39) ... there´ll be answers that you seek

The first rehearsal in the morning had started with unusual attentive participants. Normally the men and women were sleepy at this time, but today they were practicing relentlessly, and even after two hours no one expressed the wish to stop any soon. Both musicians and dancers were quite content with their parts, although they secretly agreed that this opera was the most demanding piece of art they had ever performed. "This was nice, mesdemoiselles.", Mme.Giry was just calling. Despite the praise only few girls dared relax. The others knew there was a ´but´ about to follow.

"But the next time I want to see you work more precisely. Listen to the rhythm: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4!" Her voice was supported by energetic knocks with her cane. "You start on the 3, neither before nor after. And be careful not to-" A loud cry made her stop dead. Some of the younger girls jumped slightly, and the melody the musicians had been playing broke off abruptly. Holding their breath they all glanced at each other in confusion. Had someone become the victim of another practical joke by the Opera Ghost?

The source of the noise came closer quickly, and just a few moments later single words could be understood in between the yelling. "… a scandal… impossible… never!" Then Carlotta entered the stage. She pretended to be surprised about seeing all those people, but no one truly believed her. The diva loved throwing tantrums every now and then, and it was much more fun with the whole opera listening.

She walked to the middle of the stage, stretched out her arms and declared: "I will not play this role!". When nobody reacted with applause or another form of approval she turned around to throw the chorus girls a scornful glance. "Which role, signora?", one of them finally asked timidly. "I… I cannot say it.", she replied in a dramatic whisper. "It is too disgraceful!"

Ubaldo Piangi came onto stage as well. He panted slightly; it seemed that he had been forced to run to catch up with Carlotta. "Mia cara… mia cara.", he muttered soothingly, patting her arm. "It is a very important part. Your character sets everything into motion. Isn´t that wonderful?" "It´s not a wonderful role.", she wailed. "It is the… the Devil-in-the-box!"

For a moment it was completely silent. Then everybody burst into laughter. The chorus girls giggled shrilly, the orchestra pit had rarely been filled with more cheerful people, and a few stage hands, who had come to witness Carlotta´s outburst, were hardly able to stand straight anymore. Apart from the diva herself only Mme.Giry´s face wore a serious expression. Even Signor Piangi had to stifle a chuckle with his hand.

Mme.Giry didn´t fail to notice that the idea of Carlotta playing the Devil-in-the-box was indeed a funny one, but she´d never let herself go like the others. She couldn´t bear seeing so many idle people on stage. "Silence!", she bellowed. Within a minute the only sound was the occasional deep intake of breath of somebody who tried to calm down.

"If he has given you the role, you´ll have to live with it.", the ballet teacher told Carlotta, who was still shocked by the reaction she had got. "The Opera Ghost knows what he does and he is the composer, whether you like it or not." "You´re on his side? Well, that´s no surprise.", the diva retorted. "Has he promised to let play Meg a bigger part when you say such things about him?" She looked around to see traces of guilt on Meg´s face, only to realise that she wasn´t among the other girls. "Where is our daughter?", she asked. "Is she already receiving… private tutoring?"

Carlotta´s words were like a slap in the face for Mme.Giry. Never had someone accused Meg or herself of trying to get advantages in such a way. Only the knowledge that it was merely wounded vanity that made the diva act like this helped her maintain her composure. "For your information: My daughter is ill and thus unable to attend today´s rehearsals.", she replied coldly. "Yet at least she´s willing to accept the role she was given, and I advise you to follow her example."

"I don´t need your stupid pieces of advice!", Carlotta called shrilly. "If I decide not to play the role-" "… you´ll leave this opera immediately." Erik´s voice easily drowned out the woman´s. "There are just two possibilities: You play or you go." All people started turning their heads in this or that direction, but his talent to throw his voice made it almost impossible to find out where he was. Only Mme.Giry noticed the curtain in Box Five moving slightly.

"And where do you suggest I should go?" The diva´s question was surely meant to sound self-assured, but a little trembling was audible. The crowd didn´t have to wait long for the answer. "I´m certain the local fire brigade would love to employ someone with your abilities. I´ve heard they´re looking for a new siren!" The laughter that was caused by this reply was even louder than before. For once everybody agreed with the Opera Ghost. No one paid attention to the fact that Mme.Giry had already left the stage. She was on her way to Box Five.