"The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble!" Oh shoot, I missed my cue again! Madame Giry is going to kill me! I pull on my ballet shoes and run to the stage right wings. "Christine, wait for me!" I turn to see Meg Giry, Madame Giry's daughter and my best friend, running towards me, pulling on her shoes as she approaches me. "My mother is going to kill us, why didn't you come get me?" she says out of breath. "I'm sorry, I was in voice lessons and he kept me late" I say, exasperated. We take our places and wait.
Just as we finish the scene out of nowhere, Lefevre comes rushing in with two men trailing behind him "This way, gentlemen, this way" he says, "Rehearsals, as you see, are under way for a new production of Chalumeau's "Hannibal". He walks up on stage, rambling on as usual. "Ladies and Gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen please......ple...LADIES AND GENT..... Madame Giry!" Meg's mom smacks her cane on the floor and I nearly jump out of my skin. Man that always drives me nuts.
"Thank you" Lefevre says nodding at her. "As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors about my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these were all true, and it is now my pleasure to introduce to you the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, Mr. Richard Firmin, (a short guy with a mustache and really bad comb over) and Mr. Gene Andre (a taller guy who looks like he's seen a ghost). They wave and express their gratitude, as Lefevre introduces them to Carlotta and Piangi. "Gentlemen, Signora Carlotta Giudicelli, our leading soprano for 19 seasons now." Carlotta Giudicelli is a pale skinned red headed soprano with a huge ego. Andre, acting like he just met some big superstar coos at Carlotta "Of course, of course, I've experienced you're your greatest roles Signora". I can't help but chuckle. Big star, even bigger ego. "And Signor Ubaldo Piangi". He's Carlotta's partner in crime, heavy set with facial hair.
Monsieur Andre chimes in all bubbly "If I remember rightly, Elissa has a rather fine aria in Act 3 of Hannibal, I wonder Signora if as a personal favor, you would oblige us with a private rendition. Unless of course, Monsieur Reyer objects". In her so sure of herself voice, Carlotta says "My manager commands, Monsieur Reyer!" Think of Me, that song I had just been rehearsing in voice lessons. I know it like the back of my hand and as Carlotta takes her place on stage, I can't help but hope she gets sick and can't do the show so I can finally have my day in the spotlight.
The piano begins to send the tune flowing through the opera house. Scarf in hand, Carlotta starts "Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye. Remember me, every so often, promise me you'll try." She prances over to Mr. Andre, drapes the scarf over his shoulder and continues. "On that day, that not so distant day, when you are far away and free. If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me." Andre, still holding onto the scarf as Carlotta pulls it away, nearly falls flat on his face and I can't help but laugh under my breath.
Carlotta takes a deep breath and belts at the top of her lungs "THINK OF ME, THINK OF ME WAAAAKING............" Out of nowhere, the back panels suddenly drop, sending Carlotta into a panic and everyone else screaming and running for cover.
YOU ARE READING
Inside My Mind: The Phantom of the Opera as told by Miss Christine Daae
FantasyA work of fan fiction. The haunting love story The Phantom of the Opera as told through the eyes of Miss Christine Daae. All lyrical and script credit to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.
