Chapter 14: After the Triumph...
By PittsBurghFuzz
After the opening night of Gounod's "Romeo and Juliet", something seemed to return to the Paris Opera. It glory and splendor rejuvenated, and the seemingly dusty architecture was as good as new. The Box Office was insane. The show was sold out for a week within the time the morning came.
The Phantom sent this letter to the management:
My managers,
I congratulate you on your success here tonight. I notice that show will be packed for days. Within the next week, we will talk about our next project, which I have yet to choose. However, Madame Dubois will give you the note when I have decided.
Your Obedient Friend,
O.G.
Within the next few years, the Paris Opera had success upon success and it seemed like it would never end. Aricin was still paid at the modest sum of 20,000 Francs, even though the managers offered to pay more. There almost seemed a bizarre friendship between the management and the Phantom. Madame Dubois continued to send the letters for both the Phantom and the management. Aricin even gave her some extra money every now and again. Aricin had become very fond of her and the opera workers. He would even give them money as a Christmas presents.
1907
One day, Nadir came to the lake and visit. Aricin was at his organ, and got up for Nadir.
"Daroga, so good to see you!" Aricin said to his old friend.
"Same here, Aricin." Nadir replied.
"What have you come here to tell me?" Aricin asked.
"Nothing, I just want to ask about someone."
"Who?"
"The fly-man, Aricin. I don't think Indira ate him by accident."
Aricin laughed. "Oh daroga, you're retired, why must you continue to pester me on these issues?"
"Well, I am dying for an explanation." Nadir said with crossed arms.
"Look daroga, it isn't my fault who enters and gets themselves killed here. That's their worry. Besides, he deserved it."
"What do you mean, Aricin?"
"Well, you know the Girard girl, right?"
"You mean the one who played, Juliet?"
"Let's just say, I do not want to get into the details, and the world is better without him." Aricin said looking at the keys of the organ.
Nadir looked over and saw the name of the music on the organ:
Don Juan Triumphant
No three words could have scared him more. It was the one thing that consumed his old friend's entire life.
"What's the matter?" Aricin asked. "It looks like you've seen a ghost."
"Maybe I have." Nadir said pointing to the sheet music.
Aricin looked at it and closed it quickly. "Get out." Aricin said.
"Alright then, but I am warning you Aricin, stop this before it is too late." Nadir told him.
"Whatever, I will see you in the near future, I hope."
"Same here." Nadir said.
"What does that mean?"
"It means don't get consumed by this music."
Aricin gave him a look of hatred, and went back to his organ.