Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera or any of the names, places, fairy tales and operas, or anything that you recognize. All I own are my characters; Leah, Angie, Victor, Jim and my own Phantom that I made up.
Author's note: I had a dream one night, and developed it into this. I put it into the Phantom of the Opera category, but it is very loosely based off of the movie/book/play. Basically I kept the setting, Carlotta and Madame Giry, but mostly everything else is different. The Phantom is completely different, and the story itself is very changed from the original. All operas and fairy tales I use for plays are of my favourite versions that I have heard, so please do not flame me, saying my stories are not right. Also, I am sure most of you can imagine Carlotta and Madame Giry's accents. For the sake of clarity, I will not be writing them in.
The Phantom of the Opera House
Chapter One
Leah danced across the stage, letting the music flow through her. She always felt this way whenever the music started, forgetting the world around her, and even more so when she joined the Opera House. She could now dance every day to her hearts content, letting the music soothe her as it did when she was a child. She had been dancing since she was a very young girl, her mother encouraging her every step.
Leah was nineteen and had started in the chorus of the Opera House over a year ago. The first thing she had done when she had returned Paris was to visit the Opera. She had fallen in love again with the singing, the dancing, and had approached the managers the next day. After an audition, which was rather short when they saw her skill, she moved her few belongings into the dormitories. She joined the chorus the next day, with a handful of girls close to her age.
She had begun slowly, getting into the feel of dancing every day again, and practising her singing, which the chorus was expected to do. She did everything with the girls from her dormitory, the same routine every day: they woke up at the same time, ate, stretched, practised their dance pieces, had a small lunch, and moved on to singing in the afternoon. Dinner was their only big meal of the day, as a dancer could not dance on a full stomach. In the evenings, the girls made and fixed costumes for the upcoming play or opera, or whatever else needed to be done. For the Opera House was the hall's name, but they performed musical operas, plays with a number of songs, or plays with only accompanying music and no singing whatsoever. They even put on ballets with music only, no singing or even speaking.
She came out of her memories as the music started to slow and Leah slowed with it, gracefully coming to a stop in a finishing pose. Her friends started clapping and Leah smiled at them. She looked up at the conductor, who nodded his approval, and saw, out of the corner of her eye, the stagehands leering at her. Leah wrinkled her nose. If she had not been wearing her form-fitting practice tights and wispy skirt, they would not take a second look at her.
Leah thought her face was plain, her eyes a boring shade of brown. Her form was too curvy for her to be a fulltime ballerina, which was why she was still in the chorus. Her best feature, and her only nice one, she thought, was her hair. It was a dark shiny brown and fell almost to her waist when it was down, and straight as rain. At the moment her hair was curled up into a bun, a few strands floating around her face from her exertions.
Leah moved off to the side of the stage, where a pair of girls were warming up. The upcoming performance was The Flying Dutchman opera; a sad story of a condemned sea Captain cursed to sail the seas for eternity, only able to step foot on land once every seven years. Unless he finds the love of a pure woman, then he would be set free. Leah had finally been given a solo part. Of course, Carlotta was going to be acting the part of the daughter, whose father helps the Captain. She then falls in love with him.
Leah was simply dancing a ballet piece near the middle of the opera, representing the Love the Captain could never find. It was a beautiful piece though, Leah admitted to herself. The Captain, played by the new Tenor, Victor, would sing mournfully, wandering across the 'seas' while Leah danced just out of reach. Leah liked her role better than the one Carlotta would be playing, though she did not tell that to anyone.
The duet started their practice, two small blonde girls who looked nearly identical. They would dance their piece at the very beginning, while the narrator sang, introducing the story. It was not a very complicated piece, as they were just supposed to be there to rest the eyes upon, while the narrator sang.
Leah stretched, watching the girls dance, making sure her muscles were cool before sitting down to rest. The twins, as everyone called them, were wonderful to watch, as they seemed to be two parts of the same person, always coordinated with each other, never missing a beat.
Their piece ended shortly, and Leah clapped along with the rest when they landed in their finishing pose, each mirroring the other.
The conductor called for Carlotta and Victor, wanting to rehearse their scene at the end of the opera. The chorus girls set to the waiting pile of costumes, each needed to be resized for the intended actor. Some needed to be repaired as well; all the girls in the chorus were taught to sew as soon as they came into the Opera House. If you were in the lower class, like Leah was, you had to do as much work as possible when you were not rehearsing. You had to earn your keep, so to speak. Leah dreamed of becoming the Prima Donna, like Carlotta was now. The main Soprano simply rehearsed, showed up for her costume fittings and spent the rest of the day lounging about, or wandering the city. Carlotta had not picked up a needle and thread for many years now, and she was never asked to do anything. The Opera house had no other Soprano, except for those in the chorus, and they did not matter. Yet. And since she was their one and only Prima Donna, the managers had spoiled her rotten, keeping her happy so she would sing for them. Leah hated her. Most of the girls' chorus hated her, along with most of the men's chorus. Each of the girls thought that Carlotta did not deserve to be treated like a queen, envying her position at the same time. Carlotta showed only contempt to those in the chorus groups, which did not earn her any friends. The only one who seemed to enjoy her company was Victor, and he was new. He had replaced Piangi not long after Leah had joined, and seemed to genuinely think that Carlotta was a Goddess. Although he was a lot nicer than Carlotta and always had time to spare for a few words with the chorus girls.
Voices rose through the air and Leah sighed. Carlotta did sing beautifully when she felt like it, and Victor's voice suited hers perfectly. Leah grabbed a costume from the pile and sat against the wall, next to her friend, Angeline. Angie smiled at her, her blue eyes sparkling as she worked on her own costume.
"You danced beautifully Leah," she said softly, not interrupting the rehearsal. "I can see why Madame Giry recommended you for that part."
Leah knotted her thread and began sewing. "Oh?" She asked. "And what do you mean by that?"
"Well, you are playing the role of True Love. And when you danced, I felt that. It was as if you were love personified. I have never seen you dance with that much emotion before, it was lovely." Angie tossed her black curls over her shoulder and smiled at her friend.
"Why thank you Angie!" Leah whispered. "That means a lot to me to hear you say that." Leah grinned, "Let's just hope that Madame Giry will recommend me for a singing part next time."
Angie laughed quietly. "Sometimes dancing is better. At least you are not playing some dim-witted girl that falls in love with a portrait of the Captain and jumps off a cliff to set him free," she jerked her chin towards Carlotta, who was in the process of jumping off a 'cliff'. Angie laughed again and shook her head. Leah smiled at her friend and bent to her own work. Angie was a part of the chorus when they danced, but was given the opportunity to sing once, and now sung quite a bit more than she danced. Angie was a Mezzo-Soprano, or middle tone, and usually played minor villains or young boys. Leah knew that Angie wished to someday be a part of The Sleeping Beauty, longing to play the one and only bad fairy. Leah also wished they would perform the play, which was more of a ballet than anything though. Leah secretly wished to play nothing less than the sleeping beauty, but knew it would never happen with Carlotta around.
Leah finished adjusting a veiled skirt and dropped it into the completed pile, picking up another pair of waiting costumes. She handed one to Angie and sat back down. She bent to apply her needle but straightened quickly, feeling eyes boring into her. She looked to her right cautiously, looking through her lashes. She met a pair of bright blue eyes and quickly looked back to her work. The man's face was imprinted in her memory for a minute. Short, night black hair and startling blue eyes set in a very handsome face.
Leah frowned, now why would Jim, one of the stagehands, be watching her, when the lovely Carlotta was on display? After a moment, Leah glanced back over to the edge of the stage, but Jim was working on the lights, an odd little smile on his face.
The rehearsal ended and Leah repeated her sigh. As much as she disliked the main actress, they did work well together. Victor gazed adoringly at Carlotta, and Leah thought that his silly expression would finally come in use for when the opera was performed. The morning was almost over, and the orchestra began putting away their instruments. Leah's stomach rumbled, reminding her that lunch would be served soon. Angie laughed at her, and her own stomach grumbled in reply.
"Chorus girl!" Carlotta snapped, calling the girls to attention. The Prima Donna never addressed them by name, and they had to pay attention to who she was talking to. Unfortunately, she was glaring straight at Leah, her dark eyes aflame. She hopped to her feet and rushed over to the singer, hoping she wouldn't get a slap.
"Yes Madame?" Leah asked as innocently as possible.
Carlotta leaned down, narrowing her eyes at the young girl. "If I ever hear you speaking while I am singing again," she hissed, "So help me God, I will make sure you never step foot on the stage again! Do you understand me?"
"Yes Madame," She said quietly, looking down at the floor. Leah knew if she was to look anywhere else, especially if she looked up at Carlotta, the woman would go on another rant and would not stop for hours.
"Good." Carlotta straightened and stuck her chin in the air. "Now make sure my costumes are fixed and perfectly cleaned and in my dressing room by tomorrow. Get out of my sight!"
Leah hurried over to where Angie was sitting, embarrassment flooding her face.
"What did the queen want this time?" Angie asked, very quietly.
"If I ever speak during her performance again I will not live to regret it," Leah said mockingly.
"I see, did she threaten you with doing nothing in this opera house but mopping for the rest of your career?" Angie kept her face serious, but her eyes were amused.
Leah fought down a laugh. "Almost. I will never dance again. So I guess I will have to turn to mopping." Leah went over to the pile of costumes and sorted out those meant for Carlotta. Thankfully there were only two, as she was only in two scenes. She folded them hastily and shoved them under her arm. "I pulled a double sewing shift today," Leah said to her friend who had joined her.
"Oh Leah," Angie shook he head. "Again?"
"I cannot help it Angie, Carlotta loves to keep me busy." They set off for the dormitories so they could get cleaned up before lunch was ready.
"I have not crossed Carlotta's path for some time now," Angie said, after they had changed into their everyday 'uniforms'. Each girl was issued the same kind of clothing for when they were not practicing dance; a knee-length brown skirt and matching blouse. Angie fiddled with her skirt tie and continued. "And she has not given me extra duty; I can help you tonight if you wish."
"That would be a big help, Angie, thank you. Carlotta not only wants her costumes finished, she wants them cleaned and pressed for tomorrow morning." Leah bit the inside of her cheek, keeping her anger in check.
"Oh dear," Angie sighed. "We had better start as soon as dinner is over then."
"Again, thank you." Leah played with her hair, winding a bit around her finger.
"Think no more of it dear," Angie pushed her lightly. "How many times have you helped me finish Carlotta's demanding tasks?"
Leah grinned. "At least as many times as you have helped me."
"Oh Leah!" Angie exclaimed, clapping her hands in delight, her train of thought changing, lightning quick as it usually did. "You will have to be more careful next time you perform the Love Ballet."
"Why? What do you mean?" Leah asked her, confused.
"You had most of the stagehands entranced! Madame Giry had to yell at them to get them back to work!" Angie laughed, clasping her hands under her chin. "It was so romantic, I swear you had half of them in love with you at that moment."
"Oh my," Leah said weakly.
Angie laughed again and threaded her arm through her friend's. "Come on, let's hurry before lunch is gone."
Later that night, Angie and Leah ran lightly through the hallways, heading for the washing room. They had already finished sewing the costumes and hoped to finish early, so they could have a bit of time to themselves before the night was over.
The washing room was very warm compared to the drafty halls, the hot wash water heated the room to the point where it was almost uncomfortable. The chorus girls spent the next hour or so gently scrubbing the delicate material, complaining to each other the whole time.
"I mean, honestly!" Leah was saying. "Why does she need her costumes by tomorrow? The opera is not for a week yet!"
"She needs them for tomorrow," Angie said matter-of-factly, "because she had hoped you would not be able to do it, so she could yell at you some more." She shook her head. "I do not know what you did to Carlotta, but she really dislikes you."
"I do not know either," Leah grumbled. "But be sure, the feeling is returned."
They spent most of the evening drying and pressing the costumes, and then hung them gently in cloth carriers. All they had to do was deliver them in the morning without mishap and Leah would be safe again.
Leah rubbed her eyes, guessing it was near midnight. Angie stifled a yawn behind her hand. "We should get to the dormitory quickly, it is late," she said.
The Opera House was rather frightening at night, Leah thought to herself. Most of the lights were extinguished, the few lamps left burning cast odd shadows everywhere. During the day, people were everywhere doing their respective tasks, but at night, nobody was around. The familiar, everyday noises were replaced with an odd silence, small sounds bouncing off walls, distorting until they were loud and frightening. The girls hurried their steps unconsciously, silently cursing the fact that the dormitories were on the other side of the building from the wash room.
Somewhere off behind them, something crashed to the floor, the noise echoing loudly through the hall. The girls heard the sound of wings, or perhaps a cloak being fluttered. Angie yelped and they took off at a run, not daring to look behind them.
They ran until their sides ached, but did not slow until they reached the familiar set of hallways. They burst through the door to their dormitory and slammed it behind them, causing some of the other girls to complain in their sleep.
Leah's bed was the closest to the window, and Angie's was next to hers. Leah collapsed on her bed, panting. "Wh-what was that?" she gasped.
Angie shook her head slowly, her face pale. "It was the Phantom," she said, her voice scared.
"The Phantom? What nonsense is that?" Leah changed into her night dress and settled on her small bed.
Angie pulled her blanket over her shoulders and leaned towards her friend. "Were you not told about the Phantom when you first came?"
Leah snorted. "No. I guess the Phantom was taking a break when I showed up."
"Leah, it is not funny," Angie protested and lowered her voice to a whisper. "I was told that not too long ago, a murderer named Barton stalked the streets of Paris. He was demented, preying on young women, capturing them and torturing them before he killed them. It was horrible," Angie shuddered. "Nobody felt safe going out at night. People were even nervous leaving their homes during the day. It was a year before they caught him."
Angie's voice quieted further and Leah had to lean forward to hear her speak. "They chased him right into the Opera House, down to the basements, where they cornered him. By then he was completely mad, he did not speak a word when they trapped him. But as soon as he saw that he was caught, he killed himself." Angie looked around, as if he was right there. "They say that his spirit was trapped here, and that he haunts the opera house, searching for more young girls to kill." She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. "I thought I saw him once, when I was late coming back from the bathing room. I saw a pair of glowing red eyes fading into one of the dark hallways behind me. I was so frightened! I did not sleep for days!"
Leah shivered. "That certainly is a horrible story, Angie. I hope for your sanity's sake it isn't true."
"You don't believe me!" Angie put her fists on her hips.
"No, I do not. I do not believe in ghosts, and especially not murdering ones." Leah lay back on her bed and pulled her blanket up to her neck. "We have to be up early tomorrow and I would like to sleep." A pillow smacked into the side of her head, startling her.
Angie sniggered behind her hand and Leah tackled her on her bed. She sat on top of her and beat her with her own pillow. "Leah, quit it!" She whispered loudly. "I'm sorry, now stop!"
"Hey! Enough now, we're trying to sleep!" shouted a voice from across the room.
Leah hopped over to her bed guiltily and quickly burrowed beneath the covers, muffling her laughter with her pillow.
"Goodnight Leah," came a whisper from the other bed.
"'Night Angeline."
