Chapter 8: Working With 'The Enemy'
~ Flashback To The Night Before ~
Claire stormed away from box five with a sad and disappointed expression on her face; She looked back towards the box half hoping that Erik would be following after her... But he wasn't. Claire made her way down the staircase into the Opera foyer to find two gentlemen pleading with the woman she recognized as La Carlotta,
"Please Mademoiselle, This is simply a sore throat. It happens to every great singer" one man pleaded,
"No! This is the phantom sabotaging my career once again" Carlotta responded, putting a hand to her throat when it cracked and Claire saw how she looked down sadly as a tear fell down her cheek; Claire found a sense of courage as she made her way down towards Carlotta,
"I know of a remedy that will sooth your throat quickly... You may even be able to continue performing as Cinderella in act 2" Claire told her, earning the singers curiosity but the managers looked uncertain,
"But... The Phantom has forbidden that La Carlotta perform... He would be furious if we tried to go against his orders a second time tonight" the man whispered to his colleague but Claire smiled at Carlotta encouragingly,
"I'm sure when audience members purchased their tickets it was because they saw your name on the poster. Are you really going to let a sore throat stop you from ever performing again?" she asked and watched as Carlotta looked at her sadly, pulling her away from the managers gently,
"I... I am no fool. I know that I cannot hold a tune... Monsieur Andre and Firmin have been kind enough to encourage me but I know they only keep me on the stage because... Having an Italian singer in a performance draws in press as well as an audience... The Phantom terrorizes me due to his hatred caused by lack of singing ability" Carlotta explained sadly and Claire could only frown,
"... Do you like singing?" she asked, watching as Carlotta smiled,
"Music means everything to me... My mama was a singer. I've wanted to become a great singer like her to make her proud but... My voice... It always betrays me." the diva explained sadly and Claire thought for a long moment before developing an idea causing herself to smile,
"... I think you need an angel of music. I do not claim to know much of music but I once had a great teacher and I remember everything he ever told me... I could teach you. Train your voice to become better" Claire told Carlotta whom soon smiled brightly,
"You would help me?" she asked,
"Yes... I am not scared of what the phantom thinks" Claire replied certainly with a smile on her face.
Claire noted how Carlotta carried herself like a spoilt diva in order to gain attention,
"I'm not allowed to eat chocolate! I have to maintain my figure, imbecile!" the singer yelled at one of the staff but Claire came to her side, taking the box of chocolates that had been given to her,
"Sour notes are fulled by sour actions and behavior... This treat has been given to you out of admiration. You may not be allowed these but at least try and be sweet like them" Claire encouraged and Carlotta frowned, looking at the heart shaped box of chocolates and sighed before looking at the young man she had yelled at and took a deep breath,
"... Forgive me, Monsieur... Rehersals can be very stressful and tiring. It was selfish of me to dismiss your kind gesture so easily. I pray that you might accept my apology" Carlotta told the gentleman whom smiled in surprise before taking her hand and pressed a kiss to its surface,
"You are forgiven, Madame Carlotta. I look forward to seeing your next performance" he told her before taking his leave and Carlotta smiled brightly, placing a hand to her stomach,
"I... I acted like myself... It was so easy... I feel... I feel so at ease" she murmured more to herself and Claire smiled,
"People may expect you to act a certain way but that doesn't mean you have too. The only acting you should focus on doing is when you're on the stage... Now, shall we begin this evening's lesson?" she encouraged and Carlotta smiled brightly,
"Oh yes. Please, I want to become better" she told her in excitement with a giggle that Claire soon shared before they began their first lesson.
Carlotta grew frustrated throughout the lesson now and again,
"Don't force it. Music is a form of magic... You must let it flow correctly" Claire encouraged and Carlotta sighed,
"But... How?" she asked,
"When you are on that stage. You are not La Carlotta... At this moment in time when you are on that stage you are 'Cinderella'. A lonely servant girl with dreams of a better life... She has lost not only her mother but also her father... You have been left to endure a life under the guardianship of your evil stepmother and step sisters. They treat you no more than a common slave but despite all that pain... All that hardship. You still find the courage to continue to be kind and that... Is the light that shall lead you to your happy ending" Claire told her, watching as Carlotta closed her eyes, letting her words sink in; Their lesson came to an end when manager Andre summoned Carlotta to rehearsal.
Carlotta stood on stage with a nervous expression as she looked towards an empty box five... She then turned her gaze to Claire whom gave her an encouraging smile,
"You're Cinderella" she told her and for the first time in Carlotta's life... She knew she had a friend and she closed her eyes as the orchestra began playing their instruments; Carlotta channeled the pain and bravery that lived within Cinderella's character and she began to sing... Everyone was stunned by the enchanting improvement in her singing voice and Claire smiled brightly. Erik may have taught Christine how to sing the correct notes but she had taught Carlotta not only the same thing but also how to become the character she was singing as.
I don't think Erik is going to be happy about this! Review for Chapter 9!
Kind Regards,
TheAuthor1996