"Evangeline!"
I am startled awake by Christine shouting at me and tackling me into a hug. I look behind her and see Madame Giry and Meg. Christine lets me go and looks at me.
"Where on earth did you go?! Last night when Raoul and I came back here to get you, the door was locked, we heard a man singing, and then when the door finally opened you were gone!"
I look to Madame Giry and she silently shakes her head. "I just went to the roof to get some air. I must've fallen asleep there on accident because I woke up and the moon was setting. I came back in here a few hours ago."
"You fell asleep on the roof?! It's winter! Are you feeling okay? Let me check your temperature!" Christine said worriedly
"I promise I'm fine. I don't feel sick at all." I say
"Girls, you should go get ready, I will explain Evangeline's role and get her some soup, just in case." Madame Giry said
I watched as Meg and Christine left me and Madame Giry alone.
"I know where you were last night. You don't have to worry about me telling them. I'll let you decide that. However, I do want you to be careful. He hasn't had other human contact other than me."
"I understand your worry. He hasn't done anything to hurt me. Everything was so magical and wonderful last night. His home is so beautiful." I say
"I hope that you will remain careful, just in case." Madame Giry says
"Of course. You'll be the first to know if anything changes." I say
That seemed to have put a smile on her face, but then it quickly disappeared.
"What's wrong Madame?" I ask
"Carlotta came back, and the managers placed her as the Countess and you are to play the page boy, the silent part."
"Oh. I see. Erik is not going to be happy about this. I might as well go back to my room since this one is no longer mine. It was fun being the Prima Donna for a night, I had fun." I said
Madame Giry and I went back to my room to get dressed for the production tonight. At least I still get to be on stage. Hopefully, Erik isn't too upset. I know he wanted me to be the countess, but I'm fine with the page boy. Slipping into the costume, I get ready for the show.
An hour before
Firmin walks into the Populaire gleaming about how well the production went last night.
Mystery after gala night
It says "Mystery of soprano's flight"
"Mystified," all the papers say
"We are mystified, we suspect foul play"
Bad news on soprano scene
First Carlotta now Evangeline
Still, at least the seats get sold
Gossip's worth its weight in gold
Firmin sang as he looked around the polished lobby of the Opera House.
What a way to run a business
Spare me the unending trials
Half your cast disappears
But the crowd still cheers
Opera!
To hell with Gluck and Handel
Have a scandal and you're
Sure to have a hit...
Andrea came running in cutting Firmin off.
Damnable
Will they all walk out?
This is damnable
Andre, please don't shout
It's publicity
And the take is vast
Free publicity
But we have no cast!
Andre, have you seen the queue?
Ah, it seems you've got one too
Firmin said referring to the letters that are in both of their hands. Andre took a breath and read the letter.
"Dear Andre, what a charming gala, Evangeline was in the world's sublime. We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left. On that note, the diva is a disaster, must you cast her when she's seasons past her prime?"
"Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder. My salary has not been paid. Send it care of the ghost by return of post, PTO. No one likes a debtor, so it's better if my orders are obeyed."
Who would have the gall to send this?
Someone with a puerile brain
These are both signed "O.G."
Who the hell is he?
Opera Ghost!
It's nothing short of shocking
He's mucking our position
In addition, he wants money
What a funny aberration to
Expect a large retainer
Nothing plainer
He is clearly quite insane
They sing but are interrupted by an angered Viscount.
Where is she?
You mean Carlotta?
I mean Miss Evangeline Daae
Where is she?
Well, how should we know?
I want an answer
I take it that you sent me this note
What's all this nonsense?
Of course not
Don't look at us
She's not with you then?
Of course not
We're in the dark
Monsieur, don't argue
Isn't this the letter you wrote?
And what is it that we're
Meant to have wrote?
Written
"Do not fear for Miss Daae. The Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt, to see her again."
"If you didn't write it, then who did?" Raoul asked
The managers were about to respond when another voice joined them in the lobby.
Where is he?
Ah, welcome back
Your precious patron
Where is he?
What is it now?
I have your letter
A letter which I rather resent
And did you send it?
Of course not
As if he would
You didn't send it?
Of course not
What's going on?
You dare to tell me
That this is not the letter you sent?
And what is it that
I'm meant to have sent?
"Your days at the Opera Populaire are over. Evangeline will be singing on your behalf tonight. Be prepared for a great misfortune, should you attempt to take her place."
Standing on each side of Carlotta, the managers start to bring her up the stairs when Madame Giry interrupts, with Meg and Christine behind her.
"Miss Daae has returned." She said
I hope no words for as far
As we're concerned
Where precisely is she now?
"I thought it best that she was alone." Madame Giry said
"She needed rest." Meg and Christine said
May I see her?
"No monsieur, she will see no one."
Will she sing? Will she sing? Carlotta and Piangi sang
"Here, I have a note." Madame Giry said
"Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature. Detailing how my theater is to be run. You have not followed my instructions. I shall give you one last chance."
Erik POV
"Evangeline Daae has returned to you. And I am anxious her career should progress. In the new production of "II Muto". You will therefore cast Carlotta, as the page boy. And put Miss Daae in the role of Countess. The role which Miss Daae plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the page boy is silent, which makes my casting in a word: Ideal. I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in Box Five, which will be kept empty for me. Should these demands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant, O.G."
Back in the lobby
The managers decided not to listen to the opera ghost and cast Carlotta as the countess and Evangeline as the page boy. They begged Carlotta to stay, by remaindering her of her limelight and bribing her with gifts.
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"I promise I'm fine. I don't feel sick at all."
Jokes on me, I woke up sick this morning. That just means I get to take medicine and you all get more chapters :)
