VI
Erik crossed his arms over his chest and hit his heels rhythmically against the side of the stage. It was the night before the performance and the entire theatre seemed completely and utterly silent. The ones with houses or apartments were gone and those in the dormitories were sleeping…well at least supposedly. The ballet dormitories were usually buzzing with excitement thenight before a performance. Tonight would be no different.
Loneliness wasn't the problem, or so he told himself, it was boredom. There was simply nothing to do in a dark and deserted theatre. He considered returning to his lair and composing, or playing or even sketching, but none of that interested him. Sleep; yes that wasn't such a terrible idea. Return home and get some sleep.
With a resolved sigh he got up and started to make his way back to the depths of the theatre, humming softly as he went. He could always write a note to Monsieur Lefevre, after all his salary was due and it would be amusing to give the man a fright the day of the performance. He liked how malleable the manager was, always bending to his every whim.
He skirted to the side when he heard footsteps, then the airy laugh of a woman and a deeper chuckle of a man. Erik gave an irritated growl and swished his cloak loudly, so as to frighten them away.
He heard the man gasp and then the hurried sound of feet. It was amazing what he was able to accomplish in the dark. Then again it had taken several 'unfortunate accidents' and two or three 'sightings'to truly convince everyone that he existed. It was only later that he realized the boy must have been that young Joseph he had so terrified before; the boy truly was a nuisance.
Erik sat down at the desk and wrote out a quick reminder to the manager, and then he slipped it into an envelope and sealed it with the red skull. Stripping off the jacket, waistcoat and cravat he collapsed into bed, staring up at the ceiling above him until sleep overcame him.
The theatre was alive with people backstage and filing into seats. Top hats, black and white suits, sparkling jewels and colourful gowns adorned the patrons and high class in the red velvet chairs.
Erik waited in the dark passage for the opera to begin. Then he would slip into box five to watch the performance and leave before it ended. It certainly wasn't the best way to work, but it kept him from being discovered or caught.
The orchestra was tuning and the ballet dancers were stretching. From where he was he could hear Antoinette calling out instructions and Monsieur the singers warming up their voices. The dull hum of the audience was also audible.
Over all the performance was not bad, though by the final act the audience seemed to have lost their interesting the performance and had taken to gossiping quietly. Occasionally somebody shushed another person. It was when this started that Erik slipped out of the box and started back towards the cellars. Two more days of this and then the next opera would perform for three days, then a short break while the next one was decided.
"Heading home?" Antoinette asked Gustave.
"Oh, yes," he said heavily.
"Good night then."
"Yes," he agreed, "good night Madame Giry."
As he walked away he began to cough quietly. He had been developing the dry cough for the entire week and the hectic schedule did not allow the time to rest and get better. Still he showed up for each rehearsal and practised the music carefully.
"A wonderful performance," Monsieur Reyer puffed, "don't you think Madame Giry?"
"Oui, it was very good. Two more nights of this and we will be onto the next."
"Yes, well then we will have a break," he sighed.
"Yes, I suppose that is true. Good night Monsieur, I have to get back to my daughter."
"Good night Madame Giry."
Meg was already fast asleep when she got back to her room; it was for the better considering the hour. With a tired sigh Antoinette changed into a nightgown ready to climb into bed. There was no such thing as a break in the theatre. When there were not rehearsals then there were lessons to keep the older dancers in shape and keep up their skills and to teach the younger dancers new skills.
"Maman?" Meg asked drowsily.
"Oui?"
She didn't reply, already fast asleep again. Antoinette leaned over and kissed her daughter on the forehead. Next year she would be a little ballerina, a ballet rat as they were called. Antoinette climbed into bed and pulled the covers up over her body happy to let sleep claim her.
Well thank you to my reviewers and Chibi...I am so jealous! And you did spell 'moi' correctly, lol.France and " The Phantom of the Opera"in London in Her Majesty's Theatre, lucky you. Oh and thesequel should be up soon and thank you for the cookies,I do love chocolateand strawberries. Well hope everyone enjoyed teh latest chapter adn you can all look foward to the next one.
