Chapter Two Artifacts and a song

Many things were out of place and strewn across the floor and dressers. Collette saw a corset sticking out of a drawer. She knew the rumors about this piece of clothing. She never studied much about it and wondered if she could put it on herself.

With much difficulty Collette had robed herself in a corset and a light dressing gown she found. It felt weird to wear something that was over 100 years old. The corset was not tied tightly Collette felt their was no use in making her look like what she wasn't. It was neat to wear; a bit difficult bending down but that only would take a bit getting use too. The dressing gown was a white almost sheer robe, it fell past her ankles to the floor. Collette could see no means of tying the robe closed so she left it hanging open. Her chemise was a pretty pink very light almost white, a French embroidered lace decorated the neck with elegance. The sleeves held embroidered initials, Collette made out a calligraphy C and D.

"Carlotta?" Collette thought? No another voice told her. Carlotta name was Carlotta Giudicelli.

"Christine." She whispered. The room seemed to shake at the even thought of Christine. Could this be her room? There was a full-length mirror over on the wall. Could she find the secret switch into the lair? Collette laughed it every dressing room had a full length mirror. Meg said Christine's room was further down the corridor.

Collette picked up a hand mirror from the antique vanity. She almost felt like she should say the rhyme from Snow white. Collette chuckled.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who's the fairest of them all?" Collette said. She did not see anything appear on the mirror but the room seemed to chant Christine over and over. Collette giggled, her mind must be playing tricks on her. She laid the gold hand mirror back on the walnut vanity. She opened the top drawer and found a leather pouch. Carefully and cautiously she withdrew the pouch. It was nothing like she could purchase in LA's finest antique shops. The leather was soft, the cow was perhaps that of a woman?

She opened the pouch as slowly, she seemed to think in her head that since she was of the future the things of the past could crumble under her touch. Coins fell easily into her long bony hand. She gasped. They were true coins. Sou, francs, and many others of greater value. She sighed they weren't hers. She grudgingly returned them into the pouch and into the drawer.

Collette exited the room closed the door behind her softly. In her hand she held the corset and dressing gown. Could anyone still want them? Collette gave a small gasp as she heard a movement behind her. She turned on the heel and stood face to face with Meg. Collette let out the breath she had been holding.

"Collette are you all right? Your face, its white." Meg said reaching with her hand to touch Collette's face. Collette turned her face away from Meg.

"You just startled me that's all."

"You needn't be frightened anymore. The opera ghost is gone." Meg said reassuringly. Collette gave a small laugh. Meg smiled then saw what Collette's hands held.

"Where did you get those?"

"From that room. Can I have them? They are so pretty. I have never had anything like them in my life." Collette said fingering the garments of her past generations. Meg stared at her.

"Christine's gown." Meg whispered. Collette looked up with a somewhat surprised face.

"This is Christine Daae's gown? Is this her corset then?" She asked holding out the corset to Meg. Meg shrugged.

"Mother would know. With Christine gone I am sure you could have it. Would just be gathering dust if we left it to rot but honestly within a couple of weeks you could have your own. Wouldn't that be better than having someone else's?" Meg inquired. Collette shook her head.

"No, I would much rather have this. Someone who was admired and loved. It holds more and I would love to wear it as well." Collette said feeling the initials in the gown. Meg shrugged.

"Come on, let's get to bed. We will have a long day tomorrow."

Collette laid in bed staring at the ceiling. She couldn't remember how many times she did this at home wondering if there was some way to get into the past. Now, she was here. She was holding the key to the future. Of course she couldn't change the future, She read all the time travel books. But it was just the thought that she could change the future. Collette rolled over to her side and looked at the dressing gown that lay over the chair. Madam Giry had reluctantly let Collette keep the magnificent gown. Madam Giry has told Collette and Meg that the room was a temporary room for some of the singers, it had not been used since the fire. Collette had asked if she could have some of the things in the room. Madam Giry had thought her request an impertinent one until Meg explained Collette had no belongings. Madam Giry had softened up a little bit and allowed her the privilege of taking a few of the accessories in that room. Seeing, as they did not belong to anyone. Collette smiled and fell into her slumber.

Collette's eye's fluttered open as she heard a voice whisper in her ear.

"Collette? Collette? Come on we need to dress." Meg shook Collette's shoulder one more time. Collette moaned she turned over and pulled the covers over her head. Meg giggled.

"Come on Collette. I have a new dress for you. And you can wear you corset with it." A little bribery didn't hurt. Collette was up in a flash. She did not remain up for long and toppled to the floor.

"I have got to get use to these nightgowns." She thought as she unwrapped her legs from the nightgowns clasp.

"How do you people stand not getting a concussion from just getting out of bed?" She said to Meg. Meg looked at her in surprise.

"You have never used a nightgown Mademoiselle?" Collette bit her lip. How was she to explain this?

"Uhh I would sleep in my bloomers. You know the ones that covered your body. It was uh all we could afford." Collette explained and reached for the dressing gown. Collette gasped. It was gone.

"Meg did you take my dressing gown?" Collette asked sinking to the ground and looked under the cot and around the room.

"No. None of us would have Collette we each have our own."

"Maybe someone meant it as a joke perhaps?" Asked again Collette this time to the girls that were primping themselves up. They looked at each other and again at Collette. Each shook their heads and went back to their hair, makeup, and all that. Collette sighed. It was there on the chair she could swear by it.

"Oh don't worry Collette. It will turn up. Now what do you think of this? It is a nice emerald no?"

The rehearsal went well. If you don't count the constant pounding and distraction of the cleaning crew at work. Collette was beginning to see the theatre take place. It was beautiful. Madam Giry had dismissed the girls early for the constant distraction was making everyone edgy. Collette immediately went into the room, which held her precious treasures.

The pouch was still there. The mirror was gone though. Collette searched the room but could find no trace of the mirror ever being there. Perhaps one of the other girls decided they could have it. No matter. Collette searched the room some more. Someone had definitely been in here after here. The room was a slight more tidied up but still a jumbled mess. Collette was tired after 7 hours of work but wanted the room to be in order. Starting in one corner she picked her way across the room straightening and cleaning it up. It took two hours for the room to be completed but Collette was pleased with the results. She had found a dried rose with a black ribbon still on it. Collette was pleased and excited. The phantom had existed. He just had to. Collette began to hum…

"In sleep he sang to me… In dreams he came. That voice which calls to me and speaks my name…"

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