Chapter 4: The Audition
Marie Claire danced down the stairs the day of the audition. It had been nearly a week since her talk with her parents, and the excitement of waiting for the audition had nearly killed her. Though she still had a fear of the phantom, she pushed it away. She was going to be famous! Raoul smiled at his daughter as he watched her come down the stairs. He was very happy for his daughter, but he was still quite worried, as was Christine. Christine smiled brightly at her daughter, though she looked rather pale. This was probably because she hadn't gotten any sleep the night before. Felix had been having bad dreams, so she and Raoul had stayed up all night reading stories to him. But it didn't help that her daughter was trying out for her first production today. She and Raoul were very proud that Marie Claire had shown such talent for singing and ballet.
"Good morning, everyone!" said Marie brightly, "Where's Felix?'
"Still in bed," said Christine, "He didn't get much sleep last night because he was having nightmares."
"Well you look like a bright bit of sunshine this morning." said Raoul, as he gave his daughter a good morning kiss on the cheek.
"Of course I do father, I'm trying out for my first production today!"
Raoul and Christine laughed. Marie was so excited. They just hoped that nothing unexpected ruined her day. She could truly do well and probably get a good part in the production. Breakfast went on normally, except the fact that Marie squirmed in her seat through the whole affair, she was so excited to go. Finally the carriage was at the door, and Marie Claire ran out the door, with her parents following close behind her. It was a quick journey to the opera house, but when the carriage pulled up, Marie didn't jump out as her parents expected her to.
"Are you okay dear?" asked Christine, "You look rather pale."
Marie shook her dark head,as if trying to shake off something.
"I'm okay. I'm just a little nervous, that's all."
"I'm sure you'll do fantastic darling." said Raoul.
Marie laughed.
"Aren't fathers supposed to say that?" she asked jokingly.
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it." said Raoul winking at her.
"I'll just remeber to do everything that you taught me mother.' said Marie Claire.
"That's right." said Christine, smiling broadly.
"Well, here it goes." said Marie rather breathlessly.
And so the family got out of the carriage. Christine and Raoul walked hand in hand inside the opera house, with Marie Claire walking beside them. They walked inside the doors and saw none but Carlotta, who promptly rolled her eyes at them. They ignored her. They were then pounced upon by Firmin and Andre.
"Good morning Christine and Raoul." they said jovially. "And good morning my dear Marie Claire. We're sure that you will do very well today." they said, smiling down upon her.
Marie smiled, but couldn't help feeling a bit nervous. Her stomach was doing flip flops. But she looked up into her parents faces an her courage was renewed. As she walked into the theater, she saw her best friend Elizabeth, who was Meg's daughter. Elizabeth smiled at her and shot her a thumbs up. Marie Claire suddenly found herself swooped down upon by Madame Giry, who ushered her onto the stage. She still moved remarkably fast for someone who was getting rather old.
"Well I daresay its about time that you came to try out."Madame Giry said in a rush. "I'm sure you will do very well my dear. And it would be best if you didn't look at Elizabeth, because I'm sure that she will make you laugh."
Marie smiled. Elizabeth would probably make faces at her from the audience. Marie sat down with the other girls her age that wer trying out. It was to bad that Elizabeth was not up here to, she had tried out yesterday, and she had made it. It seemed that Marie Claire waited forever. It seemed like years, and she got more nervous as it got closer and closer to her turn. And then, it finally came. And as Marie stepped out onto the stage and began singing, it seemed as if her nerves all melted away. She was doing what she loved best, singing her heart out. She had chosen to sing ' Think of me' because she knew it so well. The song seemed to gog by very fast. When she was through, Marie found herself recieving a standing ovation from the people watching and all the people watching.
"Bravo Madmoiselle!" said Andre and Firmin together. "I do believe we found ourselves a risng star!"
Marie was ecstatic. She had sung better than she ever had. She hoped that she reicieved a role. Raoul and Christine beamed at her from the audience. But as Marie walked down form the stage, she thought she heard a voice saying "Bravissimo" very softly. And from the look on her mother's face she heard it to. But Marie shook it off. She was sure that she was imagining things. She was to happy to let anything bother her.
After congratulating his daughter and tickling her mercilessly, Raoul left Christine and Marie talking to Meg and Madame Giry. He wanted to explore the new additions that had been made to the opera house. But as he stepped into one small room, he felt a presence that he hadn't felt in a very long time. Then suddenly a rope came down from the ceiling. But Raoul was ready for this. He raised up his hand and caught the rope, knowing exactly who was in the room there with him.
"I don't think so." whispered Raoul softly, "I know that trick."
He walked slowly out of the room, casting a final look around the seemingly empty room. Raoul found Christine and Marie and gave them both a warm hug. He wouldn' t tell them what had happened yet, he didn't want to ruin this wonderful day. But he couldn't help but think that he and Christine's fears had come true. He walked hand in hand with his wife and daughter as they walked, and he squeezed their hands tightly. He would protect them no matter what. And as the three walked down the street, Raoul knew that Erik was watching them. And from his posistion at the window, Erik could indeed see them. And he was angry. As much as he wanted to control it, he couldn't.
"Damn you, curse you..." he whispered under his breath.
