37. Don Juan Not-So-Triumphant

It was the opening night, and the huge red velvet and gold auditorium was filled with opera-goers. Behind the curtain the stage was decorated with draping red cloths and fake flames, and there was a bridge across the stage with spiraling staircases on either side. Backstage crews were rushing around, getting everything in place, while the people in the audience were chatting together, eager for the opera to start.

The managers were seated in a particularly large box in the center of the horse-shoe shaped auditorium. They had a lot of guests, so they were using a different box then their usual box 2. Firmin and Andre had the best seats, closest to the rim, and seated around them were the Ghost Busters, who were anxiously bouncing on the edges of their chairs, never ceasing to scan the hall. Also in the box were some special guests who had managed to get a seat with the managers, be it by money or luck depends on the guest. There was Nadir and Sweeney Todd, who were seated by each other with their heads together, conversing deeply. Also seated together in the box, taking up the rest of the seats, were David Cook (the American Idol), Commissioner Jim Gordon (from Dark Knight), Tim Burton (the director), James Hettfeild (from Metallica), Russell Crow (the actor), and Severus Snape (the potions master). Vaguely odd, I know, but no one seemed to notice.

The door of the box opened and Jeoffery bounded inside, going over to Firmin and Andre. "Hi!" he said cheerfully. "I can't believe the opera's about to start! I can't wait to see my dear Christine."

Firmin nodded, counting the crowd instead of looking at the patron, and Andre was busy trying to lick his elbow. Jeoffery continued, "I was wondering, may I sit in your box for the performance?" he asked hopefully.

Firmin did look up now, scanning his full box before looking at the Vicomte. "No you can't, monsieur Vicomte, there's no more room in this box. Besides, you have to sit in box 5."

"Oh no, not box 5!" Jeoffery whined. "Why do I have to sit there, I wasn't even bet anything. The last time I sat there the Opera Ghost scared me and then threw me against a wall!"

Firmin just looked exasperated as he said, "Well that's to bad Jeoffery. You have to sit in box 5, you're the patron, and you're the third point of this story's love triangle. Now you may be a pretty lame third point considering Christine doesn't even like you, but the third point has to sit in box 5 at such a pivotal point in the story that this is. So just buck up and get over there." The vicomte looked very confused by all this talk of love triangles and was still so scared that his bottom lip was quivering. Firmin sighed, "Look, Jeoffery, you'll be fine. We've got the Ghost Busters, and there are police everywhere. Nothing will hurt you."

And it was true, there were police everywhere. There was at least one policeman in every box, there was an officer at ever door, and they were spaced out evenly along the walls. There were still policemen outside, and four were stationed in the entry hall. There were plenty of officers backstage, to keep close watch on the performance.

Jeoffery looked around the auditorium at the men in blue uniforms with the guns held across their chests and nodded wordlessly to Firmin, then shuffled out of the box. A moment later he appeared in box 5 and met Firmin's eyes with a resigned look, then he sat down next to the police officer and pulled out a box of Milk Duds and started popping them into his mouth.

Andre had paid attention to none of this, and suddenly he exclaimed "Look, Firmie, I'm licking my elbow!"

Firmin glanced over at him and then barked, "No, Andre, stop it! That's your shoe, not your elbow!"

The confused manager glanced at his leg, which he was holding up to his face, then dropped his foot back to the ground in disappointment. "Razzlemuffins!" he exclaimed violently, crossing his arms over his chest. Firmin sighed and turned away from him, putting his head in his hands and waiting for the show to start.

He didn't have to wait for very long. So suddenly that it surprised some people, Reyer made a sweeping motion with his arms, and music began. The heavy red velvet curtains were pulled open, and a few of the innocent opera goers gasped as they saw how the stage was decorated. In a seething mass center stage the performers had begun singing. They wore black, red and white and in the middle of the circle was Carlotta with an elaborate ebony wig and ruffly dress.

Erik was perched somewhere in the rafters, listening, and Christine was standing to the side in the right wing, watching as the performers danced and sang:

Here the sire may serve the dam

Here the master takes his meat

Here the sacrificial lamb

Utters one despairing bleat

People in the audience began to mutter to each other and some even covered their ears against the harsh, fierce new music. No one had ever heard music quite like this, and it was unlike anyone had expected to hear. They came to the opera anticipating flowery, flowing ballet music, but the opera that Erik had given them was truly full of fire, fire and passion.

Firmin glanced around at the crowd in horror, they were still looking uncomfortable as the music and singing continued. God damn it, Phantom, this opera better not be a bust, whether we catch you or not, he thought to himself.

As the performers sang,

Serve the master so that when

Table, plans, and maids are laid

Don Juan Triumphs

Once again!

They scooted to the side of the stage, and the curtain at the back of the stage opened for a moment revealing Meg and Piangi, who was dressed as Don Juan with absurd makeup. Meg scampered to the other dancers wearing similar red dresses, twirling her skirt a few times. Piangi tossed her a bag of money which she caught, twirled her skirt once more, and danced off stage. She had no idea who was currently waiting behind the curtains...

A/N: Don Juan! Yaaaay! The ascent to the story's climax begins!

I shall respond to ALL reviews this time...because I realized I haven't responded in a while, and that's a right shame, that is. Because I love you all! *creeper grin*

So review! Tell your friends! Tell your cat! Bake some cookies!

And just to remind everyone, incase you've forgotten...I don't own any characters/franchises/people mentioned! Except Jeofferey. And plot. All plots are belong to me :)

Sorry for the weird author's note. More up soon! I'll post a nice chunk of chapters next time, instead of just one. You know...eventually I'll have to actually start writing this again to get it finished...fancy that. It's been some years now. I love you Erik...heh. Heh. *twitches*