Chapter 13: Notes.
The next morning, Andre and Firmin arrived at the opera house to find people lined up down the street. The doors of the theatre were crowded by the growing mob of people and it seemed continue to grow. The windows that looked out from the ballet hall were filled with the awed faced of the ballerinas who watched the crowd down in the square. Uniformed guards had placed themselves at the doors and kept them locked as if a performance was to be starting. It had been a long time since the Opera Populair had seen this kind of publicity before. Andre and Firmin were greatly pleased to see it.
Madame Giry paced behind the large main doors of the theatre, behind them the crowd gathered in the street. In her hands she held a series of notes, all with different names one them. Meg sat sleepily on the stairs behind her mother. She had come into her room early in the morning, clutching the notes close to her heart and told her that she must be present to greet the managers. Monsieur Reyer had also joined them as well as Monsieur Faireaux, the head fly man of three years, Monsieur and Madame Vertlin the head costume designers, and Monsieur Gravert the stage manager and set designer, who had pulled his son Jaque along because Jaque was the head stable boy below Monsieur Laflame, who had been drinking the previous night and was in no condition to meet the managers this morning. Madame Giry had rolled her eyes at the news of Monsieur Laflame but wasn't surprised by his actions. She simply continued to pace as the banging on the doors grew louder and louder. Behind her, the gathering of professionals was getting impatient. Madame Vertlin was the worst of them all muttering things to her husband about having work to do and what not. Madame Giry simply ignored her as she did most of the time. Suddenly the doors opened a crack and the noise of the crowd filtered in as the managers pushed and shoved through the people and the guards fought to keep anyone that wasn't Andre and Firmin out. Finally the doors closed behind them and there was a quiet stillness that came over the foyer.
"Good morning everyone," Firmin said cheerfully, "to what to we owe the pleasure?"
"Very good question, Monsieur, we were all just told to be in the foyer before you arrived," Monsieur George Gravert said as he glared at Madame Giry, "the woman said it was important but once we got here she refused to tell us anything until you got here."
"Yes," Jeannine Vertlin said in a huff, "I am sorry Madame, but we all have a lot of work to do, its not like ballet is the only thing that keeps this theatre running."
Madame Giry shot the other woman a glare, it was true Madame Giry was the senior mistress of the theatre and therefore was the right hand to the managers. She had lived in the theatre for most of her life, first as a student and then as a teacher, and now she was the woman who called most of the shots, even more than the managers. Madame Vertlin stepped back and hid behind her husband as the managers also noticed Madame Giry's anger. The entire mood in the foyer had changed with a glance.
"Monsieurs and Madame," Madame Giry started and gave a harsh look to Jeannine, "I regret to be the bringer of such things but I have for each of you a note, from the Phantom."
A gasp from everyone rose in the foyer.
"And thus it starts," Andre sighed.
"He's doing it just to annoy us now," Firmin said as he took off his jacked, "and so, why have you waited to give everyone theirs?" he asked as he looked at Madame Giry.
"Because I too have a note," she said, "and it says..."
My Dear Madame,
As the excitement for my drama grows, I regret to inform you that I must stay away from what is to happen. It is my belief that the managers wish to parade me around like a puppet on display and I do not look kindly on such things, however I will be and always am present.
Here, in a pile, I have notes for all of the area's of the performance. Take them and gather the highest ranked in the theatre and give them to them, but not before Andre and Firmin have read and understood what is in theirs. It is very important that everyone understand my orders for them.
I do not take kindly to being treated as a plaything, and so it is I who will be playing the puppeteer.
O.G
"Can you believe the nerve of some people," Jeannine said again as Madame Giry finished.
"It would be wise Madame," Andre started as he walked over to the seamstress and stared angrily into her eyes, "that you hold your tongue. You are new to the events of the Phantom of the Opera and I suppose that it was lucky for you, as you now have a job, but your mouth could get you in trouble if you don't shut up!" he said.
"Are you going to let him talk to me like that Joseph?" she asked her husband, her face as read as her hair.
"Yes," Joseph said as he turned on his wife, "I'd like to keep my life, thank you, and my job for that matter. You have heard the stories and know of the superstition. You'll obey the Phantom because it is not in my power to protect you around him. And furthermore, as I am your husband and the higher ranking worker here in the theatre you'll have to do as I say and shut your mouth or I'll be forced to keep you out of meetings like this one."
Jeannine was red with anger but didn't say another word. She walked back to the stairs and sat down close to Meg, grumbling to herself.
"Now, Madame Giry, what do you have for us?" Firmin asked as he and Andre stood before the ballet mistress.
"One for each of you," she said handing over the top two letters in the pile.
"Well, I suppose I'll go first," Firmin said as he opened the enveloped, pulled the paper out and unfolded it. He read out loud what was written.
Dear Firmin,
It displeases me to see you so discontented with the drama, I assure you it will be a wonderful production, the jewel of the theatre no doubt but I would prefer that you sees all the rumours that you continue to spread about me. Yes I know you have been doing it. Should you continue with you present behaviour, I will only deal with Andre and he'll only deal with me because you are disposable.
O.G
"Well I suppose I deserved that," Firmin said as he folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope, "he can rest assured I'm completely dedicated to the drama now. You here that Monsieur," He shouted superstitiously into foyer, "I'm your obedient servant."
"I'm sure he'll be please with that," Madame Giry said sarcastically and then turned back to Andre, "clearly you are in better standings with the Ghost."
"I do hope so Madame," he said and opened his note. It was longer than Firmin's with much more writing and clearly many instruction. He read.
Dear Andre,
First I would like to thank you for your enthusiasm through the whole process. It was wonderful to hear your rendition of my story in the Ballet Hall. Here are a few instructions, to get the process of auditioning and casting in order.
To start I would like the posters in the front of the theatre removed and replaced. On them please fill in the following. By Thursday of this week we will open to doors to anyone interested in joining the dance troop. We will open the ballet hall to all interested participants starting at 9am. The auditions are to start at 12pm sharp. Auditions will be held in the main opera theatre, on the stage and will be viewed by Madame Giry our ballet mistress, Monsieur Reyer our conductor and the Managers. I will be there but I will not be seen unless I decide that it is needed. Secondly by Saturday of this week we will be starting our casting for the chorus. All people wanting to participate in the auditions must be present in the opera foyer for noon. The audition will happen in one large group with Monsieur Reyer conducting our small ensemble. The singers must be ready to sing Mozart's 'Ave Verum Corpus', I will be choosing the chorus. The chorus auditions will run in the same way Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday we will be casting the main sung rolls, starting with our Tenor and then followed shortly by our Soprano. Depending on how long we take, all singers wishing to audition for supporting characters must be present by Thursday at noon and must return until casting of vocal parts is finished on Friday. All choristers, and ballerinas for the angels and the daemons will be chosen as I watch the progress of our dancers and our singers. It will be at random during the time in which we are preparing the cast. You will know my decision before the cast moves to stage. Finally orchestral auditions will run on the second Saturday and Sunday of our audition period. Those will be viewed by Monsieur Reyer, and the Managers and once again I will be present but un seen. This will end our audition period. Casting will be finalised before the last Saturday of the month and rehearsals will begin.
I do not wish to see my name placed on the posters at all. It was for your information only that I would be present and ultimately choosing the cast but it is not to be public knowledge as I don't want people snooping about in the opera house. If I am not pleased with the new posters they will come down tonight and you'll have to re draft them tomorrow.
In closing, Andre, I do hope that everything is arranged and dealt with in the most serious nature. This is the most crucial part of our endeavour. I will be in touch.
O.G
P.S.: do not let Firmin deal with the patrons, he'll only tell them negative things about me. I wish to keep a clean reputation, as it is the drama that is the most important part, not myself and my history. Also have Madame Giry double check your books, I've noticed some mistakes in your calculations already.
"He has so very little faith," Firmin said.
"Don't be ridiculous Firmin," Andre said and shot his partner an annoyed glare, "he's ambitious and clearly much more in tune with everything that goes on here than we once thought. I am actually pleased to know that he knows so much."
"He's certainly got an eye on things," Firmin chuckled.
"He's a busy body," Jeannine said and then fell back into her silence.
"And insane," Reyer said with a panicked look on his face, "today is already Tuesday, which mean's we have one day to prepare for the biggest audition period that we have seen."
"He must have full instruction in your notes," Madame Giry said as she handed out the rest of them to the men and women gathered on the foyer.
Monsieur Reyer quickly opened his and pulled out a short note with one line of text,
Monsieur Reyer,
Please have the violin quartet ready to play 'ave verum corpus' for the chorus auditions.
O.G
"Well it seems like he wants to keep us all guessing," Monsieur Reyer said even more panicked than before.
"You're sure to get more notes, Monsieur," Andre smiled trying to calm the conductor down, "when you need to know something you'll know it."
"We are all puppets in his game," Reyer said, "and yet this game could save us all. Please excuse me everyone I have rehearsal to run before auditions start," he said and left the foyer
Monsieur and Madame Vertlin, opened their note only to find four pages of roughly drawn costumes and colour schemes. The dress makers wouldn't be able to start their work until the cast was chosen and they would be able to take the measurements of the people wearing the costumes. Monsieur Gravert's note was much the same with detailed set designs and measurements but also included paint colours and texturing ideas to make the fire look real. Monsieur Faireaux was given a list of hanging sets and ways to set lights and balances in the flies. It also included a warning that the Phantom would check the flies to make sure all was well and in order. Faireaux prayed he wouldn't be in the flies at the same time as the Phantom and vowed to do only his best work. Jaque Gravert was given the note for the stable master and was sent off to do is chores. There weren't to be many animals in the production but a few were needed.
"Have you noticed anything about 'La Diable'?" Madame Vertlin asked her husband as she flipped through the pages of drawings.
"I see nothing at all," he answered and looked to the managers, "you're notes said nothing about the characters nor did your Madame Giry. Are we to be left in the dark as to the identity and the look of the main character?"
"That's a very good question," Andre said as he and Firmin flipped their letters around.
Meg sat silently on the steps and stared at the paper in her hands. She hadn't noticed that the attention had all fallen on her. Her mother finally stepped forward in the silent group and placed her hand on Meg's shoulder.
"Is everything alright my darling?" her mother asked.
"Yes," Meg said as she stood and realised that everyone was staring at her.
"Well what does it say, Mademoiselle?" Andre asked.
"Its say," Meg began and then stopped. She turned the note around and held it up to the group to read. She couldn't bring herself to say the words that were written.
Ma Belle Meg,
Congratulations, you have been chosen to play 'La Diable', I know you will make me proud. It is your dance and your grace that have inspired. I could think of no one more deserving than you to lead my drama. I know it will be difficult for you but you must believe that I can see no one else in this roll. I look forward to working with you and will be taking all responsibilities involving 'La Diable', until we meet again...
O.G
"You, are to be La Diable?" Firmin gasped.
"Do not question the opera ghost, if he wants Meg then give her to him," Andre said as he tried to calm his partner.
"Have you been meeting with the Phantom?" Madame Giry asked fear in her eyes.
"He has been coming to me in the ballet hall," Meg said as she finally stood but the expression on her face was one of anger, "but don't worry about me. I trust him and his decisions. It is all of you who have so little faith in him. I suggest you all pay very close attention to his instructions and do exactly as he says. As for me, I have to practice, good day." she said and walked away from the group.
Madame Giry sat down on the steps and cradled her face in her hands. She wept with the memories of the things that had once happened to a beautiful young woman. Could it really be happening again, and this time to her own daughter? She felt a great sense of remorse, for it was she that had brought Meg to the Phantom in the first place, and yet Meg was not afraid. She had been acting strange but their was nothing to suggest that the Phantom had done anything to her. Madame Giry regained her composure and stood again, "well, I suppose I have to be the one to let down the ballerinas as to the casting of La Diable, so much for their renewed dedication to the craft," she sighed.
"Oh Madame, perhaps you can keep their attention by telling them that they are going to have to fight for the other rolls. Don't forget we are opening the auditions to men and women outside of the opera school," Andre said as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You're right, we have to keep some of our dancers in the show," she smiled, "it is time for them to work even harder to gain the respect and bring honour to this schools name," she said and walked off toward the ballet hall.
Andre and Firmin watched as the others left the foyer. The crowd outside had become loud and shouting could be heard through the doors. They were left alone in the wide open space. Suddenly a scrap of paper fell from high above them. It landed face up on the floor between them. On it there was a rough sort of writing, hurried and clearly not with the intent of having others see it. It said,
Monsieurs Andre and Firmin,
I am pleased with that meeting, even more so to see a renewed dedication to my ways. So long as every obeys me everything should work according to plan. Thank you again. And yes Firmin I did hear you. I'll believe it when I see it.
O.G