Opera, Paris and Little Ghosts
"Where are you goin' to take us this time?" asked Gillian as she and Jennifer once more entered the TARDIS from the back garden of 3, Elizabeth Avenue.
"Well I was wondering if we might not do something a little more educational this time." Replied the Doctor, turning to smile at them from his place by the console.
"Oh," murmured Gillian, slightly disappointed, "like what?"
"Like, how much do you know about opera?" he asked.
"I went to see "The Phantom of the Opera" once, but I don't suppose that counts." Said Gillian. The Doctor smiled.
"It might do. What about you Jen, I would of thought you would be into opera."
"I've heard bits and pieces and I saw "Carmen Jones" on TV a couple of months ago. But I've always wanted to see a proper opera."
"Then your wish is my command." Said the Doctor with a bow. He caught sight of Gillian's expression and winked at her, "And next time I'll take you to the Vin Deisil exhibition at the "Milky Way Actor's Museum" okay."
Gillian brightened at this.
"Whatever you say Doc."
"Alright, everyone hold on tight." The Doctor flipped the switches of the TARDIS control panel and the girls felt the ship heave beneath their feet as it entered the time vortex. When it landed the Doctor nodded towards the wardrobe room.
"Paris," he told them, "1932, "La Traviata" by Verdi, opening night of one of the most successful runs in history with La Piccina, one of the greatest Verdi soprano's of all time."
"Paris!" the girls squeaked in unison.
"Yup, now hurry up and get changed, you don't want to miss the first act."
The pair practically ran all the way to the wardrobe room and began sorting through the racks of clothes.
"Here this'll look great on you, plus it's black." called Jennifer, handing her friend a gorgeous black silk gown with diamond panels and a train. Gillian was happy to let her friend choose the clothes for these occasions, it was the type of stuff she loved and she always showed good taste. Gillian was just amazed that the TARDIS stocked everything in their sizes. For herself Jennifer had found an off the shoulder costume of dark red velvet. She had also managed to find some appropriate underwear and accessories. Once they were dressed she even did Gillian's hair, contriving it into a long role across the nape of her neck with pins and a considerable amount of hairspray. For her own she kept it in loose waves at the front, pleating it at the back and twirling it into a knot which she pinned to the back of her head. Black gloves, some fake diamonds and a grey fur wrap completed Gillian's outfit while Jennifer went with pearls, black silk gloves and a black velvet cape. Linking arms the two friends sashayed along to the control room and stopped in the doorway, staring at the Doctor.
Normally the Doctor didn't get changed when they went on their little expeditions. No one really seemed to notice if his brown suit and overcoat didn't quite fit in but tonight he had made a real effort. He was dressed in the kind of suit which is usually referred to as "white tie and tails" and always made Jennifer think of Fred Astaire. There were black trousers and a short-waisted black jacket with long lapels and two tails at the back. Then there was an ivory shirt, waistcoat and bowtie. Gold cufflinks sparkled at his wrists and his black patent shoes shone. The suit fitted well, not that his normal one didn't but it seemed to enhance his slightly gangling image where this one made him seem perfectly proportioned. He had made an effort with his hair as well, it was combed and lay flatter than usual on his head. Gillian had to contain herself from muttering "Woof" at the sight of him. The man was hot!
"Well look at you two." He said cheerfully when he saw them. "You both look fantastic!"
"Thanks," managed Jennifer who looked like she were about to disintegrate into a puddle of drool if he smiled like that again. "You look…. good too."
"Very good," murmured Gillian.
"Thanks," he said, giving them a twirl that almost made them both faint, "we should get going." He grabbed a long black coat and threw it on, completing the look with a white silk scarf. Gillian and Jennifer left through the door he held open for them and then he took hold of them both, one on each arm and propelled them out into the Paris evening.
There was some snow on the ground and there was a bite to the air. The TARDIS was parked outside the exit to the Opera Metro station, just across from the building itself. The Opera House was lit up with golden light like a giant wedding cake and surrounded by ancient, classic cars and carriages. Beautifully dressed men and women exited these vehicles and climbed the steps into the glorious building. Gillian had only ever seen it from the outside and could not help the gasp that escaped her upon entering.
There was gold and marble and soft gaslight everywhere. A man near the door took their coats and another checked the tickets which the Doctor held out to him. They were lead up one of the grand marble stairways and along a corridor with several red door all with golden numbers on them. The steward stopped at one of these doors and unlocked it with a small golden key. The Doctor ushered them inside and this time both girls let out a gasp. They were in one of the small exclusive boxes near the stage. Everything in there was red velvet, white plaster and gold leaf. The Doctor sat down between them and reached into his jacket pocket.
"I thought you might like to se this." He said passing a sheaf of papers to Jennifer. "It's the libretto for this opera. The music and choral score all in Italian." Jennifer whooped with delight as she flicked through the pages.
"This is amazing." She whispered, her face glowing.
"What's La Traviata about anyway?" asked Gillian from the other side.
"It's kind of like "Moulin Rouge" without the pop-culture references." Replied Jennifer. Gillian nodded her approval and settled back to watch as the lights in the theatre dimmed.
It was like Moulin Rouge; there was a consumptive prostitute and everything. The music soared above their heads and the three sat enthralled in their little box. During the interval the Doctor had champagne brought up and they drank and talked. As it turned out the Doctor was something of an opera nut and kept shouting "Brava, brava" when everyone clapped and cheered. When the performance was over both girls were rather reluctant to leave the magic of the Opera House behind.
Wrapped up in their furs and cloaks they felt their way gingerly down the steps in the cold. They looked sadly over at the TARDIS which they could see across the road, expecting to be told it was time to go home but instead the Doctor hailed one of the ornamental open top horse-drawn carriages.
"Game for a ride?" he asked.
"Absolutely!" they chorused and they clambered aboard. The horse took off at a slow canter towards the Magdelaine but it was barely half-way down the street when Gillian pointed out the problem with this mode of transport.
"It's bloody freezing." she announced, shivering. Jennifer nodded her agreement. They were sat together on one side of the carriage facing the Doctor who was travelling backwards.
"Ah, but I am the Doctor and as such have the universal cure to cold." and reaching under his seat he pulled out two huge woollen blankets. Scooting across the gap the bunched himself in between the girls and pulled the blankets around the three of them putting his arms around them both. "Snuggle up." He told them happily as they cuddled into him appreciatively.
They continued in silence for some time looking around the beautiful city all lit up for night.
"I bet you don't know what I'm thinkin' about." Gillian said, peering around the Doctor's chest to Jennifer. She laughed.
"Oh I bet I do. One, two, three, hit it!" And they began to sing. It was a stupid song, from what the Doctor could make out. Something about a man being in love with a ghost or some other such nonsense. At one point they took to caterwauling long screeching notes and at the end they abandoned singing altogether and jigged up and down making guitar noises then fell about laughing.
"What the hell was that?" he asked.
"Little Ghost by the White Stripes," Gillian told him through her laughter. "It was the unofficial anthem the year the two of us went to Paris for the summer." They started laughing again.
"That's stupid!" he told them but they weren't really listening. "It's not even a Parisy song." He said.
"Alright tell us a Parisy song and we'll sing it." Challenged Jennifer.
"Well, you will." Said Gillian and got a look.
"Okay," said the Doctor after a minute, "how about La Vie en Rose."
"Only know the tune." Said Gillian.
"I know it," Jennifer practically crowed.
"All together then." Cheered the Doctor and they sang La Vie en Rose in a surprisingly good three part harmony. By the time they had finished laughing over that they were back at the Opera House again and it was really freezing.
"Inside and warm up the TARDIS." He told them. "I feel like going somewhere hot for a while."
"Like where?" asked Gillian.
"I was thinking about the solar park on Mercury in 3010." The girls grinned at twin images of the Doctor sunbathing in shorts and all the fun you could have with tanning lotion.
"Sounds good." They said in unison, closing the door of the TARDIS behind them.