September, 2015
Shayne sank comfortably into her shoes in front of the Palais Garnier, the columns were carved with delicate figures as she stood in their glamorous shadow. Large windows stared back at her ominously as she stepped forward towards the large ornament doors. The building was a perfect example of French Architecture with its high curvature style and many sculptures, the monument of Paris' finest ballet and opera. She shivered as she entered the opera house.
The front room that greeted her led to two pavillions. A large marble staircase decorated with onyx led to a rotunda for the multitudes of people that go in and out everyday. Mosaics decorated the floor with dashes of color as she peered at the large doors that led off to the rooms of the sun and moon. It was cozy inside and almost had to slink out of her coat.
She walked in the front doors of the theater and was surrounded by rich splendor of marble and velvet. The massive ceilings painted by Marc Chagall flourished in an array of colors illuminated by a large chandelier of crystal rainbows. Thousands of seats were laid out before her in a sea of brown pleated cloth. They surrounded the instrument pit and looked upon the stage where two large red velvet curtains hid backstage.
People surged through the stage and filled the rooms with life. Their shouting carried through the halls in a loud echo of voices. She let the aura of the room surround her in an envelope of comfort. She spun around and glanced at the balconies that were above the first floor in their sculptural splendor. Shayne started walking down the isle of seats and made her way back stage to the dressing rooms of all the actors to get them ready for their rehearsal.
Feet padded through the opera house, as everyone got ready for his or her rehearsal. They ran, they scattered around in a bundle of confusion. Three people sat in front of her and they still didn't have their makeup on. Shayne pulled makeup and brushes out her tan messenger bag and started applying heavy makeup on the first girl's scarred face. She could make anyone look natural with makeup. It was a gift.
She settled in the chair and finished the lead in the opera. She made faces as she worked on the last actor. The voices surrounded her as she worked with nimble fingers around the actor's face.
"Are you almost done with Jack 'cuz I need him soon on the floor," Her manager called out to her.
"Yeah, almost done," she answered.
She put the finishing touches on his face and put her brushes back into the tan bag. She walked around while they rehearsed and watched them sing and act. They were slow at first and started picking up their lines on time. She walked over to the manager and smiled.
"What's up Shayne?" she said softly.
"You don't need me anymore so I figured I would go look around the opera house," Shayne answered slowly.
"All right that's fine, just be careful. You never know these days."
She walked off and headed for the front entrance. She paced over to the signs and read the plaque about the Opera House of Paris. It burned down in the 1800's and was rebuilt back on top of the old opera house. She ascended the stairs one by one thinking all the way that they need an elevator. She reached the top of the tower and stared at the paintings and stained glass of angels. She ran her hands over the windowsill and sat down next to a candelabrum that looked ancient.
Shayne's eyes closed as she listened to the old opera house creak and moan with the sound of life. She pushed her auburn hair out of her violet eyes and blew out a loud sigh. A voice sounded through the heavy wooden door and she stood up startled. She ran over to the painting and planted herself in front of it. She didn't want to get into any trouble if she was not supposed to be here.
Two men walked in. They looked at each other in unison and smiled greasy grins. Their clothes were older and worn but fit loosely against their bodies. The tallest one had grey and brown hair that fell limply around his face. His eyes were dark and squinted making him have an eerie aura. The smaller guy was thin with hollowed cheeks and grey skin but his green eyes looked intelligent even though he was blazing drunk. They closed the door soundly and one stood in front of it. Many thoughts ran through her brain at once. This is not good she thought to herself. Not good at all. The first man pulled on his pants with menace in his eyes. She knew now what it was they wanted. It was obvious.