The Perfect Solution
An Alternate Universe – Phantom of the Opera Story
Nyasia A. Maire
© 2007
DISCLAIMER: I do not hold the rights nor did I create any characters found in The Phantom of the Opera or Phantom, nor have I received monetary compensation for writing this story.
Humpty Dumpty
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king's horses and all the king's men
couldn't put Humpty together again.
Nursery Rhyme, Origin Unknown
Chapter Three – All the King's Horses
The three men alighted from the carriage and after bidding Erik and Raoul a hasty au revoir, Phillipe hurried to the performer's entrance and disappeared inside, leaving the two younger men alone.
Taking a deep breath and settling his features into the well-practiced, nonchalant expression he always wore in public, Erik turned to Raoul.
"Shall we, Monsieur?"
"Of course. It would hardly do to be late."
Raoul hesitated, his eyes becoming unusually serious for a moment.
"Erik, do you believe Phillipe to be correct?"
Startled by the question, Erik feigned ignorance.
"What is it that you wish to know, mon ami?"
Erik glanced at Raoul out of the corner of his eyes, not wishing to cause the younger one any more distress than he had already experienced that evening. The young man's face looked more than serious, it seemed sad and this surprised Erik.
"What would make Raoul look that sad? He's never sad. He always seems so jolly. His feelings for the girl must truly run deep."
"What do I wish to know? Hmmm …. Am I doing the proper thing in attempting to allow myself a relationship with this girl? I honestly do not know. Although, whether I am or not is a moot point as I am afraid it is far too late for both Meg and me …."
His voice trailed off and he passed his hand over his eyes.
Erik, however, froze.
"Raoul! What do you mean it is too late? You certainly did not take liberties with the young lady, did you? I mean … you would never …."
His voice trailed away as Raoul turned his outraged face to Erik.
"I most certainly did not! I would never do such a thing. Never!" He hissed.
As he saw his friend's face pale, Raoul placed his hand on Erik's arm and said in a softer tone.
"No, Erik. I did not. It is too late for Mademoiselle Giry and me because we have already fallen in love with one another."
Erik could not think of a thing to say, so he simply uttered.
"Oh …."
"Come, Erik. Let us make haste! And, Erik, thank you for caring enough about Meg's reputation to become angry at the thought of me, well, just, thank you."
The two men nodded at one another and made their way into the opera house each lost in their own thoughts.
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥
"That is Meg. The third girl from the right in the front row." Raoul whispered.
"She is very handsome. I can understand your attraction to the girl. She is, indeed, lovely. Now, which one is Christine? Your little Lotte?"
The overly casual tone of Erik's inquiry caused Raoul's attention to drift from the sight of his darling dancer to the man beside him. Erik seemed relaxed and he watched the ballet with an expression no different from any of the other times they had been there. Yet, there was something different about his friend, which warned Raoul that he felt otherwise. Raoul could not remember a time when Erik had ever shown any sign of interest in a woman.
"This is the second time he has expressed a curiosity in her."
In the carriage when Erik made his request for an introduction to the two girls, Raoul believed he spoke out of politeness. With this second remark, Raoul began to wonder. He began to speak again, when Phillipe softly cleared his throat and raised an eyebrow. He slightly inclined his head in the direction of the box next to them where the occupants were glaring at them.
Properly chastened, Raoul and Erik ceased their conversation and resumed their appreciation of the ballet.
"I must tread carefully here." Raoul thought. "Perhaps during the intermission, I should speak to him of the little Lotte that was and the Christine that now is. So sad. When we were children, I never thought that our lives would lead us where we are now. I expected little Lotte to become an opera prima donna. Strange how life seldom turns in the ways we imagine. Yes, I must tell him during intermission, so I will know whether or not I should introduce them afterwards. Oh, Christine."
♥ ♫ ♥ ♫ ♥
During intermission, the three men mingled with the rest of the opera patrons as they placed their drink orders. After the waiter left to retrieve their order, Raoul turned to Erik.
"You know, old man, before I introduce you to Christine, I should tell you what happened to little Lotte after the summer I saved her scarf."
"This is so unexpected, Raoul. I have always been curious to know what happened to your childhood sweetheart. So, spill the beans!"
"Phillipe, please! What I have to say is not for you to spread as gossip to La Sorelli. What happened to Christine is a private matter. Please give me your word of honor that you will speak of this to no one."
Erik and Phillipe exchanged a curious glance. They could tell by the look on Raoul's face that he was unusually serious, so they both gave their word to the young man. He sighed and drew a deep breath.
"When that summer ended, mother and father sent me to boarding school where I made many new friends. I never went back to Perros-Guirec after that summer holiday, so I never knew what became of Christine until the day I came here to officially announce our patronage of the opera house. That was the day I was reunited with Christine and met my Meg."
He smiled fondly as he spoke the name of the young dancer then he continued.
"I used to wonder what had become of my little Lotte, but as the years went by she became just a fond memory of my childhood. After all, the last time I saw her she was but eight years of age and I, a mature man of twelve." He chuckled softly. "Her father, Gustave, was a wonderful man and a talented violinist, but I have told you this part many times before."
He paused as the waiter returned with their drinks. After the man served them and withdrew. Raoul stood sipping his drink. His eyes betrayed him showing that his mind was far away. Impatiently, Erik prompted him to continue his tale.
"Raoul, what is it that I should know about Mademoiselle Daae? Come! Out with it, man!"
His low voice almost growled. Startled back into the present, Raoul smiled apologetically and continued.
"The winter following my last visit to Perros-Guirec, Christine's father died. Her mother died giving birth to her. When her father died that left her orphaned without even a distant cousin to which she could cling. Fortunately, Gustave arranged for an old acquaintance to become Christine's guardian. The old friend is Meg's mother, Madame Giry. So, at nine years of age, Madame Giry brought Christine to the Opera Populaire. For a child with the voice of an angel, I would have thought that living in an opera house the perfect place for her, but it was not. The competition amongst the young girls was something that Christine could not tolerate. Such a gentle, sweet and shy soul, the ballet rats often tormented her unrelentingly, until Meg would make them stop. Christine fell into a state of despair and deep melancholy and there she remains. She does not perform in the ballet or the chorus, but runs errands for Madame Giry, who is the Ballet Mistress and Monsieur Reyer, who is the Musical Director. She sometimes works in the kitchen as a pot scrubber or in the stables mucking out the stalls. The true tragedy of little Lotte is that she no longer sings. She rarely speaks. And, I have yet to see her smile. Some of the younger ballet rats have dubbed her, 'Boule, Boule' after the children's riddle. Others call her, 'The Opera Ghost,' which is cruel, but …." He shrugged.
"The Opera Ghost? Your little Lotte is the Opera Ghost. I had no idea. I have heard La Sorelli speak of the Opera Ghost. I thought she spoke all in jest. I never realized she spoke of an actual person. I am sorry, Raoul. Truly, I am. I know she was your first love."
The brothers exchanged sympathetic looks and Erik suddenly spoke.
"Surely there are doctors, which could remedy her malaise. Why has no one seen to it?"
Erik's inquiry seemed almost angry to Raoul, but he could only shake his head.
"There is no money for such doctors. Madame Giry had the opera house doctor examine Christine once. He told Madame that she refused to speak with him, so he could not help her. Madame said that the only time Christine spoke to anyone about her melancholy was once when she spoke to Meg. She told Meg her father had promised to send her an angel, the Angel of Music, but no angel has come to her and so she mourns. She mourns for her lost parents and for her absent angel."
The agitated young man threw back the remaining liquor in his glass and grimaced.
"Meg keeps Christine nearby her when they are not working, as she fears for her safety. There are several unsavory characters, which work backstage and Meg fears Christine would be easy pickings for their lecherous and lascivious ways. That is how I know she will be there tonight when I go backstage to meet with Meg. Please be kind to her, Erik. I know sometimes you have a rapier tongue with those you believe are dimwitted, but Christine is … well, different, but not dimwitted."
Tinkling chimes sounded throughout the gallery, signaling the end of the intermission. People began to herd themselves back into the auditorium.
"Raoul, I swear to you, I shall treat her with kindness. Thank you for telling me her story. It is a pity she no longer sings. I would dearly love to hear her voice. If she sings anywhere near as beautifully as you claim, the world suffers a loss each day she remains in her melancholia."
"Come, you two. The ballet waits for no man. La Sorelli is in the opening scene of the second half and if she does not see me in the audience …."
The two younger men finish the older man's sentence for him.
"There will be hell to pay!"
Their mirth brings haughty glances from the older women and men walking near them, but the three friends ignore the looks, enjoying the release only laughter can bring.
Author's Note: Please read and review! --ny