Chapter 1: Old Meets New
The Bohemian period of France was dominated by the reputation of the Moulin Rouge, a night club with an irreputable reputation. Away from the Moulin Rouge was Le Cirque Boheme, an almost vaudeville theatre. Though performances could get a little raunchy there, the performers were not treated as prostitutes. The manager of Le Cirque Boheme clearly stressed this to his clients. Of course, Monsieur Myrcel could not control the lifestyle of his performers once they left his theatre.
One such life is that of one of his dancers/singers named Caroline. Last names were not used around Le Cirque Boheme, most times, the performers' nicknames were used. This one woman's nickname was La Belle d'Amour, the Beauty of Love. She was truly a beauty, with long blonde hair, blue eyes, a lithe dancer's body and a beautiful voice meant for the opera, not the nightclub life. She was a popular member of the troupe.
One day, a young aristocrat came to Le Cirque Boheme. The young performer caught his eye with her beauty and talent and his looks caught her eye. The two soon met and started to see each other—secretly. At first, the romantic allure of a secret romance kept the couple in the dark to their friends. The relationship developed into a physical relationship as the Vicomte kept sneaking into her apartment.
Yet, as the couple's relationship progressed, Caroline discovered that Raoul was keeping their relationship a secret for another reason. The young artist realized her lover was ashamed to declare his feelings publicly for the vaudeville actress. He claimed it was because he was afraid she would be mistaken for a dancer from the Moulin Rouge. He didn't want to tarnish her reputation, he said but Caroline could read deeper than the outside of his statement. She knew he was afraid of having his own reputation ruined. She was mulling over leaving Raoul when he left her. She found it was for his childhood sweetheart, Christine Daae, also a rising opera star. Caroline was enraged and heartbroken. It took all her friends' comfort to get her back to her old self. They were very supportive of her—once they got over the whole fact that she had lied to them for two years about being in a relationship.
One is night, a few months after the engagement, Caroline sat in her dressing room preparing for her show. Caroline finished the last of her make-up when her door opened. Caroline didn't need to look in her mirror to know who it was, since all the dancers walked into each other's dressing rooms freely. This time was Carly's turn. She was a young Latina girl who had escaped a cruel Spanish soldier. Carly and Caroline were very close, Carly being the only one who knew about Raoul before the other dancers and was supportive of Caroline's and Raoul's relationship.
"Caroline, can I borrow some rouge?" Carly asked.
"Of course, darling," Caroline said, laughing. She handed Carly the rouge and realized that something was wrong with her dear friend. "You look apprehensive," Caroline said, trying to figure if that was the right word to describe Carly's appearance. "Come, darling, tell me what's wrong," Caroline told Carly, motioning to the chair next to hers.
Carly sat down and started to fiddle with the hem of her dress. "Well," Carly began, "don't be upset." Caroline was surprised at this statement.
"Carly, dear, what ever would I be upset about?" she asked.
"Raoul," Carly said, still playing with the hem of her dress.
Caroline's eyebrow twitched. "What about Raoul?" she asked.
"He's here," Carly said. "With her." Caroline sat there, letting it all sink in.
She slowly said to herself, "I'm fine," as if to calm herself down.
Carly got up and hugged Caroline. "Brave until the end. Thanks for the rouge," Carly said.
The two dancers exited the room to find themselves face to face with Jean, Raoul and Christine Daae. "Ah, here are my two favorite dancers—Caramel and La Belle d'Amour," Jean said. He was a tall, attractive man, a talented performer and acrobat. Jean was the Master of Ceremonies at Le Cirque Boheme. The two dancers curtsied politely and Carly ran to her dressing room to finish her make-up. Jean and Caroline were left with the Vicomte and the Opera singer. "Ah, Ma Belle d'Amour, let me introduce you to Christine Daae, the famous opera singer," Jean told Caroline. Caroline looked Christine over and realized that the two women were very similar in appearance, except that Christine didn't look like much of a graceful dancer. As the four kept talking, Caroline began to wonder what Raoul really saw in Christine. Jean excused himself from the group, kissing both Caroline's and Christine's hands.
Caroline and Raoul were now face to face, with Christine standing off to the side. "Vicomte de Chagny, how lovely to see you here," Caroline said, curtsying again.
"Indeed, Caroline," Raoul said. Caroline watched as Miss Daae stirred next to him.
"Oh, Christine, I already told you why I know their names," Raoul said. Monsieur Myrcer passed by and Raoul continued on talking with him. Caroline and Christine stared at each other.
Caroline ventured the first words. "Most of our patrons don't bring their fiancées with them."
Christine smiled and said, "Raoul assured me that it was nothing but a classy show, nothing irreputable would happen." Raoul returned and took Christine to their seats.
"Well?" Caroline heard a Greek accented voice said.
"Well, what? I think she's okay," Caroline said.
"No envy?" the voice replied. Caroline laughed.
"Envious? Me? Of that little bland opera singer. Dear Olga, I think you must have your head checked."
Olga approached to her friend. "You feel bad for her," the Greek girl pursued.
"Well, yeah, only because I know why he is marrying her and it isn't for love," Caroline said.
"Oh really?" an Italian accented voice joined the conversation. "Then why is he marrying her?"
"For his image, Adellina, for his image!" Caroline said. "She is the one good enough to be presented to his society friends, whereas I am the one reduced to being a skeleton in a locked up closet forever."
Adellina sat down next to her friend. "Yes, but he doesn't have to be a skeleton in your closet forever," she said. The Italian beauty placed her arms around Caroline. "Listen, you will move on past him. Forget he is in the audience tonight and give your best performance ever," Adellina said. Caroline agreed and Tymara ran out to tell them they were on in five minutes. The girls scattered to finish their preparations.
A few minutes later Caroline was on stage, performing the opening numbers before the play began. Never once did she look up at the Vicomte's private box, nor did she ever falter. She, the Gemini, Pierre and Robert sat out on the stage while intermission occurred. Intermission at Le Cirque Boheme was between all the singing and dancing numbers and the play performed and was normally when all the patrons ran towards the bar. Caroline sat talking with one of the Gemini twins, Elisa, when Christine approached her. "Excuse me, Caroline?" she asked timidly.
Elisa and Caroline stopped talking. "Yes?" Caroline asked.
"I was wondering if you and I could talk for a bit?" Christine replied. Caroline nodded and patted the stage next to her. Christine looked a bit nervous about jumping on the stage. "Come on, darling, it's not like you're at the opera," Caroline said. Christine took a seat next to Caroline.
"How well do you know Raoul?" Christine asked.
"He used to be a popular patron here. Everyone knows him," Caroline replied.
"But you two see to know each other really well," Christine pursued.
"It's not my place to tell, darling. I think that's Raoul's place," Caroline replied.
"But he won't tell me," Christine said. "He keeps changing the subject on me."
Caroline looked ahead to find her former lover at the bar. He wouldn't want his friends in society to know about their affair. "Well, I guess he wants to keep our relationship a secret," she said.
Christine looked at her and decided to change the subject. "Did you always wanted to do this?"
"The nightclub life? No, I went into this career because the Opera wouldn't take me," Caroline replied.
"Well, we're having auditions on Monday. Come, try out. You are very good," Christine said, hopping off the stage. She made her way back to Raoul, but changed her mind half-way across the floor and headed back towards the stage. "Caroline" she called up to the dancer as Caroline readied herself for the opening number of Act II.
"What?" Caroline called down.
"Do you hate me?" Christine called back.
Caroline crouched down to meet Christine. "No, why would I?" Caroline asked, confused.
"For stealing Raoul away from you," Christine said, quietly.
"Christine, don't think that! Raoul left me because he was ashamed to go out with me in his high society circles," Caroline said. "I don't hate you." Christine smiled and returned to her seat.