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

Chapter 12: Disaster Beyond Imagination

The managers, Raoul, Madame and Meg Giry add the last bit of salt to the wound when they sing together, "Prima Donna, the world is at your feet. Our nation waits, and how it hates to be cheated. Light up the stage with an age old rapport. Sing Prima Donna, once more!" The Phantom's voice suddenly booms, causing the singing to stop. His warning is very clear, so maybe they will change their minds. "So, it is to be war between us," he says "if these demands are not met, a disaster beyond your imagination WILL OCCUR". What does he mean by that?! I'm suddenly fearful about what might happen. Undeterred, they sing "ONCE MORE!" I realize that I probably should get into costume so I head to my closet and pull out the page boy outfit. A white ruffled shirt, britches, knee high socks, character shoes, a hat and a giant skirt so I look like a girl. Whoever came up with this outfit needs a smack across the face.

Later that night.....

From the wings, I hear Raoul and the managers walking into the theatre, and Raoul says "Gentlemen, if you would care to take your seats. We shall be sitting in Box Five." What? No! Raoul, you're making a huge mistake! I wish I had time to tell him that, but Madame Giry has officially called 'places.' Andre tries to talk him out of it by asking "Do you really think that's wise, Monsieur?" "My dear Andre," Raoul replies, "there would appear to be no seats available other than Box Five." First they cast Carlotta as the lead, and now Box Five is occupied. The Phantom's words ring in my head as the show begins.

"They say that this youth has set my lady's heart a flame!" "His lordship sure would die of shock!" "His lordship is a laughing stock!' Should he suspect her, God protect her. "Shame, shame, shame". "This faithless lady's bound for HADES! Shame! Shame!! Shame!"

The curtain lifts to reveal Carlotta and me sitting on a sofa. "Serafimo, your disguise is perfect!" Carlotta coos. There is a knocking sound, and Carlotta inquires "My, who can this be?" "Gentle wife, admit your loving husband". Carlotta motions to me to start cleaning, so I walk over to the bed and start dusting. Her 'husband' walks in, his long gray wig and painted face is enough to make anyone laugh. I hear Andre say "Every seat sold!" Firmin adds "Hardly 'disaster beyond imagination'". Oh will they ever learn? The show goes on.

"My love, I am called to England on affairs of state, and must leave you with your new maid." He cough and says under his breath, but loud enough for me to hear "Though I'd happily take the maid with me". I turn and give him a look. "The old fool is leaving!" Carlota says, with sincere pleasure in her voice. "I suspect my young bride is untrue to me. I shall not leave, but shall hide over there *he motions with his cane* to observe her." He clears his throat and bids his wife a loud "Adieu!" Carlotta replies with a higher pitched "Adieu!"

As soon as she believes he is out of sight, out of mind, Carlotta looks at me and says "Serafimo, away with this pretense!" I whip off my hat and skirt, revealing the britches. The countess' company gasps in horror. I strut up to Carlotta and she says "You cannot speak, but kiss me in my husband's absence". I hop onto the couch and fake kiss her while shaking my left leg in the air. Who came up with that? Carlotta continues "Poor fool, he makes me laugh, ha ha ha ha ha. HA ha HA ha HA ha HAhaHAhaHA. Time I tried to get a better better half! Poor fool, he doesn't know! Hoho, Hoho... If he knew the truth, he'd never, ever go!"

Out of nowhere, the Phantom's voice booms in anger, echoing across the stage "DID I NOT INSTRUCT THAT BOX FIVE WAS TO BE KEPT EMPTY?" Meg comes running onstage screaming "He's here, the Phantom of the Opera!" I say, completely struck with fear, "it's him, I know it it's him". Carlotta comes up behind me and snickers "Your part is silent, little TOAD!" Not taking any of it, the Phantom says "A TOAD MADAME, perhaps it is you who are the toad." Completely undeterred by what to me sounded like a warning, Carlotta looks at Monsieur Reyer and says "Maestro, del capo vermicelli". I clear my throat and take a deep breath.

The song starts again, and we reset the scene. "Serafimo, away with this pretense! You cannot speak, but kiss me in my..........CROAK!" What the heck was that? Thinking it is just a onetime slip up, Carlotta continues. "Poor fool he makes me laugh! HA ha HA ha HAAAAA....CROAK! HA CROAK!" From their box, Monsieur Andre motions to Monsieur Reyer and says "Maestro, no, no maestro". "BEHOLD, SHE IS SINGING TO BRING DOWN THE CHANDELIER!" The Phantom's voice sends the chandelier lights flickering and I swear I see it start to sway.

Monsieur Firmin stands up and gets the audience's attention. Carlotta is cowering in a corner, I'm standing in the center of the stage, paralyzed with fear. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we apologize, the performance will continue in ten minutes time, when the role of the counters WILL BE SUNG by Miss Christine Daae!" He motions me off stage and I run to change as Monsieur Andre appears on stage, clearly in a panic. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" He's clearly out of breath "In the meantime, ladies and gentlemen, we shall be giving you, the ballet from Act Three of tonight's opera. Maestro, bring the ballet forward. The ballet, NOW!"

I can hear the ballet from my dressing room, so I know where they are in the show. Madame Giry is helping me into the massive countess dress. All of a sudden, we hear screaming from the stage and I hear Monsieur Firmin say "Ladies and Gentlemen please, remain in your seats. Do not panic, it was an accident, simply an accident!" Meg comes running into my dressing room screaming "Buquet is dead! Buquet is dead!" Knowing I am clearly not safe here, I throw on the closest cape I can find and run up to the roof. My mind is racing, and my heart pounding.