Chapter 8

Days at the Opera Populaire

Author's note: Unfortunately, for my story to have any plot, I had to leave our favorite couple in the lair this chapter, and bring a glimpse of what is happening above their heads…sigh. Raoul makes an appearance in this chapter as well. It might not be what some expect…

Disclaimer: If I was the ruler of the world, everything would belong to me! Alas, I am not, therefore I don't own anything from the Phantom of the Opera.

And now, on with the story…

Madam Giry and Meg managed to make an effortless entry into the above levels of the Opera House; no one really noticed that they had been gone. Madam Giry went about the dancers, checking to make sure that everyone was well and no one had been injured in the chaos of the failed opera, Don Juan. Satisfied that all was as it should be, Madam Giry turned her attention to finding her two employers: Messieurs Firmin and Andre. She walked swiftly toward their office door. Madam Giry raised her hand to knock when she stopped suddenly. She heard her managers arguing loudly in their office.

"What do you mean, they didn't find anything? We should have stopped this foolishness when we received the first letter…Why argue, Andre? You saw, as I did, that our 'Phantom' was but a living man… It makes no sense that respectable people like ourselves should be plagued by a menace…We search again!"

Madam Giry found herself overhearing the beginning of a very heated argument. She wanted to announce her presence, but found herself wanting to hear more…

"Yes! Exactly! As soon as the reconstruction begins on the stage and auditorium, we will search every catacomb under the Opera House! If he was foolish enough to stay, then we will have our man…if he is gone, or better yet, dead, well so much the better for us…" Firmin was talking very excitedly. Madam Giry could image in her mind that his face was red, and that his mustache was twitching on his lip. At the thought, Madam Giry almost laughed. She heard Andre answer.

"By why must we wait until then? The construction won't start until the beginning of next month! Why not go now, into the lower levels of the Opera House, and take him by surprise? We could bring explosives…blow up all the secret passage ways…"

"And completely destroy the foundation upon which this Opera House sits? Are you mad, man? What's your next idea, drain the lake and fill it with rocks?"

"Well, now that you mention it…"

"Oh do shut up man! And after all the trouble that the mob caused us, we have to be discrete in our managing of the situation. The press would have a field day! They already believe that the Phantom is a ghost story…they all think we're mad! Especially since the mob returned not with the Phantom's body, but one of there own dead. No, it is much better to wait until the time is right. Think, Andre. There will be so much confusion and chaos up here due to construction, occupying most everyone. Then we, and a group of selected people, of course, will search the lower levels."

"These 'selected people' will be armed, of course?" Andre asked timidly.

"Oh Andre…"

Madam Giry whirled on her heels and left the door of her manager's office as fast as she could. She would return, to talk to her managers, but she needed time to process what she had just overheard. She knew that the information that she just heard was vital for Erik's survival. She feared that he would not fare well at all if discovered.

Meg was currently in Christine's room, trying to decide on which things her friend would need the most. The trick was to take enough to look as if Christine had left for a brief trip, but intended to still return to the Opera House. She made a care package of basic essentials: hair brush, tooth brush, undergarments, and changes of clothes. Meg glanced down at Christine's picture of her father, and quickly added that to her collection. She gathered everything together on top of Christine's bed, and tied the bed sheet around it, making a makeshift bag. Now came the tricky part. Meg needed to sneak some food. Her mother had said that Erik had some supplies down in the lair; they knew that he still had fresh water in abundance. But food was an entirely different matter. Luckily, (although Meg's mother didn't know this), Meg had been stealing food from the kitchens for ages. She went down the hallway by Christine's room, and walked to the darkened dead end. Meg glanced around for a moment, and when she was satisfied that no one was watching, she quickly slid behind the secret door in the dead end. Meg always felt a little rebellious when she entered her secret place. I imagine this is how Erik feels all the time, Meg thought with a grin. Perhaps we have more in common than either of us realizes. The small passage way led directly to the kitchen; the end door had a small decorative window that allowed Meg to see when it was safe to dart out. Meg waited a few moments as a fat, sweat stained cook meandered about the kitchen. When the kitchen was empty, Meg came out of her hiding place, and reached for an empty bread basket. She filled it with fruit, bread, cheese, and anything else she thought would be useful to take. Her eyes spotted a bottle of wine in the corner of a counter. Do I dare? Meg thought with a mischievous grin on her face. Of course I do! Meg snatched the bottle, and tucked it in safely in the basket, where it would not be found by her mother's sharp eyes. That should ensure a little fun, Meg thought as she climbed back into the passage way.
Madam Giry went back to her room, trying to compose her self and think upon what she had overheard. She knew one thing for certain: Erik could not be anywhere near the Opera House when Firmin and Andre came searching. What could she do? She had no doubt that Erik would be more than able to take care of himself by that time, given no complications with his injuries. But where would he go? Madam Giry had no relatives that might take him in, and she owned no property of her own. This would be quite the quandary. Madam Giry sighed out loud. If it wasn't one problem, it was another. She would have to present this to Erik; he may well have some property somewhere that she didn't know about. She turned to go to the door of her room to exit when there was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Madam Giry asked politely.

"It's Raoul de Chagny, Madam Giry."

Madam Giry froze. The boy would want to know where Christine was. What was she to do? Lie, she told herself firmly. She must lie.

"One moment, dear," Madam Giry said in response, and she reached to open the door.

Raoul entered. He was impeccably dressed, as always. Madam Giry glanced at him carefully as he took the seat that she offered him. He didn't seem distressed about anything. Maybe this was just a courtesy call?

Raoul upset that theory with his next words. "Christine has returned to the Phantom, hasn't she? He's still here, underneath the Opera House…"

Madam Giry quickly turned away from him, to hide her shock. Whatever she had expected, this was the furthest thing that would have come to mind. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

"It's fine. I didn't come here to force you to take me to her, nor to demand that she leave with me. Christine has made her choice. I have only come to learn the truth. I have only come to gain closure." Raoul gently rotated Madam Giry to look into her eyes.

"Is she happy?" Raoul asked quietly.

"Yes. Without a doubt." Madam Giry said gently. "I know that this must be hard for you…"

"Madam, you have no idea…The man is a wanted murderer! He is deranged! How do you know that he hasn't brainwashed her, or threatened her in some way? He wants nothing for her happiness! But I do!" Raoul blurted out. He had sadness in his eyes. "I would have loved her, loved her for every day in my life!"

"Vicomte, please. I do not think that I have the right to tell you anything concerning Christine. You must trust her to make her own decisions. Miss Daae is not a child any longer, Monsieur. If you truly value her happiness, you will leave this matter alone!" Madam Giry said firmly. Then she softened.

"My dear, if I may be so bold…what kind of life would Christine have had as a Vicometess? You would have been able to provide her with most any tangible creation in all of Paris, even the world. But what of her voice, Monsieur? Would she still sing in an Opera House, with dancers and performers? It would not have been proper for her or you. She is a songbird, my dear, and can't be caged."

"Yes…I know…it is just hard to accept…" Raoul said, shaking his head sadly.

"Accept her friendship, dear Vicomte. By accepting her friendship, you accept her love as well, and that love is a strong bond." Madam Giry placed her hand on Raoul's shoulder in comfort.

"You…are right, of course, Madam. To see Christine happy is the most important thing for me. I will do as you suggest." Raoul turned to leave.

"I will still be patron to this Opera House, Madam. I will make myself available if you ever need assistance." Raoul's eyes glittered in knowing, and Madam Giry smiled.

"Thank you, dear Vicomte. I will remember your offer, and accept it one day…"

"Until then, Madam." With that having been said, Raoul turned to leave the room when Madam Giry stopped him.

"I trust that you will remain…discrete in your decisions on who to reveal this information to? You know many secrets, Monsieur, and many would harm others if told…"

"I would never do anything to put Christine in danger, Madam. You have my word of honor." Raoul's eyes flashed fire at Madam Giry, and he swiftly left the small room.

Madam Giry breathed a deep sigh of relief. The boy was obviously smarter than he first appeared. He truly cared for Christine, enough so as to accept that she had chosen his rival over him…and then to offer his help…

Madam Giry smiled slightly to herself. She knew that she would never call upon his aid, and she believed that he knew that as well. Well, she thought to herself, fate has done trickier things…

Madam Giry left her room. She needed to speak to both Erik and Christine as soon as possible, but she also knew that she needed to speak to Firmin and Andre before she left. Madam Giry started once more toward her managers' office.

This time when she reached the door, Madam Giry swiftly knocked. Firmin called the customary response, and Madam Giry walked in.

"Ah, Madam Giry, always a pleasure!" Firmin rose from his seat and inclined his head in respect. "Please forgive me for the state of my office; it is a considerable mess, and I can't do anything about it until Andre returns…please forgive his absence as well, Madam." Firmin came from behind his desk and pulled a chair out for Madam Giry to sit in. After seeing to her comforts, he returned to his seat and sat down.

"Now, Madam, what is it that I can do for you?" Firmin asked calmly.

"I was simply wondering how the chandelier crash will affect the rest of the season, Monsieur. Would it be wise to cancel the rest of the season? What would you like me to do with the dancers?" Madam Giry sounded nonchalant. She studied Firmin carefully for a moment. He was, understandably, in an incredibly frustrating position, and he was clearly worried about the fate of the Opera Populaire. But was it her imagination, or did he seem, well overly polite? She had often times felt that her managers disliked her, and now M. Firmin was being especially pleasant to her. Madam Giry immediately put herself on guard.

"Right now, my partner and I intend only on canceling a minimum number of shows this season. As soon as the stage and auditorium are presentable again, we will begin with the next opera in our repertoire. Your dancers will find themselves with extra time on their hands, I'm afraid, for we have no idea what opera we will be performing. We are in the position of having to find a new tenor, what with Piangi's untimely demise. We may have to find a new prima donna as well, for I fear that La Carlotta will not return. Have you, by any chance, talked to Miss Daae? Will she be returning?" Firmin looked at Madam Giry hopefully, only to find Madam Giry shaking her head.

"Miss Daae has taken a leave of the Opera House for a time. She will return, Monsieur, but I do not know when." Madam Giry felt relieved to answer truthfully.

Firmin shook his head sadly. "Well, I certainly can't blame her for not wanting to return! What with all this 'Phantom' business…tell me, Madam Giry, do you think that we have seen the last of the Phantom of the Opera?"

Madam Giry glanced at Firmin, and firmly shook her head. "I don't know, Monsieur, I just don't know."

She turned away quickly as Firmin gave her leave to go. As the door shut behind her, she said softly:

"I hope so…"

At the same time, Firmin smiled in his lighted office.

"We shall see, Madam. We shall see."