Episode 1 - Mistinguett

All hint of a sarcastic comment or retort seemed to have disappeared. Arthur stood just outside the now open room, and quickly moved so he wasn’t standing behind Alfred, moved so he could see the breathtaking woman inside the room.

The look of surprise was clear, but Arthur could understand that and for a moment feared that Mistinguett would call some form of security and have them removed. But a look of understanding seemed to cross her lovely face. Arthur had been staring at her with nothing but awe, and Alfred must have been doing the same thing… seeing as Mistinguett seemed to understand quickly what it was those looks of awe meant.

“I apologize for our rude interruption!” Arthur said quickly, he wasn’t sure which he was feeling more; nervous or excited. But he also felt admiration as Mistinguett seemed more amused than afraid of the two unknown men entering her room unannounced. Was she used to her admirers doing such things? Or simply so unused to it that this new turn of events amused her?

“May I help you?” She spoke in English, but of course her accent was very clear. Arthur glanced over to Alfred briefly before controlling his nerves to speak again. Knowing very well that Alfred would wake from his stupor very soon.

“We-I wished to meet you in person….”

"You? Dude, I beg to fucking differ! I was here first!" Alfred pushed Arthur aside, though careful not to apply too much strength, and grinned widely at the celebrity in front of him. Finally!

She chuckled lightly. "You've seen me now, anything else?"

The American's heart raced, this was the chance to do what a man gotta do. So he nervously grabbed into the pocket of his suit, trembling hands pulled out a piece of paper. "I...I'd like to write a song for you. It's not yet finished but...I just wanted to make sure that you're going to listen to it...once it's finished." A warm blush spread over his cheeks and he carefully looked up to see Mistinguett's reaction.
"I, this is a completely new kind of music! It has a rich sound, a melody made of several instruments! But not too grand like an orchestra...but smaller, more casual and...modern!"

She smiled at him. This guy was quite cute. Maybe she should humour him. A new kind of music sounded interesting enough. "How could I say no to such a wonderful present!"

Alfred's sky blue eyes beamed and his smile could only grow.

Mistinguett will definitely fall for him!

After the brief shove that Alfred had given him, Arthur wanted to curse the American, but instead stood back and watched the interaction between him and Mistinguett. He wanted to write a song for her? How… original.

But Mistinguett seemed to like that idea, or she was just still amused by them both. He couldn’t tell.

Wonderful.

But Arthur was not going to give up, so once again turned and snorted at Alfred’s expression. The git thought he had actually won this battle already. “Oh please, the only reason you were here before me is because I had to follow to make sure you weren’t going to cause any harm here!”’ He hissed as quietly as he could, but Mistinguett laughed again.

“Ah, so I have a musician and a gentleman greeting me today,” Mistinguett said between her laughs. Her admirers always seemed to find new ways to surprise her, but still the idea of this new music interested her, even if it turned out to be nothing. “What of you, dear gentleman, do you intend to write me a song also?”

Arthur smiled politely. “No, dear lady, I am an author and as much as would love to write something about you, I fear I could never write your lovely self perfectly enough!” As Mistinguett’s smile softened a little (although Arthur was sure she heard such lines many times), he couldn’t help glancing over to Alfred and smirking a little.

Definitely yours? I think not.

"Stop being a slime ball, Artie. You ain't gonna get anything doing nothing but honeytalking people. However, I'm trying to create a masterpiece for her! Sneaky courting is yesterday, the modern woman wants to be openly desired and men are supposed to show their desire." Alfred winked at the actress suggestively.

It wasn't like he was experienced at dealing with the opposite sex but critical moments like these call for desperate measures.

Mistinguett was frowning, wondering how to deal with this situation. "Well, it is rare to see someone so passionate and open." Now, this was really problematic as she didn't really want to see the two men being so hostile towards each other.

"Why not finish that song and present it to me? I'll gladly wait for it," she said sweetly.

And Alfred was in heaven.

The brief exchange between Mistinguett and Alfred drifted to the back of his mind. Arthur’s face was turning bright red with anger. “How dare you!” He fumed, “I’m a slime ball? Just because I made a simple compliment! At least I’m not shouting my mouth off about some great masterpiece!”

From then on an argument seemed to erupt, causing Mistinguett‘s frown to deepen. Alfred retorting that ‘he at least something to offer, besides pretty words’, which only proved to infuriate Arthur more and so the snappy comments between the two continued as both tried to gain Mistinguett’s attentions. She had learnt that both were incredibly dedicated to their professions; the musician, Alfred, promising her a grand masterpiece, which of course she said she would listen as it greatly interested her. The other, Arthur, an author, spoke wondrously of his stories that she wished for more detail of them.

“--And for another thing, I may not be able to make an offer of some grand masterpiece, but the greatest compliment an author can make is telling someone what an inspiration they are!” Arthur said, frowning at Alfred again. They were both very different people, but he had hoped Alfred would at least understand that.

It was at that point that Mistinguett held up one dainty hand, to silence them both.

“As much as you both have flattered me this evening, I am afraid I have another show to prepare for. But I greatly await your musical masterpiece, Alfred, and more details of your stories, Arthur. But for now, I must bid you a goodnight!”

Arthur knew not to protest as she could get them kicked out and then chose to completely ignore his rival, in favour of bidding Mistinguett a goodnight. With the wish of seeing her again soon, he gently kissed her palm and left the room, glancing at Alfred as he did. He wouldn’t admit to him that he too was interested in that so-called masterpiece. What kind of music was it?

With that last thought, and everything that happened that evening and still being flustered at Mistinguett’s request to learn more of his stories, Arthur decided that another drink was in order.

Alfred blushed at the sight of Arthur kissing Mistinguett's hand and he thought that it was extremely gentlemanly. Like something he used to see in storybooks of princes and princesses. He - he wanted to do that as well!

But the next thing he knew he was dragged by Arthur to leave the room. All he could do but protest and shoot one final grin at Mistinguett as a farewell.

Once outside he realised how hard his heart was beating. He could almost hear it among the music. "I- I met her...in person!"

He was going to harrass Arthur with more annoying banter but the Englishman was gone. Now, that was plain rude! But he didn't have to look for too long (why did he look for Arthur in the first place?) as he quickly found him sitting by the bar, sipping on a bourbon.

What an interesting night this had turned out to be.

Arthur sat at the bar, about to order another bourbon, thinking about the days events. He had actually met Mistinguett, spoke to her and even got to kiss her hand. Added to the promise by the lady herself that they would meet again, he would have to thank his new rival for the extra push.

But unfortunately, that was where the good thoughts of Alfred ended. The man was loud, arrogant and Mistinguett noticed him straight away. Arthur wasn’t totally loud, more thoughtful (Unless he was drunk. He had heard stories of how bad he was, personally he didn’t believe it) and yes, he could be quite arrogant at times… just not as loud about it as he was. Finally, Mistinguett seemed more humoured by him than anything else.

Oh, this just made him feel worse. Time for more Alcohol.

Sometime later, he had lost count and what it was he had actually been drinking, his head was spinning and nothing really seemed to make sense. Arthur briefly remembered arguing with someone with a familiar loud laugh, and someone else (Maybe the bartender?) saying that maybe he had enough for one night.

The next blurry memory was of someone attempting to drag him out of the Moulin Rouge, asking him where the hell he was staying because “dude, this totally isn‘t funny anymore”. He remembered wailing back, “I know is not bloody funny, I missed her finale!” Or something like that anyway.

He must have told whoever it was, where it was he was staying (something he would regret later), because he remembered the sign to his hotel.

That was the final thing he remembered that night.