Authors note:HI ALL!! I'm so excited to be back in business!!!!!!! I have been so busy lately. I've been in the musical so I haven't seen my home,(much less the sun) in a few months. But here in the next chapter in FIT! ::cheer:: Sorry to keep you all waiting sooooooo long. Oh yes, and I saw my co-author perform in Guys and Dolls. Not a major character, but she did great anyway. So we were both busy with musicals. But here it is FIT CHAPTER 23.
To Audition, or Not to Audition.
* * *
Andre and Firmen were pacing their office. Not in agitation, more like confusion. Within the past few days so much had happened and yet so little at the same time. None could forget the Opera Ghost's mysterious disappearance, Along with Christine Daae, Raoul, and the two new girls. But this letter that just appeared. Firmen opened the note again.
"Monsieur's," it stated in meticulous handwriting. "I am pleased to announce to aspiring young musicians. They wish to audition and perform at a gala night. They are friends of the awe inspiring Christine Daae, who thinks of them highly. Perhaps you could set aside a date in which you could listen to them perform, together in concert, and judge for yourselves.
Please respond as soon as possible.
Kind regards,
Monsieur Erik le Rouen."
"Rouen…" Said Firmen after a while. "Coming from that distance just to get the girls a part. That's probably why they came in the first place…"
"But Firmen" Andre interjected, "They probably knew Christine was leaving…Perhaps we can get a new batch of Divas and some inside scoop on the other soprano." Firmen could nearly see the dollar…-franc signs in his eyes. He groaned.
"Andre" He said patronizingly.
"What?" Andre replied indignant.
"Well, I suppose there is nothing else to do since Diva Christine left and Diva Carlotta refuses to perform anymore… Lets invite them over to see if we can use them. If it goes well, we'll have a diva and an understudy all in one."
* * *
A few nights later Erik received a small parcel on the headstand of his bed. It was addressed to "Erik le Rouen from the Managers of the Opera House" He opened it and unceremoniously tossed the wrapper aside.
"Monsieur, thank you for your letter. We are constantly getting recommendations for future divas, however seeing as though Mademoiselle Christine Daae thinks highly of these two, we have set aside our never ending requests"-Erik scoffed at this, for he knew that they needed a new diva really soon, or their house would slowly decay and die-"for auditions, to specially view these two. Please accompany them to the Opera House this weekend. Sincerely, Firmen and Andre."
He read the note over again and considered it thoroughly. Then with a swift turn he went to find Carley and Erin.
* * *
Looking thoughtfully at her journal, Carley studied her handwriting. It was legible enough. Erin strode over to her table after she was done practicing Don Juan on Erik's violin.
"Whatcha doing Carley?" She asked parking it next to her. Carley looked up and grinned.
"Working on a journal, I've kept tabs on everything that happened while we were here, in as much detail as I could. If you want you can go through and add things."
"Really?" said Erin in a mock-fascinated tone.
"No really. I mean I want to keep record of what happens. We just might have changed the time space continuum or something, and I want it written down for reference." She said calmly.
"Hmmmm but who's gonna read it?" Erin asked speculatively.
"All the psycho Phantom fans in the world!" Carley said.
"All the Phantom fans?"
"Ah, but only special Phantom Phans!"
"Phantom fans?" Erik's quizzical voice had a slightly bemused hint to it. Carley and Erin spun around.
"Erik! Hello!" Carley said smiling benignly. Erik strolled over to them and set the envelope on the table where Carley was working.
"I have an announcement Mademoiselles. You two, are going to audition for M. Firmen and Andre."
"What?! Really?!" Erin looked ecstatic. Erik looked at Carley. Her eyes were sparkling with anticipation, searching his eyes hopefully.
"Yes." He said turning away from her gaze. "We must leave this weekend." He mused for a moment. "We shall leave to-morrow."
Carley and Erin grinned ecstatically.
* * *
Carley opened her eyes wearily. They had been up nearly all night celebrating the auditions. She hadn't drunk anything alcoholic, but she was worn out. The excitement was ebbing and turning into nervousness. Rolling over, she was surprised to see that Erin was standing upright near the window.
"Erin-" She croaked groggily, "What are you doing? Its gotta be just after dawn…." Erin turned around.
"I just woke up." She said. Her face was groggy and sleep deprived also. Carley grinned.
"You look lovely!" Carley said sitting up.
"As do you." Erin retorted. They both smiled.
"Well shall we get ready?" Carley
questioned. Erin laughed.
"Last one to the bathroom is a
rotten CARLOTTA!" They both shrieked and ran towards the bathroom, their
nervousness forgotten.
* * *
Refreshed and smelling clean, the girls ran downstairs to tackle breakfast. It was early in the morning so nobody except Michael was around. Michael looked surprised to see them.
"Well, Good morning!" He said cheerily.
"Michael do you ever sleep?" Carley asked wonderingly.
"Nah. I don't believe in sleep."
"That's unhealthy." Erin interjected. Michael grinned.
"What can I do you for?"
"We'd like some breakfast." They both stated.
"Jinx." Erin said jabbing Carley in the side. Carley jabbed her back roughly.
"You two are acting rather unusual this morning." Michael said looking up from washing tables.
"Yeah, well…. We both have auditions at the Paris Opera house." Carley said smiling.
"Oh! Really?" Michael glanced at them.
"Yes! Andre and Firmen sent us a letter saying he wants to see if we would like to audition."
"Well that's good news. I wish you well. Go talk to Monsieur Lebeau and he will set you up with some crepes." He ushered them towards the kitchen door.
"Thanks Michael!" Carley called over her shoulder.
"Uh huh. Tell me how your auditions went!" He called back as they disappeared into the kitchen.
* * *
Erik was pacing up in his room. He knew, knew, he shouldn't be doing this. The girls had already gotten up and gone downstairs to eat. But he was having doubts. They had all been caught in the moment last night. What a time to get cold feet old man. Couldn't you just have left it alone? Leave them alone! Why had you have to get that absurd idea to let them go to the opera house? But… what could they do? Stay here forever? Freeloading off of some stupid hotel? No. But they couldn't just go out in public and live. Oh no. Society wouldn't accept that. They would be humiliated. Carley…and Erin..They would hate him. What now? Being selfish?-Yes, that's what you are old man. You've always been selfish…- His thoughts were interrupted by Carley's voice.
"Erik. I brought you a crepe." She was beaming with excitement. A rose of blush was on her cheeks from running up the stairs.
"Thank you, Mademoiselle."
"Erik…." She said after an awkward pause. "If you don't want to come with us…You….don't have too." She looked away, averting her gaze. She wanted him to come with. More than anything. More than life. He studied her for a moment.
" I will come with." He said. He flourished a mask. A human mask. It was so realistic that Carley gasped.
"I made this….a while ago. I will wear it for to-day." Carley smiled.
"Oh, Erik." She said the happiness in her voice unmistakable. Erik was pleased.
"Shall we be off?" He said adjusting the mask. The lips moved in synchronization with his voice.
"Lets go."
* * *
Authors note:: Wagh….another chapter gone. And so much closer to the end…. But not quite. Did you know that this fic is 73 pages long, and growing? It makes me proud.
Lotsa love!
Miss Taken