Auction/Think of Me
I do not own Phantom of the Opera or Sonic the Hedgehog
*Paris, France, the year 1919. It was a sunny autumn day, an abandoned building that was once known as the "Palais Garnier" was holding an auction. As children played on the building steps and Mobians walked past, a black car pulled up in front of the entrance. A red wolf in a chauffeur uniform got out and opened the back right door. A brown woodchuck nurse came from the other side of the car pushing a wheelchair. The chauffeur offers a hand to someone and a white gloved hand takes it. An old male pale blue hedgehog with a white mustache and bushy eyebrows . He had kind looking emerald green eyes that also had a bit of sadness in them, like he had lost something (or someone) precious to him. With the help of both the nurse and the driver, he settled in his wheelchair*
Rosie:*to the driver* Wait out here until we're done.
*As the driver nods in reply, the nurse gently pushes the wheelchair into the building. A brown monkey wearing a business suit was running the auction with a yellow mongoose with black hair as one of his assistants*
Monkey Khan: Sold! Your number, sir? Thank you. Lot 663, then ladies and gentlemen. A poster from this house's production of Hannibal by Chalumeau
Ash: Showing here
Monkey Khan: Do I have 10 mobiums? 5, 5 I bid. 6. 7. Against you, sir, 7. 8? *no hands were raised* 8 once. selling twice. Sold to Monsieur Defferre.
*Everyone clapped as a form of congratulations*
Monkey Khan: Lot 664, a wooden pistol and three human skulls . . . from the 1831 production of Robert le Diable by Meyerbeer. 10 mobiums for this.
*A brown bear raised his cane*
Monkey Khan: 10, thank you. 10 still. 15, thank you. 15 I'm bid. Going at 15 . . .
*As the bidding continued, a very old female cream and brown rabbit with brown eyes wearing a black dress saw the blue hedgehog in his wheelchair, he looks back at her and his eyes widened in recognition*
Monkey Khan: Your number, sir? Lot 665, ladies and gentlemen,*the yellow mongoose carried a box with a monkey on top* a paper mache music box in the shape of a barrel organ. Attached, the figure of a monkey in persian robes playing the cymbals. This item was found in the vaults of the theatre, still in working order.
Ash: Showing here
*The mongoose pressed a button and the monkey on the box played the cymbals as a lovely tune played. The rabbit and the hedgehog looked at the box with smiles on their faces*
Monkey Khan: May I commence at 15 mobiums? *the Rabbit raised her hand* 15, thank you *the hedgehog tapped his nurse's arm and she raised her hand* Yes, 20 from you, sir. Thank you very much *the rabbit raised her hand again* Madame Cream, 25. Thank you, madame. 25 I'm bid. Do I hear 30? *the hedgehog tapped his nurse's arm again and she raised her hand* 30. And 35? *the hedgehog looked at the rabbit, she just smiled and shook her head* Selling at 30 mobiums then 30 once, 30 twice. BAAM! Sold for 30 mobiums to the Vicomte Sonic. Thank you sir.
*The assistant carefully gave the box to the hedgehog. The rabbit watched him as he looked at it*
*Sonic singing*
A collector's piece indeed
Every detail as exactly as she said
Will you still play
When all the rest of us are dead
Monkey Khan: Lot 666, then, a chandelier in pieces, *he motions to a large object covered by a white curtain* Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom Shadow of the Opera. A mystery never fully explained. We're told, ladies and gentlemen that this is the very chandelier which figures in the famous disaster. Our workshops have repaired it for the new electric light. Perhaps we can frighten the ghost of so many years ago with a little illumination. Gentlemen?
*Five workers uncovered the chandelier and began to pull the ropes, lifting it towards the ceiling. As Sonic and Grace watched, they began to think back to how that disaster began. Many, many years ago*
(49 years in the past)
*The year was now 1870, that day the theater was buzzing with activity. Outside, a carriage pulls up to the entrance stairs and a green crocodile and a black armadillo with a red shell, both wearing their best suits come out. A brown owl comes down the steps and shakes their hands to welcome them. They both looked up at the "Palais Garnier" feeling excited and determined. Inside, actors, singers, dancers, workers, the orchestra, and the coyote maestro were preparing to rehearse for a performance that night. Two dancers run down the backstage stairs, as they are running a bit late for rehearsals. One was a younger Cream and the other was a female light and dark brown with a dark auburn striped, blue eyed chipmunk with short dark auburn hair, both wearing their costumes. When they arrived, their teacher, a brown and cream colored female rabbit wearing a black dress, gave them a stern look, which they returned with apologetic smiles. Back outside, a younger Sonic was driving his own carriage with two fine white horses to the theater stables. Back inside, a red female fox, wearing a roman gown and holding a stuffed head prop was already rehearsing. Her servants stood off to one side of the stage. A purple swallow holding a bottle of a special type of liquid to the help the fox's voice and a orange echidna held the fox's prize pet, a dark chao. Some of the theater maids cleaning the seats in the audience wanted to cover their ears every time she reached a high note*
*Fiona singing*
The trophy from our saviors
From our saviors
From the enslaving force of Rome
*When she finished singing, she threw the prop to her wigmaker (a purple chameleon) who fumbled a bit trying to catch it. She then went over to the orange echidna who was holding her precious dark chao*
Tikal: Madame
*Female Chorus singing*
With feasting and dancing
And song
Tonight is celebration
We greet the victorious throng
Returned to bring salvation
*Outside, Sonic arrived at the stables. As he got off his carriage, the crocodile and armadillo greeted him*
Mighty: Vicomte, welcome
*Back onstage, rehearsals were still underway*
*Male Chorus singing*
The trumpets of Carthage resound
Hear Romans now and tremble
Hark to our step on the ground
Hear the drums
Hannibal comes
*Fiona nearly trips on her dress and glares at her seamstress (brown female lynx)*
Fiona: You made my dress too long, you idiot!
*A green male hedgehog came onstage*
*Scourge singing*
Sad return
To find the land we love
Threatened once
By Roma's far-reaching grasp
*The coyote maestro tapped his music stand with his baton*
Antoine: Gentlemen, gentlemen, Scourge, please, eet's Rome. Not Roma, Rome!
Scourge:*annoyed* Rome, Roma. Whatever.
*Antoine glared at Scourge and was about to begin the music again when the brown owl came out onstage with Mighty and the green crocodile*
Harvey Who: Rehearsals as you can see are underway, for a new production of "Chalumeau's" "Hannibal"
Antoine: Monsieur Harvey, we are rehearsing!
Harvey Who: Monsieur Antoine, Madame Vanilla, ladies and gentlemen, please may I have your attention? Than you. As you know for some weeks there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these are all true . . .
*Fiona pointed at Scourge and gave him an "I told you so" look*
Fiona: Aha!
*Scourge just rolled his eyes and tsked*
Harvey Who: . . . And it is my pleasure to introduce the two gentlemen who now own the "Palais Garnier" Monsieur Mighty and Monsieur Vector. *Everyone applauded them* I'm sure you've all read of their recent fortune in the junk business.
Vector: Scrap metal, actually
*A white bat dancer began whispering to a yellow mongoose dancer with purple hair*
Rouge:*whispering* They must be rich
Mighty: And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron. The Vicomte Sonic
*As Sonic came onstage, the brown female chipmunk and Cream came up the stairs with the other dancers and when the cat saw Sonic, her eyes widened*
Sally: It's Sonic. Before my Papa died, at the house by the sea. I guess you could say we were childhood sweethearts. He called me "Little Lotte".
Cream: Sally, he's so handsome
Sonic: My parents and I are honored to support all the arts, especially the world-renowned "Palais Garnier".
*Fiona came up to Sonic with a flirtatious smile and her hand out, expecting a kiss*
Harvey Who: Gentlemen, Miss Fiona Fox, our leading soprano for 5 seasons.
Fiona's servants: Bravo! Bravo!
Scourge: Ahem!
Harvey Who: And Scourge the Hedgehog, one of our best male singers and the regular partner of Fiona
*Scourge bowed in a humble manner*
Sonic: An honor Monsieur, I do believe I'm keeping you from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening to share your great triumph. My apologies
Antoine: Thank you, Monsieur. Once more if you please, Scourge
Fiona:*to her servants* He loves me. He loves me.
*Sally watched Sonic as he walked right past her without a word*
Sally: He wouldn't recognize me.
Cream: He didn't even see you
*As the music for the ballet began, Vanilla pulled Mighty and Vector off to one side*
Vanilla: If you please.
As the dancing began, Vector and Mighty watched them with interest, especially two certain dancers*
Vanilla: We take particular pride in the excellence of our ballet, Monsieurs.
Vector: I see why. *looking at Cream* Especially that little blonde angel.
Vanilla: My daughter, Cream Rabbit.
*Vector cleared his throat nervously*
Mighty:*looking at Sally* And that exceptional beauty, no relation I ho . . . I mean, I trust.
Vanilla: Sally Acorn, promising talent Monsieurs, very promising.
Mighty: Acorn did you say, no relation to Maximilian Acorn, the famous violinist?
Vanilla: His only child, orphaned at age 8, when she she came to live and train in the ballet dormitories.
Vector:*a mischievous look in his eyes* An orphan, you say.
Vanilla:*giving Vector an icy glare* I think of her as a daughter also.
*As the singing began again, one singer accidentally stepped on Fiona's dress*
Fiona: Hey! Watch the dress!
*A large plastic elephant came out onstage*
*Chorus and Fiona singing*
Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests
The elephants of Carthage
As guides on our conquering quests
Dido sends
Hannibal's friends
The trumpeting elephants sound
Hear, Romans, now and tremble
Hark to their steps on the ground
Hear the drums
Hannibal comes
*As the song ended. Fiona got mad and started yelling her complaints*
Fiona: All day! All they want is dancing!
Harvey Who: Well, the Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala
Fiona: Oh, ho ho, I hope he is as excited by dancing girls as your new managers. Because I WILL NOT BE SINGING! *yelling to her servants* Get my chao! Bring me my chao!
Vector: What do we do?
Harvey Who: Grovel. Grovel, grovel.
Vector: Great Beauty! *Fiona stopped* Beautiful diva! Goddess of Song!
Fiona: Yes, Yes!
Mighty: Antoine, isn't there a wonderful solo in Act 3 that Fiona plays?
Fiona: If my managers command. Antoine?
Antoine: If my diva commands.
Fiona: Yes, I do!
Might: Monsieur Harvey, why exactly are you retiring?
Harvey Who: My health.
Mighty: I see
*Fiona's maid brought over her bottle of throat remedy*
Antoine: Mademoiselle?
Fiona: Maestro
*The maids cleaning the seats stuffed cotton in their ears as Fiona began to sing*
*Fiona singing*
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 . . .
*As she continued to sing, backstage, up in the rafters, a shadowy figure pulls a rope holding up a piece of scenery and it began to fall. Cream saw it and screamed. The scenery fell on top of Fiona and everyone began to panic*
Antoine: Sacre bleu! Mademoiselle!
Fiona: Get it off me!
Cream: He's here! The Phantom Shadow of the Opera!
*While everyone was distracted, Vanilla was backstage searching for something (or someone) when a white envelope with a red stamp in the shape of a skull on the flap floated down from the rafters. She looked back up to see a black cape disappear around a corner*:
Harvey Who: Fiona are you alright? *looks up* Jet! For God's sake man, what's going on up there?!
*A green hawk looked down over the railing*
Jet: Don't look at me, boss! I wasn't at my post. There's no one up here but me. Or if there is, it must be a ghost *snicker*
Vector: Mademoiselle, these things do happen.
Fiona:*looking at Harvey* For the past 3 years, these things have been happening! And have you even tried to stop the from happening? NO! *pointing at Vector and Mighty* And you two, are as bad as him! Well, until you stop these things from happening, this thing *points to herself* DOES NOT HAPPEN!
*She turned around and started screaming at her servants. Scourge turned to follow her, but not before giving Mighty and Vector a dirty look*
Scourge: Amateurs
Harvey: Gentlemen, good luck. If you need me, I shall be in "Downunda"
*Vector turned to Antoine, who was moaning to himself*
Vector: Antoine, she will be coming back, won't she?
*Antoine just shrugged*
Vanilla: You think so, Monsieur? I have a message from the Opera Ghost.
Mighty: Oh, good grief, your all obsessed!
*Vanilla gave him another icy glare and handed the note to Vector*
Vanilla: He welcomes you to his Opera House . . .
Mighty: HIS Opera House!?
Vanilla: . . . And commands that you continue to leave box 5 empty for his use. And reminds you that his salary is due.
Mighty: His salary?
Vanilla: Well, Monsieur Knuckles espoused to pay him 20,000 mobiums a month.
Mighty:*grabbing the note from Vector* 20,000 MOBIUMS!
Vanilla: Perhaps you can afford more? With the Vicomte as your patron?
Mighty:*ripping the note* Madame, I had hoped to make that announcement public tonight when the Vicomte was to join us for the gala. But obviously, we shall have to cancel as it appears we have lost our star!
Vector: But surely there must be an understudy . . .
Antoine: There is no understudy for Fiona Fox!
Mighty: A full house, Vector! We shall have to refund a full house!
Vanilla: Sally Acorn could sing it sir
*Sally looked up from talking to Cream and started to blush*
Vector: What, a chorus girl? Don't be silly.
Vanilla: She has been taking lessons from a great teacher.
Vector: Who?
Sally: I don't know his name, sir
Vanilla: Let her sing for you, Monsieur. She has been well taught
*Mighty and Vector looked at each other*
Vector: All right, what have we got to loose?
Antoine: From the beginning then, please Mademoiselle.
*The music started*
Mighty: Vector, this is doing nothing for my nerves.
Vector: Well, she's very pretty.
*Sally singing*
Think of me
Think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while
Please promise me you'll try
*She looked at Vanilla, who gestured her to continue*
When you find
That once again you long
To take your heart back
And be free
*Everyone in the room seemed captivated by her voice*
If you ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me. . .