Mademoiselle Marguerite Giry,

Hello! This letter may be very unexpected, and I do hope that it is you, Meg, my dear friend, and not someone else! I saw your name in the paper this morning: I did not know you were living here in New York or that you have continued to perform! I was overjoyed to read the positive reviews of your performance at the Vivaldi Theatre. I have never heard of it, but it sounds like the show was delightful, and should Raoul be able to sort out the business with his Uncle before we are to return to France, we hope to see it!

But I digress. I saw your name in the paper and could hardly believe it - what luck, that I should find my best and oldest friend here! I have missed you so, and although I did attempt to write previously, I could not find out what had happened to you and your dear mother. I do hope I did not slight you in any way that led to your silence. If it was, feel free to discard this letter and I will not attempt to seek you out again! But if you wish, I would be so glad to meet with you here. I hope you are well! From what the paper said, your voice won over the audience from the very first show at the Vivaldi, and I am positively dying to hear it.

Raoul and I - we have been married for four years now, the poor dear! - will be here in New York for several weeks, with a journey to the countryside this coming week to meet his Uncle. We arrived yesterday morning, and we will depart on a train on Tuesday. I am ever so excited to see New York. It is quite loud and dirty, and Raoul's pompous family would be horrified by it, but I quite admire the noise and careless joy of it. I was not meant to be nobility, Meg, and try as I might I cannot hide that fact. Thank goodness for Raoul, who has refused to hold me to the same expectations as his dreadfully snobby relatives. I should like to see Madame Giry tell them off some day! That would be a show worthy of the finest opera houses.

I hope that you will write back and tell me how you are, and if you are available, that you will visit me here! I do not wish to impose my presence upon you, since many years have passed since I saw you last, but I have included the address of the hotel where I will be staying, and you may call upon me at any time! Raoul sends his love to you and your mother, and he is eager to see you as well!

With love, your friend,

Christine, Vicomtesse de Chagny

Christine,

How wonderful to hear from you! I, too, read about your voyage across the Atlantic in the newspaper, and wondered whether our paths might cross again. Do not fear, my sudden silence hadn't the slightest thing to do with you, my dear friend! Our departure was only related to my mother being called upon to assist her nephew Barreau. He is a kind man and has repaid us for the trouble, but I do regret not being able to say goodbye! I hope you can forgive me.

The Vivaldi Theatre has brought me a great deal of joy! I have made many friends there and while the paper exaggerates my ability, I do enjoy singing, particularly with such a tightly knit company. You would adore them, Christine. The cast is made up of laborers with the most amazing musical and dramatic talent, so there are no Carlottas, no Piangis, only angels like yourself who truly wish success for their peers. And they would adore you, with your kind soul and voice that would bring tears to Saint Cecilia's eyes!

Unfortunately, I'm afraid you will be unable to see the show, but it is for the best possible reason - our tickets have already been sold! The publicity from positive reviews like the one you read gave us a great deal of attention from the public, and the remainder of our shows will be performed to a full house. Perhaps I'll do my best to re-enact the entire performance for you - a one-woman show for the Vicomtesse!

I would love very much to meet with you. It has been far too long since we have seen each other! Perhaps we could have breakfast; if you are enjoying a return to a working class way of life, I know a wonderful diner near your hotel. You'd have to dress down, of course, being a Vicomtesse - congratulations on your marriage! You and Raoul are delightful and I look forward to seeing him again as well. Please invite him to join us for breakfast. Even though we did not know each other well in Paris, he has always been very kind to me. I'm sorry to hear about your stuck-up in-laws. I'm sure you will win them over in your own way, as always.

I will be at your hotel tomorrow morning, Sunday, at 9 o'clock sharp. I am sending this letter back to the hotel with the young boy who delivered yours. From the hotel we might take breakfast at the restaurant, which is a moderate but quiet walk away. If you are busy that morning, do not worry, since I need to be in the city either way for another meeting. I look forward to seeing you and your dear husband!

Yours,

Meg

Uncle,

I hope you are well. My wife and I arrived in New York yesterday, and already we have taken very well to the city. Christine is quite excited to see more of it, and we both look forward to the journey to your estate in the country. I have with me the documents you have requested, as well as some letters from your sisters in France, including my dear mother. We shall leave by train Tuesday morning, and shall be with you that afternoon! Once again I must thank you for your generous hospitality. You will be charmed by my wife, there is no doubt. I am afraid you may be disappointed to find that the Navy did not turn me into the stern gentleman you hoped I would be, but I hope you will find room for me in your heart nonetheless!

I know you prefer to be unbothered by company, so do not worry about Christine and I. We will be able to occupy ourselves quite nicely in the country; it will be a wonderful place to relax between visits to the bustling city. Neither she nor I will take offence in the slightest should you wish to not entertain us for the entirety of our visit. I have sent with this letter the address to which you may send a telegram should you wish to contact us before our departure. Otherwise, I shall see you Tuesday afternoon!

Regards,

Monsieur le Vicomte de Chagny

Mr. Barreau,

I hope this letter does not come at an inconvenience - we spoke briefly after the opening performance of Called to Arms, and I am afraid I may have offended you. For that, I sincerely apologize; it could not have been further from my intent. I commend you on a wonderful score, talented performers, and a charming theatre. Usually I attend performances simply to fulfill the duties of my occupation, but your company's truly interested me, and I was not disappointed in the least. I was glad to hear that more tickets were available for the coming weekend; I plan on bringing my wife to see it once more.

If you are available or interested, I would love the chance to speak with you about your theatre and company. I already spoke with the manager and the director of Called to Arms, both of whom were quite complimentary of your intellect and musicianship. I can assure you my intent is to publicize your achievements and those of your talented performers, so you can expect no questions of an overly personal nature. Whatever information you wish to share is what I shall publicize - I know that fear of unwanted exposure can build a divide between the press and the public, and I do not wish to continue that tradition.

Miss Giry has my contact information; I am available to stop by the theatre or meet the two of you at a separate location, perhaps my office, should you wish it. Once again, I thank you for your time and your valuable contribution to the arts.

Sincerely,

Ernest Edwards

Mr. Edwards,

Thank you for your letter and kind compliments. It is not in my nature to socialize, particularly with journalists - no offense meant by this - but I've been advised that this may be very beneficial to the company, and as you have promised that I may divulge as much or as little information about myself as I choose, I see little harm in it. I thank you for your interest in the theatre, and I have instructed my employees to reserve two tickets for you and Mrs. Edwards in a box for Friday evening, gratuit. When you arrive at the theatre, they will arrange the seats for you.

I have left it up to Miss Giry to get into contact with you and arrange our meeting. She is far more accustomed to such things than I. You should hear from her shortly.

Respectfully,

M. Barreau