Chapter 3: Young Giry, Notes from O.G, Diva and Patron
1919
Meg felt a hand touch her arm and she turned around and saw both her granddaughters. She smiled as they came to look over the emptiness of the Opera Populaire.
" Grandmother, who was this man?" one asked
" The Phantom of the Opera," she replied, " He was not like any man, his face showed a sad story."
Meg walked with the girls down the hall way and touched the walls and smiled. She sighed and came to another box and walked into it.
" Erik, do you remember 1867?" she thought, " I do."
1867 ( 52 years later)
Meg climbed the stairs that lead to the roof, she tied her cloak around her and walked out into the snowy weather. She saw a shadow hunched over the edge of the roof and stood there. His cloak was that of fine woven fabric, his fine black hair matched his dark shadow, but then there was fair skin that never looked like it touched daylight. She remain in the door way between warmth and coldness.
" I don't want to disturb him," she thought
She walked to the opposite end and looked out into the darker part of the city. She sighed and felt tears fall from her face then sounds of sadness escaped her lips. She pulled her cloak tightly and leaned her head into her folded arms, that laid on the snowy edge. Meg was crying from stress and lack of hope in the world.
" Why can't I ever feel like life is going my way?" she thought, " How can I ever make it just stop acting as if it owns me?"
Meg climbed onto the edge of the building and stood there with sadness attacking her face.
" Angel's fly, devils fall, but who am I?" she thought, " I'm a puppet of everyone's will."
She stuck one foot out ever so graceful and looked down at the ground.
" I am," she thought, " A puppet to do as the master commands."
She raised her arms and stretched them out. She closed her eyes and lifted her head to the sky, no intention to jump at all.
Suddenly someone's hands grabbed her wrist.
" Don't do it, don't jump, your so young," a man's voice said, " You have a long life ahead of you."
Meg turned and saw a young man in his early 20's standing before her. His brown hair came to his shoulders and he was well dressed, as for an opera. Meg shook her head and assured him she wasn't going to jump. She jumped down and faced him and curtsied.
" Monsieur, I do this all the time," Meg said
" It's slippery tonight, what if you slipped and fell," he said
" I assure you Monsieur I do it all the time, snow, rain or perfect weather," she said
The young man's deep green eyes stared a Meg's own eyes. She smiled and the man smiled back at her.
" I am Comte de Facet," he introduced himself
" I am Meg Giry," she replied, " It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
" The pleasure is all mine Mademoiselle," he said kissing her hand
She smiled and he escorted her in and from the dome on the top half of the Opera Populaire, the shadow watched her.
" Can it be that this man is someone to watch," he whispered, " Little Giry, don't be foolish."
The next morning Meg woke up refreshed and smiled a little. She looked to her night stand and looked at the picture of her father and mother, then sat up.
" Meg wake up!" Christine called, " Get dress hurry up!"
Meg jumped out her bed and quickly dressed and ran downstairs. The chorus girls were gathered by a window and Meg pushed her way through.
" He's so handsome," one said
" Handsome he is and rich too," another laughed
Meg looked out the window and smiled seeing the Comte she met last night on the roof. He never told her why he was there and she felt a blush touch her cheek. She walked off and Christine looked at her.
" Meg, where are you off too?" Christine asked
" Downstairs, to practice," Meg said
" But there's no practice until later and a show tonight," Christine said
" I just need to practice," Meg said, " Plus, you have singing lessons."
Meg walked off and went down to the stage and warmed up. She looked out into the empty seats and closed her eyes hearing the music in her mind. She danced with such grace.
Applauding came from the full house as Meg and Christine followed the chorus girls that night on stage. Meg looked out and saw the young Comte and smiled, he sat in box four and studied each girl. He wrote something and handed it to his servant, she walked down to the back stage.
Once Meg and the other chorus girls walked off the servant presented her an envelope. Meg looked at it and Christine looked at her.
" Who is it from?" she asked
" I don't know," Meg replied as she pulled the letter out
She read the letter and smiled then stuck it back into the envelope. She told Christine that after the show she was invited to dinner with the Comte de Facet.
After the show Meg was changing and someone knocked on the door. She called to them and the door opened. She looked up and saw the young Comte and a smile caressed her lips.
" I hope I am not interrupting," he said
" No not at all, I was just finishing up," she said, " Than we can go."
Meg went and changed and then she and the young Comte walked out together to get dinner. They ate at a very fancy restaurant and after went for a ride in the park. Meg enjoyed the evening with her escort and when he brought her back he gave her a kiss on her cheek.
" May I see you tomorrow Meg?" he asked
" Yes," Meg replied
" Then until tomorrow," he said, " I bid you good night."
Meg nodded and walked into the side entrance of the Opera Populaire. There she climb the stairs to the dormitories. She changed into her nightgown and walked to her bedside. Christine stirred and sat up hearing Meg getting in.
" Meg," Christine whispered
Meg sat up and looked at Christine.
" Your in late," Christine said, " Was he a gentleman?"
" More than anything, he's wonderful," Meg said
" How old is he?" Christine asked
" 22," Meg said
Christine smiled and Meg told her everything about the evening. Christine grabbed her friend's hand and smiled.
" Meg, do you think he maybe the one for you?" Christine asked
" I don't know," Meg said, " I really need to see him."
" He's so handsome, he reminds me of someone," Christine said
" Who?" Meg asked
" Just a young boy who rescued my scarf from the sea, though his governess objected. You can say we were destine to be friends, but when my father died, I lost all contact with him," Christine said
" Maybe someday you will meet him again, when you least expect it," Meg said
The girls' chattered about finding love, but what they didn't know was there was someone listening to them. The shadow of the night fled in disgust of the girls' discussion.
The next morning the company was gathered together to greet the new soprano. The chorus girls walked out hearing the manger talking about how wonderful she was.
" She's probably a Prima Donna," one girl said
The doors open and there a young woman entered, followed by her entourage. She was very pretty, but she seemed to be a woman that was full of herself. Meg and Christine looked at her.
" Presenting Signora Carlotta Giudicelli," the manger said
The company applauded and Carlotta smiled and gave an ever so proud curtsy. She walked on the stage and made a fine prideful speech. The stagehands rolled their eyes at this new soprano tried to show how wonderful she was.
" Now, we must talk benefits if you have me, Carlotta," she said
Meg sighed and the doors opened and Comte de Facet walked in. The manger walk looked up as he entered.
" Ah, Monsieur le Comte de Facet, your just in time to meet the newest member to the company," the manger said
" I seem to be on time for a lot of things today," he said
" Signora may I present to you Comte de Facet, our new patron. Our old patron has past away and we were lucky to have such a wonderful man become our patron," the manger said
Carlotta looked at Comte de Facet and smiled. He kissed her hand as she curtsied.
" This is Signora Carlotta Giudicelli," the manger said
" It's an honor Signora," he said
" No, the pleasure is all mine," Carlotta said
Comte de Facet looked over and saw Meg and he winked at her. Carlotta looked over and saw Meg and narrowed her eyes. The manger, Carlotta and Comte de Facet walked off to discuss business. Meg sighed and the girls rehearsed, Madame Giry looked at Meg and then walked off into the shadows of the backstage.
" Antoinette, he is trouble, and that woman is too. I want them out of my opera house," Erik's voice said
" There is nothing I can do, Erik," Madame Giry said
Erik walked out the shadows and looked at Madame Giry face to face.
" Then there is plenty I can do to encourage," Erik said, " Your daughter is in danger if she continues seeing this man of high society."
Madame Giry looked at Erik and asked, " How are Christine's lessons going?"
" Antoinette, you are changing the subject," Erik said
He looked around and Madame Giry looked at him.
" Get rid of them or I will," Erik said
Erik walked off and Madame Giry sighed.
" Erik," she sighed
Erik's threat went without say to anyone. Madame Giry could not do anything in fear of losing her job. She had restricted Meg to the opera house when with the Comte de Facet. Meg though the clever young teen found away around her mother's rules.
Erik watched each day and instructed Christine to find away to keep her friend occupied. Erik's letters of endless threats about getting Carlotta out of his opera house began once she began to sing.
Meg and Christine watched from the distance and sighed.
" O.G.!" the manger shouted, " This letter is the 100th letter sent by him!"
Madame Giry shrugged and said, " He's a very demanding man."
" Madame what are you not telling me?" he questioned
" I'm afraid Monsieur that he has many ideas for his opera house and Carlotta is not one of them," Madame Giry said
" O. G." the manger said
Madame Giry handed him a rolled up set of papers and placed them on his desk.
" This is the contract, and he has added his own," Madame Giry said
She walked off and the manager sighed and sat down. He began to read the Phantom's demands.
Madame Giry walked out and saw Meg talking to Comte de Facet. He kissed Meg and then went off and Meg smiled as she danced about.
" Meg, go get ready for rehearsal," Madame Giry said
Meg sighed and walked out and entered the Opera Populaire and went to warm up. Christine came out of practicing and Meg talked to her about the Comte's offer to her.
" Your mother is not going to be happy," Christine said
" I think he is the one and I want to marry him," Meg said
" Meg, your 14 years old," Christine said, " Do wait for the sake of your career."
Meg sighed and grabbed Christine's hand and nodded. They both went down to rehearsal. Carlotta was on stage practicing her part and they looked at her.
" Her voice annoys me," Meg whispered
" She's too sharp," Christine said
" Shut up you little toads," Carlotta snapped, " This is my opera and you two are to be silent."
Meg narrowed her eyes at the diva and Christine walked off. Both walked backstage and saw someone in the shadows.
" It's him the Phantom of the Opera," Meg said
" He wouldn't be here," Christine said
" What makes you so sure?" Meg asked
Suddenly there was a scream as several things came down and Meg and Christine ran out. A scenery piece fell and several of the set pieces tumbled over. Meg looked at Carlotta as she just stood there hands on her hips.
" What the hell is going on up there!" a stagehand called
Joseph Buquet ran across the cat walk and pulled up the scenery piece.
" It wasn't me," he said
" Buquet why did you leave your post?" the other stagehand questioned
" I didn't, I'm on the other side," he said, " Someone else is suppose to be here."
He locked the wheel and smirked.
" Must be that Phantom again," he laughed, " He doesn't seem to like the Signora there."
Meg walked around in the back and she saw a note flutter downward, she caught it and looked at the skull.
" The Phantom of the Opera," she thought
" Your business is not here young Giry," a voice said
Meg gasped and dropped the note and a chuckle escaped the darkness.
" Who are you?" she called
" Who am I? Who am I!" his voice got louder
Laughter echoed through the darkness and the sounds of a cloak captured in the emptiness went by her.
" You will see me soon," he said
Meg lifted the letter and turned it around to look at the seal.
" He's here the Phantom of the Opera," Meg called out
She ran and presented the note to her mother. Her mother looked at the note and opened the letter.
" What does it say Madame?" the chorus girl's asked
Madame Giry looked at the letter and opened it. She slid the letter out of the envelope and read it to herself.
Dear Opera Populaire
I am disappointed as your decision for both a patron and new soprano. You have not yet followed my instructions so far. I will not allow you to destroy the harmony with a pampered diva. The patron of your choice will not do you any good. If you do not get rid of these two, then let it be known that I will truly make your lives miserable.
O.G
Madame Giry sighed and walked off and Meg looked at her mother. Meg still a little shaken by her encounter with the voice, looked at Christine.
" He's not happy with anything," Meg whispered
" I want new stagehands handling all those scenery piece or I won't be singing," Carlotta announced to the stagehands
" There might be hope after all," a stagehand whispered
" From the top Signora," Monsieur Reyer said
Meg and Christine sighed and warmed up again and then entered when it came to entering. Meg danced with let expression, but she was waiting for that night to dance.
That evening Meg was brought roses and other different flowers, the girls looked at the array of sprays of flowers. Christine smiled looking at each set and laughed, she found a note.
" To my dearest chorus girl, I wish you luck on your performance tonight. I will be in box five look for me there, love Comte de Facet," Christine read
" It appears someone's stolen the Comte's heart," a girl said, " He's absolutely handsome."
Meg smiled as she placed the flowers down and blushed a little.
" Meg, Christine, someone else seems to admire you both as well," another girl said
She walked over and they looked at the two roses tied with a black silk ribbon on their stems. Meg and Christine accepted the roses and looked at them.
" Who are they from?" Christine asked
" I don't know a gentleman just gave them to me, he didn't say who it was from," a chorus girl said
Meg looked at the rose and touched the ribbon.
" I know who they're from," Meg said
She got up suddenly and ran backstage and climbed up to the rooftop. She opened the door and looked about.
" I know you're here ,your always here," she called
Meg sighed and looked at the rose again, then returned inside from the bitter cold. She walked down and everyone looked at her.
" Who are they from?" Christine asked
" Erik," she said
" Erik?" Christine asked
Meg nodded and sat down and looked in the mirror and she saw a shadow walk off. She turned around and looked behind, but there was no one there.
" Box five, is always empty why were they now allowing people to purchase box five," Meg thought, " he'll be in grave danger if the Phantom comes."
The show began and Carlotta made her debut at the Opera Populaire, her sharp soprano voice rang out into the silence of the audience. Accompanied by the leading male and Carlotta's lover Piangi. Meg and Christine stood on the right side of the stage and closest to box five. As the chorus girls entered they pushed aside Carlotta to take the lime light from her, this was applauded by the audience. Meg looked up at box five and found her Comte de Facet there. Comte de Facet smiled and blew Meg a kiss, she smiled and went on.
Comte de Facet turned around suddenly to feel a hand touch his shoulder. He was greeted by a rope around his neck and a voice to follow.
" You are apparently new to the rules of this Opera house," the dark voice said
" Rules?" Comte de Facet coughed
" Yes, Rules," the voice growled as he pulled the noose tightly
Comte de Facet coughed and struggled to release himself. He pulled his dagger and cut at the rope. He was pulled down suddenly and Meg caught sight of this.
" The Comte," she cried out
Suddenly everything stopped and turned to box five. Meg ran off stage and ran towards box five.
" Meg come back!" her mother cried
The manager ran with two stagehands to box five and found the door locked.
" Comte de Facet!" they shouted
The door opened and they entered and there before their eyes the young Comte hung. Meg came running in and screamed and the manger pulled the screaming girl into his arms.
" Comte," she cried
A stagehand cut the young Comte down and the manger looked seeing not only had he been hung, but stabbed. Meg ran into box five and looked at her dead lover's body. The manger lifted a note and walked off, he told the stagehands to get the police and get Meg out of there. She struggled from their holds to stay with the dead Comte.
" Leave me!" she shouted at them, " Leave me be!"
Madame Giry walked in and gasped and looked around.
" Erik what have you done?" she thought, " What have you done to my daughter's only hope?"
Meg was taken downstairs and washed of his blood, but tears stained her face.
" Who did this?" she cried, " Who killed him?"
" We don't know mademoiselle," a stagehand said
Christine walked up to her friend and embraced her.
" I'm so sorry Meg," Christine said, " I know they will catch the culprit."
" He loved me, he wanted me to be his wife," Meg cried, " I wanted to be his wife."
Meg was taken to the dormitories and Christine stayed with her until she fell asleep. Meg cried and fell asleep as tears still stained her face. Who would dare do this?