Chapter 5: Notes

Erika was missing. There was no doubt about it. She was not locked in her room, or they would have heard music. She often went out for days at a time, but it didn't calm her mother. And this time, it was worse.

Vincent walked into the first room of their home and looked around at the marble. He was confused, like always, but for once he was not alone in his ignorance. He shook his head and started up the stairs.

V: "Mystery after gala night," I say, "mystery of Erika's flight".
"Mystified," all the servants say, "We are mystified. We suspect foul play!"
Bad news on my sibling's scene
First Christon now Erika
At least mom has not been told
Gossips worth its weight in gold.
What a way to run a household!
Spare me these unending trials.
Though your sis disappears
Father still will cheer.
Family!
To hell with sis and brother
have two sons and you're sure to have it fine!"

At this point Change entered, looking more nervous and distressed than usual.

C: "Damnable!
Will mom faint right out?
This is damnable!

V: "Change now please don't shout.
It's a secret still and the take is vast
Still a secret!

C: But we have no proof!"

V: Change now have you seen the cue?
Ah, it seems you've got one too"

Vincent pointed to the note that Change's quivering hands were clutching. Change made a face and read it to his brother.

C: "Dear Change what a charming sister.
She was in a word sublime.
We were hardly bereffed when she left
on that note: you're father's a disaster
you must know that Christine sees he's past his prime!"

V: "Dear Vincent just a brief favor?
I need a salary to be payed!
Send it care of the ghost
by return of post.
P.T.O No one likes a debtor so it's better if my order are obeyed."

They shot each other a look.

Both: "Who would have the gall to send this?
Someone with a puerile brain
these are both signed O.G.
Who the hell is he?
Opera ghost!"

V: "It is nothing short of shocking!

C: "He is mocking our position!

V: In addition he wants money.

C: What a funny apparition

Bo: "To expect a large retainer
nothing plainer
He is clearly quite insane!"

Ja: "Where is she?"

Neither Vincent nor Change had noticed James until now. One of the servants had let him in, and he seemed angry at them.

C: "You mean Justine?

Ja: I mean Miss Daae
Where is she?

V: Well how should we know?

Ja: I want an answer
I take it that you sent me this note.

C: What all this nonsense?
Of course not!

V: Don't look at us!

Ja: She's mot with you then?

V: Of course not.

C: We're in the dark!"

Ja: Monsieur don't argue.
Isn't this the letter you wrote?"

V: And what is it that we're meant to have wrote?
Written!"

Change all but ripped the note from James' hand. He opened it hastily and read, rather surprised.

"Do not fear for Miss Daae. The Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again."

James asked. "If you didn't write it, than who did?" At that moment Christine burst through the door.

Ch: "Where is he?!

C: "Good morning mom.

Ch: Your precious patron,
Where is he?

Ja: "What is it now?

Ch: I have your letter!
A letter that which I rather resent.

V: "And did you send it?

Ja: Of course not!

C: As if he would."

Ch: You didn't send it?

Ja: Of course not!

V: What going on?"

Ch: You dare to tell me
That this is not the letter you sent?"

Ja: And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?"

He read, "You're days as a parent are numbered. Erika's father will be taking over on your behalf. Be prepared to never see her again if you try to take his place."

V &C: "Far too many notes for my taste,
And most of them about Erika.
All we've heard since we came
Is Miss Daae's name!"

Ida stepped into the room.

I: "Miss Daae has returned.

V: I hope no worse for wear as far as we're concerned?

C: Where precisely is she now?

I: I thought it best she was alone.
She needed rest.

Ja: "May I see her?

I: No monsieur she will see no one.

Ch: "How is she?

How is she?

I: Here I have a note."

V, C, Ch and Ja: Let me see it!"

V: Please.

Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature detailing how my daughter is to be treated.
You have ignored my orders..."

P: "...I shall give you one last chance.
Miss Daae has returned to you
And I am anxious that her joy should progress.
in her household you will now
observe her rights and needs immediately.
And you will answer to her every demand.
The life which Miss Daae has calls for more attention.

The role of her family is obedient which makes my orders in a word, Ideal.
I shall watch you all with absolute acuteness.
Should these commands be ignored a disaster beyond your imagination will occur.
I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant
O.G."

Ch: "Erika!

He has her now

Oh poor Erika!

V: "This is insane!

Ch: Wait! I know who sent this!

James, her lover.

Ja: "Indeed, can you believe it?

V: Oh, Mother!
Ch: O tradori!
C: This is a joke!

V: This changes nothing!
Ch: O mentitori!

V: Oh, Mother!

C: You are the star!

V: And always will be!

C: Oh, Mother!

V: The man is mad!

C: We don't take orders!

V: Miss Daae will not get our attention! None of it.

V & C: Mother will get all she deserves!

Ch: It's useless trying to appease me!
You're only saying this to please me!

Ch: Lasciatemi morire! O padre mio! Dio!

I: Who scorn his word beware to those
Ch: You have reviled her!

I: The angel sees the angel knows…

Ch: You have rebuked her!

V & C: Oh mother, pardon us

Ch: You have replaced her!

V & C: Please, mother we beseech you!

I: This hour shall see your darkest fears
Ja: I must see her! Where did she go?
Ch: Abbandonata! Deseredata! O, sventurata!
I: The angel sees the angle hears…

Ch: Abbandonata!

V & C: Senora sing for us.

Ch: Disgraziata!

V & C: Don't be a matyr.

All: What new surprises lie in store?"

A knock came at the door. It was opened and outside stood dozens of Christine's devoted fans. Many of them held out flowers or presents. "Would you please give this to Mrs. Daae?" "Mrs. Daae!"

The doors were closed quickly. But the crowd of fans was exactly what Vincent and Change needed to draw her mind from this matter. "Your public needs you!" Said Vincent.

"We need you too!" added Change.

Her eyes narrowed.

Ch: "Can you not find another opera star?"

V&C: "Mother no! The world wants you.
Prima Donna first lady of the stage
Your devotees are on their knees to implore you.

C: Can you bow out when their shouting your name?

V: Think of how they all adore you!

V&C: Prima donna enchant us one again,

C: Think of your muse!

V: And all your cues round the theatre!

V&C: Can you deny us the triumph in store?
Sing Prima Donna once more
Ja: Erika spoke of an angel…
Ch: Prima Donna your song shall live again!

V&C: Think of your public.
Ch: You took a snub but there's a public who needs you!
I: She has heard the voice of the Angel of Music.

V&C: Those who hear you liken you to an angel.

Ch: Think of the cry of undying support. Follow where the lime light leads you!

C: Dad gets his Opera.
V: She gets her limelight.

V&C: Leading ladies are a trial!

Ch: Prima Donna your song shall never die! You'll sing again and to unending ovation!
Ja: Order, warnings lunatic!
V&C: This misacting will invite damnation. Lunatic demands are regular occurrences.

Ch: Think how you'll sing in that final encore! Sing Prima Donna once more!
Ja: I must see these demands are rejected!
V&C: Who'd believe a diva happy to relieve
A child who has gone and slept with our new friend?
James and Erika entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur, he must have been with her!
You'd never get away with all this in a play,
but if it's loudly sung and in a foreign tongue
It's just the sort of story audiences adore, in fact a perfect opera!
I: For if his curse is on this Opera

All
Prima Donna the world is at your feet
A nation waits, and how it hates to be cheated!

Sing Prima Donna
Once more!

Christine sang the best she had ever sung that night at the opera.