Phantom of the Opera (Yu-Gi-Oh Style)

BACKSTAGE

Wheeler mysteriously appears, a length of fabric serving as a cloak, and a piece of rope as the Punjab lasso. He is showing off to the ballet girls.

"Like yellow parchment
is his skin . . .
a great black hole served as the
nose that never grew . . ."

Demonstrating his method of self-defence against the Punjab lasso, he inserts his hand between his neck and the noose, and then pulls the rope taut. With a mixture of horror and delight, the ballet girls applaud this demonstration.

"You must be always
on your guard,
or he will catch you with his
magical lasso!" Wheeler explained to them.

A trap opens up centre stage casting a shadow of the Phantom as he emerges. The GIRLS, linking hands, run off terrified. Akefia, leading Courtney,
fixes his stare on Wheeler. Sweeping his cape around Courtney, he exits with her. But before they go Jade has entered, observing. She turns on Wheeler.

"Those who speak of what they know find, too late, that prudent silence is wise. Joseph Wheeler, hold your tongue or he will burn you with the heat of his eyes..." Jade said.

THE MANAGERS' OFFICE
There is a desk, chairs, papers littering the room. Yami is scornfully eyeing a newspaper article

"Mystery after gala night,' it says, 'Mystery of soprano's flight!"

"Mystified baffled Surete say, we are mystified - we suspect foul play!"

He lowers the paper, shaking his head.

"Bad news on soprano scene - first Viviana, now Courtney! Still, at least the seats get sold gossip's worth its weight in gold . . . What a way to run a business!
Spare me these unending trials! Half your cast disappears, but the crowd still cheers! Opera! To hell with Gluck and Handel - It's a scandal that'll pack 'em in the aisles!" Yami said.

Yugi bursts in, in a temper.

"Damnable! Will they all walk out? This is damnable!" Yugi said angrily.

"Yugi, please don't shout . . .It's publicity! And the take is vast! Free publicity!" Yami said.

"But we have no cast . . ." Yugi said downheartedly.

"But Yugi, have you seen the queue?" Yami said calmly.

He has been sorting mail on his desk. Finding the two letters from the Phantom.

"Oh, it seems you've got one too . . ." Yami said.

He hands the letter to Yugi, who opens it and reads.

"Dear Yugi,
what a charming gala!
Courtney enjoyed a great success!
We were hardly bereft
when Viviana left -
otherwise
the chorus was entrancing,
but the dancing was a
lamentable mess!"

Yami then read his aloud.

"Dear Yami,
just a brief reminder:
my salary has not been paid.
Send it care of the ghost,
by return of post
P.T.O.:
No-one likes a debtor,
so it's better if my
orders are obeyed!"

"Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a puerile brain!" The two managers exclaimed. Yami examined both letters. "These are both signed "O.G.A." . . ." Yami said. "Who the hell is he?" Yugi asked.

"Opera ghost!" They both said in realization. "But what's the 'A' stand for?" Yugi said, but Yami didn't hear him.

"It's really not amusing!" Yami said, unamused. "He's abusing our position!" Yugi exclaimed. "In addition he wants money!" Yami said. "He's a funny sort of spectre . . ." Yugi said.

". . . to expect a large retainer! Nothing plainer - he is clearly quite insane!" They both said.

They are interrupted by the arrival of Bakura, who brandishes another of the Phantom's notes.

"Where is she?" Bakura asked.

"You mean Viviana?"

"I mean Miss Daae - where is she?" Bakura asked once more.

"Well, how should we know?" Yami asked, annoyed. "I want an answer - I take it that you sent me this note?" Bakura said, holding up the note. "What's all this nonsense?" Yami asked.

"Of course not!" Yugi exclaimed. "Don't look at us!" Yami said.

"She's not with you, then?" Bakura said, looking a little discouraged. "Of course not!"

"We're in the dark . . ." Yugi said, clearly upset.

"Monsieur, don't argue - Isn't this the letter you wrote?"

"And what is it, that we're meant to have written?" Yugi asked.
Bakura hands the note to ANDRE, who reads it.

"Do not fear for Miss Daae.
The Angel of Music
has her under his wing.
Make no attempt to see her again."

The managers look mystified.

"If you didn't write it, who did?"

Vivian bursts in. She too has a letter, which has cheered her no more than the others.

"Where is he?" She asked. "Ah, welcome back!" Yami said. "Your precious patron - where is he?" She asked angrily.

"What is it now?" Bakura asked, annoyed.

"I have your letter - a letter which I rather resent!" Vivian said to Bakura rather angrily.

"And did you send it?" Yami asked Bakura. "Of course not!"

"As if he would!" Yugi said. "You didn't send it?" Vivian asked, clearly confused.

"Of course not!" Bakura said.
"What's going on . . .?" Yugi asked.

"You dare to tell me, that this is not the letter you sent ? !" Vivian asked.

"And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?"

Bakura takes the letter and reads it.

"Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered. Courtney Daae will be singing on your behalf tonight. Be prepared for a great misfortune, should you attempt
to take her place."

The managers are beginning to tire of the intrigue.

"Far too many notes for my taste - and most of them about Courtney! All we've heard since we came is Miss Daae's name . . ."

Jade suddenly appears, accompanied by Natalie.

"Miss Daae has returned." Jade said. "I trust her midnight oil is well and truly burned." Yami said drily. "Where precisely is she now?" Yugi asked.

"I thought it best that she went home . . ." Jade said. "She needed rest." Natalie added.

"May I see her?" Bakura asked.

"No, monsieur, she will see no-one." Jade answered.

"Will she sing?" Vivian asked.

"Here, I have a note . . ." Jade said.

"Let me see it!" The managers and Vivian shouted.

Yami snatched it.

Yami opens the letter and reads. The Phantom's voice gradually takes over.
"Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the
most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is to be
run. You have not followed my instructions.
I shall give you one last chance . . ."

"Courtney Daae has returned to you,
and I am anxious her career
should progress.
In the new production of "Il Muto",
you will therefore cast Viviana
as the Pageboy, and put Miss Daae
in the role of Countess.
The role which Miss Daae plays
calls for charm and appeal.
The role of the Pageboy is silent -
which makes my casting,
in a word
ideal..."

"I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in
Box Five, which will be kept empty for me. Should
these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your
imagination will occur."

"I remain, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant, O.G.A."

"Courtney!" Vivian said.

"Whatever next . . .?"

"It's all a ploy to help Courtney!" Vivian exclaimed.

"This is insane . . ."

"I know who sent this: (pointing an accusing finger) The Vicomte - her lover!" Vivian accused.

"Indeed?" Bakura said ironically. "Can you believe this?" He asked the others.

"Signora!" Yugi said in protest.

"This is a joke! This changes nothing!" Yami said.

"O mentitori!" Vivian muttered to herself.

"Signora! You are our star! And always will be!" Yugi said.

"Signora . . . The man is mad!" Yami said.
"We don't take orders!"

"Miss Daae will be playing the Pageboy - the silent role . . ." Yami announced.

"Viviana will be playing the lead!"

"It's useless trying to appease me! You're only saying this to please me! Signori, e vero? Non, non, non voglio udire! Lasciatemi morire! O padre mio! Dio!" Vivian said.

"Who scorn his word, beware to those . . ." Jade warned.

"You have reviled me!" Vivian said angrily to the managers.

"The angel sees, the angel knows . . ." Jade continued.

"Why did Courtney fly from my arms . . .?" Bakura asked, mostly to himself.

"You have rebuked me!" Vivian said. "Signora, pardon us . . ." The managers said together. "You have replaced me!" Vivian said angrily. "Please, Signora, we beseech you . . ." Yami said.

"This hour shall see your darkest fears . . ." Jade said mysteriously.

"I must see her . . ." Natalie and Bakura said.

"Abbandonata! Deseredata! O, sventurata!" Vivian exclaimed.

"The angel knows, the angel hears . . ." Jade repeated.

"Where did she go . . .?" Bakura asked.

"Abbandonata! Disgraziata!"

"Signora, sing for us! Don't be a martyr . . ." The managers said.

"What new surprises lie in store . . .?" Natalie, Jade and Bakura all asked in unison.

Everyone looks at Vivian, as the managers approach her lovingly.

"Your public needs you!" Yugi said.

"We need you, too!" Yami said.

"Would you not rather have your precious little ingenue?" Vivian asked.

"Signora, no! The world wants you!"

The managers adopt their most persuasive attitudes.

They both sang:
"Prima donna
first lady of the stage!
Your devotees
are on their knees
to implore you !"

Yami sang:
"Can you bow out
when they're shouting
your name?"

Yugi sang:
"Think of how they all
adore you!"

They then both sang together.
"Prima donna,
enchant us once again!"

"Think of your muse . . ."

"And of the queues
round the theatre!"

"Can you deny us the triumph
in store?
Sing, prima donna, once more!"

Vivian registers her acceptance as the managers continue to cajole and the others reflect variously on the situation.

"Courtney spoke of an angel . . ." Bakura said.

"Prima donna your song shall live again!" Vivian said triumphantly, mostly to herself.

"Think of your public!"

"You took a snub but there's a public who needs you!"

"She has heard the voice of the angel of music . . ." Jade said, referring to Courtney.

"Those who hear your voice liken you to an angel!" The managers said to Vivian.

"Think of their cry
of undying
support !"

"Is this her angel of music . . .?" Bakura asked.

"We get our opera . . ." Yugi said to Yami.

"She gets her limelight!"

"Follow where the limelight leads you!" Vivian said.

"Is this ghost an angel or a madman . . .?" Natalie asked.

"Angel or madman . . .?" Bakura echoed.

"Leading ladies are a trial!"

"Heaven help you, those who doubt . . ." Jade said.

"You'll sing again,
and to unending
ovation!"

"Orders! Warnings! Lunatic demands!" Bakura said.

"This miscasting will invite damnation . . ." Jade said.

"Tears . . . oaths . . .
Lunatic demands
are regular occurrences!"

"Bliss or damnation? Which has claimed her . . .?" Natalie asked.

"Think how you'll shine
in that final encore!
Sing, prima donna,
once more!" Vivian said.

"Oh fools, to have flouted his warnings!" Jade said mournfully.

"Surely, for her sake . . ." Bakura said.

"Surely he'll strike back . . ." Natalie said.

"Surely there'll be further scenes - worse than this!" The managers said together.

"Think, before these demands are rejected!" Jade warned them.

". . .I must see these demands are rejected!" Bakura exclaimed.

". . . if his threats and demands are rejected!" Natalie said.

"Who'd believe a diva
happy to relieve a chorus girl,
who's gone and slept with the patron?
Bakura and the soubrette,
entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur,
he must have been with her!" The managers said.

"Courtney must be protected!" Natalie and Bakura said.

"O, fortunata!
Non ancor
abbandonata!"

"You'd never get away
with all this in a play,
but if it's loudly sung
and in a foreign tongue
it's just the sort of story
audiences adore,
in fact a perfect opera!"

"His game is over!" Bakura said.

"This is a game you cannot hope to win!" Jade warned them.

"And in Box Five a new game will begin . . ." Bakura said.

"For, if his curse is on this opera . . ." Jade said.

"But if his curse is on this opera . . ." Natalie said.

"Prima donna
the world is at your feet!
A nation waits,
and how it hates
to be cheated!"

"The stress that falls upon a
famous prima donna!
Terrible diseases,
coughs and colds and sneezes!
Still, the dryest throat
will reach the highest note,
in search of perfect
opera!"

". . . then I fear the outcome . . ." Jade said.

"Courtney plays the Pageboy, Vivian plays the Countess . . ." Bakura said.

". . . should you dare to . ." Jade said in shock.

". . . when you once again . . ." Natalie said.

"Light up the stage
with that age old
rapport!
Sing, prima donna,
once more!"

"So, it is to be war between us! If these demands are not
met, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur!" The Phantom's voice said.

"Once more!" They all said.


Yay! Another chapter! I'm so happy! This took hours so you people better freaking appreciate it! So you know what that means? Drum roll please! *drum roll*

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So please... You can stop the drum roll now! *Drum roll ends* So please review! This takes hard work and I would love to be appreciated.