Capitola One

"This medal from our warriors,

From our warriors

From our armies as they march!"

Penelope (Piangi) finishes her solo and leaps to the center of the stage. The chorus picks up begins to sing. Carl (Carlotta), whose costume is the most elaborate, leaps and twirls.

"With dancing and music and food

Today we celebrate

Hannibal's army is crushed

Beat the drums

Caeser comes!"

"Glad to return from the land we hate

Their awesome land I take"

"Signors, signorinas, I have an announcement," declares Singnorina Le Flub (Monsieur Le Fevre), who owns the Royal Italian Ballet. "I must say I am retiring…"

Here all the dancers exchange money, for they had all bet on when Le Flub was retiring.

"Ahem," Le Flub continued. "I'm retiring because I lost the Royal Italian Ballet in a bar bet with these two ladies. Meet the new owners of the Ballet, Signorinas Andrea and Francine!" (Andre and Firman)

Everyone clapped.

Signorina Andrea cleared her throat. "We have the great honor to introduce our new patrocinatore, the honored Viscoutness di Firenze!"

"It's Rowina (Raoul)," Christopher (Christine) breathed. "Before my mother died. At the cottage on the cliff. We were young lovers together. She called me Small Simon."

"Christopher, she's beautiful!" Matthew (Meg) whispered.

"My family is happy to support an art, especially the world known Royal Italian Ballet."

Everyone clapped again.

Rowena and the rest of the managers left, walking right by Christopher.

"She wouldn't remember me," Christopher said to Matthew.

"She didn't notice you," he replied.

"Back in place!" Signor Giry yelled.

Everyone ran back to their places and began to dance again. When the song was over, Carl yelled, "All day long! All they want is the singing! Bene, why is no one ever wanting the dancing men?"

"You!" he yelled and pointed accusingly at Le Flub. "You puposely cut out my dancing! Well, then. Let's cut out all my dancing! Bene, what do you think now? Ciao, I'm leaving!"

The dancers sighed and waited for the performance to end.

Andrea and Francine gaped at Le Flub.

"Wuh, what do we do?"

"Kiss ass. Go on, dai, fallo, kiss ass!"

"Signor, angel of dance!" Andrea cried.

Carl stopped.

"The Singor must know that he is the very soul of dance!" Francine groveled.

"Sí, sí, sí," Carl yelled.

"Would the Signor honor us with the ballet solo from Act 2?" Andrea flattered him.

Carl preened. "Carl sees that he is truly appreciated! Sí, I will dance!"

He took his place on the stage. Signora Racer (Monsieur Reyer), the conducter, began to conduct the music.

Carl sang and danced.

"Remember you

I will remember you

Whatever else that I may do

And I hope that you w- aaaaah!"

A large carboard pillar fell on top of Carl. He screamed girlishly as the stagehands labored to pull it off. A caped woman slipped off the catwalk.

"She's here, the Phantessa of the Ballet (Phantom of the Opera)!" Matthew whispered.