Chapter 3: The First Note
Madeline Giry's diary(cont'd)
"Madeline?" Erik said to me, touching my shoulder ever so gingerly.
"Yes Erik?" I asked him.
"I shall return you home very soon; in the meantime, please wait in my room. I shall be writing the first note for my managers. Understand?"
I nodded.
"Good. Now that curtain over there is the entrance to my bedroom chamber. Just wait there and I will get back to you in a few minutes."
I walked through the curtain and saw the most magnificent room I had ever seen. There was a huge swan bed that resembled a boat with deep red sheets. The actual bed itself was made of brass and there were beautiful dressers made of cherry wood. Then, I saw something next to the bed. It was a little monkey with cymbals on a barrel organ. I cranked the switch and it started to play. It was a soft tune and the monkey gently clashed its cymbals again and again. It reminded me of Erik's gentle nature.
Erik's POV
I was writing the first note. I am to ask Madeline to have the managers grant me a 20,000 Franc salary every month. Am I ambitious? Not really. I was going to offer the management some advice and help them arrange their operas, so 20,000 Francs a month was actually a very humble sum of money. I hope I'm not keeping the girl waiting too long. I don't want her to lose patience. Madeline seems to be a fairly logical choice for my representative. She's intelligent, had common sense, and the only person whom I had any good relations at the opera. Madeline seemed to be very willing to take this position, which was odd. In fact, other than some extra spending money, what did she have to gain from this? Well all seemed well at this point. As long as she doesn't see my face...
Erik pushed the curtain aside and tapped my shoulder.
"I finished the letter." Erik told me. "Now I can get you back up to the dormitories and get at least some sleep."
"I don't have to be up there. Some of the girls are old enough to take care of the younger ones." I told him.
"Are you sure?" Erik asked, confused.
"If you have a spare bed, I could just stay here for the night. Besides, I don't want to make you take a special trip on the gondola."
Erik was stunned. I could only see his eyes, but it was evident that he was a little uncomfortable with the situation.
"Alright then. You can stay. I suggest you sleep in the master bedroom. You know, with the swan bed?"
"Where will you sleep?" I asked him.
"I don't."
"What do you mean?" I asked, now the confused one.
"I just don't. I sleep very little. Its a condition I have. Besides, I have some music to work on, and..."
"Wait, you compose music?" I asked him, with my eyes widening.
"Well, yes. Its something I do in my spare time."
"Could you play something for me, Erik?"
"I think you need to get to bed, I'm sure you have a long day ahead of you." Erik turned around and sat at his organ. "However, I shall play a lullaby if that will help you sleep."
I nodded excitedly. "Oh yes! Thank you Erik!"
I did not get a response. Erik began playing the tune. It was sweet and beautiful. Erik played the organ as if he were making love to a woman. He treated her gently, but with tremendous passion. I went to the bedroom to listen to Erik's tune. The tune from then on seduced me to sleep...
Is Madeline asleep? Good. A busy girl like her needs all the rest she can get. Wait! She has nothing to cover her body with! Madeline will be very cold! I'll rest my cape on her body, so at least she has at least something to warm her with. Strangely enough, she seems interested in my music. I have never met a woman who was fixated on just my music. The sultana was aroused by my creation of torture devices, and that girl was merely interested in the fact that she had not seen a single man in many years spend with nuns.
I woke up the next morning, reluctantly, for I had spent my sleep dreaming an ideal dream. It noticed something black covered me; Erik's cape! I picked it up and smiled. Erik was still playing, and it was still beautiful, he didn't tire. I got up from bed, to greet Erik good morning. When I saw him making changes to his work, I smiled.
"Good morning." Erik said.
"Good morning." I replied.
"I'll take you back now, and give you the note with my request."
"Erik..."
"Yes?"
"What should happen if Polingy refuses?"
Erik laughed. "He'll agree Madeline, by force or by the sheer will of my written word."
Erik sounded very ominous when he spoke of his plan. I just presumed he wasn't going to do anything drastic.
After we returned, I neatened myself up to look presentable to the managers. My little ballerinas were speaking to me, asking where I was, but I reassured them that it was important.
I knocked on Polingy's door.
"Come in." he replied, with a startled tone to his voice.
I entered with the note in my hand.
"Good morning Madame Giry. What brings you here?"
"Good morning monsieur, I have a note."
"Oh! Who is it from?"
"The Opera Ghost."
He jumped. "The WHAT!"
"Here,would you like me to read the note?"
He nodded, while sweating.
"Dear Polingy, congratulations on acquiring the Garnier Opera House, its a beautiful building isn't it? Anyway, my letter was not to comment on something that we both need to discuss. I would require you to pay me 20,000 francs a month. This is to not only to prevent me from causing any 'accidents', but also as payment for my future services. I shall give you tips and bits of advice to improve on your productions. Now consider your options and send your letter though the reliable services of Madame Giry. Regards, O.G."
After I finished the letter, Polingy sighed. Polingy was looking at concept drawings, probably for a new production or something. I recognized the drawing and handwriting to be Erik's.
"These are his drawings?" he asked me.
"Yes monsieur, they are. He can provide this and more for the small price of 20,000 francs a month."
"What makes you think that I'm going to listen to you? What if this is your idea of trying to get a raise?"
"Polingy! I have no need for a raise, I am merely a messenger." I shrugged my shoulders.
"Well, in any case, I am not going to listen to you any longer!"
"But you will listen to me!" A strange, yet ominous and familiar voice commanded.
Polingy jumped as soon as he heard the noise. "What the hell was that?"
"Your death if you don't listen to me!"
I giggled knowing it was Erik.
"Wha-what do you want?" Polingy stuttered.
"I want what the girl asked for. A 20,000 franc per month salary and in return, I grant you my advice and taste on operas. Sound fair enough to you?"
"Prove to me you are the Phantom!" Polingy asked.
"Alright then, where is your wallet?"
Polingy searched fin his pocket but couldn't find the wallet.
"Where is it?"
"Its in your drawer. Where you keep the keys. That's it!"
"Okay then. If I do agree to this ludicrous pact, will you stop teasing me?" Polingy asked.
"If you keep up the payment, alright?"
"Fine."
"Now, give Giry the first 20,000 so we can be done for the day, shall we?"
"Fine then."
Madame Giry took the 20,000 francs and placed it in an envelope.
"Now as for my advice, that shall also come through Madame Giry. If you need to contact me, please send a note through her. I shall leave now."
After Erik claimed to leave, Polingy asked, "How well do you know him?"
I told Polingy, "Not enough."