I simply could not wait to post this chapter so i'm giving it to you a little soon. Warning, it may be a while before my next post because the next chapter is arguably the most important. As for this chapter, I get in a few snide comments about Raoul. Enjoy! *C.E.L
Chapter Eleven
The theater was a mad flurry of activity; everyone seemed to have something they desperately needed to do before we started warm-ups. Mimi's fur wrap that she needed during 'Prima Donna had gone missing and most of the chorus was searching for it. Eric had arrived just in time to get his extensive make-up done. It was a real challenge to deform him.
Rom and I parted ways, I needed to go to get my hair done and he needed to do one final costume check. We met up again for make-up, I was already almost finished with the basic stage make-up that I would wear for the first scenes, later it would be adjusted to fit my more dramatic costumes.
When he saw me, Rom paused, "Wow, Lissie, you look like a princess," I rolled my eyes, wondering how the chorus costume and cakey make-up added up to "princess" for him.
"So do you." I answered, shooting him a sarcastic smile.
Rom looked ready to snap back with an equally witty comment when one of the costume ladies stopped him, "Stop that, you two! You're supposed to be getting into character, so quit the arguing and fall in love." She continued to mutter under her breath while she fussed over Rom.
"Do I really look like a girl, Lissie?" He asked hesitantly. I felt sort of bad for my comment so I decided to spare his feelings a little.
"Not that bad, the eye helps, even though now you kind of look like you got in a bar fight." I said with a slight shrug.
The grouchy make-up lady suddenly exploded, "Holy hell boy, what have you done to your eye, you stupid drunk, you'll ruin my career!" She let off a few more choice words, then yelled at her little assistant, "cover-up, lots of it. The thickest blend and a rounded edge brush. Hurry up; we only have a few hours to make this sorry little ass into a handsome, dashing young aristocrat." I smothered a laugh as Rom fought to keep a straight face, Rom never failed to bring just a little bit of trouble to what he did. It made spending time with him just that much more fun.
With my make-up completed I headed off in search of a room where I could be alone to do my personal warm-ups. Along the way, I ran into Eric, thoroughly disfigured but without his mask. I embarrassed myself by letting out a startled squeal when I saw him. "What the heck, Eric? You scared the crap out of me!" I felt heat rising up to my cheeks and fear was collecting in a puddle inside my stomach.
"I wanted to see how you reacted to my new look." Eric laughed, making my skin crawl. "Elise, you think that I don't see how you act around me, onstage you act, nothing more. Offstage you run into Richard's arms and hide there. What did I do to make you act like that? Come on, babe, you can tell me. I'll apologize." His slow smile reminded me of a snake, cold and slimy.
I knew that a confrontation would only serve to damage the show, so I said nothing, just brushed past him. I entered the nearest empty room, which appeared to be some kind of spare closet. Breathing slowly, I tried to regain control over my emotions. Slowly I spun Christine's side of the story in my head.
She was young and promising. She had many friends and no enemies, her teacher was mysterious to say the least, but she trusted him not to hurt her. A chance meeting with an old friend breaks down her defenses. She wakes up, confused and unable to remember where she was or how she had gotten there. She was shocked and afraid of the man she had once trusted. Tragedy strikes, consumed by terror she spills her story to her beloved friend, they confess their love. Scene by scene, I allow the story to unfold, with me at its center. It doesn't take long for the notes to begin pouring from my moth, following my thoughts, which now seem more like memories. Now, I can picture each person in Christine's, my, home. All of her friends, her lover, but I focus on her teacher. She loves Raoul, but she has enormous amounts of respect for her "Angel of Music". He is mysterious, but she trusts him, when he betrays that trust she is shattered. She longs for the simplicity of being a little girl again. She is afraid now, terrified of the unknown. She knows that what happens tonight decides all. After a brief moment with the man she loves, she is ready. Tonight decides the future, let the opera begin.
Breathing deeply, I slide my eyes open. I have almost completely eradicated Elise from my existence, now I am Christine, who yearns for love, and lives to sing. I make my way to the "green room" where I wait to go on. Rom and I don't speak, he is as in character as I am, and acknowledging on another will interrupt what should happen onstage. Eric is nowhere in sight, although he should be waiting with us. Distantly I hear the strains of music, the forceful, excited sound of the overture. This is my world, and I am at home.
The audience hushed long ago, and now is the time for people to make their entrances. Silent nods are leaden with meaning as each person moves toward the stage. The fluidity and ease that each person conveys reveals how practiced we are, how ready we are, to perform this show. It will be perfection. Then, I become aware of the music once more. My entrance is coming, I stand. Side-by-side with the girl who is my best friend, we step onstage.