THE PHANTOM OF ROCKETTO-DAN - PROLOUGE
The auction had lasted all day, with various trinkets from the old opera house being sold off one-by-one. The turnout was small, but amongst them, was an aged James, who was now around seventy years old, yet seemed as attentive as he was when he was twenty-five. His hair was still as blue, but his face was definitely more wrinkled. He began to focus attention back to the auction, which was reaching its later lots.
"Lot 665, ladies and gentlemen: a papier-mâché musical box, in the shape of a barrel organ. Attached, the figure of a Mankey in eastern European robes playing the cymbals. This item, discovered in the vaults of the theatre, still in working order," spoke the auctioneer, as the porter held up the organ in question. Even after all this time, the small box played its music.
"May I start at twenty francs?" the auctioneer asked. There was no response. "Fifteen, then?"
Just then, a young lady in the front row raised her hand, as to bid.
"Fifteen, I am bid" the auctioneer commented.
"Twenty" a young businessman added.
"Twenty-two" the young lady replied.
"Twenty-five" the businessman countered.
"The lot stands at twenty-five francs. Do I hear thirty francs?" The auctioneer asked.
"Thirty" James eventually bided, down to his last few francs.
"Thirty francs. Do I hear thirty-five?" The auctioneer asked. Neither the young lady nor the businessman placed a bid. The auctioneer banged his gavel on the table. "Sold, for thirty francs to the gentleman with the blue hair. Thank you, sir."
Silently, a porter carried the box across to James, as he stood partly masked by the shadows of the nearby curtains. Quietly, half to himself, half to the box, James began to comment to himself.
"A collector's piece indeed… every detail exactly as she said… She often spoke of you, my friend... Your velvet lining, and your figurine of lead... Will you still play, when all the rest of us are dead?"
James wiped a tear from his eye. His wife had commonly spoke of this trinket, before she passed away several years ago. This brought back memories. He put into his bag, along with the various bits and pieces he had procured throughout the day. He was about to leave, when the auctioneer began to talk of his next lot.
"Lot 666, then: a chandelier in pieces," The auctioneer began. The chandelier. This caught James' ear, and he turned back to look at the old chandelier, still as precious as it was last time he set foot in the opera house.
"Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera: a mystery never fully explained," the auctioneer continued.
"It never had any explanation," James thought to himself, remembering the incident all too well. It was a nightmare for who were involved, even himself.
"We are told ladies and gentlemen, that this is the very chandelier which figures in the famous disaster. Our workshops have restored it and fitted up parts of it with wiring for the new electric light, so that we may get a hint of what it may look like when re-assembled," the auctioneer commented. "Perhaps we may frighten away the ghost of so many years ago with a little illumination, gentlemen?"
"Illumination?" James was taken aback by the naïve comments of the auctioneer. It would take more than a few modern lights to scare away that man. That man was not just sick, he happened to be evil.
Just then, the auctioneer switches on the chandelier. There is an enormous flash, engulfing the entire room with a dazzling white light, almost blinding everyone. This brought the memories flooding back, memories best forgotten…
END OF THE PROLOUGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE PHANTOM OF ROCKETTO-DAN - CHAPTER ONE
The stage buzzed with business, everyone trying to finish the stage and final rehearsals for tonight's performance of "Hannibal". Prominently on centre stage, was an astounding auburn-haired girl, dressed in fine robes. Behind her, stood two chorus girls, dressed as slave girls, one orange-haired, another red-haired. To the side were several males.
"My manager commands… Signor Butch?" spoke the diva, trying to keep as quiet a voice as possible, saving her breath for when she sang. She exchanged a glanced with her green-haired compatriot.
"As my diva commands," Butch, the green-haired repetiteur turned to the stage manager. "Will two bars be sufficient introduction?" he asked, in that 'unique' voice of his.
"Two bars will be quite sufficient," replied the stage manager, in his calm British accent. He turned to the conductor, and nodded the command. The ageing conductor nodded back. The stage manager turned back to Butch.
"Signora?" Butch asked to Cassidy.
Cassidy turned to the conductor, and spoke. "Maestro." The introduction is brought in, beginning Cassidy's big solo.
"Think of me,
think of me fondly,
when we've said
goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while -
please promise me
you'll try.
When you find
that, once
again, you long
to take your heart…"
A backdrop crashing to the floor, cutting Cassidy off from half the cast suddenly silenced the ariatic singing. Cassidy shrieked and leapt, placing her arms around Butch, almost crying from fear.
Misty, one of the chorus girls broke the silence, as she gazed upwards towards the rafters. "He's here; the Phantom of the Opera…" she shouted, "He's here; the Phantom of the Opera…" this was followed by a mass murmur from all the other chorus girls. Suddenly, Alan, one of the assistants to Giovanni turned to the rafters and screamed.
"Good heavens! Will you show a little courtesy!" he bellowed, trying to scold the incompetent stagehands.
Giovanni turned to Misty and the others. "Mademoiselles, please!"
Alan turned to Cassidy. "Sorry signora, but these things do happen. Our apologies"
Cassidy raised her head from Butch's shoulder, and glared angrily at Alan. "Si! These things do happen! Well, until you stop these things happening, this thing does not happen!"
"Listen, can't we…" Alan begged.
Cassidy would have none of Alan's pleadings. "Ubaldo! Andiamo!" she ordered. Paul, her assistant dutifully approached from the wings, clutching her fur coat.
"Amateurs!" Paul sneered to the whole group.
Butch turned to the group. "I don't think there's much more to assist you," he said "Good luck gentlemen, and if you need me, I shall be in Cerulean, on business." Butch then departs the stage with Paul and Cassidy. The remaining performers anxiously look at Giovanni and Alan for direction.
Alan sweated nervously, and then tried to cover his nervousness by saying, "La Carlotta will be back. Just you wait."
Hannah turned to Alan. "You think so, my sir?" Just then she reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small piece of browning paper. "Oh, sirs? I have a message, sir, from the Rocketto Ghost."
Rocketto Ghost. Those two words, they struck fear into the hearts of the chorus girls. Each one began to mumble and whisper nervously, every one has heard a legend or rumour.
Giovanni turned to the group and saw them. He was now getting angry. "God in Heaven, you're all obsessed!" he screamed, the stress beginning to get to him. He turned back to Hannah. "Message?" he asked.
"He merely welcomes you to his opera house and commands you to continue to leave Executive Box 5 empty for his use and reminds you that his salary is also due," Hannah added.
Giovanni took a step back. "His salary?" he shouted.
Hannah took a deep breath, and began to explain what used to happen "Mr. McClellan paid him five thousand dollars a month. This was to keep him satisfied," Giovanni gave an unimpressed look. "Perhaps you can afford more, with the Baron of Koja as your patron." The chorus girls began to chatter about this again. The Baron of Koja was wealthy, but not superstitious. Young Jessica took hold of Misty nervously, and began to whisper. She wasn't usually scared of things like ghosts, but the stories of the Rocketto Ghost were different to the usual stories, plus, Koja sounded familiar, yet she couldn't place where.
Alan turned to Hannah and gave a tut. "Madame, I had hoped to have made that announcement myself. Giovanni is not the superstitious kind."
Hannah manoeuvred to back Giovanni. "Will the Baron be at the performance tonight, monsieur?" she asked.
Giovanni shook his head. "Alas, no, he is too busy, but his son shall be in attendance, in our box" he replied.
Wearily, Alan tapped Hannah on the shoulder, and inquired. "Madame, who is the understudy for this role?" he asked.
"Alas, no, there is no understudy, monsieur - the production is new," Hannah commented. Suddenly, Misty piped up.
"Miss Jessica could sing it, ma'am," she squeaked.
Alan took a step back. "The chorus girl?"
"She's been taking lessons from a great teacher, I heard her last night"
Alan switched over to Jessica "From whom?" he interrogated.
Jessica felt uneasy. Sure she knew she had a good voice. Her teacher had told her. But she was too nervous to try. She tried to excuse herself "I don't know, sir…" she mumbled.
Giovanni turned red with anger. "Oh, not you as well!" he roared. He turned to Alan. "Can you believe it? A full house - and we have to cancel!" Giovanni was nervous. He couldn't believe his first production would have to be cancel on its opening night!
Hannah began to plead with Giovanni. "Let her sing for you, monsieur," Hannah began. "She has been well taught…"
Giovanni stayed silent, giving it some thought. Eventually, he gave up. "Very well. I'll let her try." He then turned to the conductor and nodded, and then to Jessica. "From the beginning of the aria then, mademoiselle."
Think of me
think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while -
please promise me
you'll try.
When you find that, once
again, you long
to take your heart back
and be free -
if you
ever find
a moment,
spare a thought
for me…
Giovanni fell in love with her voice, and immediately pushed her to the lead role at the Gala. That evening, Jessica sang the song, dressed in full uniform.
We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but if
you can still
remember
stop and think
of me…
Think of August
when the trees were green-
don't think about the way
things might have been…
Think of me,
think of me waking,
silent and
resigned.
Imagine me,
trying too hard
to put you
from my mind.
Recall those days
look back
on all those times,
think of the things
we'll never do -
there will
never be
a day, when
I won't think
of you…
The audience cheered and applauded the performance, but Jessica was just amazed by the reception she got. Up in the manager's box, young James, son to the Baron of Koja, cheered loudest. Suddenly, something came to him. Like he knew the voice before…
"Can it be? Can it be Jessica?" he spoke. He raised his opera glasses and looked down again, it was! It was Jessica, the girl from many years ago. "Bravo!" he cried out.
James lowered his opera glasses.
"Long ago, It seems so long ago, How young and innocent we were," he continued. "She may not remember me, but I remember her..."
We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but please
promise me,
that sometimes
you will think
of me!
From another box, a mysterious figure watched from behind his top hat and opera glasses.
"Brava, brava, bravissima…" he spoke.
END OF CHAPTER ONE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE PHANTOM OF ROCKETTO-DAN - PART TWO
Misty followed Jessica back to the changing room, Jessica still astounded by the response she had received, and was very silent.
"Where in the world have you been hiding?" Misty squealed, still bewildered.
"You think I was good?" Jessica asked.
"Really, you were perfect! I only wish I knew your secret! Who is this new tutor?"
Jessica seemed abstracted, as she entered the dressing room. "Father once spoke of an angel, and I used to dream he'd appear… this night as I sang, I could sense him… And I knew he was here…" she softly spoke, but she seemed in a trance. "Here in this room he calls me softly… somehow I know he's always with me… like I was an unseen genius…"
Misty uneasily edged back towards the doorway. "I watched your face from the shadows," she began "You were distant through all that applause… I heard your voice in the darkness… but the words weren't yours…"
Jessica seemed ecstatic, and seemed to ignore Misty. "Angel of Music! Guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory!" she seemed to beg to nowhere.
"Who is this angel? This…" Misty whispered to herself.
"He's with me, even now…"
A bewildered Misty grabbed Jessica's hands. "Your hands are cold…" she softly spoke.
"All around me…"
"Your face, Jesse, it's white… It frightens me…"
"He frightens me…"
Suddenly, a knock at the door is heard. Misty answers the door, and sneaks out, as James enters, clutching a bottle of Jessica's favourite champagne. Even after several years, he remembered exactly what she liked. Jessica's head snapped at his entry, and her trance ended.
"Jesse dear," "Where is your red scarf?" he exclaimed.
"Monsieur?" Jessica questioned.
"You can't have lost it! After all the trouble I took. I was just fourteen and soaked to the skin…"
"Because you had run into the sea to fetch my scarf!" Jessica laughed. "Oh, James. So it is you! "
"Ah Jessica, so nice to see you again," James spoke, before embracing Jessica and laughing. Jessica embraced back, and then moved away, and sat down at her dressing table, yet still facing James. "Father said, 'When I'm in heaven, child, I will send the Angel of Music to you'." She paused, to catch her breath. "Well, father is dead, James, and I have been visited by the Angel of Music!"
"No doubt of it." James spoke, misunderstanding her words. "And now we'll go to supper!" he invited, there was always a table for him at the most expensive restaurants in Viridian.
"No, James, the Angel of Music is very strict!" she sternly replied.
"I shan't keep you up late!" he replied.
"No, James…" she begged.
"You must change. I must get my hat. Two minutes Little 'Sashi" he spoke, before hurrying out.
Jessica called out down the corridor after him. "James!" she called. Yet, her heard not. Quietly, she picked up her hand mirror, and began to brush back her red curl. "Things have changed, James," she sighed to herself.
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion, basking in your glory!" A mysterious voice suddenly boomed, seemingly from behind Jessica's dressing room mirror. "Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!" it continued.
Jessica seemed spellbound by the voice. "Angel! I hear you! Speak, for I listen… Stay by my side, guide me!" she rhymed out. "Angel, my soul was weak, please forgive me… Enter at last, my master!" Jessica pleaded.
The voice spoke back. "Flattering child, you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide! Look at your face in the mirror… I am there inside!" it said, almost philosophically.
The figure of mystery seemed to form behind the mirror. Jessica would have noticed, but if it weren't for the dazzling shine from the lighting in the room.
Jessica was ecstatic by the arrival of the voice. "Angel of Music! Guide and guardian!" she continued. "Grant to me your glory! Angel of Music! Hide no longer!" she spazzed. "Come to me, my strange angel…"
There was silence. Suddenly, the figure began to speak again. "I am your Angel…Come to the Angel of Music…" it was then that the saw a large shine from behind the mirror. Jessica walked towards the glowing, shimmering glass.
Outside, James was returned. He hears the voices and is puzzled. Who is the other man with Jessica? Does she have his heart also? James furiously tried the door, but it was mysteriously locked.
"Whose is that voice? Who is that in there?" he bellowed, banging on the door.
Jessica stood entranced, in the middle of her room, as the mirror began to open. Behind it, stood the figure of mystery, the one that had been talking to Jessica, He reached forward and grabbed Jessica firmly, yet not fiercely, by the wrist. His touch was cold, and Jessica gasped, astounded by his arrival.
"I am your Angel of Music… Come to your Angel of Music…" the figure demanded. Jessica obediently followed, and disappeared through the mirror, as it closed behind her. The door to the dressing room mysteriously unlocks and swings open, and James stormed in, to find the room… empty!
"Jesse! Angel!" he cried out, but no one could hear him cry.
END OF CHAPTER TWO
The auction had lasted all day, with various trinkets from the old opera house being sold off one-by-one. The turnout was small, but amongst them, was an aged James, who was now around seventy years old, yet seemed as attentive as he was when he was twenty-five. His hair was still as blue, but his face was definitely more wrinkled. He began to focus attention back to the auction, which was reaching its later lots.
"Lot 665, ladies and gentlemen: a papier-mâché musical box, in the shape of a barrel organ. Attached, the figure of a Mankey in eastern European robes playing the cymbals. This item, discovered in the vaults of the theatre, still in working order," spoke the auctioneer, as the porter held up the organ in question. Even after all this time, the small box played its music.
"May I start at twenty francs?" the auctioneer asked. There was no response. "Fifteen, then?"
Just then, a young lady in the front row raised her hand, as to bid.
"Fifteen, I am bid" the auctioneer commented.
"Twenty" a young businessman added.
"Twenty-two" the young lady replied.
"Twenty-five" the businessman countered.
"The lot stands at twenty-five francs. Do I hear thirty francs?" The auctioneer asked.
"Thirty" James eventually bided, down to his last few francs.
"Thirty francs. Do I hear thirty-five?" The auctioneer asked. Neither the young lady nor the businessman placed a bid. The auctioneer banged his gavel on the table. "Sold, for thirty francs to the gentleman with the blue hair. Thank you, sir."
Silently, a porter carried the box across to James, as he stood partly masked by the shadows of the nearby curtains. Quietly, half to himself, half to the box, James began to comment to himself.
"A collector's piece indeed… every detail exactly as she said… She often spoke of you, my friend... Your velvet lining, and your figurine of lead... Will you still play, when all the rest of us are dead?"
James wiped a tear from his eye. His wife had commonly spoke of this trinket, before she passed away several years ago. This brought back memories. He put into his bag, along with the various bits and pieces he had procured throughout the day. He was about to leave, when the auctioneer began to talk of his next lot.
"Lot 666, then: a chandelier in pieces," The auctioneer began. The chandelier. This caught James' ear, and he turned back to look at the old chandelier, still as precious as it was last time he set foot in the opera house.
"Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera: a mystery never fully explained," the auctioneer continued.
"It never had any explanation," James thought to himself, remembering the incident all too well. It was a nightmare for who were involved, even himself.
"We are told ladies and gentlemen, that this is the very chandelier which figures in the famous disaster. Our workshops have restored it and fitted up parts of it with wiring for the new electric light, so that we may get a hint of what it may look like when re-assembled," the auctioneer commented. "Perhaps we may frighten away the ghost of so many years ago with a little illumination, gentlemen?"
"Illumination?" James was taken aback by the naïve comments of the auctioneer. It would take more than a few modern lights to scare away that man. That man was not just sick, he happened to be evil.
Just then, the auctioneer switches on the chandelier. There is an enormous flash, engulfing the entire room with a dazzling white light, almost blinding everyone. This brought the memories flooding back, memories best forgotten…
END OF THE PROLOUGE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE PHANTOM OF ROCKETTO-DAN - CHAPTER ONE
The stage buzzed with business, everyone trying to finish the stage and final rehearsals for tonight's performance of "Hannibal". Prominently on centre stage, was an astounding auburn-haired girl, dressed in fine robes. Behind her, stood two chorus girls, dressed as slave girls, one orange-haired, another red-haired. To the side were several males.
"My manager commands… Signor Butch?" spoke the diva, trying to keep as quiet a voice as possible, saving her breath for when she sang. She exchanged a glanced with her green-haired compatriot.
"As my diva commands," Butch, the green-haired repetiteur turned to the stage manager. "Will two bars be sufficient introduction?" he asked, in that 'unique' voice of his.
"Two bars will be quite sufficient," replied the stage manager, in his calm British accent. He turned to the conductor, and nodded the command. The ageing conductor nodded back. The stage manager turned back to Butch.
"Signora?" Butch asked to Cassidy.
Cassidy turned to the conductor, and spoke. "Maestro." The introduction is brought in, beginning Cassidy's big solo.
"Think of me,
think of me fondly,
when we've said
goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while -
please promise me
you'll try.
When you find
that, once
again, you long
to take your heart…"
A backdrop crashing to the floor, cutting Cassidy off from half the cast suddenly silenced the ariatic singing. Cassidy shrieked and leapt, placing her arms around Butch, almost crying from fear.
Misty, one of the chorus girls broke the silence, as she gazed upwards towards the rafters. "He's here; the Phantom of the Opera…" she shouted, "He's here; the Phantom of the Opera…" this was followed by a mass murmur from all the other chorus girls. Suddenly, Alan, one of the assistants to Giovanni turned to the rafters and screamed.
"Good heavens! Will you show a little courtesy!" he bellowed, trying to scold the incompetent stagehands.
Giovanni turned to Misty and the others. "Mademoiselles, please!"
Alan turned to Cassidy. "Sorry signora, but these things do happen. Our apologies"
Cassidy raised her head from Butch's shoulder, and glared angrily at Alan. "Si! These things do happen! Well, until you stop these things happening, this thing does not happen!"
"Listen, can't we…" Alan begged.
Cassidy would have none of Alan's pleadings. "Ubaldo! Andiamo!" she ordered. Paul, her assistant dutifully approached from the wings, clutching her fur coat.
"Amateurs!" Paul sneered to the whole group.
Butch turned to the group. "I don't think there's much more to assist you," he said "Good luck gentlemen, and if you need me, I shall be in Cerulean, on business." Butch then departs the stage with Paul and Cassidy. The remaining performers anxiously look at Giovanni and Alan for direction.
Alan sweated nervously, and then tried to cover his nervousness by saying, "La Carlotta will be back. Just you wait."
Hannah turned to Alan. "You think so, my sir?" Just then she reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small piece of browning paper. "Oh, sirs? I have a message, sir, from the Rocketto Ghost."
Rocketto Ghost. Those two words, they struck fear into the hearts of the chorus girls. Each one began to mumble and whisper nervously, every one has heard a legend or rumour.
Giovanni turned to the group and saw them. He was now getting angry. "God in Heaven, you're all obsessed!" he screamed, the stress beginning to get to him. He turned back to Hannah. "Message?" he asked.
"He merely welcomes you to his opera house and commands you to continue to leave Executive Box 5 empty for his use and reminds you that his salary is also due," Hannah added.
Giovanni took a step back. "His salary?" he shouted.
Hannah took a deep breath, and began to explain what used to happen "Mr. McClellan paid him five thousand dollars a month. This was to keep him satisfied," Giovanni gave an unimpressed look. "Perhaps you can afford more, with the Baron of Koja as your patron." The chorus girls began to chatter about this again. The Baron of Koja was wealthy, but not superstitious. Young Jessica took hold of Misty nervously, and began to whisper. She wasn't usually scared of things like ghosts, but the stories of the Rocketto Ghost were different to the usual stories, plus, Koja sounded familiar, yet she couldn't place where.
Alan turned to Hannah and gave a tut. "Madame, I had hoped to have made that announcement myself. Giovanni is not the superstitious kind."
Hannah manoeuvred to back Giovanni. "Will the Baron be at the performance tonight, monsieur?" she asked.
Giovanni shook his head. "Alas, no, he is too busy, but his son shall be in attendance, in our box" he replied.
Wearily, Alan tapped Hannah on the shoulder, and inquired. "Madame, who is the understudy for this role?" he asked.
"Alas, no, there is no understudy, monsieur - the production is new," Hannah commented. Suddenly, Misty piped up.
"Miss Jessica could sing it, ma'am," she squeaked.
Alan took a step back. "The chorus girl?"
"She's been taking lessons from a great teacher, I heard her last night"
Alan switched over to Jessica "From whom?" he interrogated.
Jessica felt uneasy. Sure she knew she had a good voice. Her teacher had told her. But she was too nervous to try. She tried to excuse herself "I don't know, sir…" she mumbled.
Giovanni turned red with anger. "Oh, not you as well!" he roared. He turned to Alan. "Can you believe it? A full house - and we have to cancel!" Giovanni was nervous. He couldn't believe his first production would have to be cancel on its opening night!
Hannah began to plead with Giovanni. "Let her sing for you, monsieur," Hannah began. "She has been well taught…"
Giovanni stayed silent, giving it some thought. Eventually, he gave up. "Very well. I'll let her try." He then turned to the conductor and nodded, and then to Jessica. "From the beginning of the aria then, mademoiselle."
Think of me
think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while -
please promise me
you'll try.
When you find that, once
again, you long
to take your heart back
and be free -
if you
ever find
a moment,
spare a thought
for me…
Giovanni fell in love with her voice, and immediately pushed her to the lead role at the Gala. That evening, Jessica sang the song, dressed in full uniform.
We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but if
you can still
remember
stop and think
of me…
Think of August
when the trees were green-
don't think about the way
things might have been…
Think of me,
think of me waking,
silent and
resigned.
Imagine me,
trying too hard
to put you
from my mind.
Recall those days
look back
on all those times,
think of the things
we'll never do -
there will
never be
a day, when
I won't think
of you…
The audience cheered and applauded the performance, but Jessica was just amazed by the reception she got. Up in the manager's box, young James, son to the Baron of Koja, cheered loudest. Suddenly, something came to him. Like he knew the voice before…
"Can it be? Can it be Jessica?" he spoke. He raised his opera glasses and looked down again, it was! It was Jessica, the girl from many years ago. "Bravo!" he cried out.
James lowered his opera glasses.
"Long ago, It seems so long ago, How young and innocent we were," he continued. "She may not remember me, but I remember her..."
We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but please
promise me,
that sometimes
you will think
of me!
From another box, a mysterious figure watched from behind his top hat and opera glasses.
"Brava, brava, bravissima…" he spoke.
END OF CHAPTER ONE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE PHANTOM OF ROCKETTO-DAN - PART TWO
Misty followed Jessica back to the changing room, Jessica still astounded by the response she had received, and was very silent.
"Where in the world have you been hiding?" Misty squealed, still bewildered.
"You think I was good?" Jessica asked.
"Really, you were perfect! I only wish I knew your secret! Who is this new tutor?"
Jessica seemed abstracted, as she entered the dressing room. "Father once spoke of an angel, and I used to dream he'd appear… this night as I sang, I could sense him… And I knew he was here…" she softly spoke, but she seemed in a trance. "Here in this room he calls me softly… somehow I know he's always with me… like I was an unseen genius…"
Misty uneasily edged back towards the doorway. "I watched your face from the shadows," she began "You were distant through all that applause… I heard your voice in the darkness… but the words weren't yours…"
Jessica seemed ecstatic, and seemed to ignore Misty. "Angel of Music! Guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory!" she seemed to beg to nowhere.
"Who is this angel? This…" Misty whispered to herself.
"He's with me, even now…"
A bewildered Misty grabbed Jessica's hands. "Your hands are cold…" she softly spoke.
"All around me…"
"Your face, Jesse, it's white… It frightens me…"
"He frightens me…"
Suddenly, a knock at the door is heard. Misty answers the door, and sneaks out, as James enters, clutching a bottle of Jessica's favourite champagne. Even after several years, he remembered exactly what she liked. Jessica's head snapped at his entry, and her trance ended.
"Jesse dear," "Where is your red scarf?" he exclaimed.
"Monsieur?" Jessica questioned.
"You can't have lost it! After all the trouble I took. I was just fourteen and soaked to the skin…"
"Because you had run into the sea to fetch my scarf!" Jessica laughed. "Oh, James. So it is you! "
"Ah Jessica, so nice to see you again," James spoke, before embracing Jessica and laughing. Jessica embraced back, and then moved away, and sat down at her dressing table, yet still facing James. "Father said, 'When I'm in heaven, child, I will send the Angel of Music to you'." She paused, to catch her breath. "Well, father is dead, James, and I have been visited by the Angel of Music!"
"No doubt of it." James spoke, misunderstanding her words. "And now we'll go to supper!" he invited, there was always a table for him at the most expensive restaurants in Viridian.
"No, James, the Angel of Music is very strict!" she sternly replied.
"I shan't keep you up late!" he replied.
"No, James…" she begged.
"You must change. I must get my hat. Two minutes Little 'Sashi" he spoke, before hurrying out.
Jessica called out down the corridor after him. "James!" she called. Yet, her heard not. Quietly, she picked up her hand mirror, and began to brush back her red curl. "Things have changed, James," she sighed to herself.
"Insolent boy! This slave of fashion, basking in your glory!" A mysterious voice suddenly boomed, seemingly from behind Jessica's dressing room mirror. "Ignorant fool! This brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!" it continued.
Jessica seemed spellbound by the voice. "Angel! I hear you! Speak, for I listen… Stay by my side, guide me!" she rhymed out. "Angel, my soul was weak, please forgive me… Enter at last, my master!" Jessica pleaded.
The voice spoke back. "Flattering child, you shall know me, see why in shadow I hide! Look at your face in the mirror… I am there inside!" it said, almost philosophically.
The figure of mystery seemed to form behind the mirror. Jessica would have noticed, but if it weren't for the dazzling shine from the lighting in the room.
Jessica was ecstatic by the arrival of the voice. "Angel of Music! Guide and guardian!" she continued. "Grant to me your glory! Angel of Music! Hide no longer!" she spazzed. "Come to me, my strange angel…"
There was silence. Suddenly, the figure began to speak again. "I am your Angel…Come to the Angel of Music…" it was then that the saw a large shine from behind the mirror. Jessica walked towards the glowing, shimmering glass.
Outside, James was returned. He hears the voices and is puzzled. Who is the other man with Jessica? Does she have his heart also? James furiously tried the door, but it was mysteriously locked.
"Whose is that voice? Who is that in there?" he bellowed, banging on the door.
Jessica stood entranced, in the middle of her room, as the mirror began to open. Behind it, stood the figure of mystery, the one that had been talking to Jessica, He reached forward and grabbed Jessica firmly, yet not fiercely, by the wrist. His touch was cold, and Jessica gasped, astounded by his arrival.
"I am your Angel of Music… Come to your Angel of Music…" the figure demanded. Jessica obediently followed, and disappeared through the mirror, as it closed behind her. The door to the dressing room mysteriously unlocks and swings open, and James stormed in, to find the room… empty!
"Jesse! Angel!" he cried out, but no one could hear him cry.
END OF CHAPTER TWO