A/N: The lines in bold after Claire sets up the blocking are song lyrics (this is also how the songs are notated in the libretto).

Chapter Ten
Thursday the 27th

"Now that we've got that settled…" Claire heaved a sigh and flipped through her book until she reached the calendar. "Today is October 27th. We are currently about five days behind. In the next 28 days, we need to block the entire musical, learn the dances for the entire musical (none of which are very easy, I might add), have the first rehearsal with the orchestra, get off the libretto, establish regular rehearsals, fit costumes, test makeup, conduct the technical rehearsals and complete the dress rehearsals before the show opens December 1st.

"If we are not prepared, we will get appalling reviews, embarrass the shit out of ourselves at the Grand Gala on the 3rd and lose the hospital a bare minimum of $3 million dollars." Closing the book with a snap, the director looked out over the audience. "Doctor Cuddy, are the temporaries in place?"

Lisa nodded. "They were to start promptly at five this morning and they will rotate through eight-hour shifts until midnight on December 3rd."

"Excellent. Hear that, everyone? No one is permitted to be at the hospital unless they are receiving treatment. Doctor Cuddy will be dismissed an hour early every day so she can start on her administrative work. As for Doctor House, he will report his Vicodin supply to me every morning…if he is running low, I will send someone out for a refill so he can stay here and rehearse. Which reminds me…

Claire looked down at the doctors, who were all sitting together. "We'll be rotating assistants and prescribing doctors so the corner pharmacy won't become suspicious."

A Short Time Later

"Doctor House, if you go backstage, there will be a small group of technicians there that will fit you with a harness that will not only lift you to your hiding place at the top of the stairs, but support you so that you do not have to worry about your cane.

"Doctor Cameron, take your place toward my left, near the edge of the stage. Doctor Chase, your place is beside her, on the side nearest the stairs. Doctor Wilson, you will be on the stairs, fourth from the top, and your partner will be next to you. Mister Foster, stand near Dr. Wilson – as if you're conversing – but stand on the third stair from the top. Mister Foster's partner will stand near him, as if she is conversing with Doctor Wilson's partner.

"Doctor Cuddy, stand on the opposite side of the stage from Doctor Cameron – And make sure you're standing directly across from her. Ms. Warner, please stand on the sixth stair from the top…It doesn't matter where, just stand there."

Accepting a drink from one of her assistants, Claire turned the page and continued. "Doctor Foreman, please stand next to Doctor Cuddy and opposite Doctor Chase. Mister Richards, please stand on the bottom landing and turn so that the right side of your face is toward the audience – the orchestra will be across from you, and the actual conductor will be tucked into the alcove under the staircase.

"Ms. Simpson, please take your place next to Ms. Warner. Mister Strathmore, you'll be on the floor, but toward the center as part of the Company. Mister Mullins, you will be placed on the floor as well, but try to stand away from Mister Strathmore. Mr. Dykstra, floor; Mr. Miller, floor; Ms. Simpson, floor; Ms. Daily, floor and Ms. Johnson, floor.

"Ballet Rats, I'd like you to scatter yourselves on the stairs, but stay away from the top two steps and don't stand on the bottom landing, either. Can I get one or two Company members to fill in where there aren't any Ballet Rats? Thank you. Spread out please, ladies and gentlemen…I want the stairs to look full."

The director gestured to a few of the stage hands, who ran out from the wings and adjusted people so that everything looked good. When she was satisfied, Claire flipped to the beginning of the second act.

"All set? Managers, you have the first two speaking lines, and Dr. Wilson has the opening verse of the song. The song exchanges from Dr. Wilson to Mr. Foster, to Wilson, to Foster, to a line in unison, back to Wilson, and then all of you come in after the word 'here'." Claire pattered down the stairs and to her seat in the third row. "From the top then…Five, six, seven, eight!"

"M'sieur Firmin?"

"M'sieur Andre?"

"Dear Andre, what a splendid party!"

"The prologue to a bright new year!"

"Quite a night! I'm impressed!"

"Well, one does one's best…"

"Here's to us!"

"I must say all the same, that it's a shame that 'Phantom' fellow isn't here!"

There was a cymbal crash, then:

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade…Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!

"Masquerade! Every face a different shade…Masquerade! Look around – there's another mask behind you!

"Flash of mauve…Splash of puce…Fool and king…Ghoul and goose…Green and black…Queen and priest…Trace of rouge…Face of beast…

"Faces…Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round…In an inhuman race…

"Eye of gold…Thigh of blue…True is false…Who is who…? Curl of lip…Swirl of gown…Ace of hearts…Face of clown…

"Faces…Drink it in, drink it up, until you've drowned in the light…In the sound…"

"Loudly, Rob and Ali! We need to hear you over the orchestra and the Company's collective breath!"

"But who can name the face…"

"Back to Company in three, two…"

"Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds…Masquerade! Take your fill – Let the spectacle astound you!

"Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads…Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!

"Masquerade! Seething shadows, breathing lies…Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you!

"Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes…Masquerade! Run and hide – but a face will still pursue you!"

"Individual parts now! Doctor Cuddy, you're up!"

"What a night!"

"What a crowd!"

"Makes you glad!

"Makes you proud! All the crème de la crème!"

"Watching us watching them!"

"In unison, Girys!"

"And all our fears are in the past!"

"Six months…"

"Of relief!"

"Of delight!"

"In unison, managers!"

"Of Elysian peace!"

"Once again, Girys!"

"And we can breathe at last!"

"No more notes!"

"No more ghost!"

"Here's a health!"

"Here's a toast: to a prosperous year!"

"To the new chandelier!"

"Let's hear it, Eric and Lisa!"

"And may its splendor never fade!"

"Six months!"

"What a joy!"

"What a change!"

"Your cue, managers!"

"What a blessed release!"

"And what a masquerade!"

"Focus to Christine and Raoul!"

"Think of it! A secret engagement! Look – your future bride! Just think of it!"

"But why is it secret? What have we to hide?"

"Please, let's not fight…"

"Christine, you're free!"

"Wait till the time is right…"

"When will that be? It's an engagement, not a crime! Christine, what are you afraid of?"

"Let's not argue…" "Let's not argue…"

"Please pretend…" "I can only hope I'll…"

"You will…" (Pause)

"In unison, please!"

"…understand in time…"

"Focus on the Company!"

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you!

"Masquerade! Every face a different shade! Masquerade! Look around – there's another mask behind you!

"Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads…Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you!

"Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds…Masquerade! Take your fill – let the spectacle astound you!"

"Grand cue to Gregory!"

Following Claire's shout, House began to descend the stairs. He looked a bit awkward without his cane, but the wooden movements required in this section were obvious, and that was the most important part.

"Why so silent, good messieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good messieurs? I have written you an opera!"

House yanked the imaginary libretto from his imaginary cape.

"Here I bring the finished score – Don Juan Triumphant!"

The doctor-turned-actor threw the libretto to Foster.

"I advise you to comply – my instructions should be clear – remember, there are worse things than a shattered chandelier…"

Having said that, House finished staggering downstairs and tottered Cameron's direction. A small look crossed Greg's face that indicated to Claire that he was feeling a bit more assured of himself because of the wires, so there was a smile on Claire's face by the time House reached Cameron's side.

Snatching the imaginary necklace from around Allison's neck, Greg sang out,

"Your chains are still mine – you will sing for me!"

"¡Excelente¡Excelente! Gregory, you sing como un ángel! Let's move on to scene two!"