Chapter 6- The Phantom's Warning
Christine went and sat on her bed. Her first singing lesson with the phantom had gone reasonably well.
I must try harder, for his… Erik's sake. She thought.
He had given her his name, unknown by anyone else that she knew of. That must have meant he trusted her. She wished that he had played that song she loved and knew so well, but knew better than to ask.
She couldn't sleep, a mixture of emotions which she couldn't work out, flooded through her.
She began to pace the room.
I hope he was pleased with what I could do; maybe he thinks I'm terrible. But his voice... it's like the one I heard in my dream. He must be my angel. The one that father sent. But how could he be.
Christine lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, deep in thought. Her concentration broke when she heard a violin playing.
She smiled and sat back up.
"Please lie down." Erik's voice whispered. "You need your sleep. It's late. I kept you up for too long."
Christine did as he instructed. She shut her eyes and listened to the violin. His voice drifted over the top softly.
"Erik?" she asked timidly. The violin continued to play.
Erik was trying to keep his emotions intact. The way she had just said his name made his heart beat a lot faster. He had started to sing along with the violin, but his throat dried up and he could not speak. It was like a rope had been wrapped tightly around his neck stopping words escaping from his mouth.
"Erik?" Christine called his name again only her voice sounded slightly worried. This he did not want to cause.
"I'm here." He replied, his throat feeling slightly freer than before.
"Why did you stop singing?" She asked.
Erik tried to think of something reasonable to say. He did not want her to know how he felt about her just yet, and not hint anything either.
"I'm sorry. I thought you had fallen asleep." He told her softly.
"No, please continue. You have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. The way you sing that song, it's most amazing, I could listen to it forever." She said heavily.
Erik did as she asked and continued to sing the song Music of the Night.
Turn you face away
From the garish light of day…
She continued to drift between reality and dreams as the words hit her like waves on the sand. Eventually, she drifted off into sleep, Erik seemed to notice, because the second she fell asleep, he packed his violin away into its case, and again walked back down to his lair.
She thinks I have an amazing voice…well who'd have thought that? Erik continued to think about Christine all the way back to his lair. He was surprised at how quickly he found himself standing in front of the boat which would take him back to his lair. He got in it, and started to row.
His thoughts about Christine stayed with him all the way across the underground lake. He kept thinking about the way that she used his name. She treated it just as delicately as the songs that she sang. His boat now approached the portcullis, which guarded his lair; it seemed to automatically open on his approach.
The boat went through, and the portcullis dropped down behind him. Once the boat had reached the shore, he stepped out and moved over to his desk. There was one last thing he had to do before he could be sure of Christine securing the lead role. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out some ink, parchment and a quill. Dipping the quill into the ink, he began to write.
My managers,
Word has reached me of a new production that you have planned to perform in a few months time. From my understanding this production is known as Il Muto, in which you have planned to give Carlotta the main role should you persuade her to take the part after last time. I advise strongly against your decision, as you seem to forget that this is my theatre…
"And it shall be run the way I want it to be run. Therefore you shall replace Carlotta with Miss Daae and as before box 5 is to be kept empty for my use. If these commands are not obeyed a terrible disaster will occur."
I remain gentlemen, your humble servant…"O.G" Firmin read aloud, his face red with rage.
André grabbed the paper from Firmin and began to scan through it. After a few moments of frustrated silence, André looked back up at Firmin who was almost shaking with fury.
"I… err" Andre stuttered, trying to find the right thing to say as it looked as if Firmin might explode.
Why does he get so wound up by these letters? It's obviously someone playing a joke. André thought.
"What André!" Firmin spat, his patience wearing very thin.
"What are we going to do about this then?" André inquired.
Firmin turned to face André, his face like thunder. "I'll tell you what we are going to do" Firmin tried his best not to let much more of his anger show at this question. He didn't say anything for a moment, and then ripped the piece of parchment he was holding in two, then crushed it into a ball and threw it onto the fire that was glowing in the fireplace.
André gasped at his partner.
"I will not be made a fool of any longer by this insane maniac who thinks he owns this theatre" Firmin shouted at André.
"So you're not going to take note in his warnings?" André asked.
A woman's voice answered this time. "No I don't believe he is. This is the most foolish decision you can make Messieurs." It was Madame Giry standing in the doorway of the office, her face full of fear and surprise as she spoke.
"And why do you think that?" André asked before Firmin had a chance.
"Because you do not understand that the Opera Ghost is not just a rumour." She started to almost plead with them. "He may go as far as taking another's life, surely you don't want that on your conscience?"
These fools, he will go as far as killing if they don't obey. I just prey to god they reconsider this course of action. She thought desperately.
Firmin had had enough of all this nonsense. "Oh God in heaven your obsessed woman!" he yelled at Madame Giry. "There is no such thing as the Phantom!"
Erik, who had been watching them from a secret location in the room, simply chuckled silently at Firmin's disbelief. Oh there isn't, isn't there? He thought menacingly. We'll soon see about that.
He decided to make his presence known. "Your disbelief disappoints me Firmin." His voice echoed around the room.
All three spun around, glancing round the room trying to locate the fourth person who was apparently amongst them.
Erik continued, his voice becoming firmer. "Seeing as my letters do not convince you, maybe you will take my warnings more seriously now that I am speaking to you in person hmm?"
Firmin, André and Madame Giry said nothing, Firmin and André simply looked at each other, shock written in both their faces.
"Thank you, your silence says I'm understood" he said softly. "Madame Giry would you kindly leave the room, as I have some business to discuss with my managers."
Without a moments hesitation Madame Giry swept out of the room, closing the door behind her.
"So?" Erik continued, he seemed rather amused at the looks on both Firmin and André's faces each time he spoke, "Now do you believe in the insane maniac who does own the theatre?"
Firmin took a step forward. "Yes I do, I believe that you are a sick pervert who has lost his mind and is totally obsessed with money! You make me sick and your joke has gone on long enough."
"Richard NO!" André bellowed.
Firmin simply smirked, pleased with the way he had handled the so called 'Opera Ghost'.
Ha! That'll show him, I have stumbled on the truth. Now he will have no choice but to leave us alone, and everyone will love me for it! Firmin thought proudly.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a rope had dropped out of the ceiling and had wrapped itself tightly around Firmin's neck.
How dare he say such things, this imbecile has no idea of what he speaks!
"NO STOP!" André cried. He ran over to Firmin, trying to loosen the rope that was progressively cutting off Firmin's air supply as it tightened.
Erik was seething; he felt his anger steadily rising. His long leather covered fingers curled and gripped the other end of the rope, holding it tight. "The more you attempt to free him, the faster you're killing him." He hissed.
André let go of the rope quickly, leaving Firmin struggling for breath.
"Please stop. We will obey your commands. Just don't kill him. I beg of you" André pleaded.
"You give me your word, do you Monsieur André?" Erik replied.
"Yes, Yes! I give you my word. Everything and anything you command, it shall be done" André stammered quickly.
"So Monsieur Firmin?" Erik whispered dangerously. "I take it you now understand, that when my commands are not taken seriously then disasters will happen. Do I make myself clear?"
"Y... Yes!" Firmin choked.
Erik paused for a few moments, then slowly released his grip on the rope. "You may go and remove the rope from around his neck" he instructed.
André quickly lifted the rope over his head, and Firmin collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. He knelt over him, loosening his tie to allow more breathing room. André stood back up, noting that the rope had somehow disappeared.
"That was not pleasant." Erik whispered. "Next time I would seriously think about what you are going to say before the words come bursting out your mouth. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!" He bellowed. Causing both Firmin and André to stay rooted to the spot in fear.
His voice now softened when he spoke to them. "You know what I have asked of you for this new production and I shall continue to check and write comments as to what can be improved or anything that needs to be eliminated."
"H… how did you even know about the new production? We had only agreed on it… what… two days ago?" André asked quietly.
"I am the eyes and ears of the Opera House. There is nothing I do not know. You will do well to remember that" he answered. "Now, my good messieurs, I will take my leave, and may I suggest that Miss Daae finds out about your decision as soon as possible, so that she can start practising and I can guarantee this will be the best production you have had in three seasons, Good bye." He said and began to walk back down the corridor.
That's them sorted for now, at least they will not disobey me. Now I can focus on Christine and help her prepare for the upcoming performance. Hopefully she should receive the good news by tonight, assuming that they have worked out the cast list.
The sounds of the Managers high-pitched, squeaky voices were becoming fainter. He smiled to himself; it gave him great pleasure at how André had begged him for his mercy. His smile faded; he had given Firmin his mercy, previously he would have killed anyone who threw an insult like that without hesitation. What made him stop? He shrugged off this thought, and continued through the cold darkness, now out of earshot of his squeaking guinea pig like managers.
-
In the evening, Messieurs Firmin, André and Reyer and Madame Giry, had arranged for the dancers, musicians and others to come to the main theatre at 8 PM for a special announcement.
Meg and Christine were walking down the marble staircase alongside others who were heading to the same destination.
"Il Muto?" Meg asked. "What's that all about"?
"I'm not sure but I'm sure it will be explained to us. They will probably give us the scripts and read out the cast list" she replied.
They entered the hall, found themselves some seats nearby, and went to sit down.
Christine looked toward the stage, there stood Firmin, André, Reyer and Madame Giry. They all looked rather nervous and edgy. She noticed that several times all four of them would look up toward box 5. Firmin almost had his gaze fixed on the box.
She could hear Carlotta, who amazingly enough had agreed to come. She was talking heartily to Piangi, her shill voice was piercing to those sitting nearby.
I wish she would just shut up for once in her life! She just loves the sound of her own voice. No doubt she will wake the dead with her screech like 'singing' when she gets the main role. She thought irritably."Attention everyone" Firmin called over the sea of whispering heads that filled the red seats. "We have decided on the new production as you know, called Il Muto."
André took over and was telling them the main outline of the story, Meg seemed to be daydreaming. She had taken a guess that she would be cast as one of the dancers and so didn't really need to pay attention to the story.
After 10 minutes Madame Giry handed him a scroll of parchment on which was the cast list.
Andre looked at the list and read out the list for the dancers. Meg looked unamused.
I know I'm going to be cast as a dancer yet again, surprise surprise, why can't I be cast as something different. I mean I have talked to her about it. I really want to try something new. She thought looking slightly down.
Andre read out the everlasting list of dancers, and Meg perked up when she noticed her name wasn't read out. She sat on her seat listening intently.
"The maids of the manor…" André began., "…Andrea, Clarissa, Louise, Martina, and Meg."
Megs face broke into a smile. She shot a glance up at her mother up on stage to find she was already looking at her; Madame Giry smiled at her daughter. Meg knew her mother had put in a good word about her and so she had ended up doing something new.
Christine had also been looking edgy; she had noticed the glances that box 5 were getting from the four adults standing onstage.
"The page boy shall be played by…"André broke off, looking at Firmin to make sure to read out what they had cast. Firmin gave a nod and Andre continued.
"La Carlotta." André finished. The colour had gone from his face as soon as the words had left his mouth.
Christine had to quickly cover her mouth to stop herself from laughing at the look on Carlotta's face.
Carlotta had stood up with her mouth wide open. She was gasping in protest at the part she had been given. She stood up fiercely and was now marching over to the stage, Piangi at her heel, roaring along with her.
"And the count and countess of the manor, Piangi and Christine." Andre said very quickly before running behind Firmin, as Carlotta looked as if she was about to hit him repeatedly with her fan that she grasped very tightly had in her hand.
Me? Countess? Erik will be so pleased when I tell him the good news. Even though Carlotta doesn't agree. Christine thought happily, tears forming in her eyes.
She looked up at the stage where Madame Giry was desperately trying to stop Carlotta, Piangi and the managers from having a catfight. She noticed that Reyer had run away, which she thought was the best thing to do; she got out of her seat and retired to her room.
-
Christine entered her room, shut the door and locked it quickly behind her. She didn't want to be disturbed just for the moment. She pressed her back against the door, slid down into a ball and rested her head on her knees, tears streaming down her pale face.
A voice reached her ears; it was Erik.
"My dear child, why are you crying?" He whispered softly.
Her face broke into a smile; tears still welling in her emerald green eyes.
"It's nothing. It's good news actually. I'm just being silly." She replied quietly.
"What news may this be my angel." He asked her softly.
Christine was so happy; all she wanted to say came out of her mouth at once, "I got the main part as the countess and Carlotta was not happy. She was screaming at the managers and she sounded a bit like a strangled cat and Piangi wasn't happy either, but she tried to hit one of the managers, so he went and hid behind the other. It looked very funny, the look on her face, the stupid toad, she loves the sound of her own voice and the way she sings is enough to wake the dead." Christine began to laugh hysterically.
Erik was chuckling silently too. He loved the way she laughed. It made him glow, something he would never have thought possible.
"Well I congratulate you, and it's nothing to cry about." He told her coolly. "Would you like me to help you practise?"
"Yes please, but would you mind if I started tomorrow?" She asked.
"Of course not." He replied. "I'll come at this time tomorrow then?"
"Yes please, I think I need to just…" She stammered trying to explain.
"…Get over your excitement." He finished for her. "That's perfectly understandable. You look tired. I suggest that you get an early night as your rehearsals start tomorrow."
"Yes I will." She yawned heavily and stretched. "Goodnight Erik, pleasant dreams." She said sleepily.
"Goodnight, my angel." He replied softly.
She climbed into bed, and he began to play the violin for her.
Her eyes fluttered at the beautiful sound, after what seemed only minutes all she could remember was the black she could see as she drifted off into her dreams.
Erik placed the violin in its case, and looked back up at his sleeping angel. "Sweet dreams." He whispered before blowing her a kiss.
He picked up his violin case and continued his dark travel back to his home.
