Notes
Aubrey and Kane looked at each other with look of confirmation. Cadence gaze was fixed on the small envelope. She had read stories, and seen a musical, which involves such envelopes. Her two brothers excused themselves and left the box and headed towards the manager's office. She watched them leave and slumped into a dusty seat. It didn't make sense, the Opera Ghost she was familiar with lived around the same time this theater was built. It had to be that someone was playing a trick on them but how could that be? The only people who knew about the purchase of the theater were her brothers, the former manager and his wife. Neither the old manager nor his wife seemed up to playing such a trick. They were just too old. Something was defiantly a miss here, unfortunately she promised her brothers she wouldn't stick her nose were it didn't belong.
In the office the brothers put on their winter gloves and gently opened the envelope. Inside was a small square of paper with red ink writing on both sides. The brothers nervously looked at each other and started reading.
To my new Managers
I must insist that you keep with the tradition of the theater, which
I'm sure M. Gibbs has explained to you. However I doubt that he gave details
to the most important of traditions, my salary. I get paid one thousand euros
a month. I think that is more than generous on my part. I also expect my theater
to be cleaned within the week. Welcome to my theater gentlemen.
Your friend,
O.G.
Cadence got up from her seat and looked around, she had felt someone watching her again. She heard a faint rustling of satin outside the box. She rushed out of the box to see where the noise came from and found nothing. The noise sounded like it was moving so she followed it. The rustling was then joined by two sets of footsteps as she chased the sound all over the theater. The sound took her back stage and down the old wooden stairs to the dressing rooms with thick wooden doors. She heard a door open and close then everything fell silent. Cadence looked down at the dust-covered floor, slight imprints of a man's shoe lead to one of the dressing rooms. Upon further inspection of the dressing room door she found a small key in the lock. She pushed the heavy door open to find darkness. She felt around the walls for a gas lamp. She found one a moment later and turned the knob to release the gas. She pulled a lighter out of her boot and lit the lamp. Light flooded the small room casting eerie shadows on the walls. She easily found another lamp and lit that one as well.
The room was beautifully decorated with oriental rugs covering the old wooden floor. Across the room was a large dusted vanity mirror surrounded by small glass bottles of perfume. She realized the whole room was clean, unlike the rest of the theater. To the left of the door was a small table with two wooden chairs that have feather cushions. On the table was a large blue blown glass vase that had a black velvet ribbon tied around the rim with two-dozen roses inside. Cadence walked over to the vase and found a small envelope similar to the one her brothers had found earlier. She picked it up and looked at the front.
Cadence
She brushed her hand over the red ink and found that it was still slightly damp. She examined the red ink on her fingers and frowned. Using her clean hand she gently opened the mysterious envelope. Inside was a small square of paper with writing one either side in the same red ink. Just as the ink was fresh on the envelope, it was also fresh on the paper.
To Cadence,
I hope you like the flowers, as I wasn't sure what flowers you like. I also
hope that you enjoy the dressing room I had it cleaned especially for you. Before
you tell your brothers, M. Gibbs did inform me of the purchase. As you already
know your brothers are also well aware of my presence. I am anxious to see this
theater shine again and I do hope you will find talented performers as you are a
bit more observant then you brothers. I also hear that you yourself are an
actress and a singer. I await the day I will be able to watch you perform. Until
then, if you wish, I would be glad to tutor you in your singing.
Sincerely
An Angel
Cadence looked up from the note and looked around nervously. She walked over to the lamps put them out and left the room. Once outside the room she closed and locked the door. She looked at the small key in her hand and considered it a moment. Then she carefully placed it in a small pouch in her boot, and walked back towards the stage.