Phantom's Understudy

Part One - The Understudy

I remember 1870 like it was yesterday. That year changed my life, my outlook, everything. It had been 3 years since I had joined the opera house after a very insignificant audition and here I was a chorus girl just waiting for my day to shine.

I had turned 22 just that week...the week that everything started going a little crazy for me.

We were rehearsing for Hannibal and Carlotta was throwing commands as she usually did, left and right.

Suddenly, Lefevre came in with three other men and Madame Giry following them.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said. "As you know for some weeks there have been rumors of my retirement. I can now tell you those are all true. It is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire. Monsieur Richard Firman and Monsieur Gilles Andre."

Well this was nice. New management. I kissed my future hopes goodbye and started considering looking for a new opera house to audition at. It would probably be my only hope to actually make something of myself.

He introduced Carlotta to them and I slightly rolled my eyes. She's so...Carlotta. and for some reason she was flaunting it like a good thing that day.

Well. It's probably a good thing for her. I thought to myself.

"And we are honored to introduce our new patron: the Vicomte de Changy!" Firman announced.

"It's Raoul," I heard Christine almost whisper to Meg as another man walk through the stage.

"My parents and I are honored to support all the arts. Especially the world renowned Opera Populaire." The more handsome of the group said. My attention directed towards him.

"I believe I'm keeping you from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening to share your great triumph!" He said dismissing himself and disappearing off the stage.

I saw Madame Giry begin walking towards the ballet group, talking to two of the men. I dismissed the distraction and went back to practicing my ballet. I didn't need to get scolded by Madame.

My attention was focused on the more difficult routine. I was a little concerned because frankly, I came here to be a singer. My ballet is less to be desired. Probably everyone would agree. When I got like that, I really didn't pay attention to anything else other than my footing. It was even difficult to talk when like this, then alone sing. But I was handling the routine perfectly.

"I WILL NOT BE SINGING!" Carlotta's voice rang through the opera house.

Lord don't get my hopes up. She got like this probably every other performance.

"Grovel, grovel," Lefevre instructed the two men. I rolled my eyes again, making it a habit every time the princess had her way.

They followed Carlotta out of hearing range and I once again sighed to myself with an eye roll. Of course she was coming back. She was trying to make a statement.

After a little bit of them trying to convince Carlotta that she was the queen of everything, she signalled the Maestro to begin playing Think of Me.

"Think of me. Think of me fondly when we've said goodbye," I winced at the wonderful singing. It honestly wasn't that great and it angered me every time she opened her mouth that she made it to the lead soprano position. Honestly how? Maybe I was just a little jealous in the end. She was Prima Donna for a reason, after all.

"Then you'll find that once again you long to take your heart ba-"

Suddenly a backdrop fell on Carlotta and everyone ran to her in a panic. With the exception to the chorus. We all just kind of watched.

"He's here. The phantom of the opera," Meg spoke.

I didn't necessarily believe in a phantom. I was pretty sure it was just that disgusting stage hand Joseph Buquet that was doing most of the stuff. Like, who else is going to drop a backdrop from the stage?

"Please Monsieur, there's no one there!" Joseph called from the catwalk. "it must have been a ghost!" He laughed to himself.

As if that would cover up his actions.

"Signora, these things do happen," Andre reassured.

"For the past three years these things do happen! And did you stop them from happening? No! And you two! You're just as bad as him. These things do happen! Until these things stop from happening this thing," she motioned to herself. "Does not happen!" And she stormed out, beckoning for her poor crew to give her the dog that I felt bad for.

Lefevre seemed untouched and dismissed himself from the group. I was a little surprised. She actually left this time.

Madame Giry walked over to Andre and Firman and shared a note from the opera ghost. I didn't really know why we all pretended there was a ghost here. I think someone was scamming the damn opera house. Poor Andre and Firman. Do they know what they've gotten themselves into?

"Now we shall have to cancel! A full house, Andre. We shall have to refund a full house!"

I cleared my throat.

"Actually, monsieur..." I almost whispered.

Andre and Firman looked at me as I walked up to them.

"I've been Carlotta's understudy for several performances including this one." I explained. This could be my chance.

They didn't seem to know how to respond. "An Understudy!" Firman said. "this is Fantastic, Andre! Maybe we aren't ruined!"

Andre was skeptical. "When was the last time you rehearsed the role?"

I smiled. "I actually rehearse on my own. I have...been prepared for this moment to happen." I explained.

"Let's hear then! From the top, mademoiselle."

I stepped forward on the stage and began singing Think of Me from the beginning, replaying the whole song in my mind from the last time I sang it, which was last night. I stayed in the piano room every single day and practiced extra so that I could do what I was doing right now. How much I hoped that I would be good enough. 

When I completed the song Firman and Andre applauded frantically.

"Beautiful Mademoiselle! Beautiful! You're saving the opera! Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

I was flattered, and we continued to the rehearsal from the beginning so that I could rehearse my part from the top. "Elizabeth Bell."

**Attached picture is our Protagonist, Elizabeth Bell