Finally… the next installment! At the risk of sounding like a broken record player: we're really sorry for the long wait.
Disclaimer: Zip. Zilch. Nada.
-------------------------------------------------
Part XIVFrom: blondeballetrat(at)operapopulaire. com
To: castncrew(at) operapopulaire. com; prettyinpink(at)dechagny. net; bigbrotha(at)dechagny. net
CC: duckducknoose(at)operapopulaire. com
Subject: Hiya!
Heyy guyz and galz at the Opera P.!
Everyting's swell here at Opera somethin… i 4get teh name… but yea, they treat us real nice hear, lyk, private chambers and everything!1!1! i wish we kan stay here 4eva!1
ooo.. who am i kiding?1 i relly miss paris.. I relly wana go bac! -sniff- i'm relly longly here.. nothing to do… no one to talk to.. and Nadir's konversashun skillz are medioker at best… :'(
- Meg
"Cute and blonde since 1854!"
PS. Lyk, kan ne1 of u come an' visit mi?
-------------------------------------------------
From: frenchlady(at)operapopulaire. com
To: castncrew(at) operapopulaire. com; prettyinpink(at)dechagny. net; bigbrotha(at)dechagny. net
Subject: FW: Hiya!
Members of the Opera Populaire:
We have been together so long that I feel we are a big family… A big, musical family… Andie and Firmie are like the daddies, and maybe I'm a kind auntie, and there are lots of sons and daughters, and even an antisocial basement-dwelling teenager type, and—
Well, anyway, since we are such a family, I knew I could count on all of you to help me cheer up my poor, depressed daughter, who has been struck with homesickness on her very first time away from home for so long. I told her this would happen, I said, "Meggie, isn't the ballet here good enough for you?" but of course, she's going through that stubborn phase and she said she'd never get a leading role if she didn't go study AP Ballet Technique, silly girl…
Here is my idea: I think we should make big care packages for Meg! Everyone can give something to add to the box, and then we'll mail it all to Meg in Strasbourg, where she's working so hard and I know she'll love it soooo much. You can bring a little gift, or some nice food, or a letter to Meg and leave it with me. If we all collaborate, we can make such a great package for her! Remember, there's no "I" in "team," so don't hesitate to bring your last package of cookies to my chamber—for the sake of Meg, of course.
Your auntie,
Mme Giry
"Don't just do it, dance it!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: undergroundlunatic(at)operapopulaire. com
To: castncrew(at) operapopulaire. com; prettyinpink(at)dechagny. net; bigbrotha(at)dechagny. net
Subject: FW: FW: Hiya!
You said it! There's no "I" in "team," but there are two in "martini." So, everyone, to my... eh... Christine's suite! I've managed to crack the combination to her lock on the liquor cabinet!
Cheers,
O.G.
"The Phantom of the Opera is there… inside your mind!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: frenchlady(at)operapopulaire. com
To: castncrew(at) operapopulaire. com; prettyinpink(at)dechagny. net; bigbrotha(at)dechagny. net
Subject: FW: FW: FW: Hiya!
Monsieur le Fantome:
Really now, you must take this situation seriously! Now, run along and make a nice present for Meg.
-Mme Giry
"Don't just do it, dance it!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: welovepublicity(at)operapopulaire. com
To: castncrew(at) operapopulaire. com; prettyinpink(at)dechagny. net; bigbrotha(at)dechagny. net
Subject: Marvellous!
We would like to take this moment to say that, as managers, we simply couldn't be prouder of this opera house! This togetherness and bonding are what make the best businesses run the way they do (making lots of money, that is!). We really feel that the Opera Populaire is a special place, and we should all work together, like we are now, to make gigantic profits—we mean, to be the best opera house in history! Woo-hoo!
Luv,
Andre and Firmin
"I had a dream… such publicity! But it was a dream, and nothing more…"
P.S.: Are we really the daddies? Aww!
-------------------------------------------------
From: undergroundlunatic(at)operapopulaire. com
To: castncrew(at) operapopulaire. com; prettyinpink(at)dechagny. net; bigbrotha(at)dechagny. net
Subject: FW: FW: FW: FW: Hiya!
"Monsieur"… hehe… what a funny word! I once wrote a dissertation on the pronunciation of that word once… it wasn't received well by the general public, unfortunately… another funny word is "dissertation"… kinda like "dessert"… but not… wheeeee!
Not drunk at all!
O.G.
"The Phantom of the Opera is there… inside your mind!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: frozenexpression(at)operapopulaire. com
To: undergroundlunatic(at)operapopulaire. com
Subject: Your Alcoholism
Dear my Angel of Music,
I had thought that after taking my health class I'd cured the Opera Populaire of all the different problem that plague our "family," but now I see that I was being foolish and naïve- which is sooo unlike me! My wonderful tutor, I fear you have a problem with alcoholism! I can only imagine what you have stored in your dungeon… and how you are so skilled at picking the sort of locks I use for my doors…
If you do not agree to attend twice-weekly meetings at the local chapter of AMSA (Alcoholic Masked Stalkers Anonymous) I will take more desperate measures. You don't want to make a girl mad!
Your devoted pupil,
Chrissie
"…angel of music…"
P.S.: This is all for your own good. And I will be expecting repayment for my martini ingredients…
-------------------------------------------------
From: undergroundlunatic(at)operapopulaire. com
To: frozenexpression(at)operapopulaire. com
Subject: I swear to drunk I'm not God!
Chrissin,
I don' know why u tink i'm drunk or hav a problm or nething!1 I m perfetcly ok. And u shuld com to drink wiht us!1!1 It's a good party, n it is in your room aniways. Who knew teh balerinas liked martininis soo much?
Luvs,
Erikk
"The Phantom of the Opera is there… inside your mind!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: frenchlady(at)operapopulaire. com
To: castncrew(at)operapopulaire. com; prettyinpink(at)dechagny. net; bigbrotha(at)dechagny. net
Subject: Contributions
Hi all,
I counted up everything last night, and am proud to say that the majority of us got our acts together and managed to find a nice surprise for Meggie. And by majority, I mean all but one!
By the way, Monsieur le Fantome, sir, if you please, go buy Meg a nice little bracelet or such and give it to me before noon, I can still add it to the care package; and really, it'll show Meg that you care, which I'm sure will delight her.
Right, we'll know soon enough whether or not this alleviates poor Meg's homesickness. If it works, I hope we can all continue to send her weekly mail!
Thank you all,
Mme. Giry
P.S.: Monsieur le Vicomte, those are magnificent hair accessories that you purchased for Meg. They really show exquisite, girly taste and are perfect for her!
"Don't just do it, dance it!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: duckducknoose(at)operapopulaire. com
To: castncrew(at)operapopulaire. com; prettyinpink(at)dechagny. net; bigbrotha(at)dechagny. net
Subject: FW: Contributions
Um… what about me? I'm sure someone would like to send me a letter… or some cookies… or a nice little present… I am really not very demanding, and I am quite a good stage hand…
Hello?
Anybody?
Your abandoned Persian,
Nadir
"There's a reason my name isn't 'Apex.'"
-------------------------------------------------
From: prettyinpink(at)dechagny. net;
To: frenchlady(at)operapopulaire. com
Subject: RE: Contributions
Mme. Giry,
"Girly," you say? Oh yes yes, Christine helped me pick those out. But pray, don't ask her; she's sure to deny it, that strange girl! -twitch-
Completely honest,
Raoul, le Vicomte de Chagny
"I feel pretty, oh so pretty!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: undergroundlunatic(at)operapopulaire. com
To: frenchlady(at)operapopulaire. com
Subject: RE: Contributions
My most esteemed Mme. Giry:
I really would like to donate. Believe me, I am a most fervent supporter of the Meg-cause. However, as I am but a deprived ghost with meager funds, I simply cannot afford to purchase extravagant gifts for a temperamental teenage girl.
My sincerest apologies,
O.G.
"The Phantom of the Opera is there… inside your mind!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: frenchlady(at)operapopulaire. com
To: undergroundlunatic(at)operapopulaire. com
Subject: RE: RE: Contributions
Monsieur le Fantome,
Nonsense! I know all about your twenty-thousand francs per month, sir, as I personally hand you your paychecks. Now, then, I'm sure a recluse such as yourself has no where to spend it all, so you must be hoarding at least millions! Come now, spending a few francs won't kill you, you stingy!
Awaiting your contribution,
Mme. Giry
"Don't just do it, dance it!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: undergroundlunatic(at)operapopulaire. com
To: frenchlady(at)operapopulaire. com
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Contributions
Mme Giry:
I'm afraid to inform you that my fortune is completely gone now. Half of it, shh, is in the form of a diamond ring, and the other half I had to use to bribe some nice folks at AMSA to tell Christine I'm a dedicated attendee.
Yours,
O.G.
"The Phantom of the Opera is there… inside your mind!"
-------------------------------------------------
From: frenchlady(at)operapopulaire. com
To: undergroundlunatic(at)operapopulaire. com
Subject: RE: RE: RE: RE: Contributions
M. le F. (so much easier to type!),
Why, don't worry! What size is that ring? Oh.. nevermind! I'm sure it can be resized! Now, I know you meant to propose to Meg after she returns, but you might as well cheer her up now and pop the question!
Oh… just think! I can almost hear the wedding bells!
Soon to be your mother-in-law,
Antoinette
"Don't just do it, dance it!"
-------------------------------------------------
Authors' Note: Oh noes! Is it really true? Did Eloise just put Erik/Meg into the phic? Is that thunderstorm outside the window actually boding the end of the world as we know it? Stay tuned… and review… to find out.