"Well Vicomte, how did you enjoy your rest? You must have been awfully
tired to fall asleep this early in the afternoon."
"Where have you been?" Raoul said, eyeing Erik closely.
"What do you mean?" Erik said innocently. "I have been here. You have
only been asleep around an hour, plus there is no rehearsal that Christine
would have attended this afternoon. She probably went out to lunch with
that new tenor, Monsieur Desruiseau. You see Monsieur, by sticking to me
like an unwelcome child you have not only ruined my chances of being with
her, but yours as well." Erik looked over at Raoul, and he noticed Raoul
had a thoughtful expression on his face.
"What are you thinking?" Erik asked warily. That look was never a good
sign.
"I'm thinking this new rival is more of a challenge, considering Christine
believes you hate her. I believe I shall stick myself to him. Good day
you monster, I hope I never have to see your twisted face again."
"Though I may have a twisted face Monsieur, it is you who have a twisted
mind. I shall leave it to you to decide which is worse." Raoul was going
through the door, and he turned slowly to look at Erik.
"Monsieur, I must admit, my exchanges with you are definitely more
interesting than those I have with other people."
"For a truly interesting exchange Vicomte," Erik said, walking over to
Raoul. "Ask Monsieur Desruiseau to retell Christine's version of our story.
The three of us' story. Good day."
* * * * *
Rehearsal ended at two o'clock because it was a Saturday, and I hurried to my dressing room. Alain and I decided not to have lunch today, because we would be seeing each other later tonight. All the other girls were going home to get on their costumes. My costume was hanging in my wardrobe at home. On my way to the dressing room, I saw what seemed to be a hundred people getting ready for the Masquerade tonight. Some of the little ballet girls were dragging some decorations in, and I decided to help them. It would only take me an hour to get ready at most, and it was exciting to see the opera getting decorated and ready. "Surely Miss Daae you have better things to do than help put decorations up." I heard a sarcastic voice say behind me. I turned around and saw Monsieur Firmin. "Monsieur Firmin," I said dropping a curtsy. "You are the only one who would have a sarcastic comment about someone trying to help," I said with a smile. I was rewarded with a rare smile from him. "I apologize Miss Daae. I know how busy you must be." "Not at all. How is everything going on your end of the Opera?" "Quite well actually. Paris seems to be as glad to have you back as Monsieur Andre." "I'm glad I could help," I replied, straightening a table cloth. "Miss Daae," Monsieur Firmin said. "Yes?" "You are quite different than most Prima Donnas. What makes you want to stay down here and do menial labor when you could be at your home getting ready for the Masquerade? I'm sure there are a lot of things you could be doing now other than this." "Well Monsieur," I replied turning. "I simply understand that sometimes help from unexpected places and people can lead to great things. I wish to help in anyway I can to make things easier. I know how much work it takes to keep an Opera working. You must remember, I was once just a ballet girl, and did this work daily." Monsieur Firmin was silent. Monsieur Andre came up to us. "Miss Daae, thank you for your help. It is most kind of you considering there are a lot of other things you could be doing." "It is my pleasure Monsieur Andre." "I must insist that you return home, though Miss Daae. Your help is most appreciated, but we don't want to work you so hard you cannot attend the Masquerade." "All right," I agreed laughing. "Until the Masquerade!" It was a beautiful day, and I decided to walk back home. As I walked by a boutique that was selling costumes, Raoul walked out. I tried to run, but there was no time. Our eyes met. Surprisingly, Raoul smiled. "Good afternoon Christine. On your way home to get ready for the Masquerade?" "Why yes," I said, a little bewildered. "Then I'll see you this evening." He bowed and got into his carriage. I was very suspicious about this new Raoul. His threat still lingered in my mind-'You may feel this way now Christine, but wait until the Masquerade. You will be mine, I assure you'. I turned and saw Raoul's carriage turning the corner. Did I still have anything to worry about?
* * * * *
Alain slipped quietly through all four cellars and emerged on the shore of the underground lake. Erik had shown him the path around the lake should he have to use it for emergency meetings, but he was still shivering as he was looking around. He knew he did not have to fear Erik, but being down in his domain was still frightening. He wondered how Christine ever came down here without being frightened out of her wits. "Monsieur Desruiseau, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Alain turned and saw Erik coming out of the labyrinth. "Erik, you know I would not trespass on your privacy except for something of the most urgent nature." "Of course Alain. But do not speak here. Let us go to the house." Apparently the boat was at the house so Erik and Alain used the path around the lake. When they were inside the house, Erik ushered Alain down many stairways and corridors until they reached an old room that looked like it hadn't been opened in years. But the door did not creak, and inside a fire was blazing. They sat down in two armchairs on either side of the fireplace and began their discussion. "Erik, what are your plans for tonight?" "Plans Alain? Plans for what?" "For the Masquerade, for Miss Daae. What are your plans?" "I had none. Do I need any?" Erik asked. "I would say so. Ever since your meeting with the Vicomte I have become a sort of confidante for the Vicomte. He has been acting strangely agreeable the past few days, and all though he told me of no plans, it seems that he intends to do something big, something horrible, and something tonight." "But you will be there. I'm sure you can protect Christine as well as I could." "Erik, you know you are stronger than me, and you are also the only one the Vicomte fears. He would not fear me. Plus, if I did defend Miss Daae, our whole plan would go down in flames." "The Vicomte does not fear me anymore, Monsieur," Erik said quietly. "What?" Alain exclaimed. "He does not fear me. He has trapped me in the most horrible sort of trap. Have you not wondered why I have not gone near Miss Daae for the past three days?" "Well I was a little curious, since you are in love with her, but what does it have to do with..." "Everything!" Erik yelled in rage, standing up. Everything was silent as Erik sat down again. "Pardon me Monsieur Desruiseau, I have forgotten myself." "Please explain to me what is going on Erik, so I may help," Alain said, concerned. "Four days ago Monsieur Vicomte brought Christine to me. She was unconscious, and in his arms. I almost shot the Vicomte then and there, but he persuaded me to let him in for Christine's sake, because she had collapsed. We put Christine in her room and then proceeded to this very room. I had let the Vicomte in because I was suspicious from the start, and wanted to see what he had up his sleeve. That turned out to be a mistake. We sat as you and I do now, and he calmly explained to me that he felt I was in the way of he and Miss Daae's happiness, and that if I went near here again then he would kill her, just so I could not have her. He then told me to go fetch Miss Daae, and to pretend that I did not love her. 'We will see how it will go from there' he said. As I led Miss Daae, she informed me she had been drugged. I could not show the slightest emotion. A scene too painful to repeat ensued, and you know what has happened since." "So that is why I heard Miss Daae yell 'Erik be quiet' after I kissed her and she slapped me." "That was a brilliant move by the way. It was a perfect set up. It is a good thing she despises the Vicomte, because she is very clever and somewhat devious." "That sounds like someone else I know." Erik smiled at Alain's remark. "Alain, I would like to thank you." "You already have Erik, and I assure you it is no trouble," Alain said. "Not just for helping me, but for being my first friend. You do not know what it is like to spend your life alone." "You're welcome Erik. I must in turn thank you for letting me have a chance to ruin my cousin." "Oh yes. I had forgotten about that. You never told me what had happened between you and the Vicomte to stir up such hatred." "Raoul was engaged to my sister. One month before their wedding, my sister found she was with his child, but by this time, the Vicomte had run to Paris. My mother wanted to find him and make him marry her, but my father, who was a part of the nobility like my Uncle, knew the scandal it would cause. Instead, he removed my sister to a small manor in the South of England where no one knows her or the Vicomte. They are under the impression her husband passed away of brain fever right before the child was born. I in fact had been visiting her before coming back to Paris. I had planned to do away with Raoul myself, but that was before I met you and Miss Daae." "He truly is evil then. I applaud your efforts." "Quite." There was another silence. "Obviously your name is not Alain Desruiseau. What is your name?" "It does not matter," Alain said smiling. "But my proper name is Sinclair, Comte de Bergerac."
* * * * *
Rehearsal ended at two o'clock because it was a Saturday, and I hurried to my dressing room. Alain and I decided not to have lunch today, because we would be seeing each other later tonight. All the other girls were going home to get on their costumes. My costume was hanging in my wardrobe at home. On my way to the dressing room, I saw what seemed to be a hundred people getting ready for the Masquerade tonight. Some of the little ballet girls were dragging some decorations in, and I decided to help them. It would only take me an hour to get ready at most, and it was exciting to see the opera getting decorated and ready. "Surely Miss Daae you have better things to do than help put decorations up." I heard a sarcastic voice say behind me. I turned around and saw Monsieur Firmin. "Monsieur Firmin," I said dropping a curtsy. "You are the only one who would have a sarcastic comment about someone trying to help," I said with a smile. I was rewarded with a rare smile from him. "I apologize Miss Daae. I know how busy you must be." "Not at all. How is everything going on your end of the Opera?" "Quite well actually. Paris seems to be as glad to have you back as Monsieur Andre." "I'm glad I could help," I replied, straightening a table cloth. "Miss Daae," Monsieur Firmin said. "Yes?" "You are quite different than most Prima Donnas. What makes you want to stay down here and do menial labor when you could be at your home getting ready for the Masquerade? I'm sure there are a lot of things you could be doing now other than this." "Well Monsieur," I replied turning. "I simply understand that sometimes help from unexpected places and people can lead to great things. I wish to help in anyway I can to make things easier. I know how much work it takes to keep an Opera working. You must remember, I was once just a ballet girl, and did this work daily." Monsieur Firmin was silent. Monsieur Andre came up to us. "Miss Daae, thank you for your help. It is most kind of you considering there are a lot of other things you could be doing." "It is my pleasure Monsieur Andre." "I must insist that you return home, though Miss Daae. Your help is most appreciated, but we don't want to work you so hard you cannot attend the Masquerade." "All right," I agreed laughing. "Until the Masquerade!" It was a beautiful day, and I decided to walk back home. As I walked by a boutique that was selling costumes, Raoul walked out. I tried to run, but there was no time. Our eyes met. Surprisingly, Raoul smiled. "Good afternoon Christine. On your way home to get ready for the Masquerade?" "Why yes," I said, a little bewildered. "Then I'll see you this evening." He bowed and got into his carriage. I was very suspicious about this new Raoul. His threat still lingered in my mind-'You may feel this way now Christine, but wait until the Masquerade. You will be mine, I assure you'. I turned and saw Raoul's carriage turning the corner. Did I still have anything to worry about?
* * * * *
Alain slipped quietly through all four cellars and emerged on the shore of the underground lake. Erik had shown him the path around the lake should he have to use it for emergency meetings, but he was still shivering as he was looking around. He knew he did not have to fear Erik, but being down in his domain was still frightening. He wondered how Christine ever came down here without being frightened out of her wits. "Monsieur Desruiseau, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Alain turned and saw Erik coming out of the labyrinth. "Erik, you know I would not trespass on your privacy except for something of the most urgent nature." "Of course Alain. But do not speak here. Let us go to the house." Apparently the boat was at the house so Erik and Alain used the path around the lake. When they were inside the house, Erik ushered Alain down many stairways and corridors until they reached an old room that looked like it hadn't been opened in years. But the door did not creak, and inside a fire was blazing. They sat down in two armchairs on either side of the fireplace and began their discussion. "Erik, what are your plans for tonight?" "Plans Alain? Plans for what?" "For the Masquerade, for Miss Daae. What are your plans?" "I had none. Do I need any?" Erik asked. "I would say so. Ever since your meeting with the Vicomte I have become a sort of confidante for the Vicomte. He has been acting strangely agreeable the past few days, and all though he told me of no plans, it seems that he intends to do something big, something horrible, and something tonight." "But you will be there. I'm sure you can protect Christine as well as I could." "Erik, you know you are stronger than me, and you are also the only one the Vicomte fears. He would not fear me. Plus, if I did defend Miss Daae, our whole plan would go down in flames." "The Vicomte does not fear me anymore, Monsieur," Erik said quietly. "What?" Alain exclaimed. "He does not fear me. He has trapped me in the most horrible sort of trap. Have you not wondered why I have not gone near Miss Daae for the past three days?" "Well I was a little curious, since you are in love with her, but what does it have to do with..." "Everything!" Erik yelled in rage, standing up. Everything was silent as Erik sat down again. "Pardon me Monsieur Desruiseau, I have forgotten myself." "Please explain to me what is going on Erik, so I may help," Alain said, concerned. "Four days ago Monsieur Vicomte brought Christine to me. She was unconscious, and in his arms. I almost shot the Vicomte then and there, but he persuaded me to let him in for Christine's sake, because she had collapsed. We put Christine in her room and then proceeded to this very room. I had let the Vicomte in because I was suspicious from the start, and wanted to see what he had up his sleeve. That turned out to be a mistake. We sat as you and I do now, and he calmly explained to me that he felt I was in the way of he and Miss Daae's happiness, and that if I went near here again then he would kill her, just so I could not have her. He then told me to go fetch Miss Daae, and to pretend that I did not love her. 'We will see how it will go from there' he said. As I led Miss Daae, she informed me she had been drugged. I could not show the slightest emotion. A scene too painful to repeat ensued, and you know what has happened since." "So that is why I heard Miss Daae yell 'Erik be quiet' after I kissed her and she slapped me." "That was a brilliant move by the way. It was a perfect set up. It is a good thing she despises the Vicomte, because she is very clever and somewhat devious." "That sounds like someone else I know." Erik smiled at Alain's remark. "Alain, I would like to thank you." "You already have Erik, and I assure you it is no trouble," Alain said. "Not just for helping me, but for being my first friend. You do not know what it is like to spend your life alone." "You're welcome Erik. I must in turn thank you for letting me have a chance to ruin my cousin." "Oh yes. I had forgotten about that. You never told me what had happened between you and the Vicomte to stir up such hatred." "Raoul was engaged to my sister. One month before their wedding, my sister found she was with his child, but by this time, the Vicomte had run to Paris. My mother wanted to find him and make him marry her, but my father, who was a part of the nobility like my Uncle, knew the scandal it would cause. Instead, he removed my sister to a small manor in the South of England where no one knows her or the Vicomte. They are under the impression her husband passed away of brain fever right before the child was born. I in fact had been visiting her before coming back to Paris. I had planned to do away with Raoul myself, but that was before I met you and Miss Daae." "He truly is evil then. I applaud your efforts." "Quite." There was another silence. "Obviously your name is not Alain Desruiseau. What is your name?" "It does not matter," Alain said smiling. "But my proper name is Sinclair, Comte de Bergerac."