Chapter 10
"Dear Mademoiselle Gippetti,
My name is of little importance. Your efforts in preserving the artistic integrity of Paris has not gone unnoticed. I regret that I am not there myself to make an offer. I am prepared to make you an offer that will set you and your employees up for the rest of your lives. I've made my own fortune in America and I have plenty of disposable income. However, my patronage does come with a price, one that I hope you're intelligent enough to pay. There's no need for an immediate decision, at least not on my part. But dear Mademoiselle I fear that the clock may be ticking for you. I'll await your decision. Choose wisely.
-Monsieur D.
Marinette read the letter and a wave of hope and doom washed over her, as she glanced back at the boy before her. Constantine smiled sheepishly and Marinette sighed. "I will hopefully have my decision at the end of the day. Until then why don't you go help yourself to some breakfast." Marinette smiled as Constantines eyes brightened. The child was skin and bone and who knew when his next meal would be. Maybe she could take him on as an apprentice for managing the scene changes. "Well I do apologize for that gentlemen, I do believe I owe you two a tour of the establishment?" Marinette smiled and the two gentlemen beamed. "Yes, we would love to see the new and improved Populair." Paquet said as he began to waddle his way through the main hallway. "Yes well our first stop will be the auditorium, as you both know that's where nearly all of the damage was. We've tried to restore it as best we could but with so little income we can't finish it completely." Marinette explained, most of the floor seats were brand new but a lot of the box seats still had a long way to go. Especially box 5. "Well, that's certainly troubling to hear. Isn't your opening night just a mere few weeks away?" Paquet asked as he raised his thick grey brow. "Yes it is, but optimism has been a wonderful friend. It may be close but we're confident we'll make the deadline." Marinette smiled. "Mademoiselle, you can't really expect us to fork over our hard earned money based on optimism. It's already a huge scandal that you, an unmarried woman, has unsexed herself to be a self proclaimed proprietor." Paquet rambled.
"Monsieur Paquet, my gender has nothing to do with anything. Music does not discriminate. She takes as many lovers who will have her. While I agree, optimism is not enough to stake your money on. But you've already answered your own question. Scandal. Scandal is what attracts the masses, and believe me their curiosity will be accompanied by lined pockets." Marinette smirked. While she did have several other women turn their noses up at her, many more men and adventurous souls had already inquired about her opera. The interest was there. "Okay, but you still do not have a headliner for the show! You can't put on a show without a leading lady!" Paquet groaned. "Monsieur Paquet, if I didn't know any better I'd say you were fishing for any excuse not to fund my opera house." Marinette lightly scolded as Paquet looked taken back and stammered. "As I've stated many times before, I have open auditions later today. You're more than welcome to attend should you feel the need." Marinette spun on her heel and continued to walk down the hallway. Paquet and Hubert shuffled closely behind her, they'd almost ran into her when she stopped abruptly. "Gentlemen I don't expect you to love my opera house the way I do. But what I do request is that you show her the respect she commands. Especially since she's been through alot and yet still houses a spirit of hope and artistry. respectfully , should you decide to back out of funding I'm sure I can find more lenders who will recognize the economic promise that the Populair has to offer." Marinette held her chin up at the two men indignantly.
The two men stood before her in bewilderment and Paquet in particular looked like he wanted to explode. "Forgive me sirs, but I believe that time is precious. We have so little of it and I would rather not waste mine nor yours. So please, are you going to help me save my opera house?" Marinette's voice stammered a mere second but she regained her composure. "We'll need to convene over lunch. You'll have our answer within the hour." Hubert replied with a small smile. He tipped his hat to Marinette and slowly turned and made his trek back to the entrance. "Well...what...I." Paquet stuttered. "Come along Paquet, I have a ferocious craving for tripe. Don't you?" The two men's voices faded as did their figures. Marinette released a breath, her chest felt as though a swarm of bees had just been released. "That was a ballsy move mistress." A small voice said next to her. It'd scared the daylights out of her as she looked down from where the voice had originated. "Constantine! Don't do that! I nearly jumped out of my skin!" Marinette scolded. "I know, you should have seen the face you made!" Constantine giggled as he ate a small roll. "I see you found your way to the kitchen, no one gave you a hard time did they?" Marinette asked as she smoothed her hair. "Eh, nothing I'm not used to. You get the same look from so many people, it just doesn't phase you any more." Constantine shrugged as he tore off another piece of bread. "Constantine? Do you have a place to go?" Marinette asked. "I have a children's home I go to, but I suppose I'm getting too old to keep going there. Why?" Constantine replied. "I can offer you an apprenticeship here. I mean the pay is not great but it's warm and safe here." Marinette smiled softly. "Oh don't you worry about me, mistress. I'm as tough as nails and I can take care of myself!" Constantine smiled as he threw punches in the air.
"Well, if you need a warm bed it's yours and it's here. Same goes for the job." Marinette offered. "I'll keep that in mind, thanks for the bread mistress!" Constantine ran off and waved good-bye once he made it to the end of the hall. Marinette allowed a small wave and turned on her heel. It was time to find her Prima Donna, and find her was what she was going to do.
Hey guys, as you can tell I took a bit of an impromptu hiatus. I apologize, I got a new job and my husband and I are in the middle of trying to buy a house. I also lost my writing flow and I didn't feel comfortable writing and putting something out there that wasn't my best. I'd rather spend three months on one good chapter than write three crappy chapters in a span of a month. I hope you enjoyed this chapter! See you in the next one!
