt you like I
did; I never wanted your last memories of me to be painful; but I would
rather have you hate me then to have the Duke destroy you. I could never
allow that to happen.

Dearest, dearest Christian, you have been the ray of sunlight shining in my
life in these past few months. You have given me my heart's desire and
deepest dreams. You made me believe in love again, in magic.  To have felt
the strongest of passion has made my life worthwhile. You have given me a
treasure I can take with me, and that you can hold until we see each other
again.

I ask of you one last favour, I pray that you will grant it; I ask you to
write our story Christian.  Tell the world that there is such a thing as
true love; that two people such as us, found each other in the wrong time
and place and managed to light up the sky; to burn as bright as the
brightest star.

You have got to go on Christian, do me this honour.  Make your dream come
true, go on and be the famous writer I always knew you would be. Go on, and
our love will live in you, until we are reunited again.

Please tell Toulouse that I love him as well, he has always been such a good
friend to me.

Goodbye my love, but not forever; I will be watching you from above.

For eternity..

Satine

Toulouse

  The last word is written, the story has been told.  I've kept my word my love,  I've told the tale of a love
 that burned brighter than any star in the heavens and disappeared just as fast.
   I've devoted so much of myself to the telling of this tale, that my body can't go on and I yearn to rest
 and maybe dream of being held in your arms once again. I miss you so much my dearest one, but I feel
 that I shall be with you soon.
     Please don't be angry Satine, I tried to carry on, I tried to keep my promise to you; but my heart and
 my soul had been shattered when the lord took you from me. May I join you now my love? I'm lonely
 and I wish your company.
    In my delusions I've seen you my dearest one and I hoped against hope that they were real, but
 even in the dream of madness that I find myself slipping into more and more, as my body yearns for
 rest I find contentment and at last peace over my soul.
  I shall now sleep my love and when I awake, I shall be with you and our love shall be eternal and I'll
 never leave your arms or your embrace..I'm coming home Satine, I'm not scared, I'm ready..I shall see
 you soon.
 To my dear friend Toulouse, I don't want you to mourn me mon ami, you did your best and I must
 applaud your effort; but my heart and my soul was destroyed when she was taken from me. I shall
 miss you my friend, but I shall wait for you and when your time comes to join us on the other
 side, you'll be greeted with open arms.
 
 Yours Eternally
 Christian