Notes: definite AU or is it.. AR? Spike isn't a vampire.. and umm.. he's not called Spike either.. in this fic he's human-ok- I'm sure most of you have already seen Moulin Rouge *if you haven't go watch it- as in *now* lol.. it's a great movie- and it's my all time fav- anyhow.. this idea came to mind.. what if Willow and Spike took the places of Christian and Satine? And the rest of the characters took the place of the rest of the others *that made sense.. right?* Some of the dialogue is the same, mostly in the beginning but as the story progresses (if the first part isn't a flop and people actually feedback- hear that?!) it will change.
Notes2: A first for me.. I was getting kind of bored with my other fics- so decided to do a little experiment- hope you guys like *cough.. feedback.. cough cough
Disclaimer: I own nothing- Joss & Company & 20th Century Fox own all~
Thanks: To QueenC who was nice enough to beta this for me- you're awesome, sweetie!!
<> indicates thought
** indicates emphasis
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~Part: 1~
William's blue eyes searched the train station. So this is Paris. It is...eccentric? > Shaking his head slightly he picked up his suitcases and made his way to his new apartment. He was determined to show his father that he could make it on his own. The rest of his family thought him a fool for having the traditional Bohemian beliefs of Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love, but they wrote it off too easily, cynical creatures that they were. While they thought it was naïve, he thought it was uplifting and inspirational. So he had come to Paris, or actually Montmartre, to be exact, to prove them wrong and also to pursue his new found career to be a writer.
He looked around his new apartment. <Not particularly large but it'll do> As he began to unpack his things, his gaze was shifted to outside his window. <At least it has a view of some sort.> The sudden breeze comforted him, as if telling him it all will be fine.
A smile of newly lightened spirits covered his young face and determined to get a head start on his writing; he carefully brought out his prized typewriter. He inserted a new piece of paper into it and placed his fingers upon the keys, liking the feel of the coolness beneath his fingertips.
A whole new world could be created with his fingers, a world that revolved around only his creations and the Bohemian beliefs. He was almost giddy with delight and anticipation- there was just one problem. He didn't exactly have that much experience in love, so he couldn't honestly write from his past. A slight frown covered his handsome face but before any more thought could be put on the subject, a figure collapsed through his roof.
The young soon-to-be writer moved back in fear for his own safety, a curious look on his face. The scene got more peculiar as a man dressed as a nun burst through his door. <Hasn't anyone heard of *knocking*?>
"How do you do? My name is Henri Alexander de LaVelle Harris"
William's confused eyes traveled to the rather long-named creature who was now trying to get the unconscious man untangled from his roof. The young writer managed to stutter out a confused, "What?"
"I'm terribly sorry about all this. We were just upstairs rehearsing a play."
"What?"
Xander turned away from the unconscious man and to William, "A play- it's called Spectacular Spectacular." He paused for a moment then added excitedly, "It's set in Switzerland!"
"I see," William answered slowly. He pointed to the unconscious man, "What's wrong with him?"
Xander let out a sigh. "Poor lad suffers a disease called narcolepsy. Perfectly fine one moment," He put his hands together, cocked his head to the side and snored, "unconscious the next." He let out a small laugh, "Quite amusing at times actually."
"How is he?" A voice was heard from the hole in the roof. Xander and William turned their heads up and was met with the three new faces.
"How wonderful, now that Angelus is unconscious, and therefore the scenario will not be finished in time to present to the financier tomorrow," said a man with heavy makeup on.
"Right, Xander- I still have to finish the music." The other one cut in.
Xander shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his nervousness obvious, "We'll just find someone to read the part."
"Now, where, in heaven's name, are we going to find someone to read the role of the young, sensitive, Swiss poet goat herder?"
One by one the eyes turned to William and he backed away with a nervous laugh, "I don't think so." He said shaking his head furiously. "I'm not fit to be an actor"
"Oh come on now, you're only going to be a stand in and only until Angelus awakes." Xander's tone was smooth and convincing.
William's eyes traveled to Angelus's unconscious body, "Is he going to be like that for long?"
"Doubtful"
"Alright then," the light brown haired writer answered unsurely.
~^~**~^~
When William stepped through the doors of the Bohemian Revolutionaries' apartment, he was finally introduced to all of them. Apparently, the man with heavy makeup preferred to be referred to as Jesse and the other, who was fussing over the music, was called Oz.
<Quite odd names.>
For the next 15 minutes, William watched in amusement as the Revolutionaries got everything into place. After everything was set up he found himself on top of a makeshift hill set. He thought about arguing about it, but then resolved that it would be quite pointless.
"The hills are ablaze with the euphonious symphonies of descant!"
The words coming out of Xander's mouth was a mix between screaming and what he obviously thought was singing. The young writer fought to control the cringe and laughter that was building up inside him. Before any more could be said, Jesse threw up his hands, yelling out, "Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!" He walked over to Oz, clearly steamed, and asked the musician, "That insufferable droning is drowning out my words! Could we please just stick to a little decorative piano?"
William leaned back against the "hill" with an amused look. <This just got interesting.>
"I don't think a nun would say that about a hill," Oz defended, then looked the other way as he thought about what they could replace the line with. His eyes lit up as a thought came to mind, "What if he sings, The hills are vital in toning the descant?"
"No, no, The hills quake and shake!" Xander added with excitement.
<This could take awhile.> William jumped back slightly when he saw Angelus' previously unconscious body pop up and say, "The hills are incarnate with symphonic melodies!" promptly before passing out again.
<Wait.. I think I might have something.> The clever young brunette tried repeatedly to put in his own opinion, but nobody seemed to be paying attention to him. So, he did the only thing he could think of. Clearing his throat he sang out, "The hills are alive with the sound of music!"
Suddenly Angelus popped up again and declared, "The hills are alive with the sound of music?" He paused for a moment, "I love it!"
Each of the revolutionaries repeated the phrase before Oz got a calculating look in his eye, "It fits perfectly!"
<Time to stun them even further.> "With songs they have sung for a thousand years."
The looks on the other faces in the room amazement and finally Xander piped up with a suggestion, "Incandiferous! Jesse- you two should write the show together"
Jesse cocked his head to the side, "I beg your pardon." His tone was not one of happiness.
"William here does have a knack for this type of thing. He'll be a great help" Xander continued and the other Revolutionaries nodded in agreement. William merely blushed and stood back, waiting for the decision.
"I-I," Jesse looked around the room and saw the looks on each of their faces, their decisions obviously made. "Fine! Goodbye!" He said as he slammed the door.
Xander shrugged and turned back to Oz, who was pouring some absinthe into some shot glasses. He took a glass and held it up towards William, "Here's to your first job in Paris!"
"Xander," Oz began cautiously, "Giles will never agree!" He looked to William, "No offense, but have you ever written anything like this before?"
"Not exactly" William began, not wanting to lose an opportunity like this.
Angelus stopped any further disagreements, "The boy has talent! I like him!"
The next thing he knew the Revolutionaries were all huddled in a little group, talking about something. <No doubt about me.> William leaned forward a little, trying to hear the bits and pieces of the conversation that he could catch when suddenly Xander turned around, a big grin on his face. He began to explain the fine details of the whole thing. He was to look the part and Xander seemed convinced, after some convincing on Willow's part, that everything would be set into motion. They were to go off to the Moulin Rouge tonight. <Here's my chance- to prove them all wrong.> After Xander was done, he stood back, waiting for a reply.
William merely grinned, "Off to the Moulin Rouge, then?"
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