Please excuse this chapter; I'm having some problems clearing the gap between the last chapter and the next interesting one. Oh, damn.
This is a long chapter but with good reason. No Erik in this chapter nor the next, but then you get a bunch of Erik so isn't that just fun?
Claire could not shake off the feelings from the previous night. It stayed with her all throughout rehearsals the next day. As they practiced the closing scene in Hannibal an announcement was made. The ownership of the theater was to be taking over by two men, Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre. They greeted the cast with enthusiasm and delight. Firmin made a rather ineloquent speech,
"My partner and I are thrilled to be a part of this theater and its productions. We look forward to meeting all of you and watching you perform." His eyes wandered the dancers. Claire felt his eyes fixate on her for a moment and then continue to move down the line. She didn't want to even begin to imagine what was going on in his mind. Andre nodded his head and added,
"We will be attending the performance tomorrow night. We expect a full house so do your best!" The two men smiled at each other. Madame Giry entered the room carrying a letter in hand. Claire caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of her eye. Her heart stopped when she saw the familiar red skull.
"Monsieur's I have a message for you," she said, "It is from the Opera Ghost."
"Oh dear god, who in heaven's name is this Opera Ghost you speak of?" Monsieur Andre asked snatching the letter from Madame Giry. He opened it up rather hastily and read aloud,
I welcome you to my Opera House. In the memorandum-book you will find several clauses which speak of my required needs. I am sure Monsieur Poligny will show this too you before he leaves you too your duties. Your obedient servant,
O.G
"What kind of nonsense is this?" Firmin roared looking at the faces surrounding him.
"Did our previous managers not tell you of the Opera Ghost? He is not to be take lightly," Giry said, "He requires that box five always be kept empty for him and that his salary of 20 thousand francs a month is paid in full." Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre looked as if they'd been slapped.
"20 thousand Francs a month!" exclaimed Andre and Firmin threw the letter to the ground.
"I would like to speak to Monsieur Poligny at once!" he said and stormed out with Andre at his heels. As soon as they were out of ear shot the whole stage lit up with delighted conversation. Meg turned to Claire.
"This is all so exciting! All this commotion the night before Hannibal opens! Hopefully the new managers won't make too much of a fuss. The Phantom of the Opera doesn't take too kindly to people disobeying his orders." Claire turned pale as she remembered her encounter from the pervious night.
"What's wrong Claire?" Meg asked, concern filling her voice. Before Claire had a chance to answer, Madame Giry came up beside Meg.
"Meg, you know you are not to speak of the Opera Ghost. Why must you always disobey me so?" Meg looked down at her feet, refusing to meet her mothers scolding eyes.
"I didn't hold my tongue and for that I am sorry," she apologized. Claire looked to Madame Giry and watched as the anger slipped from her face and was replaced by a warm smile.
"Watch what you say next time for you never know whose listening," Giry said and went over to another group of dancers. The rehearsals continued without interruption and everyone parted for lunch. All was looking well for opening night. Claire and Meg walked side by side through the long hallways of the opera house. Racing up the stairs they reached the mess hall where most of the residents of the Opera House dined.
"Want to go out and eat?" Meg asked, stars in her eyes. Claire giggled.
"I don't have any money," she said, disappointment apparent. Meg smiled and replied,
"I have some saved. It's in the wardrobe in the dormitory. Let's go get changed and then find a small café were we can sit and talk. We haven't done that in awhile!" Meg exclaimed, her voice filling with delight. Claire couldn't resist the invitation and was quick to race up to the dormitories with Meg close behind her. It would be nice to get out of the Opera house. Meg and Claire, not sharing the same room, went into their own and got ready. Claire changed into a long skirt and white blouse. It was spring, still cold enough for long skirts and just warm enough for loose fitting blouses.
"This should be good enough," Claire said too herself. She turned to leave the room but her attention was suddenly averted to her bed. Upon her pillow there lay a single, red rose and beside it a note. Claire looked about the room expecting there to be someone there but she found no one. Cautiously she approached her bed and picked up the letter leaving the rose for the time being. She recognized the emblem immediately and tore it open.
I am sorry for last night. It seems I acted out of turn. A chapel is by no means a place where a man and a woman should feel such things. I ask you, Claire, if you won't come to me tonight? I have long waited the moment when we should meet. You will be in no danger, so long as you do not touch the mask. I anxiously await tonight.
O.G
Claire looked at the letter a moment longer and then placed it under her pillow. She now had the rose to deal with. It was a normal rose, except this one was adorned by a black ribbon. It looked beautiful and sad all at the same time. She picked it up and studied it. Just a normal rose, but what did it mean?
"Are you quite ready yet?" she heard Meg say and she spun around nearly tripping over her own two feet. Meg gave her a puzzled look and her eyes fell to the Rose.
"Ah, you didn't tell me you had an admirer? Do tell!" Meg said. Claire blushed and pushed a strand of hair back behind her ear.
"It's nothing really," she explained, "It's just another one of those silly men looking to get me into bed." Meg's mouth formed a silent O and then motioned for Claire to hurry along. Claire turned back to her bed and removed the black ribbon from the rose. She then placed it gently on her bed side table and left the room.
