Sweet Intoxication
Chapter Three: Mysteries and Dilemas
Author's Note : Hey guys! Sorry for not updating sooner, but I just got a brand new computer, had to transfer all my files and it took quite a while, but anyway here is Chapter Three! It's kind of a transition chapter, and sorry, Erik and Christine are not in this one, but I hope you enjoy it anyway!
P.S. Thank you so much to all of my great reviewers! Reading your wonderful reviews totally makes my day!
P.P.S. I apologize now for all the spelling and gramatical errors that I'm confident will be in this story. I haven't gotten Spellcheck installed on my computer yet, so I have no way to realize any mistakes I may have made. Sorry:)
Disclaimer: I am Andrew Lloyd Webber! I am a millionaire and I own The Phantom of the Opera!( Reality Check: NO, I am NOT really ALW, and I don't own The Phantom of the Opera! Waaaaaaaa!)
Monsieur Firmin bounded up the steps to the Opera Populaire, out of breath and clutching a copy of the daily paper. He let himself into his office and sat down to read. Last night's gala had definitly filled the headlines, but not exactly the way he and Andre had anticipated. The papers were filled with stories about the new soprano, Christine Daae's mysterious disappearance and all the stories were subtly suggesting that she had run off with her new lover. Everyone was talking about it on the streets. The only good thing, Firmin thought, that could possibly come out of this was all the free publicity the Opera Populaire was recieving. He just prayed Andre wouldn't murder him when he heard the news.
Unfortunatly, Firmin's prayers fell on deaf ears. Andre came stomping in, his face blood red, and was struggling to control himself and his voice as he almost shouted at Firmin" Look at this!" he said, slamming the paper onto Firmin's desk. "Mystery of Soprano's Flight! We are mystified, we suspect FOUL PLAY?" he almost screamed. "What is the matter with all these damn people? First they're all obsessed with that ridicoulous Opera Ghost, now they're running out of here right and left as if the goddamn ghost actually exists!"
"Well, Andre, they may have good reason to believe so. I recieved a rather odd, uh, request in my mailbox this morning."
"As did I!"
"Well, best get on with it. What did the ghost send you?"
Andre scowled, cleared his throat and began to read:
Dear Andre:
What a charming gala! Christine was in a word sublime. We were heardly bereft when Carlotta left. On that note, the diva's a disaster! Must you cast her when she seasons past her prime?
O.G.
Firmin gave Andre a furious look of his own and began reading his note:
Dear Firmin:
Just a brief reminder: My salary has not been paid. Send it care of the Ghost by return of Post PTO. No one likes a debter, so it's better if my orders are obeyed!
O.G.
"Who would have the gaul to send such a rude note? Obviously, we're dealing with an insane ghost, and a runaway soprano!" Andre said, falling into an armchair.
"Andre, calm down! It is free publicity for the Opera House, and it's much more attention than we ever recieved in the junk business."
"Scrap Metal!"
"Yes, yes, well we have much more important problems to solve. Like where the hell did that Daae girl go? And what happened to Carlotta? What if neither of them will return? We could-"
"Where is she?" demanded the Vicomte de Changy, storming into the office.
"You mean Carlotta?" asked Firmin
" I mean Miss Daae. Where is she?" asked the Vicomte
"We don't know! That's what we've been pondering!" exclaimed Andre
"She isn't with you?" said the Vicomte " I've been so worried!"
"Goodness no, Vicomte we haven't seen her since last night. But, perhaps you know where Miss Daae might be?" Firmin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Monsieur, how dare you even suggest such a thing! I had only the most honorable intentions when I went to speak to her last night!" said Rauol. "I only become more concerned when I recieved this note!"
"Oh god, not another note!" groaned Andre
Ignoring him, the Vicomte began to read
Do not fear for Miss Daae. The Angel of Music will keep her under his wing untill furthur notice. Do not attempt to find her, Messiurs. You have been warned.
"Oh great! Wonderful!" said Firmin "First Carlotta storms off, now Christine's off having a holiday with her Angel! God knows what they're-"
"Monsieur!" broke in the Vicomte"You will stop speaking about Miss Daae as if she is some common night patron or I have a good mind to-"
"Where is she!" came an annoyingly familiar shrill voice from outside the door, and moments later, in stormed Carlotta with her entire staff behind her.
"Signora! Welcome back! You've been sorely missed." said Andre, intending to kiss her hand before pointed her finger at his face
"No! You be quiet! Where is your precious little Christine Daae now?" sneered Carlotta
"We don't know! She's just gone!" stuttered Firmin
"Oh, so this was some publicity stunt just to bring me back?" shrieked Carlotta
At that moment, Meg and Madame Giry came bursting into the office
"Monsieur! Where is Christine! I was so worried! What has happened to her?" asked Madame Giry
"Oh good god, for the last time: We have no idea where Miss Daae has gone. She disappeared last night and we are trying to determine where it is she might be!" said Firmin
"Bah! She could be anywhere in this horrid place! She probably is still in her room, waiting for her little lover!" Carlotta hissed at Rauol. He was immediatly about to respond, but Madame Giry beat him to the punch
"How dare you! Christine is a virtuous, honorable girl and a marvelous singer, unlike you!If you hate this place so much, why don't you just leave us all permanently and then we all will have one less problem to worry about?" said Madame Giry, which made everyone's jaw drop.
"Oh! That is it! I am leaving for real this time! Nothing you say can make me come back! Bye-Bye, now I'm really gone!" said Carlotta
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out!" called Madame Giry.
"Madame Giry! How could you! You just forced our only remaining soprano right out the door!" said Firmin
"Bah! Christine is a better singer than she ever was."
"Well, it would be great if we could find Christine and fetch her from this 'Angel of Music'" said Andre.
"What?" said Madame Giry sharply inhaling.
"Show her the note, Vicomte."
Silently, Rauol handed her the note. Madame Giry quickly read the few sentances and felt a horrible drop in the pit of her stomach."Erik" she quietly muttered.
"What did you say, Mother?" asked Meg.
"Nothing, dear. Monsieurs, I certainly hope you allhave a plan to find Christine."
"We'll try, Madame Giry. But Il Muto begins in less than a week, and we need our star!" said Firmin
"I will try to help you find her Monsieurs." said Madame Giry. But, I suppose it is all in our Angel's hands now she thought.
Author's Note 2: Hello readers. I just wanted to let you know thatChapter 4 will be an all E/C chapter. I just had to mention some of the other characters in this chapter. I hope I didn't give Madame Giry too much attitude, it just seems like she's always taking everyone's crap all the time, so I just let her speak up. Once again, please, please, pleaseREAD and REVIEW so I'll know what you think and if there's any ways I could improve this story!
BroadwayGirl257