Chapter VII.
And May I present.. Miss Sophie Deveroux
Hey all, I'm sorry for the delay in getting this up, but I hope I made up for it.
With nowhere else to go, Tania AKA "Sophie" had little choice but to knock on the majestic doors of the world famous Opera Populaire. She heard muffled voices and shuffling of feet and tried quickly to remember all Erik had taught her. From standing up straight when she sings to no modern day slang in her speech. Finally, the doors never-ending in height opened and out stepped a well dressed man, early to mid forties. He had deep set green eyes and a friendly smile. "Ahh welcome, welcome. We've been expecting you. I am Jean Montefort" he greeted her excitedly. "You've been what?" she asked obviously confused. She was just supposed to "show up", now she was expected?
"Yes mademoiselle Deveroux. We received word you would like to audition and come work with our troop. We can't tell you how thrilled we are at that; you have quite a list of accomplishments to your name. Please, come in and we'll get you settled in straight away" he moved back granting her access inside the building and she accepted looking around the "upper level" of her new home. "Monsieur may I be so bold as to ask where exactly you know me from?" she asked still confused. Talking like that was killing her, it was so unnatural. "Why, we received a note this morning praising your talents and accomplishments on the New York stage." Talents! Accomplishments! Oh my God, Erik you rock! she smiled doing her own praising of her friend mentally.
"Well, I suppose you want to freshen up a bit, then we will meet up again in two hours to showcase your talents and talk about your future here at the Opera Populaire. This here is Kaitlyn," Jean introduced "she'll show you around and help you get settled in." He gave a short bow and took his exit.
I take it back, you're not a dope I just hope you didn't promise more than I can actually do…
Kaitlyn chattered away, she was a nice girl but was a tiny bit too giggly. She gave the scoop on the ballet girls, how you should keep all relationships private, because gossip spreads faster then a hummingbird can fly. She learned it didn't matter if your talent was the best, whoever possessed seniority more often than not received the best parts. "I know it's not fair," she explained, "but it's been like that for quite some time. The managers turn their heads and pretend like it isn't so, but it goes on and more than you think."
"So it's all politics, someone could come up with such an amazing voice that God himself would pause the world so he could stop and listen, and they still wouldn't land a lead?" Erik didn't mention this, was it possible he didn't know? Nah, of course he did, he knows everything that goes on in this joint. Oh well, maybe it was the least of our worries.
"…Now, about the Opera Ghost. Never ever step foot into Box Five, he'll strangle you, leave your body in the street and not give you a second thought. He has no conscious and no soul." the girls moved up the stairs that would lead them up to the dorms and Kaitlyn continued to warn her about her so far, only friend. "Rumor is he is so deformed his own mother tried to sell him to the devil and even he wouldn't accept it. Threw him right back. Then he was sold to a traveling show where he was a living corpse, it's all thanks to his face, his whole face is destroyed, and dear God I cannot even begin to describe it- his eyes are so hollow it's almost like they don't exist, there's a giant hole where the nose should be, and he is so stick thin it looks like anyone could break him in half, but he always does it first."
"Fungus head" Tania muttered hoping the other girl wouldn't hear her. "How do you know this is truly what Er- the Phantom looks like?" He looks nothing like what you just described to me! I know, I was there
"Ask Joseph Bouquet, he's the only one who has actually seen him in the flesh, up above the stage on his post, without the mask and all." Tania sucked in her breath and tried to hold in the rising anger. She knew she couldn't blame this poor girl, she was only going on another's explanation. There was no doubt Erik deliberately tried to scare this Joseph Bouquet, so maybe in his fear he saw a monster. "Kaitlyn, I'm sure nobody could be that bad, and for the fact if he's angry or dislikes the world, well wouldn't you if you were locked up for half your life and possibly passed onto the devil? I'd be angry at the world and I'm sure you would be too."
"I guess. But point of the story, don't go anywhere near him. I think Mel Jensen is trying to court him. Why? I don't know, but I guess she thinks if she can mother him, he'll come back to the right side. She's been trying to find his home for the past three months."
Ha! Take that, you'll never figure it out without his help, you'll never get your dirty paws on my boy. Wait, my boy? Ah figure it out later, this scoop is more important.
"Kaitlyn I could kiss you! I love this scoop. Now tell my dear, how close has she actually gotten to accomplishing her goal?"
Kaitlyn opened her mouth to respond when they were interrupted by a third voice coming in from behind them. "Welcome dahling, you must be new here. My name is Melanie Jensen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to my opera house, but I must warn you, do not attempt to take my lead roles from me, or there will be consequences on your part. I am friends with some very powerful people around here, you do know of the Opera Ghost? Well we are on a first name basis. You do not want to make us angry"
Ha! I bet if I asked him to, Erik would snap your neck like a melon. Oh well, should I be mean right back or humor her? "Is that a threat Miss Jensen?"
"It is more like… a concern."
"Well I thank you for your concern, but if you do not mind, I will be trying out for the lead in our next performance, now you can accept that like a good sport or despise me for it, but I assure you, your threats will not deter me. Good day Miss Jensen." Melanie left in a huff, obviously not expecting to be stood up to, she could scare off anyone with her friendliness with Erik, but not this Sophie, she would be hard to break. Melanie didn't lie, cheat, threaten, and steal to earn her diva position only to lose it to a younger and rookie performer.
"I cannot believe you just did that! Nobody has ever, ever stood up to her before. I have to go tell the rest of the girls, you will be a hero!" Kaitlyn rushed out in a hurry to track down the chorus girls of the new girl who stood up to the seasoned veteran.
"I didn't do anything out of the ordinary, I just didn't let her scare me. Ohh Erik please tell me you aren't friends with the demon…Please tell me it's not true" she said to no one, as Kaitlyn had hi-tailed it out of there minutes ago. Flopping on the bed, Tania grabbed her pillow and hugged it to herself. "I miss you buddy, but I pray you were honest with me" On the other side of the mirror a shadow lurked around hoping Tania would lift her head and notice him, but she only quieted down and was soon asleep. "I was honest with you mon ange, and I will help you secure your rightful position, but you have to trust me completely and not give that girl a second thought. Please believe me, please" he prayed softly finally stepping through the mirror and kissed her head. "We'll start with your audition in an hour. I shall be here to wake you up" and leaving his promise in the air, disappeared behind the mirror.
