17This is Chapter 6, it's from the point of view of the person I bought in in chapter 4.
Thaaaaaaaaaaaanks.
I gathered the costumes that remained piled on the floor and began to make my way to the main dressing room. I looked behind me just before I shut the door, just in hope that the man called Nino was still there. He wasn't.
It took me about five minutes to reach the dressing room for the girls. Knowing your way around this maze certainly had its advantages.
I pushed open the old wooden door. I was engulfed by the smell of cheap perfume, it might be Paris but the Moulin Rouge doesn't invest in that sort of thing. It only needed to be potent enough to cover the smell of disease and filth.
The dressing room was crowded like it always was; more so now just before a dancers shift change. I hung up the costumes and manoeuvred my way towards my two best friends; Charlène and Carole.
"Cédric, Salut!" Charlène shouted as she leant forward to give me a kiss on the cheek.
"Hiya Cédric." Carole added while she was staring into the mirror trying to put on eyeliner.
"I've just met the strangest man" I said as I moved some cosmetic products so I could sit on the dressing table.
"They're all strange out there Céd." Charlène remarked.
I sighed. "He wasn't in the theatre though he was in the walkway between here and Louis' room."
"What did he want?" Carole asked , now putting on some blusher.
"He wanted to see Louis but I didn't let him, I have to ask Louis tonight if he'll let him see him tomorrow."
"What was his name?" Charlène added whilst trying to squeeze herself into one of the costumes I had bought down.
"Erm...Nino, Babi...something. I think."
"Oh well that's a help, ever heard of a 'Nino Babi' Carole?"
She giggled. "Nah-ah, was he attractive?"
"Erm, yeah I guess, he had nice eyes."
"What colour?" Charlène probed.
"I don't remember but they were nice...blue maybe? J'ai oublié."
"You so fancied him." Charlène jibbed.
"Shut up, just because he has money doesn't mean I fancied him Charlène."
"I can tell by the way you're avoiding our questions" Carole added, smiling.
"...Shut up Carole."
"So who's delivering the message to him tomorrow the Céd?"
"...I am"
"See!" Carole squealed.
"Shut up! I have to go and start my shift. You two are so immature. I'll see you after work."
I headed back through and out into the main dance hall to start my night of collecting empty plates and glasses. Joy.
As the last group of old men shuffled out of the front doors of the Moulin Rouge, I headed off in search of Louis; I made my way quickly through the maze of tunnels to find his office; which was at the back of the Moulin.
Five minutes later I approached the thick double oak double doors, I composed myself and checked my appearance in the huge ornate mirror which adorned the opposite wall. My hair wasn't brilliant after rushing around but it'd have to do. I pulled open the door.
I was shocked at first, it took me a few seconds to realise the word "office" was obviously used lightly for this room.
There was a huge queen sized bed in the middle of the room surrounded by red satin curtains. I had a strange feeling I'd accidentally fallen into Morocco.
"Monsieur Murell?" I called. I heard a sigh and a few creaks until I say Louis in a silk dressing gown waddling his enormous twenty stone body in my direction.
"What is it..." The let the sentence trail off, as he obviously had no idea who I was.
"Cédric Sir, I've been sent with a request from someone who claims to know you."
"Well spit it out child, I have a meeting in five minutes" He sighed as he fell back into a chair.
"His name is Nino Babineau; he requested your audience and I don't know what about, he wouldn't tell me." With the sound of Nino's name he looked a little bit more interested in what I was saying to him.
"Ah, Nino Babineau has no business here. Has he requested a reply?"
"Yes, sir. Do you want me to take it for you?" I said, trying to keep hope from my voice.
"You might as well; it will save me a few francs." He has reverted to his apathetic tone.
"Leave now Nicolas." He said whilst motioning his hand toward the door.
"...It's Cédric."
"Yes whatever, just leave."
I turned to leave; I opened the doors and almost went head long into a young girl waiting on the other side. She was so scantily dressed I was embarrassed to look at her.
"Pardon, Mademoiselle." I muttered as I shuffled around her, she didn't say anything, she just looked straight ahead, it must have been her first "meeting."
I started to run down the corridor, I was late. Charlène and Carole would have finished their shifts by now; they'd be waiting, hopefully. As I rounded the corner, they came into view standing by the back exit, Charlène had my coat.
"Finally, took your time didn't you Céd?" Carole said as I reached them.
"Are we going for a drink or what?" Charlène asked impatiently.
"Yes, how was work you two?" I asked.
"Comme si comme ça. A few got a bit too close to me but it was okay."
"Ooh, always fun. Come on I need a drink, Oh by the way Louis is letting me go to Nino's house to deliver the message." I added casually.
"Oh, so we probably won't see you tomorrow night then." Carole said giggling.
"Shut up Carole. Mon Dieu."
We started walking with linked arms down the cobbled street towards our favourite café, Les Deux Moulins in the heart of Montmartre. I stopped; I had a strange feeling someone was watching me. I looked around, No one other than drunks. There was an alley way to my left. I tried to look down there, but I had really bad eye sight, I might as well give up now. I decided it was probably a rat or a prostitute.
"Cédric, what are you doing?" Carole asked from behind me.
"Nothing, Come on lets go, I need a drink."