Chapter 4 – The New Margarita
It had been a few months since they arrived at the Opera now and were finding themselves enjoying their time at the theatre as well as reading all they could to gather the correct history of the time and make sure they said nothing out of turn. They missed the convenience of the future such as taps used to fill a bath, the toiletries created for women as well as make up.
They missed the future but were really enjoying the rehearsals as well as the experience of the opera house. They were lucky enough to get a room together by themselves as the others had already got rooms together. They both were given the lead roles after the Prima Donna.
During the rehearsal weeks rumours were spreading around the cast as well as the crew that the current manager Monsieur Lefèvre was thinking of retiring made both Leo and Beth giggle whenever they heard it confusing the other members of the cast. They had spent a lot of time with crew learning all the tricks and the trade to how the productions were created as they did not have the technology that the future provided.
The rehearsals of Hannibal were well under way and soon we were at the first Opera Ghost incident.
Carlotta:
This trophy
From our saviours
From our saviours
From the enslaving force
Of Rome!
Chorus:
With feasting and dancing and song
Tonight in celebration
We greet the victorious throng
Returned to bring salvation
The trumpet of carthage resound
Hear, Romans, now and tremble
Hark to our step on ground
Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!
Piangi/Hannibal:
Sad to return
To find the land we love
Threatened once more
By Roma's far-reaching grasp
When Monsieur Lefèvre interrupted introducing the cast and crew to the new owners just like the story they had seen, Leo and Beth suddenly glanced at each other and got excited.
"Ladies and gentlemen if I could have your attention please…Madame Giry." Madame Giry bangs her cane on the stage silences everyone. "Thank you. As I am sure you are aware, there have been some rumours going around of my imminent retirement from the Opera Populaire, I can now tell you that they are all true." He says motioning two weaselly men forward. "It is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire: Monsieur Richard Firmin and Monsieur Gilles Andre. I'm sure you have read of their recent fortune in the Junk business." Said Monsieur Lefèvre.
Both Beth and Leo did not look surprised; they shared a smile and a knowing smirk as they watch on with glee. They looked at each other and hid theirs smiles behind their hands.
"Scrap metal, actually." Andre interjected. Meg and Christine were gossiping about how rich the new managers were and how they could use that to their advantage.
Soon they were dancing and singing again. Madame Giry and the managers walked around the stage watching the girls dance and sing.
Chorus:
Hannibal's Friends!
The trumpeting elephant sound
Hear, Romans, now and tremble
Hark to their step on the ground
Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!
Madame Giry saw the managers interest in the Christine and revealed who she was as well as introducing Meg as her daughter. Soon it came to the moment both Beth and Leo were waiting for…Carlotta's solo, the moment of truth…
Carlotta stood centre stage and sang…
Carlotta:
Think of me
Think of me fondly when we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while, please promise me you'll try
When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free...
Then suddenly a piece of scenery falls onto Carlotta stopping her singing, Beth claps and laughs with glee, Leo looks and shakes her head at Beth in despair.
"What?! She was so bad, she sang like a train going off the rails. She sort of starts off in tune and then it goes completely off. And very, very fast, whoever dropped that on her is a genius" Beth said with glee.
"Why am I friends with a lunatic?" Leo whispered.
"We are great at deep conversations, obviously." Beth quickly replied.
"Bouquet! For God sake, what is happening up there?" Lefèvre shouted up into the rig.
"Please sir don't look at me, as God is my witness I was not at my post. There is no-one there; if there is it must be a ghost." He replied coming from the right wing of the stage holding a length of rope which looked like a noose.
"He's here, the Phantom of the Opera." Meg said looking scared.
"These things do happen." Andre replied nervously to Carlotta.
Carlotta starts getting upset.
"Si, these things do happen! Well until you stop these things happening, this thing does not happen! Fetch my doggie and my purse…" Carlotta yells storming off the stage in a hurry.
Piangi exclaims "Amateurs" walking off after Carlotta.
"I do not think I can be of any help to you, gentlemen. Good Luck. If you need me I will be in Australia enjoying my retirement." Lefèvre says calmly walking off the stage with his belongings.
"Bye Monsieur!" Both Beth and Leo yell, while Leo continues with "Hope you enjoy the spiders." Both the mangers stare at her looking like they were wondering whether to question what she said or not. They decided against asking.
"She will be back" Andre nervously says.
"You think so monsieur's? I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost."
"God in Heaven, you're all obsessed." Firmin exclaimed.
Madame Giry stepped forward and read the letter from the 'Opera Ghost' stating his demands.
Gentlemen,
Welcome to my opera house.
Just follow my instructions and advice to the letter we will have an amiable relationship in which you may profit.
I have previously used box 5 for my personal use during not only the rehearsal, but the performances as well. I wish for this box to be kept empty for my further use.
Let me remind you that my salary for my role at the Opera house is due.
Do not be late
Your Obedient Servant O.G
"His salary?!" Firmin yelled
"Monsieur Lefèvre paid him 20,000 francs a month. Perhaps you can afford more with the Vicomte de Chagny as your patron." Madame Giry Calmly replied.
Christine became excited and hugged Meg while Beth looked at them with hatred while Leo on the other hand looked very unimpressed.
Andre quickly inserted "I would have like to make that announcement myself"
"Will the Vicomte be attending the performance tonight monsieur?" Madame Giry asked.
"In our box." Firmin firmly replied.
"Madame, is there an understudy for this role?" Andre asked quietly.
Reyer, the conductor rapidly interrupted. "An understudy? there is no understudy, the opera is new."
Madame Giry stepped forward to suggest that Christine sing the part when Leo stepped in saying "Beth could sing it for you sir?"
"What?! No, I couldn't…Christine could though, I have heard she is good." Beth quickly replied trying to stick to original plot.
"Fuck the plot dude. Sing." Leo quietly replied to Beth
"Well why don't you both sing it and we might decide who. A verse each shall do" Firmin interjected.
They both stepped forward and looked at each other, Beth motions to Christine to start cause she actually doesn't want to do this, thinking Leo that bitch. Suddenly she could feel someone staring at her, she slowly turned wishing she was wrong. Nope, there behind her was Leo glaring at her saying sing you idiot through her eyes.…
Christine:
Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
Beth:
Remember me, once in a while
Please, promise me you'll try
Both (Beth is harmonising this):
When you find that once again you long
To take your heart back and be free
If you ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me
Suddenly all the cast and crew were clapping as loud as they could for the two girls on stage.
Up in the rafters were two watchers our esteemed Ghost and his Persian. Nadir was in tears of laughter watching with glee watching Beth unknowingly praise Erik with her words, Erik on the other hand was displeased that Beth had interfered and sang with Christine.
"Well Beth's voice is truly wonderful…and Christine's voice…" Nadir started.
"Christine has the voice of an angel and the nobody will not take away my Christine's chance at being a star. She is just a stepping stone to my Christine's success." Erik stated angrily.
"Don't be so angry, you should be happy there are talented people and not more people like Carlotta." Nadir said trying to defuse Erik's anger.
They watched the girls singing when he saw the happiness on Beth's face he felt something deep inside him that he could not name. The cogs were turning in Erik's head as he thought of ways to get Beth from singing too. Plans to be made, musicals to written and the way Christine looked were all that Erik could think about…until he caught the look the Beth was unknowingly giving to him as if she knew he was there… 'can she see me? Why does she look so happy singing looking at me?' He stood for a while mesmerised by the way she moved so gracefully across the stage. Suddenly the sound of clapping from all the cast and crew broke him from his revere.
Nadir on the other hand was watching Erik and was wondering if anything was wrong 'til he saw who Erik was looking at. 'Is he alright? Oh dear, I wonder if this Beth person is going to be another one of Erik's victims.'
"Oh Andre, I can't decide between the two their voices complement each other very well especially with Beth harmonising. You know what I think they should both sing the aria together on stage." Firmin exclaims.
"What?! That has never been done before…" Andre replied.
"Which is why we should do it, be different from other theatres and everyone will be talking about us." Firmin interrupted.
"What on earth is he saying...Christine was obviously better than that…that…that harlot. How dare she…How dare she…"
"How dare she what Erik? All she did sing and it was so much better than that Carlotta women, not that that's very hard, but I think she sang well…her friend…" Nadir said as he turned to look at Leo, suddenly enraptured by her bewitching beauty. "Her beautiful friend recommended her very well…I like to think…"
"You think?! You actually know that do you?" Erik replied with an unforgiving stare.
"Are you done?" Nadir sighed. "as I was saying her beautiful friend recommended her and I would agree with the assessment that was given…"
"No, you do not get to say that you agree…Christine was so much better and is more beautiful than both of those harlots…" Nadir slowly started to tune out Erik's annoying rant of how lovely Christine was and took his time to drink in the gorgeous form that captured his attention. He loved the way her stunning hair bounced around whenever she laughed and how those magnificent eyes would light up in glee. He noticed her dress complimented her beautiful figure and made her look like a goddess. He was pulled from his love captured thoughts when Erik spoke words which made Nadir laugh with glee and amusement.
What Erik had said was "one day I shall show myself to Christine and she shall love me forever more…" This made Nadir laugh as he knew that whatever Erik was dreaming of would not come true.
"What on earth are you laughing at? No Nadir seriously what are you laughing?" Erik questioned as they walked away…
BOOM ONE CHAPTER DOWN ANOTHER MILLION TO GO. 1965 WORDS ON 5 PAGES YAY! For those that noticed yes I nicked a chapter title from the book!