Final
Paris, the Paris Opera, 1905
"Sir? Wake up sir, we've arrived."
The Viscount-de-Chagny
My steps are slow as I exit the cab and walked up the familiar steps, into the main foyer of the old Paris Opera. I find myself marveling at the beauty around me once more, even though it has fallen into a state of decay. It could be repaired, if someone had the determination to do it… Erik would have, but that was all so long ago… whatever became of you Erik? So many years… can you still be alive? The other people in the room are all migrating towards the stage. Well, at least someone knows where to go. I follow them through the doors and to the stage where the action is taking place, some people greet me, but my focus is not on them.
Too many memories in these walls… I can see them now, ballet dancers on the stage, their skirts floating around them, I see Elephants and fire, and golden eyes… I see the gun, the cast recoil as a figure falls… and I see Peter weeping as he drops the smoking pistol to the floor… older memories to… oh Christine… would have been pleased with the way things turned out? Are they with you now Christine? Old Andre and Firmin, rest their souls, …Daroga, I think, I miss him most of all… How familiar some of these things are… Some of these things, these simple objects that are themselves mere portals to memory… yes, they all bring back memories…
"Lot 665 then, a papier-mâché box in the shape of a barrel organ, attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian robes playing the symbols, this item! Discovered in the vaults of the theater, and still in working order, showing here. May I start at ten franks?
"Fifteen."
" Fifteen then? Fifteen bid,"
"Twenty."
"Twenty sir thank you, twenty then"
"Twenty five."
"Twenty five then, thank you madam,"
"Thirty."
"Thirty! Selling at thirty then! Thirty once, twice! Sold for thirty franks to the Viscount –de-Chagny, thank you, sir."
...And speaking of portals… Dear god. Can it be? After so many years… "A collectors piece, indeed, every detail... exactly as she said." It's a miracle you've survived the decay of everything else, but I would recognize you, even if you were no more than a wire frame… "She often spoke of you my friend, your velvet lining, and you're figuring of lead..." To think, this toy has outlived so many...
"…Will you still play, when all the rest of us... are dead..?"
Few paid any heed to the older man in their midst, turning their attention to the next item, held on a large stand, hidden under a cloth. "Lot 666 then, a chandelier in pieces! Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera, a mystery never fully explained. We are told, ladies and gentlemen, that this is the very chandelier that figures in the famous, disaster. Our workshops have restored it, and wired parts of it with the new electric light, so that we might get a hint of how it may look when reassembled! … Perhaps we may frighten away the ghost of so many years ago, with a little illumination, gentlemen!"
...Golden eyes watched the sun disappear behind the tree line, a soft flicker danced between the leaves and played off the simple mask. A sound made the figure turn, Diana raised an eyebrow. "…were you planning to stay here all night?" He smiled. "…Perhaps I was… why, is your son in trouble again?" she laughs. "My son? My son? No, my son is not in trouble. Your son on the other hand…"
He chuckled. "Tell his older brother to take him into town with him, it will give them both a way to spend the energy of youth without casualties." She smiled, her eyes straying back down the path. "…I'll wait at home Erik, don't be too much longer." She disappeared back through the glen.
…The eyes returned to the sky, and closed silently in a wordless gesture of awe. It never failed to grab him, even after all these years, how the sunset sealed the evening. After so much darkness… so much night… a soft sound, wheels?
"…Erik, my god, you are still here! I found Peter! He told me…" The Phantom turned stunned. "…Viscount? …Raoul?" Raoul laughed, "God! Do you ever age? You haven't changed! Speak to me, it's been so long!" For a moment they held eyes, taking each other in, smiling.
"…come here you old fool, before you get your spokes caught in a branch. Come here and watch the sun set with me. We have the time."
And it's only in a story that the ending can erase.
And allow you to go back again, if paths you would retrace,
So the tale is always going, even if you loose your place…
Oho…
So go soaring with the falcon, and feel the warm winds blow,
Or return once more to Paris and what waits for you below…
Yes, the greatest part of life…
And the truest thing we learn…
Whether passion, humor or strife…
…You can always, return…
I give all credit for the Musical "Phantom of the Opera" Quotes and influences to Andrew Lloyd Webber. I give credit to Gaston Leroux for the influences from his book. And I give Credit to the Musical "Children of Eden" for the inspirations involving the poetry. Thank you.