Chapter 25: Notes Part Two.

It was still and quiet within the theatre but as soon as Meg had left the safety of the performance space she was greeted with the hustle and bustle of a full public area. Dancers, singers and stragglers had all gather in the great golden foyer, awaiting a time where they might gain a glimpse of the Phantom of the Opera. It was loud and bright, in the space. There was hardly room now to walk but she moved on quickly to where she knew she would see her mother. She walked through the crowd that pushed and shoved her as she walked and who were awed by the beauty that she had possessed. Young girl whispered behind her back about how she was bound to be in the show with her beauty and her grace. They smiled at her as they passed and continued to strain their neck to see what else may descend from the upper levels of the theatre.

Soon Andre and Firmin had burst through the crowd and began to shout orders to those who invaded their theatre.

"All choristers are to congregate in the orchestra chamber to the right side of the foyer," Andre yelled.

"And all dancers to the ballet hall to the left," Firmin shouted even louder than Andre.

"To the left, to the left," Andre yelled with him and pointed as the crowd began to disperse. The only people remaining in the foyer were the stragglers who had managed to gain entrance to the theatre. The uniformed guards, who normally occupied the public areas of the opera house, had difficulty keeping the crowd of hundreds subdued but now that the singers and dancers had left they took their cue to rid the foyer of the rest of the bystanders.

The excitement of the auditions had nearly been unbearable for Andre and Firmin. They had never seen the theatre as busy with requests as it was now. As per the Phantom's request, the painters had been summoned to the theatre yet again, and followed Andre and Firmin in there every move, as they did not quite know what they were to be doing in the Opera Popular, so early in the preparation of a show.

Andre and Firmin had found the first of many of the Phantom's notes late the previous night. It was very short, containing only a few lines and read much like a shopping list.

Managers

Bright and early bring the painters to the theatre. Gather Madame Giry, the young girl Christine and my beautiful Star, Meg and being them to your office upon arrival, before anything starts and wait for further instructions.

O.G

The length of the note was puzzling, and yet, somewhat exciting. They buzzed to each other all evening about what the next day would hold have store. Andre had a growing fear that something terrible would occur, but Firmin was truly regaining his optimism.

They summoned the painters to follow them as they searched the ballet hall quickly and found Meg and her mother chattering quietly to each other. Madame Giry seemed a bit displeased with Meg's appearance in a beautiful blue gown, but the sight of her only made the managers more excited.

"Good morning, Ladies," Andre said as he removed his hat from his head and bowed to them.

"Good morning Monsieurs," the two Giry's said politely.

"Come Ladies," Firmin said as he turned on his heals, "the opera ghost has summoned us all to the managers office. We are to bring you and the young girl Christine with us."

"He is not a ghost, nor is Christine a young girl," Meg said displeasure in her tone of voice.

"Quite right," Andre said as he looked nervously at Firmin.

"All the same," Firmin said airily, "we must go, where is she."

"Christine Daae has not come down from her dormitory yet," Madame Giry said as her unhappiness toward Christine seemed to grow.

Seemingly, at the mention of her name, Christine walked into the ballet hall. Her dress was plain and she looked tired but she placed herself quietly against one wall and began to stretch, ready to being to prove that she really was serious about dancing again. The night had been hard on her. All of her hope for realising her plan had faded and once again she knew she was starting from the bottom and would have to prove herself. She knew that the Phantom was unhappy with her and he would be the one she would have to win back to her side. It would be hard, she knew this, because she was plain and aging in a way which she was embarrassed of. Her youthful beauty was leaving her and she had abandoned him once already. She took her place with the ballerinas and sighed, knowing that she at least had a place to stay, for now.

"Ah, there she is," Andre said with a smile as he finally spotted her.

"Right, lets get this over with then," Firmin said as he quickly walked over to Christine, bowed stiffly to her and pulled her by the arm to where Madame Giry, Meg and Andre were waiting.

"Come along then," Firmin said as he motioned to the painters who had stayed in the doorway watching the movements of the young, beautiful ballerinas.

"What is the meaning of this," Christine hissed as Firmin had yet to let go of her arm, "I've not done anything to merit this treatment," she said angrily as he continued to pull her along.

"The ghost... I mean the Phantom... I mean, oh I don't know what I mean," Andre huffed as they walked along.

"The composer has summoned us all," Firmin said finally as he let go of her arm just out side of the office.

"Yes, yes, he's told us to meet here for further instructions," Andre said a bit of excitement in his voice.

Firmin reached out, with the key to the office, and unlocked the door. They all stepped inside, one by one and spotted on the nearby desk a stack of what looked like notes. They stopped short, toward the back wall of the office, and only looked sceptically at the pile of letters, laying innocently on the desk.

"Well go on," Madame Giry said as she gave Andre a shove, "its your office fetch the letters and let's get this over with."

"Very well," Andre sighed and slowly walked to the desk. His hands shook as he picked up the letters and looked down at the names that were on them. There was one for each. Andre handed them out and looked quizzically at the painters who had not received notes from the Phantom. He shrugged and fell silent again.

The tearing of paper broke the silence of the room and then Firmin was the first to speak. He read his note out loud for all in the office to hear.

"Dear Firmin..." he read

Dear Firmin,

As you have proven less, enthusiastic, in the past few days I am leaving you with nothing but managerial work today. Take the painters and the young Mademoiselle Giry, find a brightly lit room and set them to work on painting the posters. Then I would like for you to stay in the orchestra room and read through the list of auditions as we get through them. Group by group send them in to Monsieur Reyer and we'll send them back when we are finished.

O.G

"Well there you see, Andre, painless," Firmin smiled as he looked over to the Painters, "you know of your task. Where do you think you would like to paint today?" he asked happily.

"Um, perhaps in the foyer, its is quite bright in there," one of the painters said, "and its quite a bit of gold, it may look like fire in the light," he added the other nodded and they were agreed on the spot.

"Very well then," Firmin said, "you go and set up and I'll bring the young mademoiselle down when we are finished here," he said and with his hand shooed the painters out of the office, "alright Andre, now you go," he added as he sat down.

"Dear Andre," he read...

Dear Andre,

Good day to you my good man, I wish that you are present in the auditions today. I would be pleased if you will join Monsieur Reyer in the performance space. Once you have arrived I will give you more information as to what you need to do for me.

O.G

"There you see Andre nothing to worry about," Firmin smiled from his desk.

Andre looked more nervous than he had before he had seen the notes. He walked slowly to his seat and lowered himself into it.

"And you Madame?" Firmin asked as he looked up at Madame Giry.

"I am just to remain in the ballet hall with the rest of the dancers and keep the groups separated, my dancers from the new comers," she said as she handed her note to Firmin so that he could glance over the short text.

"Mademoiselle," Firmin said looking up at Meg, "and yours says?"

"I am to take the costume of La Diable and meet the painters when I am fully costumed with make up and jewels," she said and passed the letter to Firmin as well.

"Where are we to get this costume?" Andre said fear rising in his voice, "he didn't give the designers any direction on how to make it. Are you to be naked? He's going to be furious."

"No monsieur," Meg smiled, "the composer is a very talented man. He has presented me with the costume that has already been made. I don't think you need to panic," she smiled and held out a box she had in her arms.

Madame Giry looked over at her quizzically as Meg lifted the lid to the box to show the beautiful costume that lay inside it. Everyone in the room gasped at the vibrant colours and the masses of jewels that accompanied them.

"Brilliant," Andre couldn't help his emotion as he looked down at the garment, "he is very brilliant."

"I agree," Meg blushed.

"Very well then," Firmin said as he broke the focus on the garment, "and you Mademoiselle Daae?"

"Well," Christine said finally braking the silence she had been keeping. Her voice cracked as she spoke but something was growing in her eyes. She cleared her voice, proudly and looked over at Meg. She read...

Dear Christine

You are to be moved into the prima donna's dressing room as I have decided that you shall play the roll of Angelle. You need much work in all area's but I believe it should be beneficial to have someone of experience in the soprano roll. You'll need to work very hard and I will help you but under my terms not yours. You are not to look for me ever again. Now get back to the ballet hall and practice. You'll move your things later.

Phantom.

A twisted smile crossed Christine's face as she watched the expression on Meg's face change from disbelief to anger and then to hurt. Perhaps what she had done the previous evening had works. Maybe she Phantom was still very much under her powers of persuasion. She was pleased once again with herself and the look on Meg's face brought her even more joy.

"Well you heard the man get back to the ballet hall," Madame Giry said to Christine as she noticed the look on her face, "you'll have to work incredibly hard now young lady to prove you are worthy of this roll. If you do not do as well as he wants I am sure he'll find someone else," she added as she pushed Christine from the room.

Meg shook a little with shock as she stood silent in the room. She looked sadly at her mother and turned herself to leave.

"Well I wouldn't worry much, my dear," Andre said as he noticed the change in Meg's cheerful mood, "you'll out do her as you always have and in that beautiful costume you'll capture every member of the audience."

Meg smiled a little but the hurt was much deeper.

"It will be great publicity," Firmin said, "although they will only see you on the poster. It will make for a better rumour to be spread. Ah he is a genius isn't he," he added as he slapped the notes down onto the desk. "We shall see where this day leads us. Now off you go all of you," he said as he ushered them out of the room.

Meg had little time to worry, the painters were already waiting in the foyer for her. She had much to still get ready before she could be captured on canvas, but suddenly she didn't feel as beautiful as she once did. As she did when she looked into the mirror and into the Phantom's eyes. She also felt guild, she had told him she would stand by everything he was deciding to do. Was she really doubting him now? Could he really have want to her hurt her? Whether he meant to or not, the damage was done. Meg sulked, sadly from the office and off to her dormitory to become La Diable.