Disclaimer: I'm really tired of putting these things up. But ThePhantom of the Opera is obviously not mine, so don't sue me.
I apologize for the terribly long wait; I haven't felt the urge to write in awhile. Plus, I got distracted with a musical.
Thursday: Principle Cast Rehearsal
It was time to see the result of Dylan's victory the next day. Vicky's mother had had to drive her to school, because Vicky had refused to ride the bus. She was hiding in the stage loft when I finally found her. She gave me a glare that clearly said, 'laugh, and you will mysteriously vanish.'
She was wearing Carlotta-esq. makeup, the makeup from Hannibal, and the subsequent dress to match. She looked like a three-year-old's attempt at dress-up. The outfit was obviously part of her and Dylan's bet. She was about to tell me something when the bell for first period rang.
During the day, after I had practically dragged her to class, many people had pulled out their phones ad snapped pictures that would end up on Facebook. Vicky had mostly done nothing until Gabe mentioned something. Most of our cast mates had the common sense to act like nothing was out of place, except for Gabe. Sometimes I wondered about his self preservation instincts. He idiotically went up to Vicky and loudly commented on her make-up and clothing, only to be cowering behind Gabi after Vicky sprang at him.
This was cause for more photo snapping, and I'm sure Vicky will get back at both Dylan and Gabe in some form during rehearsals today. Thankfully, the rest of the periods left went off without a hitch, and Vicky escaped to rehearsals with an evil plot in mind. One that wasn't in our original plan. I really hate when that happens.
"Kaye!" she sang her face now free of Carlotta makeup, "I know what we're going to do today!"
"Really Vicky, "I asked, "A Phieas and Ferb reference?"
She nodded. "I have an idea for the Phantom legend. The Raoul's of the play will always have their costumes be ill fitting until the actual night of the plays. We won't tell Gabe about the last bit though."
I tilted my head sideways, "And who is going to alter his clothing?"
"You are!" Vick smiled.
'Great,' I thought. I really have to find less vindictive friends. But then again, life would be a lot less fun.
"Vicky! I absolutely adored your makeup today!" Dylan sang. I'm questioning his self-preservation instincts too.
I was surprised when Vicky just gave him a sickeningly sweet smile. He's really going to regret his dare. Gabe managed to get to the stage by three o' clock, and we managed to start on-time. Vicky was working with him today, so I got Dylan. It was only fair to warn him about Vicky's evil intentions.
"Vicky's gonna get you," I informed him.
He smiled. "Yup. I'm gonna challenge her to a bet so she won't kill me, especially after I cheated on our last bet."
His eyes widened as I shouted, "YOU CHEATED?"
This didn't go unnoticed by Vicky, and she stormed over to Dylan and slapped him. Then she began ranting about how she would get Erik to make him magically disappear. Gabe and I backed away so that we wouldn't be on the receiving end of her fury. I'm pretty sure that Dylan will be paying dearly for this.
Then, with perfect timing, Mr. V walked in. he had a suspicious bag of medium size from which he pulled a whistle. "OKAY! You all have been acting like five-year-olds, not high schoolers. Miss Nichols and I have come up with a team building exercise that will have all of you working as a family in no time."
"Mr. V." I stared, "We already act like a family."
HE sighed. "Fine, you will all start acting like the best of friends or I will have to find new leads for the play. To accomplish this, you will all spend a day handcuffed to a cast member who's name I will pull out of this bag."
I shared a glance with Vicky. This was so random, every friend I have bickers like this. Inflicting pain is how we show we care. Sad, I know.
"So, Vicky will be paired with Gabe, and Kaye will be with our Phantom. Tomorrow you four will report to my office for your schedules. We will begin to rehearsal with Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer. Who wants to go first?" Mr. V asked.
"I'll go," Vicky sighed. She whispered to me, "Sometimes I think he's the crazy one."
I set the CD to the right track before moving off to the side of the stage. They got to the part where Raoul was in danger of being strangled by the Phantom when Vicky yelled at me to stop the music. She was looking at Dylan like he was a roach while explaining to Mr. V that she would not kiss him until she had to. Luckily, really rather unfortunate actually, she finished out the scene flawlessly before my turn came. Dylan and Gabe had gotten back to their original marks when a thought hit me.
"Do I have to kiss either of them?" I asked warily. I really didn't want the answer to be yes. How awkward would that be?
No," Mr. V answered. "We'll save that for dress rehearsal." He motioned for us to begin.
I nodded at Vicky to begin the track. I had to admit that Dylan and Gabe were ding a fairly good job of playing their parts. I sang my part, but I couldn't help but notice a look that Vicky sent my way as I sang, "God give me courage to show you, you are not alone!"
I'd have to ask about that later. WE repeated the scene until five, when Mr. V had some comments and concerns he wanted to run by us.
"Vicky and Kaye, lovely job. Vicky, if you could act less disgusted with the thought of kissing the Phantom, that would be great. I love your stage presence though. Kaye, I would like more volume from you, but you are doing excellently at conveying the song's emotions. Dylan, you were superb, but try to convey more of the conviction that you will kill Raoul if Christine doesn't agree to your request. Right now, you just seem like you know that you will let him go. Gabe, you are doing well, but you should try to put more desperation into your voice. That's all for today. Remember to be at my office bright and early tomorrow."
Then he left us to our own devices. I asked Vicky what her look was about, but she just said in a singsong voice, "Nothing."
"So," I began, "who wants to go to the loft. I've found something interesting you guys might want to see."
Everyone nodded, and we climbed the ladder to the loft. I was about to turn on the light when a pale envelope caught my eye. I called everyone over to show them what I had found. We agreed to go back onto the stage to see what it said.
It began:
"Congratulations to Mlle. Victoria and Mlle. Kayelee on achieving the role of Mlle. Daae. I would also like to give my regards to Messieurs Gabriel and Dylan on their achievements. I am looking foreword to seeing you perform.
Your Humble Servant,
O.G.
So, a really short chapter, I know. I will write a longer one next time, but you have to review! Just push that green button down at the bottom of the screen. Reviewers will get e-cookies handed out by my muse Erik.
p.s. No swearing. Even in Flames. That's just rude.
