Inside My Mind: The Phantom of the Opera as told by Miss Christine Daae

Chapter 9: Gossip and Guidelines

*AUTHOR'S NOTE* We don't know what happens prior to Il Muto from Christine's perspective. Chapters 9, 10, 11 and the first part of 12 are my take on what happened.

I jolt awake from a deep sleep to the sound of Monsieur Firmin laughing from his office. I told Madame Giry that I wanted her to seal off that grate months ago. But then I hear him talking about last night's gala. I jump out of bed and walk over to the grate and sit down on the floor, my ear to the opening. He seems pleasant and happy, so the reviews must have been good.

"Mystery after gala night, it says mystery of soprano's flight. Mystified, baffled Surete say, we are mystified, we suspect foul play. Bad news on soprano's scene. First Carlotta, now Christine." My name is in the papers! My dream is finally coming true! I listen harder. "Still, at least the seats gets sold, gossips worth its weight in gold." I love good gossip, and the fact that Carlotta walked out is definitely juicy gossip. He's walking around his office, I can hear his shoes clicking on the floor. "Diva tenders resignation, cover does a moonlight flit. Half you cast disappears but the crowd still cheers, OPERA! To hell with Gluck and Handel, have scandal and you're sure to have a....." The door to the office flings open, hitting the wall with a loud thud. Andre walks in, sounding visibly upset.

"Damnable, well they all walk out, this is damnable!" Firmin stops him, "Andre please don't shout, it's publicity, and the take is vast. Free publicity!" "But we have no cast" Andre reminds him. Maybe they'll cast me as the countess in that new production they got the parts for a few weeks ago! Oh, I hope so! "But Andre, have you seen the queue?" Firmin asks, before saying "oh, it seems you've got one too." The Phantom is writing notes again, maybe this time these two goofs will get the memo. I lean in closer to the grate.

Andre reads his first. "Dear Andre what a charming gala. Christine enjoyed a great success. We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left. Otherwise, the chorus was enchanting, but the dancing was a lamentable mess!" He's got that right, Madame Giry was not happy at all. Firmin chimes in, "Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder. My salary has not been paid. Send it care of the Ghost, by return of post. P.T.O. No one like a debtor, so it's better if my orders are obeyed." I can't help but laugh under my breath.

Together, they ask "Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a puerile brain". Firmin point out that "these are both signed O.G" and Andre asks, "Who the hell is he?" At the same time, the both realize what O.G. stands for and they exclaim "Opera Ghost". Firmin scoffs "It's really not amusing". Andre points out that "he's abusing our position!" and Firmin reminds him that "in addition he wants money." Andre goes on to say "he's a funny sort of spectre" Firmin joins in and says "to expect a large retainer! Nothing plainer - he is clearly quite insane!" Insane? The door is flung open again, cutting them off.

"Where is she?" Raoul asks, sounding annoyed. "You mean Carlotta?" Andre asks. Oh he will never learn. "I mean Miss Daae, where is she?" Andre asks "Well how should we know?" "I want an answer", Raoul says, not taking any of it, "I take it that you sent me this note." "What's all this nonsense?" Firmin asks. "Oh course not!" Andre clears his name right away, saying "Of course not!" Firmin tell him not to "look at us" Raoul accuses them again, asking "She's not with you then?" Andre again says "Of course not!" Firmin tells Raoul that "we're in the dark". Raoul, having heard enough, asks "Monsieur don't argue. Isn't this the letter you wrote?" Very surely of himself, Firmin chirps "And what is it that we're meant to have wrote?" Realizing his mistake, he corrects himself quickly "or written?" Andre takes the note from Raoul and reads it out loud. "Do not fear for Miss Daae, the Angel Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again." Clearly confused now, Raoul asks, "Well if you didn't write it, who did?" The door bangs open and I hear heels clicking across the floor. That shrill voice we all know far too well shrieks "WHERE IS HE?"