The Phantom Of The Opera
Inside my mind…'
"Helen! I came as soon as I heard! Congratulations!" Helen's friend, Genevieve, stated as she came up the stairs in a big dress. She always loved the way her mother used to dress.
"Gen! How good it is to see you!" Helen gave her a hug, "Come see!"
"All right!" Gen walked gracefully behind Helen. Helen led her through the halls.
" We've finished the halls, Fourier, and I've gotten someone to do the chandelier! For free!" Helen stated as she led her friend up the second flight of stairs.
"Free? How?" Gen stopped her friend by grabbing her arm.
"I promised them passes for the first year of the reopening… but that looks to be in about seven to eight months from now!" Helen continued, cautiously taking the stairs.
"I'd say! Wow! You certainly know how to get this place a life…" Gen said, running her hand along the carvings in the railings, "But do you think that he may return also?" Gen asked, whispering. They continued to look around.
"Gen… we know that he was older then my father! He must be dead by now!" Helen stated absentmindedly.
"If I didn't know any better… I'd say you want him to come back!" Gen said a little loud. Good thing they were out of earshot.
"Gen! Things have been happening all ready! I sat down in one of the dusty chairs yesterday and when I got up I expected my dress to be all dirty, but there was no dirt! The chair was absolutely clean and furnished! Red velvet and all!" Helen whispered.
"Are you joking?" Gen replied, "How could a sea…Oh my!" Gen pointed behind Helen with a look of shock on her face.
"What?" Helen turned around to see a black cape vanish into a doorway.
"It was him, Helen…The Phantom!" Gen grabbed her by the arms.
"Gen! Calm down!" Helen took her friend's hands off her arms.
" I'm not lying!" Gen stated.
"I saw it too… it's okay. We'll leave him be… The Opera House is not alive without him…"
"Box five! Leave box five open for him on the opening night!" Gen whispered.
"Gen! Let's just go on our way…. You remember damn well that he likes to be left alone unless he calls! Come. The day is almost done…"
Helen dismissed everyone and locked up her shared artwork. Gen smiled at her and stated,
"So where is this little inn you were telling me about in your letters…?"
"Right down the street…" Helen zoned out. For she heard a voice singing from inside.
'Wishing your mother were here again.
Knowing that you'll do the same…
Wishing she were here again…
Knowing you are under my tame…'
"Helen? Are you all right?" Gen asked.
"Yes, fine…" she looked at the Opera House behind them. Gen laughed,
" It'll be there in the morning, Len… Let's get some supper…" Gen saw the inn on the street and pointed at it. Helen nodded. They went inside laughing and talking about the last time they had gotten together.
" 'ow was it today, Love?" Lady Harrenson asked, setting down their meals.
"It's great! We may be able to open in six months! For your gratitude, I'll reserve a box for you and your husband." Lady Harrenson smiled and nodded before she left.
"Helen… we need to start…"
" We? Are you owner of it now, too?" Helen asked Gen.
" Of course! I'm not going to let you take all the glory!" Gen laughed, "As I was saying! We need to pick a play and start auditions…"
"All right… you can do the auditions… Happy?" Helen rolled her eyes while taking a drink of milk.
"Really? Wow! Thanks! I won't let you down!"
"I know you wont…but…"
"Sing for me please…" Gen stated. "No! Wait! Excuse me! Could I have everyone's attention? Thank you!" Gen thanked as the room fell silent. "Helen is going to sing, and we need an audience! Go ahead Helen!"
Helen had no choice. She sang what her mother used to sing to her,
"Nighttime sharpens, heightens each sensation
Darkness wakes and stirs imagination
Silently the senses abandon their defenses
Helpless to resist the notes…"
Helen stopped. She heard the song being repeated in a familiar voice.
"HELEN!"
That was the last thing she heard before her vision went black and she felt herself falling.
She was caught in the arms of the Phantom, who was singing to her,
"Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor
Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender
Hearing is believing, Music is deceiving
Hard as lightning, soft as candlelight
Dare you trust the music of the night…?"
"I close my eyes…" Helen was set in a bed. The Phantom began to hum warmly as he closed black curtains around her…
"Helen?" Gen sat beside her.
"Gen…?" Helen smiled, vision becoming clearer.
"Oh thank God!" Gen dabbed Helen's forehead with a damp towel.
"What time is it?" Helen asked alarmed.
"Two in the morn, Len… You've been out for a few hours! I was worried about you! You just fell forward!" Gen yawned.
"Go to bed, Gen…" Helen turned.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Gen replied standing.
" I'm positive…get some sleep. I'll see you in a few hours…" Helen assured, with a yawn.
"All right…Good night Len…" She closed the door softly behind her.
Helen waited until she knew that Gen was gone. She then closed her eyes and sang softly,
"Phantom of my History…
Please tell me why you're here—
I need to solve this mystery…
Tell me, oh one, my mother feared…"
"Child. Don't be scared…
Just do as I ask…
I won't set our artwork a flare…
Just…"The Phantom replied in her head.
"Continue Phantom!
I will listen…" Helen sang back; she felt herself falling asleep.
"Rise up my loving child!
Don't fear or scream…
The face behind the mask –
Is not what it may seem…"
"Appearance is not to judge by!
Phantom, I ask of you one thing…"
" Ask me it, child
And I shall complete it…" the Phantom spoke more than sang.
"Write me an Opera!
Just name your share!" Helen sang quietly.
"20,000 will do!"
"20,000 franks is nothing!
10,000 more for delay!" Helen whispered.
There was a delay in a reply.
"Is shall be my best one yet!
Thank you for your generosity!"
" It shall be placed upon the stair…
Leading to your dark world!
Don't be afraid and meet me there!
I wish to see my Phantom's face!"
"With the mask in it's place…"
An annoying tapping on the door awaked Helen. She moaned.
"Helen? Are you decent?" A male voice asked.
"How com that voice sounds familiar?" Helen slid out of bed and into her robe.
"Dress and meet us downstairs, Len…" Gen's voice said, "You only have an hour before we need to be at the Opera House!"
Two pairs of feet went down the stairs.
Helen dressed hurriedly and rushed down the stairs, only to bump into someone.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Mrs. Huisingh!" Helen stated loudly as she ran into the small, old Asian lady at the bottom.
" Oh, no trouble Helen! Would you be so kind as to help me up the stair?"
Helen nodded and slowly helped her up the stairs…one. At. A. Time. Once she reached the top, she bid Mrs. Huisingh good day and ran back down the stairs.
"Who does that voice belong to?
Why is it so familiar?
What does this day hold for me?
Who could it be…"
Helen found Gen sitting, facing her, and young man's back towards her. Gen whispered to him and her turned,
"Hello Len! Do you remember me?"
Helen studied his face remembering everything.
"No." She said defiant, although, it was not she. She remembered!
"I'm sure you do…?"
'I do! I do!' Helen thought, "I don't…"
"A good-bye kiss at the fountain in Italy?" he asked appalled.
' I remember, Rich! I do!' Helen wanted to scream. All she got was, "Oh! Yes!"
What voice was this!
"I was wondering…" Rich replied.
"I'm s-sorry, Rich. I'm still a little dizzy from last night…" Helen replied awkwardly.
Gen eyed her suspiciously.
"Gen! Stop watching me like a fox after a dead rabbit!" Helen commented, "I wish I could stay, but, I must go to the bank! I'll see you two at the Opera house?" Helen asseumed.
"Sure thing, Len!" Gen replied. Rich smiled with a confident nod in agreement.
Helen shut the door behind her and walked swiftly to the bank, six streets away.
Helen looked at kids playing tag and games in the dirt. They looked so happy for having almost nothing.
Some of their parents waved and smiled at her. She did the same with an occasional, "Good morning!"
When she reached the bank, a man tipped his hat, opened the door, and let her in before himself.
"Thank you…" she replied in a small voice.
" No trouble, Miss!" he walked off to a teller.
Helen had forgotten how polite people were.
She looked around for an available teller, found one, and walked up to him.
"May I help you Miss?" the short man asked.
"Yes. I'd like to make a withdrawal…"
With 30,000 franks, in a purse, tucked under her arm, Helen walked into the Fourier of the Opera house. Men worked diligently on the halls to make them into their original beauty, gave Helen a comfort.
"Hello Helen! What is the purse for?" Gen came walking up.
"Later…"Helen watched the men work.
At about two in the afternoon, the downstairs' halls were restored and finished. Those forty men then went upstairs to help the others.
"What do we start tomorrow, Len?" Gen watched with her.
"The auditorium. You know, the balconies, box seats, doors, and the seats. Four or so days later, I figure we'll start the walls, ceiling, and orcistra pit. Whenever that's done…the stage and behind it… I want to make it as wonderful as ever…" Helen stated, absent-mindedly. Rich looked around,
"No one's looking! Let's go in and hear that voice!" Rich opened the finished doors and stepped into ash, "Damn…"
They looked around. It was a huge mess. Helen hadn't remembered it being that big of a mess when she came in here three days ago! The footprints of men's shoes were still imprinted from the removal of the chandelier.
Helen went up to the stage and sang a quick line from a song,
"Angle! I hear you!
Speak –
I listen…
Stay by my side,
Guide me!"
Rich stood clapping dramatically. Gen elbowed him in the ribs to stop acting like a kid.
Helen played along and bowed. They dismissed the workers. She walked with them to the inn, laughing and exchanging stories. But Helen knew she had to come back later that night…