The Third and Final chapter today, more on the way!
This is all Tutu MuchAnnette was in her office. Whilst up in the ballet studio, Meg was bringing Christine up to date with what she had missed that morning.
"He did what?" Christine asked horrified.
"Yup he left a note on one of the girl's lockers threatening to reveal a dark secret that would have ruined her, if she didn't submit to him in the practice room this morning." Meg gleefully explained. "I found the note last night when I grabbed our stuff, and after dinner I showed mama and Jean. Between us we came up the appropriate solution." She finished allowing La Sorelli to take over.
"Meg notified us over the ballet WhatsApp group, about what she had found, but has not divulged who. Told us the plan and we all agreed. That little pest got the shock of his life this morning." La Sorelli chuckled, "He came in expecting one submissive ballerina, and found the entire company waiting for him."
Thomas Proleux, the male lead dancer took over from there. "I grabbed the little shit and gagged him, whilst Sorelli put the boot in several times. Then the Corps took over and bound him tight. Annette then suggested we locate him in the fly loft. That is where we have left him." He finished as the entire company looked very pleased with their efforts.
"What happened to the note?" Christine had to ask.
"As far as I know, Mama destroyed it." Meg answered, "The girl it referenced did not need to know and Mama and I are the only people here who have that identity and we are sworn to secrecy." She concluded.
"Talking of swearing." La Sorelli interjected, we had better start warming up before Mrs Giry comes back, or there really will be a lot of swearing."
"Everyone get ready and take your placed at the barre." Thomas instructed.
ooo
As the company began their exercises, in her office Annette was preparing for a Category five Erik storm to destroy her office. She was thrown off kilter, when a gentle knock proceeded Nadir entering nervously.
"I think he's figured out that it wasn't just the ballerinas involved this morning. He has asked to see you in his office soon." Nadir whispered cautiously as he shut Annette's door.
"I'm sorry to have gotten you involved." Annette replied softly. "I didn't know of any other way to keep Christine out of this." She added.
Nadir came up to his sweetheart, he then gave her a hug. "After you sent me the contents of that note, I realised that your plan would actually save both Erik and Christine, both people we care deeply for." He said, "Yes Erik is extremely angry, and yes, we could have done without Piangi coming here today of all days. I still do not regret and never will regret being part of protecting those I care for."
"Piangi is coming here today?" Annette asked, not quite sure now that the plan was a good idea at all.
Sighing, Nadir nodded. "Yes, about two o'clock, he will expect to see his son hard at work as per the original agreement with the managers." He confirmed.
"But he has never done anything except pester my girls for sexual favours." Annette pointed out.
"The managers gave in immediately, when the shit threatened to complain to his dad they were mistreating him." Nadir explained. "Since then, as long as he was happy, they let him do what he wanted to save their own necks. Erik came up with a temporary solution, but this was going to happen one day." Nadir added.
Resting her head on Nadir's shoulder, Annette seemed almost defeated. "What am I going to do?" she asked him.
"What we are going to do is carry on and trust that Erik will come up with a solution. He's thought his way out of tighter spots than this before and I have every faith he won't let us down." Nadir soothed.
"I'm going to have to show him that note." Annette said matter of factly.
"Yes, and do not let him out of his office until he has calmed down." Nadir said firmly.
ooo
After ensuring the managers were in their office and the door shut, Annette activated the door knob to Erik's office and let herself in.
It was a little unnerving to see Erik in his large office chair turned to face the window. Shutting the door, Annette waited for Erik to break the eerie silence. She did not have to wait long.
"You are aware that, Piangi, Luguno and Sons is the largest most well respected chamber of Barristers and QCs in this city?" Erik asked with chilling calm.
"Yes." Annette replied.
"You are also aware that due to you and the ballet company's actions this morning, Piangi and his legal team could sue us all back to the dark ages?" Erik then asked his voice becoming terse.
"Someone had to do something..." Annette started as Erik rapidly swung his chair around to face her, promptly jumped up and slammed his hands on his desk.
"YOU SHOULD HAVE COME TO ME!" Erik shouted. "YOUR STUPID STUNT COULD COST US EVERYTHING!"
Annette had her own reasons from her past for hating a lot of things, but calling anything she did stupid was guaranteed to make her angry, she blew up back at him.
"SO, IT IS STUPID TO PREVENT YOU FROM RUINING YOUR LIFE. STUPID TO PREVENT CHRISTINE FROM BEING BLACKMAILED?" she screamed back at him as she tossed the crumpled note Bouquet had written on Erik's desk. "READ IT, THEN TELL ME I'M STUPID!" she shouted.
Snatching the note off his desk, Erik smoothed it out and read it; shock replaced his anger. "Who found it?" he asked in a normal tone of voice. His eyes never leaving the note.
"Meg found it last night taped to Christine's locker... Christine knows nothing about it." Annette answered, as she fought to calm herself down. "You and I both know had Christine found it she would have told no one and would have submitted, in order to save you. And if you had found it you would most likely be arrested for murder by now." Annette pointed out.
Erik then did something Annette could through all the time she had known him count on the fingers of one hand. He apologised sincerely.
"Annette, I am truly sorry for all the shouting and for calling your plan stupid." He said, looking directly at her. "I still have no idea how to get out of this mess however." Erik added taking his seat again and putting his head in his hands, with a sigh.
Taking the seat across the desk from her friend and employer, Annette thought for a moment. "Is there any way we could get at him, so that anything he might say to his father would be discredited?" she enquired.
"You're talking about ruining him instead?" Erik asked rhetorically as he stood up.
ooo
Five minutes of mad pacing later and Erik turned to Annette, "You dear lady are a genius, an absolute genius You may have just saved us all!" he declared in unbridled joy, before grabbing her out of the chair and giving her a scorching kiss that would have made Christine and Nadir very jealous. Setting his now slightly dizzy ballet mistress back on her feet, he grinned.
"Thank you, you can return to rehearsals now, I have a few phone calls to make." Erik added as he returned to his desk, sat in his chair, and started scribbling on a note pad feverishly.
Although very used to Erik's ever changing and at times unstable moods, this lightning fast turnaround of anger to despair then jubilation, left Annette craving a good cup of tea and some headache pills. Turning around to head for the door, Annette stopped in her tracks as Erik called her name.
"Oh, just one thing. Send Nadir up here could you. I'd prefer if you didn't divulge the outcome of our conversation. I think he needs to sweat a bit for his part in this morning's shenanigans." Erik added not looking up from his notes.
Sighing, Annette agreed and left her boss to his schemes.
ooo
Twenty minutes later, Nadir finally opened the door to Erik's office and shuffled in, wearing full body armour a riot helmet and carrying a riot shield. He shut the door and waited quietly.
"Very funny!" Erik grumbled as he looked a up and saw his friend standing there, ducked behind the shield, ready for anything.
"You're not going to throw anything at me?" Nadir enquired.
"I considered throwing you out of my office window." But that riot equipment looks expensive, and most likely came out of the company budget." Erik mused.
"Charming, nice to see you're as concerned for my welfare as ever." Nadir commented as he rested the shield on Erik's bookcase and took the seat in front of his desk. "Well, if I am not here to meet my demise, what do you need me for?" Nadir enquired, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"I need you to pick up a special order for our captive from our contact in low places." Erik answered. "Make sure you collect a sterile syringe and needles with it." He added.
Nadir stared at Erik oddly. "I never knew you could inject weed." He said.
"No, you can't, but a muscle relaxant with amnesia as a side effect, works wonders." Erik replied cryptically. "Then you need to stop at the fancy dress shop and pick up an extra, extra-large adult Tinkerbelle costume, the one with a tutu as a skirt, please."
"What are you planning?" Nadir pried.
Erik grinned broadly, "Annette's idea, but if it works, we can get rid of Bouquet, his harridan mother and although; I have not enough in the opera house finances, so I will have to take a small dent in my personal finances to pay him off; Piangi as well in one go. Best of all the managers will take the blame." He announced.
Nadir just looked bemused, "I'm sorry, could you explain that again, in more detail. I have no idea what you just said." He declared as Erik's triumphant grin faded to be replaced with a peeved moue.
"Right, you recall back when Piangi gave us the start-up loan disguised as his patronage he had two main stipulations." Erik started.
"Yes, I remember. One was that his wife loved singing, dreamt of being an opera star, but no one would hire her, so we had to make her the Prima Donna for the duration until we paid him back." Nadir recalled.
"The other was that we had to employ his son to keep him out of trouble and make him work. The managers said that he could work in the scenery department." Erik prompted.
"That fell through before the end of the first day. But the managers decided that as long as Bouquet wasn't causing them any issues, they would let him do what he liked." Nadir replied.
"What the managers don't know is that Bouquet has nearly ruined his father's reputation and business several times, by being caught with illegal substances and also for harassing female students in college before he got expelled. Obviously, his father's status and legal knowledge meant Bouquet was let off with a warning every time." Erik added.
"So, we have always known that little bastard was a deviant." Nadir pointed out.
"Yes, a deviant, with a very straight laced religious father. Who will go off the deep end when he discovers that our beloved managers, who were tasked with but one request, have all but encouraged his son's continued extreme bad behaviour instead of making him work and be a better person." Erik agreed.
"We both know this, but what has it got to do with muscle relaxant and a Tinkerbelle tutu?" Nadir had to ask.
"Elementary my dear Khan. This is what I have in mind." Erik remarked, "First off I have to go to the restaurant kitchens for a small plastic bag of icing sugar, then..."
ooo
"It's almost half past one." Nadir informed Erik as he checked his watch. "The orchestra should be breaking for lunch shortly." He added as both men, carrying various items, made their way to the stage.
"We will have to work quickly. Just do not interrupt me when I start the hypnosis." Erik replied as they arrived in the wings and waited for the orchestra to leave.
ooo
Uboldo Piangi was at his wits end. He knew that there wasn't much longer left before Erik Jardinier had the finances to pay back the loan, he gave him and end the contract, and with it his darling wife's singing career.
Despite offering huge sums of money and patronage he could not get any other opera houses or companies to accept his beloved wife as even a member of their chorus, let alone as their new Prima Donna. So, when Andrews and Firman contacted him about renewing his patronage, he jumped at the chance.
All he wanted to do today, was confirm that the City Opera House was still an appropriate place that appreciated and wanted to keep his Carlotta's talent and kept his lout of a son working hard and more importantly clean, and the money was theirs.
ooo
With the limousine pulling up at the front of the opera house, spot on two o'clock; Erik just made the welcoming committee in time, with Nadir hot on his heels.
"I have just got off the phone with the owner." Erik announced to explain his being nearly late. "He wants me to act as his representative today instead of Mr Khan. I am to negotiate any details with Senor Piangi, and report back at the end of the visit." Erik added as Andrews and Firman scowled.
"I do not see why as the managers we should not be doing that!" Firman grumbled indignantly.
"You do not speak Farsi." Erik replied, "and our owner does not speak any language but Farsi."
"Oh, and you do!" Andrews added waspishly.
"I actually speak seven languages fluently and five more conversationally. Farsi is one of my seven fluent languages." Erik retorted, as the Limousine parked up and Nadir went to open the door.
Piangi stepped out as soon as the door was opened. Looked at the saccharine grins on Andrews and Firman's faces and then looked straight at Erik.
"Mentre apprezzo i tuoi servitori che mi offrono l'opportunità di estendere il mio patrocinio. Posso solo parlarti per favore?" Piangi said directly to Erik, as he ignored the managers completely.
(While I appreciate your staff who offered me the opportunity to extend my patronage. Can I just talk to you please?")
"Si." Erik replied.
(Yes)
Andrews and Firman looked at each other each wearing a puzzled expression. Erik grinned. "So, you don't speak Italian either." He retorted, as Piangi laughed.
Andrews and Firman looked at each other and decided not to argue.
"Well if you are more comfortable talking in Italian, please feel free. I'm sure our Music Director will translate for us." Firman declared pleasantly.
Piangi looked at Erik with a puzzled expression. "Direttore musicale? pensavo fossi il proprietario di questo posto."
("Music director? I thought you owned this place.")
Erik nodded, "Possiedo questo posto, la loro scelta del direttore musicale è stata un pervertito, quindi ho dovuto licenziarlo. Quindi sostituiscilo con breve preavviso." He answered, "Siccome non potevo fidarmi di quei due per assumere qualcuno di decente, sono subentrato come direttore musicale quattro anni fa."
(I do own this place, their choice of music director was a pervert, so I had to fire him. I replaced him at short notice." He answered, "Since I couldn't trust those two to hire anyone decent, I took over as music director four years ago.")
"Vuoi dire che questi due non hanno idea che possiedi il teatro dell'opera?" Piangi enquired.
(You mean these two have no idea that you own the opera house?")
"No, prima che dovessi assumere il posto di direttore musicale. Ho usato il signor Khan come loro contatto." Erik answered.
(No, before I had to take over as musical director. I used Mr. Khan as their contact.")
Piangi then looked at Erik suspiciously. "Perché nascondi il fatto che sei il proprietario?"
(Why do you hide the fact that you are the owner?")
Erik looked at his managers, then back at Piangi. "Vorresti che questi due adulatori ti corressero dietro ovunque ogni giorno lavorativo sputando falsi complimenti?" he asked.
(Would you want these two sycophants running after you everywhere every workday spouting fake compliments?")
Piangi then looked at the managers and their fixed saccharine grins and nodded. "Hai ragione." He replied.
(You are right.)
Andrews looked nervous, his grin slipping slightly. "Is there a problem Senor Piangi?" he asked cautiously.
"No problem, just a few questions for your music director." Piangi answered.
"Shall we begin the tour?" Firman enquired and as the group left Nadir to deal with the limousine, they headed into the opera house.
ooo
Andrews and Firman could not be happier. Although it rankled that everything they were saying was apparently being translated into Italian, when they both knew Senor Piangi spoke excellent English, the thoughts of another large donation from their senior patron, helped them bite their tongues.
Erik and Piangi, however were holding an entirely separate conversation in Italian, as they moved from department to department.
ooo
Nadir, in his role as Head of Security, caught up with the group as they headed back stage.
"To add the extra grandeur and highlight your Prima Donna in her role as Aida, we are planning on enlarging our Corps de Ballet and Chorus." Andrews suddenly announced as the group headed towards the dressing rooms. We can show you the current facilities as the ballet company are in rehearsals at this time.
"That means that your most generous Patronage will enable us to enlarge our minor cast facilities as they are a little cramped." Firman added.
Not even trying to hide the fact that he knew nothing of this, Erik leaned his head towards Piangi. "Questa è una novità per me." He informed him.
(This is news to me!)
Piangi nodded, as the group reached the door to the Corps de Ballet dressing room. "Khan open the door for our VIP guest, so we can explain how his kind patronage will be utilised." Firman ordered.
With a quick look at Erik, who merely winked, Nadir opened the door...
Then they all saw someone was inside as Erik gasped, and Nadir quickly shut it again.
"It appears there is someone in the room." Nadir said, the feigned shock in his voice piqued Piangi's interest because from the brief glimpse he caught it looked like his son.
"Err perhaps we should show you the Chorus dressing room instead?" Andrews said, the panic in his voice clear.
"Mr Khan, please would you be so kind as to open that door again and leave it open." Piangi asked pointedly.
Andrews and Firman were visibly sweating the panic clear in their eyes, as Nadir opened the door once more.
As the group looked in, Joseph Bouquet was clearly slumped out cold on the floor his nose smeared with white powder. He was wearing a ladies fairy tutu and in one hand was clearly seen, one of his father's business cards with that same white powder on one edge.
On further inspection, a small now empty plastic bag lay beside a hand mirror on the floor with two lines of white powder on the mirror and part of a drinking straw was discarded on the floor next to the mirror.
Before anyone could say a word, Piangi shot forward and kicked his unconscious son, who slowly woke up with a grin.
"Hello, the managers let me be a fairy today." Bouquet slurred.
"You're taking hard drugs now?" Piangi hissed at his son, pointing to the mirror.
"Fairy dust." His son replied before passing out again.
Erik and Nadir just stared at both managers in horror, as Piangi then metaphorically hit the roof.
ooo
Finally free of their VIP, along with his vow 'that his wife would never sing in such a debauched hell hole again', and his useless nuisance of a son, Nadir and Erik left Andrews and Firman having a nervous breakdown by the main entrance and snuck back to Erik's office.
"Are you going to have the 'owner' fire them?" Nadir asked chuckling.
Erik smiled ruefully, "No, they're a pain in my arse, but when not deliberately dropped in it, unlike myself, they have the schmoozing ability that encourages and soothes patrons. I think that an hour of panicking before I let them off the hook is enough punishment." He replied as he poured two large brandies and handed one to Nadir, before sitting at his desk.
"I never thought Piangi would know such language." Nadir commented before taking a sip of his drink.
Sipping his own drink, before answering; Erik sat back in his chair. "Spend enough time with criminals, you can learn at lot." He said quietly.
"Quite." Nadir commented before a thought struck him. "What are we going to do. We now have to repay Piangi immediately, we are down two large patrons, and we currently have no Prima Donna?"
Draining his glass Erik placed it on his desk. "First thing, I have already transferred the monies into the opera house account and paid Piangi off so he, his harpy wife and that little shit are no longer a problem. Next thing we are going to do is speak to the ballet company, then let those two idiots off the hook." Erik answered.
ooo
It was most discombobulating, when Erik found himself being hugged, and thanks to Meg being the first to approach him, his hand kissed by every single member of the Ballet company, including Thomas the male principal.
However, the hug that absolutely made his day was from Christine. He just wished that she could kiss his real lips instead of his hand. His resolve disintegrated, he had to finally admit to himself, that he was totally in love with his student. His brain gave him a metaphorical kick and reminded him that she still did not know the real Erik and that was enough for him to regain his control.
ooo
It was with some now very mixed emotions that a mentally frazzled Erik knocked on the door of the manager's office and then walked in without waiting for an answer.
The sight that met his eyes was interesting. The normally cluttered office was almost empty, just the furniture and a large pile of packed boxes in the middle of the floor.
Opening his mouth to say something, Erik was interrupted by Firman. "Happy now, we are being fired?" He complained.
"Actually, I was coming to tell you that although the owner is extremely angry that we have lost another major patronage, this time because you both failed to keep the agreement with Senor Piangi. He is willing to let you both keep your jobs." Erik retorted.
"Pardon?" Andrews and Firman said in unison.
Erik sighed, was it really that had to understand. "You both are not fired." He said, his voice betraying his annoyance, "All the owner wants is to finish the season early after the ballet and then you two have plenty of time before the new season to find respectable replacement patrons and a new Prima Donna." He explained then as the light dawned for the managers that they really weren't fired, Erik finally lost what little patience he had. "What are you both waiting for? Get on with it!" he yelled before striding out of the office.
"If I did not know better, I would swear he was the owner." Andrews complained as he started to unpack again.
"He certainly behaves like it at times!" Firman agreed as he helped.