Disclaimer: "The Phantom of the Opera" = Gaston Leroux. "Les Misérables" = Victor Hugo. "The Phantom of the Opera" musical = Andrew Lloyd Webber. "Les Misérables" musical = Boublil and Schönberg. I have no permission to use the characters and I am making no money out of Leroux/ALWs work and Hugo/ Boublil and Schönberg.



* Raoul, the Revolutionary *



Dear Christine,

In an effort to win your affections and to prove that I am not a fop, I will be studying the art of being a revolutionary. I have signed up for a course where I will be put through my paces both mentally and physically, taught the fine art of idealism and how to build a secure barricade. My course instructor, Monsieur Enjolras, promises to show the correct way to be noble and heroic. Girls like brave men, do they not? Anyway, should I die, dearest, know that I have died for you.

All my love.

Raoul



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*Day One*

Paris, 1832



Dear diary,

This is my first day as a revolutionary. Enjolras is my team leader. He is very strict and thinks of nothing but revolution. All he wants to do is talk about "the people" and the terrible government. Do I hear the people sing? I must see a doctor because I did not but everyone else seemed to.

I arrived safely in what will be my home for however long this course runs. The room itself is small but cosy. Normally I would not live in such conditions but part of the training involves what the others call "slumming it". I get to share with Marius Pontmercy. Nice chap though a bit dim if you know what I mean, lights are on but no one is home. He wants to be a lawyer but I do not think he wants to be a revolutionary.

We had a group meeting but Marius was late claiming it was because of a girl so Enjolras was angry and he stormed off. No one wanted to talk about revolution after that so we all drank and many "lovely ladies" joined us. (They were not as lovely as my darling Christine.) Everyone seemed to be having a better time without our leader. Being a revolutionary does not seem too bad.

It is about three in the morning and I am off to study my handbook – 'How to be a revolutionary' by M. Enjolras. I am a little annoyed, as I have to know everything by the next meeting. It looks as though I will have to read 'How to break the law and get away with it' by Prisoner 24601 another night.



Diary,

Apparently, the "people singing" thing is a metaphor. Combeferre, who is a doctor or so he says, explained it. I think I will have to study a bit harder at this revolutionary thing. When I am brave and fighting for something (fighting for what, I do not really know yet) I am sure Christine will love me and leave that Phantom person. If the rest of the group is anything to go by Christine should find me irresistible.

Well, time to sleep now. Tomorrow I will discover what my God in heaven has in store.