"Opera Ghost?"

Faivre blinked a number of times consecutively at the sheer disbelief after reading the letter. She had heard those two very same words together from the corps de ballet plenty of times during rehearsal breaks, but who actually believed the words of young and impressionable girls? Surely this was, as well, a product of someone taking advantage of the silly rumors.

"Why must a trickster go such a long way to get a specific girl casted? I can only wish to have such an insistent patron," she scoffed.

"Madame, please. We are being extorted 20,000 francs!" M. André cried.

She ripped the letter in front of the dumbfounded managers and asked with a sarcastic tone: "And who told you that, a concierge?"

"Y-y…yes," M. Firmin answered.

Her eyebrows furrowed further, "and have you ever thought that these are just threats, and nothing more? If I were you, I'd have that concierge investigated. Extortion and causing chaos in the house using threats, a very strong case if I may say so myself."

During the time of M. Lefevre, there were only pranks. Missing headpieces, costumes, props, and the like. There was no extortion… So why now? Does the "ghost" hate her and Carlotta so? And even then, it was never confirmed that only one "ghost" was responsible for all the antics that ever occurred. Carlotta, for one, while having Paris beneath the soles of her feet, have people who strongly loathe her personality.

"Unless, of course, M. Lefevre kept everything to himself," she thought.

Faivre stepped closer and grabbed a copy of the libretto from one of the managers' tables: "I will perform as Elissa," she declared, "I'll start rehearsing tomorrow."

In her mind, the situation only got more interesting. She had always been fond of a challenge, and this was certainly one. Not only did the "opera ghost" call her previous performance as Elissa, a failure, but the managers were also threatened to cast an unknown girl, whom the ghost has claimed to be better than her.

She smirked.

Faivre left the manager's office. Just outside the door was a woman who stood nervously. The two women stared at each other. She felt as though she had seen the face before, but could not fully recall.

"Madame, I admire your courage, but I warn you. You mustn't do this!"

"Ah, you must be the fabled concierge who had informed the new managers of the 'opera ghost'," Faivre smiled at the older woman.

"Indeed, madame. I am in charge of the boxes in Rue de Provence, and the box in which the opera ghost performs his dealings and ask to keep private."

The soprano laughed. Sure, that specific box was made to be kept private for some years now, but as the ghost's box? "Unbelievable," she thought. Another coincidence used to further make their claim believable to the naïve.

"Madame, what's your name?"

"Mme. Giry. You know me well enough, madame; I am the mother of little Giry, Meg Giry."

This was said in a solemn tone that, for a moment, Faivre was impressed. She looked at the box-keeper keenly. Mme. Giry was dressed in all but clothing that would express success in career. For another moment, Faivre pitied the woman for how bad her financial situation must be to even cogitate extortion.

Without hesitation, Faivre ordered: "Mme. Giry. Do tell, how much do you need and I'll write a cheque to you this instant,"

An awe-struck Mme. Giry simply could mutter, "Madame?"

Faivre reached for the cheque book and pen inside her handbag. "Madame, I know you're behind this. I'll give you what you want for you to stop this lunacy. Now, tell me your full name and the amount you desire,"

"Mme. Faivre, I may not be well-off as you are," Mme. Giry argued, "but I can never do what you're trying to suggest!"

Faivre cleared her throat. "A shame. Well, I believe we have reached an impasse. I will be here again for the rehearsal tomorrow. Good day, Mme. Giry."

And with that she walked a few steps past the concierge until: "Be careful, Mme. Faivre. To meddle with the opera ghost is to jump to hell itself."

"Don't worry, madame. I like the warmth..." she replied,

"especially in a nice cold day such as this one."