Bravissimo

All the Viler

"I have heard what has happened!" we hear Firmin say walking down the hall, only to stop at Annabel's door. "Not that I enjoy the thought of the girl being..." he begins to say until he makes eye contact with Erik then clears his throat. "But that girl and her uncle? Good heavens Miss Annabel, why would you protect her?" he asks as Andre finds us all in here as well. 

"It hurts my poor old heart to see how they treat you dear." Andre says and Annabel smiles and puts her finger to her lips. "I know you're not trying to get her to befriend you?" Firmin says making Erik scoff. "No-" Annabel begins. "She has much better uses of her time." I say and Annabel points at me matter-of-factly. "Did you do it so she'd see you're not what she's made you out to be, and let you alone?" Andre asks and Annabel presses her fingers together at her waist and takes a deep breath in. She walks over to Andre and puts her arm around his shoulder,

"Think bigger my friend, think money, not everyone thinks I'm sweet as honey." she sings using her hands as she talks. "Right now, as I see it? It's her fault it's her drought each time she acts all the viler!"

"As to be expected you're the Prima Donna daughter!" Andre sings.

"But us your managers and you'll NOT be put through a slaughter!" Firmin sings and Annabel swats away his kind words with her hand.

"The nights you gained the most, it was the Phantom who did host! But I stand here before you, no ghost." Annabel says playfully poking Firmin in the shoulder proving she's truly here with us. Annabel leaves Andre's side and sits upon the ottoman yet again, leaning forward elbows on her knees, her head in her hand.

"So the public likes a good story? Perhaps one not told on the stage? And so maybe we keep our small problem?" she asks with a wicked smile at her father and asks, "You know? The one that's my age?" We all look to each other beginning to follow what she's telling us, and each of us at the edge of our seats, just wanting to know.

"So sad that she's young, but the words that she's strung, with it take more than a grain of salt. To say that we'd gain from what you'd say my pain? And here it lies in, it's her fault." Annabel says brushing her hands together signifying she's washed her hands of it.

"Many a chance here she's had, and what a shame it's likely a phase. Yes given some time she'll change with her age. But for now we extort it, embrace it, ignore it!" Annabel sings and we grin.

"If one thing is true Opera Drama comes through, don't believe me? Ask La Carlotta. The rules still remain and it brings me no pain, to say the Phantom continues his Sonata!" Erik chimes in fixing a flower in a vase on his left.

"And we'll make our money, from the one sweet as honey, for the one who wishes it not-" Andre and Firmin sing together smiling.

"Too late she will find that while she was unkind, her reputation may as well be forgot." I sing and Erik smiles beside me with a shake of his head. Annabel then puts her hands up a moment, for us to stop and listen. "Let us not stoop to her level, because then what is the point? I'm sure our Phantom would fully agree?" she says then puts her index finger up.

"Now! If she so decides to grow up and be kind then who am I to stop her? But from here and on out it's her fault it's her drought each time she acts all the viler." Annabel says, and I notice Erik's face grow to something of pride. All of us look among each other and grin, all agreeing, and we sing,

"From here and here out it's her fault it's her drought! Each time she acts all the viler."

We all nod and smile at each other, though we may not like all the aspects, it is true that outside drama helped before. "As for Durand, I find it clear he should stay for his experience here alone. Antoinette cannot teach all the hundreds alone anymore." I say and Erik begrudgingly nods. "They know now what will happen should anything happen to you both." Erik says and Annabel leans against the vanity. "Another reason to keep Alexandra? Is if Annabel were to get hurt." Firmin says and Annabel nods in agreement. "I don't know how you do it Annabel, but I like that you've got a head on your shoulders!" Andre says and leaves shortly followed by Firmin leaving us three alone.