Simon Tennason nursed his pint as he listened to his colleagues gossip about the theatre managers, Meg Giry, Erik Destler and the de Chagny's. For most the night theyere was speculation as to why the Vicomte and the managers, along with a foreign gentleman, had started to sit in the auditorium every day and watch rehersals everyday for the last three weeks. Occasionally the conversation would steer into discussions about the opening gala or various people's families, but it always came back to the current gossip.

Meg Giry still seemed to be its main focus, with everyone noticing the increased tension on the stage when she interacted with the Vicomtess. Simon had been surprised that Meg was still the favoured topic of conversation when a member of high-society was performing, but it seemed the predominantly female cast had taken a disliking to her. He didn't really understand the issue himself and it had been his wife who had explained why people were resentful of the young dancer - they didn't think she was there on merit. Initially they thought the same of Christine de Chagny - the wife of one of the investors - but after hearing her voice every member of the company conceeded she belonged on stage. In Simon's opinion so did Meg Giry, but her past relationship with Destler and apparent entanglement with André had sealed her fate in the eyes of many.

It was well known amoung the cast and crew that Mr. Firmin believed "gossip's worth its weight in gold" and that he actively encouraged discussion of the production and its going-ons outside of the theatre walls, but Simon always felt unnerved and uncomfortable speculating about other people's lives. He took another sip of his ale and winced - he was certain the barrel was off and considered whether it was wise to continue drinking. Checking the time on his pocket watch and seeing it was gone 10pm he made his excuses and headed home to his family. He knew Mary, his wife, would be unhappy about his late return and would probably give him the cold shoulder.

Leaving the pub Simon hurried through the streets ensuring he bypassed the enterences to the various twittens and alleyways to avoid unscrupulous characters, ensuring he moved quickly between the streetlights, unaware of the cloaked figure following him. He had only drank one pint and was finding walking difficult- he swayed into a wall and braced himself against it. Mary was going to be angry. If he wasn't well enough for tomorrow's performance his career would be over: there was no way Destler would accept a subpar performance and the man already had taken a dislikingto him. Rubbing his eyes he tried to stand upright - he needed to make it home and then to bed. If he was lucky Mary would be asleep and he could try and pretend he was fine in the morning - he would just need to be mindful of the children's noise.

Using the wall to support himself he took three tentative steps, only to be overcome by the sickly sweet smell of chloroform.

--xxx--

Simon groaned when he awoke from his enforced slumber, immediately cursing the oof-ale he had drunk the night before. Once his eyes adjusted to the light a sense of panic overtook him: he was not at home. The room was far more ornate and elebaorate than anything he had ever seen and the linen he was lying on was much softer than anything he owned. Upon sitting up he was greeted by a familiar looking man and an elderly woman.

"He's awake", the woman called - almost excitedly- and two more men came into the room.

Not only were his surrounding more ornate and expensive than he had ever seen, but the way the gentleman and lady were dressed told him that they were clearly wealthy - and probably influential - people. He squinted his eyes trying to figure out why the man seemed familiar- he had dirty blonde hair, a roman nose and soft eyes. There was also an obvious familial link between the man and the woman, both having similar eyes and facial shapes.

The two men who entered the room were clearly not as wealthy as the others. The elder man wore a dark navy waistcoat and matching trousers, with an off-white shirt and pale blue navy cravat. The younger one wore a brown tweed suit with matching waistcoat, with a sackcoat and scuffed shoes. Simon knew never to leave the house with scuffed shoes - his mother had once told him it was a sign of poor breading and low income, although the young man's outfit already indicated that. By contrast the familiar gentleman was dressed in a manner suiting someone of status, in a dark herringbone morningsuit, white wing-tipped shirt and a cream ascot tie. Simon could see the gold rings on his fingers, and that accomaonied by the elaborate jewels thay adorned the elder woman's neck made it clear that the other men were in his employment.

When the man in the navy suit spoke Simon was surprised by the strange accent. The woman had spoken with a simular French accent to the Vicomte de Chagny, but the new gentleman sounded American. "We would like to get you home soon", the man said stepping forward, "we are certain Mary will be worrying. Afterall, it would be difficult to raise four children and a baby on her own. Your wife is a pretty thing, although I'd doubt she'd be happy to know you spent your wages on off-ale".

At the mention of his wife and children in a the thinly veiled threat Simon tensed and sat completely upright. "Where am I?",

"That is of no consequence", the familiar looking man said, before gesturing back to the American man. Simon noted he also spoke with a French accent.

"There is a criminal in your midst", the American began, "a murderer -"

"And a seducer of women" added the youngest man, who was also American. His statement earning him side-eyed looks from the others in the room.

Ignoring his companion's comment the American man continued, "we need your help to catch him - to set a trap". He then removed an envelope from his breast pocket and handed it to the confused bassoonist, "you are to wait until after the premiere, then hand this to Marguerite Giry at the gala. She must be alone when you hand it to her and tell her you were instructed she must open it alone".

Simon nodded in recognition once the letter was passed to him and placed it in his jacket pocket.

"Then", the man continued, "once she has left the room you are to hand this one to Destler. Again, it was given to you anonymously - but you were led to believe it was about a buisness transaction".

Simon nodded again, taking the second letter and placing it with the first.

"It should go without saying that this arrangement and this meeting is not to be discussed with anyone", the familiar looking man added, "otherwise I fear that your wife may find it difficult to care for your offspring".