Chapter 8

A NEW MARGUERITE

by Monsieur Louis Harris of Le Département des Beaux-Arts, published Tuesday, August 24, 1881

As we all know, the Opera Canine is one of the most distinguished foundations of the 19th century, a God given gift by Monsieur Charles Canine himself, and it is my pleasure to give my fellow Parisians a quick overview of Monday's performance of Charles Gounod's Faust, as it is my sole duty to do so.

Upon entering the auditorium, I had expected to view the presence of the great La Carlotta in the lead role of Marguerite, the young love-sick peasant girl who falls in love with Dr. Faust upon the command of the demon Mephistopheles. My hopes were rather high, as La Carlotta has satisfied my palate before in her performance as Tosca in Puccini's Tosca, and Lady Macbeth in Giuseppe's Macbeth, but I was unfortunately incorrect.

So, imagine my disappointment when La Carlotta was somehow replaced by an unknown dog, who goes by the name of Jennifer Daae. Curious, I decided to give her a chance, as she might be somewhat decent. However, my surprise came when I found that she not only worked as the Canine's costume girl, but she also has never had the proper training that a "true" opera singer has had.

Someone like this does not, in my opinion, belong in such an establishment as the Opera Canine. Therefore, I highly recommend that Jennifer be replaced by La Carlotta, who has believed that Mademoiselle Daae had actually "planned" to take her place in the lead part. I for one will not tolerate such behavior, and she must return to her duties as the House's costume girl. It certainly "suits" her best.

Hopefully Monsieur Managers and Monsieur Belmont will take this review into account and… Please refer to page 8 for more details…

Jenna had gotten the paper as soon as she heard news that the review of the first performance of Faust had hit headlines. However, once she had read the above snippet in her dressing room, she was nearly crushed with disappointment.

I…I don't understand, she thought, completely embarrassed as she almost wanted to hide under in her dressing cabinet, what did I do wrong? I mean, I followed everything that he had said, but I guess it wasn't enough. Maybe I should speak with him about this.

Just then, Monsieur Belmont knocked on the door, "Mademoiselle Daae, may I have a word with you?"

"Yes, come in Monsieur," She replied. The short-tempered beagle came into the dressing room rather upset of what he had read in the paper that morning.

"Mademoiselle, I've read that you're opening performance was rather off." He began, "And, might I add, you actually planned to replace La Carlotta? Is this true?"

"What?" Jenna responded, clearly confused by what that statement in the papers about her being a fake, "I didn't plan anything, I swear I didn't."

"Then why did Monsieur Harris say so?" Monsiuer Belmont retorted, "That critic is always right, you know."

"Maybe there was a mistake, somebody had lied to him, given him bad information?"

"I'm not buying it, Mademoiselle. I'm not exactly pleased with the way you clearly tricked us. I thought that you had proper training, but upon taking a closer look at your resume, I've found that you've never even taken any classes or courses in the Paris Conservatorium!"

"But, I've had training."

The beagle raised a brow, "Oh, with whom?"

Jenna shuffled her paws, "Well, I can't exactly say who he is, but he's given me an amazing gift, and I know you really don't believe what Monsieur Harris said, do you?"

Monsieur Belmont sighed, "Jennifer, I understand where you come from, and who your Father is, but I just want you to know that I do believe what Monsieur Harris said about you. I knew something was off about you, but I didn't think that this was for real. I'm sorry, Madame, but I'm going to have to show this to the managers. It seems unfair and wrong for La Carlotta's career to be ruined like this."

"What!" Jenna gasped, "You can't!" She knew if Monsieur Belmont reported this to the managers, then they would surely fire her for this.

"I'm afraid I have no choice," He said sternly, "Now, if you would please come with me, Mademoiselle."

Jenna felt ashamed as she walked with Monsieur Belmont down the hall, down to the Grand Staircase, and finally to the manager's office, where said manager (Monsieur Kaltag was the only one present that day) were not exactly happy with this.

"Is this true, Madame?" Monsieur Kaltag asked, clearly upset with what Monsieur Belmont had said, "Did you intentionally replace La Carlotta?"

"No, I didn't," Jenna repeated, "I never wanted to replace her, I just wanted to be in the lead role, that's all. I meant no harm. You can't honestly believe just one critic, can you?"

"Oh, so you admit it then!" Monsieur Belmont interjected.

"Monsieur, let me handle this," Kaltag assured the beagle, "Mademoiselle, I'm afraid that we can't exactly tolerate this kind of behavior, as I've read many of Monsieur Harris' works, and he's always 100% accurate. So, I'm sorry, but were going to have to let you go."

"But, Monsieur, I didn't do anything wrong," The husky pleaded, her ears drooping, "This is all a big mistake."

"I'm afraid I have to do this, Jennifer. Now please, take your things, and clear out of the Canine." Jenna hung her head in disappointment, saddened by the fact that she would never forgive herself for this, but before she got to the door, La Carlotta suddenly entered, making the husky jump.

"Monsieur Managers, I would like to have a word with you." She said, clearly upset about something.

Monsieur Kaltag groaned, "What is it this time, Madmae?"

"Have you read what that Monsieur Harris has said about Mademoiselle-," She then noticed that Jenna was in the room, and pulled her close to her, wrapping an arm around her, "Oh, you poor thing," she cooed, "getting bullied by that jerk critic."

Jenna was somewhat uncomfortable, as she wasn't expecting this. This was the first time that La Carlotta had actually said something nice to her (or had acted nice to her).

"Um, uh…" She began, but La Carlotta shushed her.

"Monsieur Moncharmin, there's been a horrible mistake," She continued, "That Monsieur Harris has framed poor Jenna in order to ruin her amazing first performance, and I for one will not stand for this kind of stunt that he's pulled. I am absolutely appalled."

"So, Monsieur Harris lied?" Kaltag inquired.

"Yes, and I shall file a complaint immediately, this poor dog has been a victim of a horrendous crime," She then held Jenna tighter, making her feel even more awkward and uncomfortable, "In fact, I demand that you give her job back to her immediately!"

"But, La Carlotta, she's-," Monsieur Belmont pleaded, but was soon stopped when the poodle growled at him, giving him a dirty look.

"Um, on second thought," He said, grinning and sweating nervously, "She should get her job back, Monsieur Manager. Hehe," He then whispered, "as soon as possible."

Kaltag sat got up from his desk, "I think La Carlotta is right, Monsieur Belmont. Perhaps we were too harsh with Mademoiselle Daae, and I think she should stay."

"Oh, I knew you'd see it my way, Monsieur Manager!" La Carlotta cheered, giving Jenna a tight hug, "Come, my dear, I'll take you back to your dressing room."

"Um, thank you, Carlotta," She replied, still not sure as to why the poodle had stood up for her, but she was just glad that she was able to stay at the Canine.

As the two walked back to Dressing Room 1, Jenna thanked Carlotta for doing that for her.

"Oh, you are so welcome, darling, it's my pleasure." She smiled.

"Thank you, but thought you never liked me." Jenna replied.

"Oh, that's because you were a costume girl, and I never thought that you were anything but a costume girl. But, when I heard you take the role of Marguerite, I was astounded by what they said about you. I am truly impressed."

"But, I heard you were upset me replacing at the Gala."

"Oh, I overreacted, the bronchitis made me a bit cranky. I think you deserved it. In fact, I think you should take my place as Marguerite from now on."

Jenna came to a stop, "You're not serious, are you?" She had always dreamed to be accepted by the singers of the Opera House, including La Carlotta, and now that dream might actually come true.

"Dead serious, Jenna dear, I'll tell my friends to come tonight and cheer you on."

"Wow, thank you." Jenna smiled, "But, why are you being so nice to me? Last I checked you were scolding me for not making your dress perfect."

"That's all in the past, Jenna." La Carlotta smiled, "Now run along, you have an opera to perform, Mademoiselle."

As the poodle opened the door to Dressing Room 1 for the husky, her mouth turned into a devilish smile, seeing how she easily fell for her façade.

Step 1 is complete. Now, for Step 2…


Later that evening, the second performance of Faust was to be performed, and instead of Carlotta, Jenna was going to be playing Marguerite again, and whilst she was getting ready for her small scene in Act 2, La Carlotta had done some planning. As you can see, the poodle's plan to ruin Jenna's career was coming into bloom, and even though she seemed to have gained Jenna's trust, she knew that Jenna would have any second doubts about this sudden recognition. Monsieur Harris had also done his part. She would generously reward him for his efforts, but there was still more to be done.

She had called up all of her friends and supporters in Paris to come see her newest "camarade", and she boasted and bragged that she was going to completely stun them with her voice.

The only thing she said was wait for the "signal" to give her what she deserved.

Oh, they'll be stunned alright, she thought, as she knocked on the door to Jenna's dressing room again, carrying a bag in her teeth.

Jenna gasped, almost dropping her powder when she saw her door suddenly open, "Oh, um hello Carlotta, what are you doing here?" She asked the poodle.

"Sorry about the sudden appearance, but I wanted to give you this." She then pulled out what looked like a bottle of champagne that looked unmarked.

"Oh, um thanks…again." Jenna replied.

"No need to thank me, Jenna, but I just wanted to give you something special, and by special, I mean, a little good luck." She then pulled out two small glasses, popped the top of the bottle, and poured the clear liquid into the glasses

"Here, drink this, I always have a little sip of champagne before a performance."

Jenna took the glass, "But, it's already Act Two."

Carlotta frowned, "Well, it doesn't matter, you'll do great anyway." Jenna seemed like Carlotta was serious about all of this, and the two singers drank down their glass.

"Now, go out there and show them up, Jennifer." La Carlotta smiled, "I'll be cheering you on."

Jenna smiled awkwardly, as Carlotta closed the door on her way out. The husky got back to powdering herself, despite feeling a bit odd from the champagne, but she shrugged it off as nothing.

Act Two started up, and the stage was filled with songs filled with cheer as a crowd of town's people, students, and soldiers. After their ensemble finally ended, and the soldier Valentin had declared to his companion Siebel to look after Marguerite whilst he was away at war, who also fails to defeat Mephistopheles, Faust tries to woo the young peasant girl (Jenna).

"Ne permettrez-vous pas, ma belle demoiselle, qu'on vous offre le bras, pour faire le chemin?" Faust sang, as he offered to escort Marguerite to wherever she pleased, out of adoration.

"Non, monsieur! Je ne suis demoiselle ni belle, demoiselle, ni belle, et je n'ai pas…" Marguerite replied defiantly, rejecting his offer, but seemingly out of nowhere, Jenna felt something off about her voice. Her voice suddenly became dry, and she was unsure as to why she was feeling odd. She was forced to stop, which caused the audience to stare in confusion.

Come on, keep singing, it's probably nothing, just clear your throat, Jenna thought to herself quickly, and after immediately taking a few quick seconds to clear her voice, she tried the verse again.

"Non, monsieur! Je ne suis demoiselle…ni…belle…" Jenna had to stop midway, as her voice grew weak and hoarse, as the notes from her mouth became small and wheezy. She covered her mouth, as she wasn't sure as to what she was wrong with her.

However, this was just part of this terrible ordeal. The dogs that took up most of the front of the bottom rows were Carlotta's fans and friends, who were ordered to wait for the "signal" to in fact the poodle's horrible scheme.

And as soon as she fumbled her words, they knew exactly what to do.

"She really does sound like a crock!" One of Carlotta's close friends rang out, causing the other dogs around her to laugh. Somehow, the other audience members weren't sure what was happening, and even though some of them kind of thought that this was rather odd that their once loved singer had messed up, terribly, and with the previous accusation by Monsieur Harris, they eventually started laughing as well. In fact, some of those fools actually believed that critic's lie, and they started jarring the poor husky as well.

"What is this?" "I knew she couldn't sing!" and "Go back to Alaska!" Were just some of the horrible insults that were thrown at the husky onstage, who was covering her face with embarrassment with her paws. The other opera singers that were around her didn't like what was going on, and immediately crowded around her, and started yelling at the audience members for unfairly bashing the young singer.

As this terrible scene went on, and whilst the Managers tried to calm everyone down, Monsieur Belmont, Dixie, and Slyvie took the now weeping husky back to her dressing room.

"Don't listen to them, Jenna." Dixie assured the husky, handing her a tissue, whilst she lied on the couch, "What happened anyway?"

"I…I don't know…" Jenna stammered, as she wiped the tears from her eyes, "I was doing fine…I guess I messed up. This is all my fault!" She then covered her face again with her paws.

"Maybe we should leave her right now," Monsieur Belmont requested, "Come along ladies." Dixie and Slyvie were somewhat upset with what had just occurred, but who would do something so cruel?

Well, why don't we go backstage, and ask a certain giggling poodle diva?

I did it! She thought, as wanted to jump for joy, that costume dog will be no more after this! Now then, for the final step…

After a few minutes of searching, she managed to find Monsieur Belmont, who was a bit worried about the husky singer.

"Oh, don't worry about her, I'm sure she'll be fine." Monsieur Belmont told her.

"The poor dear…but, who's going to play the role of Marguerite?" Carlotta asked over dramatically.

Monsieur Belmont thought for a moment, and he came to the conclusion, "Why don't you, Madame, and try and save this performance?"

"Oh, I couldn't," The poodle blushed, "But…if you insist,"

"I do, and-," La Carlotta then took hold of Monsieur Belmont, and they rushed off to Dressing Room 1.

La Carlotta entered the dressing room, and found Jenna moping on the couch.

"Oh, you poor thing," She cooed, putting a paw on her back, "I'm so sorry Jenna,"

"You don't have to apologize," Jenna replied sadly, "It's my fault."

"Oh, that's not true."

"How do you know? That was the most horrible experience on my life! I don't think I'll ever sing again."

"Jenny, honey, look at me," The husky looked at the poodle straight in the eye, "Listen, I'm going to be honest with you…" She then paused, and suddenly smiled, "I think that's a good idea, a very good idea. So, maybe you should get going, costume dog."

Jenna fell silent as she let what Carlotta just said sink in. Carlotta then got up from her spot, and went over to the vanity mirror, "You don't belong here in, costume dog, not with the elite that the Canine deserves, such as myself. Now, if you don't mind, a certain prima donna needs to get ready for her spotlight."

The husky walked over to the door, feeling completely ashamed and terrible at the fact that she was the victim of the worst schemes imaginable, and she hung her head, closing the door behind her.

Once the mess in the Grand Theater was covered up, Monsieur Belmont announced that the role of Marguerite would be played by La Carlotta, to which most of her friends cheered in response. Act 2 had to be skipped due to event that occurred a few moments ago, so they had to go on to Act 3, which was exactly what the poodle wanted. Act 3 had Marguerite's best song, to which she would be able to amaze the audience once again, her triumph finally be able to be achieved.

Act 3 began, and it soon came to La Carlotta singing the King of Thules aria, which brought numerous cheers for the poodle, and right after that, the famous Jewels Aria came up.

The poodle took hold of the mirror from the basket of jewelry, as the orchestra built itself up, she thrust into the song like the fantastic singer she was.

"Ahhhhhhhhh…! Je ris de me voir si belle en ce miror," She sang, her pearly white teeth shining in the light, "Ah! Je ris de me voir si belle en ce miror, est-ce toi, Marguerite, est-ce toi? Réponds-moi, réponds-moi…réponds, réponds, réponds vite!"

As the song progressed, the audience cheered for the poodle, the diva smiling her way through the song, as she realized that this was her chance for her reputation to reach new heights!

Above the singing poodle, Joseph Buquet was busy watching the poodle (and grinned as he chewed on his cigar, staring at the poodle's rump) he thought he heard some kind of thumping sound of the rafters. He looked from side to side, and when he saw only darkness, he shrugged it off and continued his smoke.

Got a pretty good view there, Monsieur?

A voice suddenly whispered in his ear, which made the pit-bull spin around, but before he could do anything, he fell silent as a dark figure grabbed hold of him.

"Marguerite, ce n'est plus toi, ce n'est plus ton visage, Non! c'est la fille d'un roi," Carlotta vocalized, as the entire audience fell silent with awe and adoration, as the poodle was nearing the climax of the song. She knew once she was finished, her entire career would sky rocket into the very heavens itself.

"Qu'on salue au pass-," Carlotta cut herself off, as she suddenly screamed in terror, as the body of a dog fell from the rafters above her. The body stopped falling in midair, as the rope around the Chief of the Flies neck snapped, suspending the dog in the air, killing him instantly.

Upon seeing this, the entire audience was shocked at the dead Joseph Buquet that was now hanged before them, and started up a tumult of cries and gasps, and poor Carlotta ran screaming off stage, the curtain coming down after her.


Damn, that's messed up. Hopefully La Carlotta will get what she deserves, including Monsieur Harris, but did Joseph Buquet really have to die?

Oh well. Anyway, Chapter 8 is here. Please review and give me some feedback on what you think.

- Dante

I do not own Balto, or The Phantom of the Opera. They, and their characters, belong to their respective owners.

Monsieur Belmont belongs to me.