Mademoiselle Léonie Marceauv stood tapping her foot as Karyn approached her. “Assieds-toi, on a pas beaucoup d’temps avant qu’le spectacle commence. Faut qu’on finisse de te preparer.” (“Sit, we do not have much time before the show starts. We must finish getting you ready.”) Léonie said to Karyn with a note of urgency in her voice that managed to translate to Karyn even though she could not understand what the older woman had said.
“I am sorry, Mademoiselle. I had to get Jon out of the dressing room,” She replied, hoping that she could make herself understood.
“Faut qu’tu sortes d’abord the man d’ici, mais la prochaine fois, arrange-toi pour meet tes soupirants après l’spectacle. C’est understood ? “(“You needed to get the man out of here first, but next time, arrange to meet your suitors after the performance. Is that understood?”) Léonie said, not really waiting for a reply from Karyn.
Karyn sat there in wonder at what was happening around her. She wondered if it was always this busy backstage at a show like this. She saw the other performers reflected in the mirror in front of her, getting ready. They were helping to tighten the laces of the corsets that the women in front of them were wearing. It was only now that Karyn took stock of what she was wearing herself.
A red and black corset, a light-colored tulle skirt accented with red ribbons, black stockings, and black gloves. Her blonde hair is styled in waves, something she had never thought of doing to her hair, even after the wish that had given her Sarah’s blonde hair. It was complemented by a black feather headpiece. She put her gloved hand to her neck and felt the matching black choker with a red jewel she saw in her reflection. She looked every inch the Burlesque dancer. She had always kept her dancing desires hidden, but now she could show them off. Mind you, she had never thought of dancing in a Burlesque show before, but somehow, thanks to the necklace, that was what she was about to do. She just hoped she wouldn’t make too much of a fool of herself and that she would be able to keep up with the others.
“Arrête de daydreaming, Karine. C’est presque time pour toi de take ta place avec les others. Faut que je check Élise first. Then le show peut begin. “ (“Stop daydreaming, Karyn. It is almost time for you to take your place with the others. I need to check Élise first. Then the show can begin.”) Léonie said as she moved towards another one of the dancers.
Karyn sat there for a moment until one of the other dancers beckoned her towards them at the side of the stage. As they waited for the last dancer, Karyn thought about what Léonie had said. She had to stop daydreaming. This was what she had always wanted to do, and it was only minutes away. She had to be ready, she had practiced the routine, and she was grateful to Léonie for giving her the chance to show what she could do.
