Disclaimer - I do not own any of the amazing characters that Andrew Lloyd Webber has created in The Phantom of the Opera, but i've got a plot he doesn't know about manical laughter

Chapter 1 Rats in the Opera House

M. Firman sighed as he scratched his head sadly. Life was beginning to get extremely difficult, almost unbearable. Affairs of the Opera Populair were becoming complicated an twisted. Who knew what the damned Phantom would demand next? M. Andre had even taken to calling him "his Lordship"! He picked up the letters on his desk and began to rifle through them reluctantly. There were several bills and some fan mail and one or two complaints. He ignored all of these. Andre would deal with them.

But underneath a particularly official and threatning looking bill was a scarlet envelope seals with a skull stamp. Firman groaned. This was just what he needed. Slitting it open, he began to read, his tired eyes sruggling to pick up the spiked and messy handwriting

My dear managers.

I only want to make a couple of things clear before Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is performed tomorrow night.

I request that box five remain empty for my use. But also, leave an extra chair. I will be bringing a guest this night. I wish for your best French wine, specially made and a box of white chocolates and a bouquet of black roses for my beautiful guest.

I beg to remain

Your humble and obedient servant

O.G.

P.S. My salary is due…

Firman felt like crying. How could he possibly afford yet another twenty thousand francs? It was impossible! How could a ghost need so much money? What on earth and heaven did he use it for? And Count Phillipe and his brother, Roaul had booked box five. He would have to cancel their reservations. And who was this mysterious guest? A girl, most likely. Chocolates and flowers? Yes, it would be a pretty woman. He suddenly felt a stab of pity for the poor thing. To be the love of a mere phantom… He shivered at the thought.

He picked up another letter, dirty and smudged. Probably from one of the maids. It read;

Dear Monsieurs Firman and Andre

I write to say that there is a slight rat problem in the Opera Populair. I ask you not to panic for it has been taken care of immediately. We have adopted a couple of cats to hunt them. I will tell you more on this at a later date

Yours with respect

Gloria Crocket

Firman started violently at a sharp squeak from his left shoe. He looked down to see a shiny, fat black rat the size of his hand. He kicked it off with a shout. Not to panic? Indeed!

So there you go. What do you think, please review!

RandomPhantom