"Hey!" Kara sat down at her computer and hastily typed a message to GreenFairyGirlie, also known as She's a Star or, to her friends, Hannah.
"Hiya!" Hannah typed back.
Kara crossed her legs and settled back in the chair, rubbing her dog, Gina, with one foot. "How's chapter ten going?" Hannah wrote.
"Just peachy keen."
"Can I read it?"
"Of course."
Just then, the AOL door opened and Kara got a message from Albanygrace, or her friend Madi. "Hey girl!" She wrote.
"Hi!" Kara answered. "I'm talkin' to Hannah too. Wanna join?"
"Sure!"
Clicking the little icon, Madi was added to the conversation. They chatted about all things Moulin Rouge as they always did.
"I wish we could go back there." Hannah typed. Kara smiled as she received the message, and wrote back, "Me too. That'd be chunk."
And, strangely, everything went black.
When Kara awoke, her head pounded. "Damn," she swore, sitting up. "What happened?"
There were two bodies next to hers. Each lay face down on the cold wooden floor, breathing heavily. "Who...? Where am I?" She wondered aloud.
The girl with the dark blonde hair stirred. "What the fuck?" Kara whispered, looking around. She and the two other girls were lying on the floor of a small, rather empty room. There was a huge hole in the ceiling.
"Did we do that?" The girl next to her asked.
"I think so."
"On the contrary," the other girl sat up and looked about. "I think we're..."
"In Christian's garret!"
"And you're Hannah, aren't you?" Kara asked. "And Madi! Oh my God! This is way too chunk!"
"It rocks my socks." Madi quipped, grinning at Kara.
"But how..." Hannah began, "did this happen?"
"No idea."
"This is snazzy." Hannah added. "Monkeys! I say that way too much!"
The girls laughed and stood up. Kara smoothed the khaki skirt she wore and tied the pink-star shoelace on her pink-sparkly painted Adidas Superstars. "So," she asked, "where's everyone?"
As if an answer to her question, a man who could only be Christian walked in the room. He saw them standing there and his jaw dropped. These three girls were dressed so scandalously! Two wore trousers and the other a skirt that barely covered what it should! (In actuality, Kara's skirt only hit a little above her knees.) One of these strange creatures wore a shirt that said MOULIN ROUGE. Christian cocked his head in utter confusion.
"Oh my God!" The girl in the red shirt and jeans screeched.
"Christian!" The other two chorused.
"Who are you and why are you in my home?" He asked after the initial shock of seeing three strangely dressed girls in his home wore off.
"We don't know." The one in the skirt said. "Hi. I'm Kara. Have any Tylenol?"
"Tylenol?"
"Didn't think so." She grinned and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."
The others stood back shyly. "This is Hannah," Kara introduced Red Shirt. "And this is Madi."
"Why does her shirt say Moulin Rouge?" Christian asked.
"Because it's a movie that's immensely popular with us." Hannah answered his question.
"A movie? What's a movie?"
"Oh yeah. I forgot. This is 1899, isn't it?"
"Of course."
"Well, believe it or not my dear Christian, but we're from 2002." Madi said, laughing at the shocked look on his face.
"You guys don't think...?" Kara began. "Hey, Christian, where's Satine?"
"How do you know who Satine is?"
"The movie."
"Oh yes, the movie." Christian nodded but still looked puzzled.
"So where's Satine? Is she okay?"
"Why wouldn't she be?"
"Oh, never mind."
"Hey," Hannah piped up. "Christian, would you...just...sing something?"
"Why?"
"C'mon, Christian!" Kara said. "I'll sing with you! Ready?" She started to sing Madonna's "Material Girl" but Christian didn't sing along. "We are living in a material world and I am a material girl!"
"How do you know that?" He asked.
"It's a song. By Madonna."
"Oh yes, Madonna." Christian was wondering if these girls weren't really just lunatics escaped from an asylum or something. "How do I know you're really from the future?"
"Look at us!" Madi said. "Do we look like 19th century teenagers?"
"No." Christian laughed. "But I don't know what 21st century teenagers look like, do I?"
"Could you sing now?" Hannah asked. "Puh-leeze? Just a little bit of Your Song?"
"How do you know that?" He asked again.
"Well, there's this guy. From England. His name is Elton John, and he wrote it."
"I wrote it!" Christian fumed.
"Hey, ya know something funny?" Kara asked. "I like, packed for this."
"Seriously?" Madi asked.
"Cereal." Kara answered. "Look inside my bag." Inside were her makeup bag, some CDs, and an interesting plastic object. "Mr. Leg," she laughed.
"I have my CD player." Hannah said, pulling out the shiny item.
"What's a CD?" Christian asked, scratching his chin.
"It plays music. Like a record, but smaller." Madi explained. "Here, listen."
"We'll play him a little...hmm...how bout some Garbage?"
"What do I do?" Christian wondered, holding the earphones in his hand.
"Put those in your ears." Madi laughed. She pushed play and Christian's eyes widened.
"What is this?" He mouthed.
"Garbage."
"What? Trash?"
"Garbage." Kara continued. "A group."
"It's...interesting." He concluded.
"How about the soundtrack?" Hannah grinned evilly.
"You're torturing him." Madi remarked, poking her friend.
Kara slid the CD into the player and skipped to track ten. The look on Christian's face was priceless. All three girls wished they had a camera.
"What the hell?" He whispered. "Why...?"
"Congratulations, Christian. You've met your movie counterpart, Ewan McGregor."
"I'm in a movie? What is a movie?"
"Oh come on. It's a bunch of moving pictures that you can watch. And hear. And you and Satine...you're in a movie called..." Hannah began.
"What else? Moulin Rouge!" Madi twirled around, showing him her tank top.
"I'm confused. And intrigued."
"Christian, where's Satine?" Kara asked.
"She's at the Moulin."
"Can we go see her?"
"Sure. Follow me. But maybe you want to...cover up a little?"
"No!" Kara yelped. "I'm perfectly fine."
"You're next to naked."
"I am not. See! My chest is covered! And so is the rest of me!"
Christian shook his head and Hannah, Madi, and Kara laughed.
It wasn't odd to see half-dressed women at the Moulin Rouge, but the three girls made quite a scene. The usual crowd had never seen women in trousers before! "What are they wearing?" Nini commented.
"Called jeans, Nini darling." Hannah said, smiling. "Quite the fashion staple in 2002."
"2002?" Another woman asked.
"That's the year we live in."
"Why are you here?"
"We have the same question." Madi answered. "But hey, this is fun!"
Christian led them backstage. "I want to go in the elephant." Kara said. "Looks pretty chunkette."
"What's chunkette?" Christian asked.
"It means cool."
"What's cool?"
"That means...good."
"Hey, wait a minute. THERE'S HAROLD!" Hannah's excitement showed in her voice. "Hello, Harold!"
The jolly, redheaded man made his way over to them. "What lovely young ladies you've found, Christian. And so scantily dressed." His eyes roved down Kara's legs and she twirled about, liking the attention even if it was from a middle-aged man. "Where are you three from?"
"2002."
"The year?"
"Of course."
"How did you get here?"
"We don't know." Madi answered.
"Christian, there you are!" Satine burst out of her dressing room wearing a blue-feathered outfit. "Satine!" All three gasped.
"Who is this?" She mouthed to Christian.
"I'm Kara."
"You aren't wearing anything over your legs."
"I know."
"And I'm Hannah."
"I'm Madi."
"Nice to meet you." Satine smiled, confused.
"Satine, my new friends are from 2002 and they have CDs."
"What are CDs?" Satine asked.
"Like records."
"Oh." Satine's mouth formed a wide O. "I see."
"And we're in a movie." Christian continued.
"What's a movie?"
"Well, I'll explain that later."
"She's prettier in person." Madi whispered to her friends. They nodded.
"What are those things on your feet?" Satine asked, looking down at the girl's tennis shoes.
"They're tennis shoes." Kara answered.
"Well hello again!" Harold boomed. "Would you girls be interested in taking Miss Satine's place tonight as the main attraction?"
"Eeee!" Kara squealed. "Yes!"
The other two girls squealed their agreement as well. "Come then, let's get you something to wear!"
Marie took the three into a dressing room shared with several other girls. Everyone crowded around eagerly to hear their story, and when Kara began to undress, their jaws dropped at the sight of her bra. "What...is that?" Satine finally asked.
"My bra."
"You don't wear a corset?" Arabia couldn't take her eyes off the bright pink thing.
"No. Those went out of fashion a long time ago, girls." Hannah winked.
"Well, girls, you're wearing them tonight."
"Awesome! Vintage!" Madi giggled.
They weren't laughing after they'd been tightly laced. "Can't...breathe." Hannah said, looking in the mirror.
"But we look attractive." Kara said, admiring her reflection in the mirror. Marie bustled into the room again, arms full of material. "Here," she threw something to Kara, who examined it. The dress was surprisingly modern, backless, with a v-neck. It was of some strange violet-silver shimmering material, and Kara grinned as she threw it on. "I look hot." She said to her reflection. "So do you guys."
Her friends were draped in red (Hannah) satin that hit the floor but had no straps to hold it up, and green velvet (Madi) with intricate designs swirled over it. Each had their hair coiffed into different styles: Hannah's pulled up and Madi's in a loose chignon of curls. Kara's cascaded down her shoulders in ringlets. "We look sexy." Hannah added.
"Need some of my makeup?" Kara asked, tossing them the bag.
"Of course."
"This is way too cool. Are we sure we aren't dreaming?" Madi asked.
"Pinch me." Hannah said.
Kara did so. "Ouch!"
"Not dreaming."
"Gentlemen, tonight we have three very special (and very young) guests." Harold's voice echoed throughout the Moulin Rouge over the sea of top hats. From their place backstage, Hannah, Madi, and Kara shivered in anticipation. "Mademoiselle Satine has been ill."
A series of sighs swept through the main hall. "But," Harold continued, "I'm sure these three young ladies will lift your spirits quite a bit!"
"Go, go, go!" The Stage Manager shooed them away from the curtain and up the stairs. "You're first, Violet Girl."
"Oh fuck." Kara swore.
"Get on the swing." He commanded.
Chocolat lifted Kara as though she was a feather and set her up on the swing. "Are you stable, Mademoiselle?"
"Yup. I'm great. Thanks, Chocolat."
The room filled with a silvery violet. The music started. Her voice strong and breathy, Kara began to sing.
"We are living in a material world and I am a material..."
Like in the movie, there was deep, hot silence. "Girl." She finished, kicking her heel and grinning brightly. Looking down upon the crowd, Kara found Toulouse, Christian, and the others at their usual table. Christian gave her a broad smile and Toulouse tossed her his hat, which she plunked on her head.
"Some boys hug me, some boys kiss me, I think they're okay." She sang, holding out her hands for the jewelry that was being tossed to her. "If they don't give me proper credit, I just walk away."
When her song was over, Kara watched as Hannah took the stage, singing "Physical" by Olivia Newton John. "Pure 80's cheese," Madi whispered, "but she's doing great."
"They love it."
"They loved you too."
"I know." Kara held out her wrists to reveal several sparkling diamond bracelets studded with amethysts. "I love amethysts."
"Your turn, girl!" The stage manager smacked Madi's bottom and she hurried along. She shot Kara a look, which made the other girl collapse with laughter.
"You're lovely out there!" Kara congratulated Hannah as she returned, breathless and giggling. "It's fun, isn't it?"
"Uh huh." Hannah agreed. "Let's do it again."
"Tomorrow."
They watched Madi parade around the stage, singing an old Marilyn Monroe song and collecting the jewelry the men threw to her.
END OF CHAPTER ONE (he he)
"Hiya!" Hannah typed back.
Kara crossed her legs and settled back in the chair, rubbing her dog, Gina, with one foot. "How's chapter ten going?" Hannah wrote.
"Just peachy keen."
"Can I read it?"
"Of course."
Just then, the AOL door opened and Kara got a message from Albanygrace, or her friend Madi. "Hey girl!" She wrote.
"Hi!" Kara answered. "I'm talkin' to Hannah too. Wanna join?"
"Sure!"
Clicking the little icon, Madi was added to the conversation. They chatted about all things Moulin Rouge as they always did.
"I wish we could go back there." Hannah typed. Kara smiled as she received the message, and wrote back, "Me too. That'd be chunk."
And, strangely, everything went black.
When Kara awoke, her head pounded. "Damn," she swore, sitting up. "What happened?"
There were two bodies next to hers. Each lay face down on the cold wooden floor, breathing heavily. "Who...? Where am I?" She wondered aloud.
The girl with the dark blonde hair stirred. "What the fuck?" Kara whispered, looking around. She and the two other girls were lying on the floor of a small, rather empty room. There was a huge hole in the ceiling.
"Did we do that?" The girl next to her asked.
"I think so."
"On the contrary," the other girl sat up and looked about. "I think we're..."
"In Christian's garret!"
"And you're Hannah, aren't you?" Kara asked. "And Madi! Oh my God! This is way too chunk!"
"It rocks my socks." Madi quipped, grinning at Kara.
"But how..." Hannah began, "did this happen?"
"No idea."
"This is snazzy." Hannah added. "Monkeys! I say that way too much!"
The girls laughed and stood up. Kara smoothed the khaki skirt she wore and tied the pink-star shoelace on her pink-sparkly painted Adidas Superstars. "So," she asked, "where's everyone?"
As if an answer to her question, a man who could only be Christian walked in the room. He saw them standing there and his jaw dropped. These three girls were dressed so scandalously! Two wore trousers and the other a skirt that barely covered what it should! (In actuality, Kara's skirt only hit a little above her knees.) One of these strange creatures wore a shirt that said MOULIN ROUGE. Christian cocked his head in utter confusion.
"Oh my God!" The girl in the red shirt and jeans screeched.
"Christian!" The other two chorused.
"Who are you and why are you in my home?" He asked after the initial shock of seeing three strangely dressed girls in his home wore off.
"We don't know." The one in the skirt said. "Hi. I'm Kara. Have any Tylenol?"
"Tylenol?"
"Didn't think so." She grinned and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."
The others stood back shyly. "This is Hannah," Kara introduced Red Shirt. "And this is Madi."
"Why does her shirt say Moulin Rouge?" Christian asked.
"Because it's a movie that's immensely popular with us." Hannah answered his question.
"A movie? What's a movie?"
"Oh yeah. I forgot. This is 1899, isn't it?"
"Of course."
"Well, believe it or not my dear Christian, but we're from 2002." Madi said, laughing at the shocked look on his face.
"You guys don't think...?" Kara began. "Hey, Christian, where's Satine?"
"How do you know who Satine is?"
"The movie."
"Oh yes, the movie." Christian nodded but still looked puzzled.
"So where's Satine? Is she okay?"
"Why wouldn't she be?"
"Oh, never mind."
"Hey," Hannah piped up. "Christian, would you...just...sing something?"
"Why?"
"C'mon, Christian!" Kara said. "I'll sing with you! Ready?" She started to sing Madonna's "Material Girl" but Christian didn't sing along. "We are living in a material world and I am a material girl!"
"How do you know that?" He asked.
"It's a song. By Madonna."
"Oh yes, Madonna." Christian was wondering if these girls weren't really just lunatics escaped from an asylum or something. "How do I know you're really from the future?"
"Look at us!" Madi said. "Do we look like 19th century teenagers?"
"No." Christian laughed. "But I don't know what 21st century teenagers look like, do I?"
"Could you sing now?" Hannah asked. "Puh-leeze? Just a little bit of Your Song?"
"How do you know that?" He asked again.
"Well, there's this guy. From England. His name is Elton John, and he wrote it."
"I wrote it!" Christian fumed.
"Hey, ya know something funny?" Kara asked. "I like, packed for this."
"Seriously?" Madi asked.
"Cereal." Kara answered. "Look inside my bag." Inside were her makeup bag, some CDs, and an interesting plastic object. "Mr. Leg," she laughed.
"I have my CD player." Hannah said, pulling out the shiny item.
"What's a CD?" Christian asked, scratching his chin.
"It plays music. Like a record, but smaller." Madi explained. "Here, listen."
"We'll play him a little...hmm...how bout some Garbage?"
"What do I do?" Christian wondered, holding the earphones in his hand.
"Put those in your ears." Madi laughed. She pushed play and Christian's eyes widened.
"What is this?" He mouthed.
"Garbage."
"What? Trash?"
"Garbage." Kara continued. "A group."
"It's...interesting." He concluded.
"How about the soundtrack?" Hannah grinned evilly.
"You're torturing him." Madi remarked, poking her friend.
Kara slid the CD into the player and skipped to track ten. The look on Christian's face was priceless. All three girls wished they had a camera.
"What the hell?" He whispered. "Why...?"
"Congratulations, Christian. You've met your movie counterpart, Ewan McGregor."
"I'm in a movie? What is a movie?"
"Oh come on. It's a bunch of moving pictures that you can watch. And hear. And you and Satine...you're in a movie called..." Hannah began.
"What else? Moulin Rouge!" Madi twirled around, showing him her tank top.
"I'm confused. And intrigued."
"Christian, where's Satine?" Kara asked.
"She's at the Moulin."
"Can we go see her?"
"Sure. Follow me. But maybe you want to...cover up a little?"
"No!" Kara yelped. "I'm perfectly fine."
"You're next to naked."
"I am not. See! My chest is covered! And so is the rest of me!"
Christian shook his head and Hannah, Madi, and Kara laughed.
It wasn't odd to see half-dressed women at the Moulin Rouge, but the three girls made quite a scene. The usual crowd had never seen women in trousers before! "What are they wearing?" Nini commented.
"Called jeans, Nini darling." Hannah said, smiling. "Quite the fashion staple in 2002."
"2002?" Another woman asked.
"That's the year we live in."
"Why are you here?"
"We have the same question." Madi answered. "But hey, this is fun!"
Christian led them backstage. "I want to go in the elephant." Kara said. "Looks pretty chunkette."
"What's chunkette?" Christian asked.
"It means cool."
"What's cool?"
"That means...good."
"Hey, wait a minute. THERE'S HAROLD!" Hannah's excitement showed in her voice. "Hello, Harold!"
The jolly, redheaded man made his way over to them. "What lovely young ladies you've found, Christian. And so scantily dressed." His eyes roved down Kara's legs and she twirled about, liking the attention even if it was from a middle-aged man. "Where are you three from?"
"2002."
"The year?"
"Of course."
"How did you get here?"
"We don't know." Madi answered.
"Christian, there you are!" Satine burst out of her dressing room wearing a blue-feathered outfit. "Satine!" All three gasped.
"Who is this?" She mouthed to Christian.
"I'm Kara."
"You aren't wearing anything over your legs."
"I know."
"And I'm Hannah."
"I'm Madi."
"Nice to meet you." Satine smiled, confused.
"Satine, my new friends are from 2002 and they have CDs."
"What are CDs?" Satine asked.
"Like records."
"Oh." Satine's mouth formed a wide O. "I see."
"And we're in a movie." Christian continued.
"What's a movie?"
"Well, I'll explain that later."
"She's prettier in person." Madi whispered to her friends. They nodded.
"What are those things on your feet?" Satine asked, looking down at the girl's tennis shoes.
"They're tennis shoes." Kara answered.
"Well hello again!" Harold boomed. "Would you girls be interested in taking Miss Satine's place tonight as the main attraction?"
"Eeee!" Kara squealed. "Yes!"
The other two girls squealed their agreement as well. "Come then, let's get you something to wear!"
Marie took the three into a dressing room shared with several other girls. Everyone crowded around eagerly to hear their story, and when Kara began to undress, their jaws dropped at the sight of her bra. "What...is that?" Satine finally asked.
"My bra."
"You don't wear a corset?" Arabia couldn't take her eyes off the bright pink thing.
"No. Those went out of fashion a long time ago, girls." Hannah winked.
"Well, girls, you're wearing them tonight."
"Awesome! Vintage!" Madi giggled.
They weren't laughing after they'd been tightly laced. "Can't...breathe." Hannah said, looking in the mirror.
"But we look attractive." Kara said, admiring her reflection in the mirror. Marie bustled into the room again, arms full of material. "Here," she threw something to Kara, who examined it. The dress was surprisingly modern, backless, with a v-neck. It was of some strange violet-silver shimmering material, and Kara grinned as she threw it on. "I look hot." She said to her reflection. "So do you guys."
Her friends were draped in red (Hannah) satin that hit the floor but had no straps to hold it up, and green velvet (Madi) with intricate designs swirled over it. Each had their hair coiffed into different styles: Hannah's pulled up and Madi's in a loose chignon of curls. Kara's cascaded down her shoulders in ringlets. "We look sexy." Hannah added.
"Need some of my makeup?" Kara asked, tossing them the bag.
"Of course."
"This is way too cool. Are we sure we aren't dreaming?" Madi asked.
"Pinch me." Hannah said.
Kara did so. "Ouch!"
"Not dreaming."
"Gentlemen, tonight we have three very special (and very young) guests." Harold's voice echoed throughout the Moulin Rouge over the sea of top hats. From their place backstage, Hannah, Madi, and Kara shivered in anticipation. "Mademoiselle Satine has been ill."
A series of sighs swept through the main hall. "But," Harold continued, "I'm sure these three young ladies will lift your spirits quite a bit!"
"Go, go, go!" The Stage Manager shooed them away from the curtain and up the stairs. "You're first, Violet Girl."
"Oh fuck." Kara swore.
"Get on the swing." He commanded.
Chocolat lifted Kara as though she was a feather and set her up on the swing. "Are you stable, Mademoiselle?"
"Yup. I'm great. Thanks, Chocolat."
The room filled with a silvery violet. The music started. Her voice strong and breathy, Kara began to sing.
"We are living in a material world and I am a material..."
Like in the movie, there was deep, hot silence. "Girl." She finished, kicking her heel and grinning brightly. Looking down upon the crowd, Kara found Toulouse, Christian, and the others at their usual table. Christian gave her a broad smile and Toulouse tossed her his hat, which she plunked on her head.
"Some boys hug me, some boys kiss me, I think they're okay." She sang, holding out her hands for the jewelry that was being tossed to her. "If they don't give me proper credit, I just walk away."
When her song was over, Kara watched as Hannah took the stage, singing "Physical" by Olivia Newton John. "Pure 80's cheese," Madi whispered, "but she's doing great."
"They love it."
"They loved you too."
"I know." Kara held out her wrists to reveal several sparkling diamond bracelets studded with amethysts. "I love amethysts."
"Your turn, girl!" The stage manager smacked Madi's bottom and she hurried along. She shot Kara a look, which made the other girl collapse with laughter.
"You're lovely out there!" Kara congratulated Hannah as she returned, breathless and giggling. "It's fun, isn't it?"
"Uh huh." Hannah agreed. "Let's do it again."
"Tomorrow."
They watched Madi parade around the stage, singing an old Marilyn Monroe song and collecting the jewelry the men threw to her.
END OF CHAPTER ONE (he he)