Chapter Four: Letters from the Opera Ghost
At 7:00 a.m. the next morning, the two new managers of the Paris Opera began their newly accustomed shift in the theater's rather posh office. On the great mahogany desk lay a stack of ordinary-looking paperwork that would need to be read and reviewed, a very usual task associated with management. However, this morning there was a most peculiar envelope laying on top of the stack, made out of thick yellow parchment and sealed in wax with the image of a human skull. Inside was a letter addressed to both Andre and Firmin, who each read the letter out loud to each other in disbelief.
Monsieurs Andre and Firmin,
It is with great humbleness that I welcome you both to my Opera House. I am looking forward to having new and refreshing management after so many years of dealing with Monsieur Debienne. However, I must remind you of several important factors that may or may not have been shared with you already. Firstly, I would like to establish that Box Five should be kept empty for my use during each performance that the Opera House gives. It is very crucial that there be no one else allowed in there during show times. Secondly, I would like to bring attention to the fact that my monthly salary of 20,000 francs is due by the end of the week, and can be left in Box Five for me to collect before the matinee on Friday. I do hope you continue to do so, as I have maintained this same agreement with Monsieur Debienne for several years now.
And finally, I would like to discuss the triumphant success of Christian Daae at last night's gala. I do believe that Señor Carlotto's 'star quality' has dimmed down as of recent, and it would be in the best interest of the public and of the Opera if Monsieur Daae were to become Carlotto's permanent replacement. To coincide with this, I believe it would be vital to have Christian sing the lead role of 'The Count' in next week's production of 'II Muto', as opposed to El Carlotto.
I rather hope the demands of this letter are met. It would be wise for you to be complaisant with me. For if not, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur.
Sincerely,
O.G.
Firmin and Andre each read the letter over again just to make sure their eyes were not deceiving them with such a preposterous notice. It was an outrage!
"Who is this presumptuous 'O.G.'?" Andre asked in disgust.
"And why is he so bold as to demand we pay him 20,000 francs?" Firmin added, pacing the office in confusion.
Andre rubbed his temples in frustration. "And what is all the fuss about Christian Daae?" The moment he said this, the Patron Victonte Renee burst through the door in a panic.
"Where is Christian? He wasn't in his dressing room!" She seemed paranoid. The managers were confused until they saw the yellow envelope in her hand.
"My dear Viconte, it seems you received a mysterious letter, as well?" Andre asked.
She nodded. "It was on my desk this morning! It says, 'Thank you for reaching out to Monsieur Daae. However, the Angel of Music has him now. Make no attempt to see him again.'" She read it to them frantically. "And it's signed 'O.G.'."
Firmin took a deep breath as he realized the culprit of the letters. "'O.G.'. 'Opera Ghost'." Andre and Renee stared at him, puzzled. "It seems, my friends, that we are dealing with the infamous Phantom of the Opera."
"Monsieur Firmin," Renee retorted, "You do not seriously think there is a ghost here?"
Firmin shrugged. "Either it is a ghost or someone pretending to be one." He then read to her the letter that was found earlier.
"Do you think it could be Christian Daae himself?" Andre asked suspiciously. "He seems to be the main point of interest in both letters."
Renee glared at him. "Andre, Christian Daae is an old friend of mine. I know him, and this is very unlike him." Suddenly she remembered why she came here in the first place. "Monsieurs! Christian is gone! No one can find him!" Before the managers could respond, Madame Giry entered.
"I have found Monsieur Daae," Giry said. "He was sleeping in his dressing room when we went back to check again."
Renee sighed in relief. "Oh, thank God! Where was he?"
Madame Giry raised an eyebrow. "I did not ask. I thought it best that he be rested." She then noticed the envelopes in their hands. "I see you have been in contact with him."
Andre stepped forward and gestured toward his letter. "Who is he, Madame?"
"I do not know," she replied coldly, "but whoever it was used to always leave these letters for Monsieur Debienne. And Debienne was quick to do whatever the letters demanded."
"But why?" Renee asked.
"Who knows? Perhaps he was scared?" Giry seemed to know more than she was letting on.
Suddenly, the door burst open again. This time it was the Spanish Divas, both wearing fur and screaming at the top of their lungs.
"WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS… ATROCITY?" Carlotto shrieked, holding up another familiar-looking envelope. Pianga followed behind him, shoving passed Madame Giry to get her rather large body through the door.
Both Andre, Firmin, and Renee sighed in annoyance. "We don't know!" Firmin explained. "But we were given one, too!"
Carlotto rolled his eyes. "SO YOU ARE SAYING THAT YOU WERE NOT THE ONE WHO HAD THE AUDACITY TO TELL ME THAT I WILL NEVER SING AGAIN?"
"Of course not, Señor!" Andre interjected. "You are our star!"
"THEN WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO LET THAT MEASLY LITTLE DANCER SING MY PART LAST NIGHT?"
Andre let out an exasperated sigh. "Please, Señor, you must understand! There were no other replacements!"
"OF COURSE NOT! I AM IRREPLACEABLE! AND YOU DO NOT WANT ME ANYMORE? FINE! THEN I GO!" He grabbed Pianga's hand and they turned to leave.
Firmin chased after them, stopping them at the door. "Please! Señor Carlotto! Señora Pianga! The person who wrote those letters is a mad man! Do not listen to such an…abomination! The public needs you!" He gestured for Andre to help him out.
"Yes, it is true, Señor! Your voice is indescribable! Christian Daae could never amount to your unforgettable talent!" Andre pleaded.
Carlotto studied them suspiciously for a moment. Finally, he spoke in a surprisingly soft voice. "So, I will be the one who is singing here? No more of that silly little dancer boy?"
"Only you, Señor!" Andre and Firmin spoke simultaneously. Renee thought of the letter from the Opera Ghost, specifically the part that demanded that Carlotto be replaced by Christian. The Phantom warned that if Carlotto were to sing, a "disaster beyond your imagination will occur".
But the managers seemed to have completely forgotten all about the Phantom's pressing demands. In fact, it was now being decided that the lead role of "The Count" in next week's production of "II Muto" would be sung by none other than Señor Carlotto.
Renee found herself thinking about Christian and suddenly became very worried.
…A disaster beyond your imagination…