A New Day
The Vicomptess Christine Daae De Changy stood by the window of she and her husband's lush New York City hotel suite. She watched the snow fall, remembering a man she always associated with the snow. For it was only when snow was on the ground did she ever see his face. Her tall, handsome fair husband came in and saw his petite brunette love acting melancholy, as she tended to be this time of year.
"Christine...you mustn't let the past ruin the holiday...that's why we came from France! They say there is nothing like Christmas in New York!" he told her coming forward to rub her shoulders. She smiled at him,
"I know Raoul...And I am always happy to be with you...but I can't stop worrying about him...I didn't even know his true name..."
"We forgave him for his crimes, Christine...can't you learn to forgive yourself?" Raoul asked her.
"I just keep thinking about him...lost...alone...helpless..." Christine told him.
Meanwhile, Erik was walking down Avenue A tipping his hat to people who he recognized upon meeting yesterday, even occasionally saying,
"Hello...Good day!" Tavish Toys only worked on the weekdays and never on the weekend so children could prepare to go to church or temple if the need called for it. Erik was a bit surprised a man like Tavish even let religious faith keep him from gaining profit, but Nora simply told him that even a rat has some redeeming qualities. He and Nora pasted a bearded man in a red velvet suit trimmed in white rabbit fur and ringing a bell to collect change for the needy. At Erik's quirked eyebrow, Nora asked him,
"Haven't you ever heard of Santa Claus, Erik?"
"No...who is he?" Erik asked.
"Patron saint of children...they say he lives up at the North Pole with his wife and a bunch of elves and makes all the children of the world toys. Then on Christmas Eve, he drives a sleigh of flying reindeer and leaves toys at each child's house." Nora explained.
"Uh-huh...and how does he get in the house?" Erik asked skeptically.
"Goin' down the chimney of course!" Nora replied.
"Elves, flying reindeer and breaking an entering...nothing says the celebration of the birth of Christ more!" Erik said in response.
"Yeah...I guess it's just kids stuff!" Nora replied with a nervous tone. Seeing his young friend's belief dwindling, Erik smiled and said,
"But I suppose anythings possible!" When she brightened up, they entered Delancey Stables finding Marcello pitching hay.
"Ah! Bonjourno Signori North!" he greeted warmly.
"Marcello please. For everything you've done you can at least call me Erik." Erik told him.
"Erik it is then!" Marcello told him. Nora went up to Erik's multicolored horse in his pen and exclaimed,
"Is this your horse?"
"Mmm-hmm. Unusual thing isn't he?" Erik said coming up to pet his nose.
"He's an American Mustang! The Spaniards brought horses over to America and then the Natives cross-bred them to get a whole new breed. They're fast and able to go days without water and food if they have to." Marcello told them continuing his work.
"Wow! And he's pretty too!" Nora said.
"The man who gave him to me yesterday called him a 'mutt'." Erik said.
"Well, some people are prejudice about the American Mustang. They feel he's an inferior breed." Marcello explained. Stroking the animals main, Erik said softly,
"I know how he feels..."
"He's a smart one though. This morning, I was looking for his feedbag, I look up, and he has it in his teeth!" Marcello told them.
"So what his name then?" Nora asked.
"I don't know, I didn't think to give him one..." Erik told her. Nora pointed out a marking in the animal's coat,
"Look. That looks like a heart with an arrow goin' through it!" Erik smiled,
"Then maybe we should call him 'Cupid'!" The horse nodded in agreement. Marcello chuckled,
"I guess he likes that name!" Nora laughed at that, only to laugh some more when the animal snatched Erik's hat off trying to play.
"Hey!" Erik said going into the pen. The horse ran from Erik, whinnying and neighing as he he were egging Erik on. Erik tried to jump the horse, but the newly Christened Cupid dodged him, leaving Erik to fall on his face. Nora and Marcello were laughing their heads off, unaware that Erik became frozen with a flashback of his childhood back with the gypsies. In his mind's eye, the pen became a cage, the laughter of his friends because the laughter of a cruel and paying public come to see the 'Devil's Child'. He heard the creak of an opening cage door, meaning that Javert would be along any minute with his whip...
"Erik?" asked Marcello snapping Erik out of his memories. Looking up, Erik saw the concern on their faces. Nora asked with worry,
"Erik, are you alright? You're not hurt?" Standing up and brushing the dirt off his trousers, Erik said evenly,
"I'm fine." Cupid came over and offered Erik his hat, giving the air of complete understanding. Erik took the hat and patted him on the neck saying,
"Merci. Come Nora, we have business to attend to." With that, he exited the pen and the stables altogether. Marcello said to Nora,
"Our friend hides a dark and painful past. Keep an eye on him, eh?" Nora nodded to him before running off after Erik. Nora found Erik watching Sadie in the streets,
"IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE! WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEMAND THE VOTE! LOOK AT SUSAN B. ANTHONY! LOOK AT HOW ONE WOMAN IS REVOLUTIONIZING THE CAUSE!"
"Certainly is...vocal...isn't she?" Erik commented.
"That's one way of sayin' it!" Nora said.
"THE WORKERS WERE NOT AFRAID TO SPEAK UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS! AND WHEN THE BOSSES WOULDN'T GIVE THEM A BETTER WAGE, THE WORKERS DEMANDED IT! AND THE RIGHT TO VOTE WILL NOT BE GRANTED UNTIL WOMEN DEMAND IT!"
"I demand some hot water! Why don't you holler on my landlord Sadie?" said Mrs. Brandenhiem passing by. Hands on hips, Sadie said with a pointed look to the older woman,
"Who will march with me to Union Square?" Seeing Erik and Nora watching, Sadie threw up her hands and stepped down saying, "It's hopeless! All these women care about is the price of pushcart onions!" As she picked up her soapbox, Erik told Sadie,
"I understand. You feel as if no one will listen to you or value your opinion and expertise in the matter..."
"Right!" said Sadie.
"And you're so frustrated that no one values what you value and they seem so small minded you're ready to give up." Erik continued.
"Exactly!" Sadie sighed. Walking her and Nora back to the house, Erik said,
"Actually, I'm in a bit of a predicament and you might just be the person to help me."
"Really?" asked Sadie surprised that anyone...especially a man was seeking her advice.
"Now try to imagine a group of workers...in a factory let's say...now, how might they improve their working conditions, keeping in mind that the boss is a rather difficult man...not inclined to give into demands if you know what I mean." Erik asked her as they neared the house.
Down the street on Avenue A, Katie Kilkenny was having problems of her own. She looked up at the signs for Foley's saloon biting her lip. She knew Foley's was actually a nice place and Mr. Foley himself was a nice man, but still she felt nervous about what she was about to do. Entering the pub, she felt like a fish out of water because of the rambunctious dancing and laughing. She looked over the drinking patrons for one barmaid in particular.
"Mary!" Katie called out. A buxom, pretty brunette in an off the shoulder white blouse and green skirt came over with a laugh in her tone,
"Why Katie Kilkenny! What are you doin' here? I hardly see you outside of church! How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you Mary...listen Mary...does Mr. Foley need any help here?" Katie asked.
"Sure, he's always lookin' for help. But why? I thought you worked at the vest factory?" Mary asked. Katie hung her head and admitted,
"I lost me job today..." Mary ushered her friend to sit and with compassion said,
"Oh Katie! What happened?"
"They got this fancy new machine...all gears and clockwork, no soul...replaced all us embroiderers right quick! Didn't give us a week or even a day's notice! They just handed us these...stupid slips of paper and some severance pay and bid us farewell! As if the pink color of this slip is suppose to cheer us up!" Katie fumed crumpling the paper up and throwing it unto the table. Squeezing her hand, Mary told her,
"Ah Katie Luv...I'm so sorry! And at Christmastime yet! America may be free but nothin' in it is! But don't you worry! I'll speak to Mr. Foley! We need help gett'n ready for this policeman's Christmas party comin' up, anyway. The boys at the station seem to be sellin' tickets to everybody on Avenue A! And all of Avenue A's comin', too!"
"Well I thank you Mary for helpin' me...but...can we try not to let this get out to Me Da and sister? I don't want them to know." Katie said.
"What? Too high and mighty to be workin' at a saloon are we?" Mary asked indignantly. Katie shook her head,
"Oh no it ain't that! It's just...you know how the pubs were like back in Ireland...barmaids were practically expected to fool around with the customers!"
"I know...that's why Mr. Foley decided he wasn't going to tolerate any of that in his place here. " said Mary.
"Well I need some time to figure out how I'm going to tell Da and Nora is all!" said Katie. Mary smiled,
"Wait here. I'll go talk to Mr. Foley." Reaching over to hug her friend, Katie cried,
"Oh thank you Mary!" Getting up, Mary told Katie,
"You'll need a blouse that's shows you off a bit through...and you best remember how to kick up your skirts to dance Irish!" Katie's face fell but she told herself she had to do this for her family.
Sadie shut the book on the table before her and told Erik across from her,
"And that's all you have to do!"
"It's really that simple?" asked Erik sipping on his tea.
"Oh it's been successful in factories all over the country! Oh! I wish half the women around here would listen to me the way you do! I promised to..." But Sadie was interrupted by her mother coming in straight from the market telling Erik,
"You're a good influence Mr. North! Keeping my Sadie out of trouble!" Mrs. Lowenstein pinched and patted her daughter on the cheek, not seeing the girl looking dryly at Erik who in response only smiled in sympathy over his cup. Once she had gone, Sadie continued,
"I promised I'd bring a whole contingency from Avenue A to the rally tomorrow. Instead I'm just bringing a soapbox!"
"Well...if you wouldn't mind a little advice from an outside observer..." Erik said putting down his cup.
"Oh no please!" Sadie insisted.
"I so admire your fervor, Sadie. But I know from prior experience that no one likes to be shouted at!" Erik told her gently.
"Well I shout so my message can be heard!" Sadie told him.
"Sadie...I use to...frequent...the Opera Populair in Paris quite often. They had a Prima Diva...La Carlotta...She was to put it bluntly, a spoiled brat. She walked over everybody and expected everyone to bow at her feet. Above all, she was a horrible singer. She was so concerned about people hearing her...she screeched and sent the high notes flying on the verge of inducing pain. She forgot all about the music and became the terrible person she was. Sometimes, if you try too hard to be heard...you forget about what you're trying to get people to hear. I experienced this a little myself!" Erik told her thinking of the past. Sadie asked him nodding in understanding,
"So what do I do instead?"
"Perhaps...if you tried talking to these ladies...without your soapbox!" Erik suggested as Sadie pursed her lips in thought. Then she brightened and said getting up,
"Come on! Grab your coat!"
"What? Why?" asked a baffled Erik following her to the closet..
"Erik! I need you along with me! To help me make sure I don't start shouting at anyone! Besides, it would make such an impression on the press to see a man standing up for the cause!" Sadie said throwing on her coat.
"Oh...no no no no no! Sadie...I'm...not very good...with people..." Erik told her.
"Oh come on Erik! A handsome man like you is almost guaranteed to convince some women to at least listen to me!" Sadie told him.
"You don't have to lie to talk me into helping you." Erik said annoyed.
"I'm not lying! Come on we have to get going if we're going to get anyone to come with us tomorrow!" Sadie told him tossing him his coat and exiting. Following her, Erik asked himself,
"When did I lose control over my life? Oh that's right! Somewhere between 'Avenue A'!"
A few moments later, Sadie lead Erik down one alley seeing Mrs. Shaughnessy coming out of her house.
"Good afternoon Mrs. Shaughnessy!" greeted Sadie good naturedly as Erik nodded to her.
"Well if it isn't Soapbox Sadie! I'll have none of your blarney now! Good day to you Mr. North!" she replied with a laugh and trying to continue on her way.
"And to you Mrs. Shaughnessy. You know, Sadie was just telling me how you came over from Ireland when you were just a girl...which couldn't have bee too long ago!" Erik said knowing a blend of sweet talk and genuine interest in a person's life can make sure they are inclined to your purposes. With a smile, Mrs. Shaughnessy told them,
"Me own mother brought ten of us over from Dublin!"
"Did you say Dublin? On the River...Liffy...Right?" Erik said remembering how many hours he would pour into atlases dreaming about going to the places of the world. She smiled in disbelief,
"Well bless my soul! You know Dublin Mr. North!"
"Well, I've always been very keen on geography!" said Erik nudging Sadie to take the opportunity to start talking.
"Now Mrs. Shaughnessy...there must have been some who told your mother to stay put!" Sadie started. Walking on, Mrs. Shaughnessy answered,
"Well there were many that tried...but you don't know my mother!" Erik replied,
"Well I knew at least one woman like her I believe...Madame Antoinette Giry. She was the ballet mistress at the Opera Populair in Paris and she didn't let anyone tell her what to do. She was strong, determined and capable in every thing she did."
"Aye, that sounds like my mother!" smiled Mrs. Shaughnessy proudly.
"And it sounds like you as well, Mrs. Shaughnessy." Erik said as she waved off the flattery.
"That's why we're asking you to stand strong, Mrs. Shaughnessy." said Sadie.
"Just like your mother." Erik added.
"And march with us..." said Sadie. Then they said to the confusion of Mrs. Shaughnessy,
"For a woman's right to vote!"
"Mr. Brandenheim makes all the decisions! What do I need to vote for? " Mrs. Brandenheim asked them later as she was beating the dust out of her rugs.
"But Mrs. Brandenheim, you yourself make a hundred decisions everyday. Don't you decide what to make for dinner?" Erik asked her.
"Yah...I do that." shrugged Mrs. Brandenheim.
"And don't you decide how much coal to buy?" Sadie asked her confidently.
"Yah...I do that." she answered.
"And...how many nickels to put in the cookie jar?" Erik offered. Mrs. Brandenheim laughed,
"Yah! I do that too."
"So shouldn't you decide who gets elected?" Sadie asked her. Mrs. Brandenheim squared her shoulders and smiled,
"Yah!" Then her shoulders slumped and she added, "Oof! All this deciding! It wears me out!" Erik and Sadie just looked at each other.
Later, Erik and Sadie went up to a set of identical triplets to talk to them about the march to Union Square. But Erik was confused about what they kept staring at and giggling about. He looked over his shoulder but then realized that he was definably the topic of their attentions. Then he figured out they must be laughing at his appearance and his mask. And for a moment, Erik was extremely self conscious until one asked him,
"Will your wife be there Mr. North?"
"I'm not married..."Erik replied. Why would they ask about him being married if they were laughing at him? To be cruel? Then to his intense surprise, as they were parting ways, one of them became brave enough to pat his bottom and then run off giggling like fools. Sadie cried indignantly,
"How rude! They weren't interested at all! They were just trying to get close to Avenue A's most eligible bachelor!"
"Who? Me?" Erik asked pointing to himself.
"No...the other attractive Frenchman living in my mother's boarding house!" Sadie laughed. Following, Erik asked,
"You find me attractive?" Sadie looked at him with a smile but a furrowed brow,
"I'd have to be blind not to! Look Erik...I understand that you have something under that mask or you wouldn't hide it...but I think you never realized that it is only one small part of you. The rest well...would turn any woman's head!" Erik smiled at her once they reached the steps of the boarding house and said,
"Thank you Sadie. But...it's sort of hard to believe that after a lifetime of people thinking you're a monster to convince you're anything but..." She stopped on the steps and put a hand to his shoulder,
"Then you've been hanging out with the wrong people!" Then to his surprise, she pulled him into a hug. Erik flinched but then slowly began to wrap his arms around her and return the gesture, glad to have made another friend. Unknown to either of them, Marcello was coming up the sidewalk with some flowers for Sadie, when he stopped seeing them embrace. His face fell and he dropped the flowers, his heart dropping with it. Meanwhile, Sadie pulled back and asked Erik,
"Would you like to help me make some signs for the rally tomorrow?" Erik shook his head,
"Actually I think I need to take a walk and clear my head of a few things. I'll be back in time for supper." Sadie laughed,
"You better, or Mama will have a fit!"
"At the rate your mother is going, I'll won't fit anything!" Erik quipped making her laugh and making a watching Marcello clench his fists. When she turned into the house, Erik started walking only to have Marcello block his path.
"Hullo Marcello, how are..."
"Don't be so casual with me Mr. North! Especially if you intend to take my Sadie from me!" Marcello told him hotly. Puzzled, Erik replied,
"What are you talking about Marcello?"
"Were you planning on taking her yesterday or did the thought just occur to you, uh?" Marcello asked.
"Marcello, I think you're mistaken..." Erik started.
"I know what I saw! She hugged you then you made her laugh! You know I've been trying to work up the nerve to talk to her for over a year and you've only been here a day and you've got her laughing! Talking to you! So Erik...if I have to...I'll fight for the honor of my lady...even if you are twice my size! So come on!" Marcello said putting up his fists. Erik was impressed...and annoyed. Why were people around here insisting he could attract a woman? Erik stepped forward and said,
"Marcello..." But Marcello jumped and hit Erik across the jaw making his face fling to the side and sent his mask flying. Realizing what he had done, Marcello looked at his fist and then at a stunned Erik who was still turned to him and said,
"Il mio Dio! Erik! I'm so sorry...I..." This is when Erik turned his head, before realizing his mask was off. What Marcello saw was a red, twisted mound of thin flesh and the hairline of a very convincing toupee. Fuming, Erik told him coldly,
"There...satisfied now knowing Sadie or any woman for that matter could never love me with...this?..." Stunned, even at his own words, Marcello said,
"No..."
"What?" asked Erik scanning the ground for his mask.
"Erik...you're tall, educated, cultured, good natured and to be honest...at least half of your face is enough to make any woman want to peel her clothes off..." Marcello whispered leaning down and retrieving the mask. Holding it out to him, Marcello continued,
"Of course Sadie would prefer a man like you to a man like me..." Shocked, Erik took his mask and quietly said,
"I...wasn't making advances on her. I'm just helping her with this...march and rally she's attending tomorrow. She was comforting me about one of my many problems and I made a comment on how much her mother is stuffing me like a Christmas goose!" Shaking his head in remorse, Marcello said,
"Oh Erik, I'ma so sorry! Can you please forgive me?" The fact that someone was asking his forgiveness, was new for Erik. So he said while putting on his mask,
"I suppose I can..."
"Let me make it up to you! Let me buy you a drink over at Foley's saloon!" Marcello offered.
"Marcello that isn't necessary..."
"I insist! Please! I...would like us to be friends again..." Marcello told him. Erik smiled with disbelief,
"You...consider yourself my friend?"
"Come on! Let's get you that drink!" Marcello said with a nod leading Erik to the saloon.
At that same moment, Katie was looking at herself in a mirror trying to pull up the scoop neck on her long sleeve white blouse with ruffles. Mary came up behind her and said,
"Oh...it's no worst than the neckline of a fancy party dress!"
"I wouldn't know! I've never had a fancy party dress!" Katie replied.
"Look, all ye are expected to do is some wee harmless flirtin' for tips. Anyone gets fresh with ye, Mr. Foley will throw them right on their tails!" Mary told her before going up front. Katie sighed and then followed after her ready to work for the afternoon. Soon, the place was shaking with the stomping of men's boots as they clapped and sang along to the old Irish songs and the pretty lasses stepping it up and dancing on the bar with some men dancing on the floor. Katie was even beginning to have fun and laugh in the process. Erik and Marcello entered ordering two pints and waiting by the bar. Curious about the music of pipes, fiddle and drums, Erik asked Marcello,
"Is this traditional Irish music?"
"Si! And that's traditional Irish dancing!" Marcello told him yelling over the noise. Everyone began to sing along to a joyous folk song,
"The holly green, the ivy green
The prettiest picture you've ever seen
Is Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home
It's nice, you know, to kiss your beau
While cuddling under the mistletoe
And Santa Claus you know, of course
Is one of the boys from home
The door is always open
The neighbors pay a call
And Father John before he's gone
Will bless the house and all
How grand it feels to click your heels
And join in the fun of the jigs and reels
I'm handing you no blarney
The likes you've never known
Is Christmas in Killarney
With all of the folks at home
Erik watched fascinated at how the women and the men kept their arms at their sides while their feet flew like whirlwinds. Marcello asked him to find a table and Erik went on trying not to get kicked in the head when he looked up to one barmaid in particular.
"KATIE KILKENNY?" he asked stopping. She froze and turned to look down at him.
"Mr. North!" she gasped. Marcello came up with the mugs in hand telling Erik,
"Ok, Ia got the drinks...Katie?"
"Marcello!" said Katie.
"Is there a problem, Katie?" asked Mr. Foley from behind the bar. The music slowed to a stop as Katie squared her shoulders and said,
"Not at'all Mr. Foley! Excuse me!" And with the pride of a fairy queen and the grace of an elephant, she got down from the bar and went about serving drinks. Erik followed her asking,
"What are you doing here?"
"Yeah, what happened to your factory job?" Marcello asked following.
"I got fired there and rehired here. End of story. Don't tell Da and Nora!" she told them.
"Why? Do you have anything to be ashamed of?" Erik asked in concern.
"No! Mr. Foley's a good Christian man. But other pub owners ain't like him so that's why I have to wait to tell me Da!" she said.
"Why were you fired at the factory?" Erik asked.
"Why do you ask so many personal questions?" Katie retorted.
"What's keeping me from informing your father about your place of employment?" Erik told her. She turned to him and said,
"Ye wouldn't!"
"No I wouldn't but that got you to stop to talk to me!" Erik said. Sighing, Katie said,
"This bloody Industrial Revolution and all it's confound technology that's what. If you'll excuse me!" Not following her, Erik heard Marcello tell him,
"Perhaps we shouldn't bother her no more, huh?" Erik agreed and was about to follow him, when he notice a tall handsome dirty fellow grab Katie's wrist and laugh drunkenly with his friends,
"Hey Darlin'! It's mighty cold out tonight! How about warming me up a bit?"
"How about you go jump into the Hudson River?" Katie retorted without missing a beat. But the man wouldn't let go. He only pulled her into his lap instead. Mr. Foley came over and said,
"Alright lads, out you go! You know I don't tolerate any of that!" One taller, stockier fellow stood up and pushed Mr. Foley away staying,
"Make us Old Man!" The drunk stood and tried to dance with Katie making his friends laugh harder.
"Let me go!" cried Katie. That's when the drunk felt two fingers tap his shoulder and a he heard a deep baritone reply coldly,
"I believe the mam'selle made a request Monsieur." The drunk turned to Erik and laughed,
"And who's going to make me? Some dandy Frog like you? Haha!" Erik took the mugs from Marcello and passed them to the drunk asking,
"Can you hold this? Merci." Then he punched the man dead in the face.
"FIGHT!" yelled one man as the drunk's friends began to dog pile Erik and Marcello.