II
The pitter-patter of tiny feet greeted Madame Giry. Little girls in their practise skirts and little pink ballet slippers hurried down the hall in front of her. Ranging in age between six and twelve, all of them prospects to be dancers in the chorus some day."Maman, will I be a dancer?" Meg asked, bright eyes with excitement.
"Oui, but next year, when you are seven."
"But maman, Louise is six and she's a dancer," Meg pouted.
"Oui, but you are not. Next year my dear, right now we must go to rehearsal."
Meg pouted, "I don't want to go."
"Fine, then you may go back to bed."
Her small brow creased as she considered her options. Finally she hurried after her mother, not wanting to miss the excitement of rehearsal. Besides, the cleaning ladies always let her help them dust the chairs.
"Madame Giry," Monsieur Lefevre greeted tensely, "how are you this morning?"
"Tres bien, and you?"
"I have been better, this entire opera seems to be nothing but a huge disaster in the waiting. Props disappearing, costumes not getting finished, backdrops not being painted!"
"It always gets done," she reminded him gently.
"Yes, yes it always gets done. Have you started the dances for the next performance?"
"We start this afternoon, along with the music. Now if you do not mind, we have a rehearsal to return to."
"Oh, yes of course. Pardon me."
Antoinette shook her head slightly as he left. The poor man had been so thrilled when he had first purchased the theatre. Amazed by the rich architecture, the music, the costumes and performances he had seen, completely unaware of the actual work behind all of it. Of course with such an inexperienced new manager he was able to start fresh and so began a new reign over the theatre.
With a resigned sigh Antoinette bent and picked up the envelope sealed with the red skull. Walking out onto the stage she held it up for Monsieur Reyer to see. The poor man looked as if he would faint and quickly handed out the rest of the music to the orchestra.
"Come with me," he murmured to Gustave.
"Monsieur Lefevre!" Antoinette called. When he turned she waved the note so that he could see it.
"So our friend has something he wishes to say," he groaned as he walked over, "fine, read it."
"What is this?" Gustave asked.
"A message from the Opera Ghost," Antoinette answered, "for you Monsieur."
"Me? Ghost? What?"
"He welcomes you to his opera house and congratulates you on your new position. He says that he finds you to be a competent musician and looks forward to having you as the first violin. Monsieur Lefevre, he reminds you that his salary is due in two weeks."
"I am quite aware of that…well at least he approves. Congratulations Monsieur Daae, you are officially a member of the Opera Populaire."
"I'm afraid I don't-"
"Come, come," Monsieur Reyer interrupted, "we must start the rehearsal."
Antoinette watched as her dancers moved across the stage, swaying to the music. She always felt proud to see them on stage, personally amazed that they had all been able to learn the dance and perform it with near perfection.
"One and two and three!" she called out, helping them find their count again. In two weeks they would know it all by heart, "Very good!"
The rehearsal ended in a flurry of action as the dancers and performers scuttled off the stage. Some to change out of partially finished costumes, some to friend something to eat before the mêlée of the afternoon began. She left the stage in search of a bite to eat before the afternoon began. She would now have to teach two new ballets to her dancers and the minor parts they would play throughout the opera.
"Maman can I help you?" Meg asked eagerly.
"Non, why don't you go and play with Louise?"
"Alright," she pouted.
Antoinette felt guilt bite at her stomach. Her daughter was so eager to spend time with her, but work often caused her to turn the child away. With a small groan she made her way back to the stage. It was the best place to practise, even if the orchestra was attempting to learn their new pieces. There was plenty of space and that is what she would need.
"Madame may we stop for the day?" Charlotte asked, wiping a strand of dirty blonde hair from her face, "it's late and we are all exhausted."
"Yes, you all did very well. I will see you tomorrow for rehearsal and practise. Stretch and get a good nights sleep."
She could hear them grumble as they left the stage. Some of the orchestra was still playing quietly in the background, often repeating the same bars over time and again as they learned the music. She left the stage and leaned against one of the walls, rubbing her temples to try and vanquish the dull ache that had developed there.
"Good evening Madame," Gustave smiled as he approached.
"Is it?" she asked heavily, "pardon my manners, it has been a difficult day."
"Of course, I understand."
Antoinette gave a light chuckle, the poor man looked almost as exhausted as she felt. His pale skin only magnified the dark circles under his eyes.
"I hope that your first day was not too terrible."
"Not too terrible," he agreed, "though I do have some questions…"
"About the Opera Ghost?"
"Yes, what was that all about? The letter I mean and who is this Opera Ghost that everyone speaks of?"
"He haunts the theatre…non, that is not correct, he owns the theatre."
"But-"
"Do not interrupt monsieur, I will explain. The Phantom, as many call him, controls everything that happens in the theatre. He chooses many of the operas we perform and everyone who works here and is involved in the performance is approved by him."
"And what if he does not approve?"
"Then they leave, it is that simple. If he does not like them then he will inform the manager and the person in question will normally be forced to leave the theatre."
"And if they don't?"
"Terrible things happen monsieur. Accidents of all sorts. If he is not happy then the theatre suffers. Falling backdrops, missing props, injured performers or patrons…too many things have happened for Monsieur Lefevre to ignore him. In order to keep him happy Monsieur Lefevre gives him twenty thousand francs a month and box five, per his request. You have your job thanks to him."
"Then I suppose I should be grateful to him," Gustave murmured, "shouldn't I?"
"Perhaps, but pray that you stay in his good grace. The man you replaced did not and…"
"And what?"
"Nothing Monsieur, you need not concern yourself with that. Go home, have supper and spend time with your daughter. Tomorrow is another day and they will only get more hectic."
Upon returning to her room Antoinette collapsed into the chair. Meg quickly climbed onto her lap and wrapped her small arms around her mother's neck. Antoinette returned the hug; grateful for the time she now had with her daughter.
"Would you like me to read you a story?" she asked.
"Oh yes!" Meg exclaimed.
Antoinette smiled and put her daughter on the floor as she went to find a book. Meg would no doubt want a fairy tale, something with a princess and a dragon or a brave knight.
She picked up the book and sat down in the chair again. Meg climbed back onto her lap and snuggled into her mother's arms. Antoinette opened the book and flipped to one of the stories. She would worry about the dances tomorrow.
