Chapter Six: Dear Sirs
I lay down on the hard bed, my lower back aching. Three days had gone by since I found the note, but I had not found a chance to read it. Opening night was closing in, and the managers had us working even faster. If it interests the readers, a production of Don Carlos was underway. Though the opera was written in the 1860s, someone apparently thought it was a good choice.
We maids spent our time polishing the newly constructed stage and cleaning up the aisles. I meant to read the mysterious note before I fell asleep. However, it seemed that I could not keep my eyes open long enough. Though I was tired, I decided to stay awake long enough to remember the note's contents. Taking the crinkled paper, I opened it up and began to read.
Dear Sirs,
I am pleased to see that you have chosen a decent opera. Carlotta, however, should not sing. Her screeching shall surely be the downfall of the Opera Populaire. My suggestion to you: find a new star, and fast. I would suggest Miss Daae, but I know she will not sing here…
Also, I would like to remind you that my salary is long overdue.
Your humble servant,
O.G.
The letter was short but to the point. One part confused me, though. What exactly was meant by she will not sing here? I noticed that the ink was smudged near the mentioning of Miss Daae. There were also faint stains on the paper, most likely from liquid. A spilled drink was unlikely; I had heard that the opera ghost never ate nor drank. It was just a rumor, but I admit that I was gullible. If it wasn't a drink, it had to be…tears, perhaps?
If the ghost was crying because of Miss Daae, could she be the one that rejected him? At least I was moving ahead in my case. My client, whom I had yet to find, went insane from lack of love. That had to mean that receiving love was the answer. Score one for the angel-on-earth! If I found the Phantom another love, it would mean that my goal would be completed.
Sighing heavily, I drifted off into a dreamless sleep. The next morning I awoke with a yawn. Rubbing my eyes, I slowly sat up. My hand moved to the small dresser next to my bed, but it was gone. Had someone stolen it during the night? I always kept my door locked as a precaution; only someone with a key to my room could get in.
Eyes squinting, I began making a list of possible suspects. It was easy to narrow them down. "Richard and Andre would have keys to every room, I'm sure. I doubt that they would want the note back, though. After all, didn't they think that I threw it away? That leaves one shadow of a man. The one I am looking for, of course. Why would the Phantom try to steal a note from little old me? I'm not a threat to him. Hey, ghost! Give me a chance, will you?"
My voice echoed throughout my cramped living space. Long ago I had developed a habit of talking to myself. This happened soon after my mother left, and before I made any more friends. Reassuring myself that Mother would come back used to be my only comfort. Though I was long past that stage, the habit stayed with me.
A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. "Jessy, you alive in there? Time to start working. Wouldn't want to get in trouble again!"
I chuckled, shaking my head. "I'll be right there, Charlotte!"
Charlotte gave me a curious look as I exited my room, but didn't say anything. She handed me some polish and a rag. As we walked down the hallway, it felt like someone was watching. Turning to look over my shoulder, I thought I saw a figure.
I turned my head for a moment, just to tell Charlotte that I would meet her in the main hallway. As soon as I looked back, though, the shady figure was gone. Maybe my eyes had been playing tricks on me. Shrugging it off, I turned and went to find Charlotte. However, I was unaware that there was indeed a shadow behind me, staring daggers at my back as I left the hall.
Author's Note: Oh no…a horribly short chapter. D: I promise the next one will be longer. ;)
If it interests you, Don Carlos is an actual opera. (: Feel free to Wikipedia it if you're curious…
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Important: I do not own Phantom of the Opera or any of its characters or Don Carlos.. I still own just the characters of Jesabelle and Charlotte. x)
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xoxo,
Jezebel Denver