Chapter 1: Elizabeth
My name is Elizabeth, I as raised by my father, Erik, in our home beneath the Opera Populaire in Paris. Last week was my sixteenth birthday. My mother did not attend my party. In fact, my father was my only guest, as I never leave my home beneath the opera house. I have not ever met my mother, and I have not seen her since my birth sixteen years ago. I know who she is, Christine Daae, well now her name is Lady Christine de Chagny. I do not know if she would recognize me, as she has not seen me, or pictures of me, since my birth. Now I shall leave my home at last. My father wants me to venture into the world, and see what is on the outside.
What I am to do is very simple. At noon today I will audition for a part in the new "mystery" opera. I am to sing a song I know well, and hopefully, move into the opera house. My father will keep in touch with me through letters, but he prefers that I do not return home more than once a week. Now I must go, or I shall be late for my audition.
Elizabeth went up the back passageway into the opera house. Very cautiously, she made her way to the stage for her scheduled audition. Elizabeth grew very nervous as she listened to another girl's performance. Suddenly, she heard a whisper, her father's voice.
"Don't worry so much. I've taught you all that you need to know. You are one of the greatest singers to ever sing on this stage. Relax, you'll do fine."
Now it was her turn, Elizabeth slowly made her way to the center of the stage, and began to sing a song that had known since she was very young.
Think of me,
Think of me fondly,
When we've said goodbye
Remember me,
Once in a while,
Please promise me you'll try
When you find,
That once again you long
To take your heart back and be free
If you ever find a moment,
Spare a thought for me…
She finished the song, and looked at the five judges who were sitting in the otherwise empty audience, gaping up at her as if they had seen a ghost. Elizabeth waited patiently on the stage for them to regain their voices.
"That… was… FANTASTIC!" one of the judges shouted, breaking the silence, "You're in! I mean, I accept! I mean, you're hired!"
The other four immediately agreed. Elizabeth became the star of the newest opera of the Opera Populaire.
That night, she slept in her new room, the room that she had chosen herself. The room where a large decorative mirror served as a passage to her former home.
The next morning, Elizabeth woke up, got dressed, and walked toward the stage. They would be told their characters, and the name of the "mystery" opera. Elizabeth was handed a script, and nearly fainted upon seeing the title.
TBC…