Angel or Phantom? (book 1 of the phangel series)

Chaptar 18 - Managers meeting

Eriks POV

Ahhhhh I love scaring people. Old habits die hard I guess. Oh I won't let it get out of hand though. All of this is just for kicks. Just before I am about to leave I see the doors of the opera house open up. 2 people walk in. They remind me of Firman and André. Hopefully these 2 will have have been well educated in music if they are to be my new managers. They walk up to the stage where the workers are. Some of them are still trembling and I smile to myself. I whisper "I've still got it."
Maybe one day I will a child that I can show my tricks too. I smile and then slowly it hits me. Me? A father? I had no father. How am I supposed to be one if I have no example to follow? I don't even know the first step in parenting.
Erik snap out of it. You're getting married today. Parenthood is a little ways away. After I calm myself down I notice the workers trembling and telling these 2 strange men about their recent encounter with me

"A-a-and his v-v-v-voice b-boomed over the theatre a-a-and he demanded to speak w-with you on your own t-t-time"

Wow. I must've scared them more than I thought. He he he I've still got it.
I need to get ready but maybe I'll say a few words to my new managers. The more I look at them the more I realize how much they remind me of Firman and André.

"GENTLEMEN"
They look all around and the workers tremble again. However my new managers look confused. God they look identical to my old managers.
"IF YOU PLEASE. IF YOU ARE TO BE MY NEW MANAGERS GO TO YOUR NEW OFFICE AT ONCE AND WAIT THERE. WE SHALL SPEAK FURTHER AT OUR FIRST MEETING."
They smile and yell back.
"Oh of course Mr. "Opera Ghost"
They start laughing and the workers get a worried look on their face.
I smile slyly and push a button to my left that locks every single door and window in the opera house. The locks were audible and they seemed to have grabbed the gentlemen's attention.
I walk down from my hiding place to the back stage and emerge from the shadows. Making sure my fedora is covering my face I walk slowly from the shadows. As I approach the men the workers scream and scatter. I deeply chuckle and look upon the faces of my managers. Oh. My. God. I know these men.
My voice no longer booms over the entire theatre as I am only a few feet from these men, but it is still deep, loud, and menacing.

"Gentlemen. Nice to see you. I am the Opera Ghost."

The tall thin one speaks up
"Really? He died in the fire ages ago. We've returned in hopes that we can once again run this opera house."

"Monsieur André, you are out of luck. You see The Phantom Of The Opera is still alive. In fact he is getting married in this very theatre today. If you don't believe me allow me to take off my mask." As I said this I tilted up my hat so they could see only the masked part of my face.

Firman then speaks.
"Monsieur Opera Ghost?" He walks closer towards me and I look up and smile slyly at him.

"Ahhhh Firman. You do recognize me. No heart feelings right?"

André finally realizes it's not a joke and bursts out yelling "BECAUSE OF YOU HUNDREDS ARE DEAD. AND HOURS WASTED SEARCHING FOR YOU. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU KIDNAPPED OUR SONGBIRD AND NOW YOU PLAN ON FORCING HER INTO MARRIAGE?"

I wait for him to calm down. Firman trying to calm himself and André.
"My dear André. I did not force her into marriage. She came back to me of her own accord. I don't know about you good sir but I don't call that force."
They look at me dumbfounded for a moment.
Firman again speaks "we can always call the police again."

"Yes you could. But let's work something out. You want money from this opera house. I have your ticket to money and I want things to be back the way they were. My salary. Gentlemen I propose that if you don't call the police and we work together, we can earn millions upon millions of dollars. Christine wants to sing again, but she has no audience. Help me give her what she wants. If we work together, I will not terrorize the both of you. Now I may have a little fun with the rest of the cast but I'll leave you two out of it if you please."

Both men look at me like I'm crazy.
André walks forward then speaks.
"Monsieur Phantom. If we agree to this deal, Christine sings, we earn unimaginable amounts of money, and you don't knock down the chandelier?"

"That is correct. But only on one condition."

Firman crosses his arms.
"Name it."

"The viscount de chagny stays away from this opera house, from Christine, and most importantly from me. If he comes around I cannot guarantee that he will not be in harms way."

Both men look at each other and André walks up to me and offers his hand.
"Monsieur Opera Ghost, you may have a little fun with the cast if you leave us out of it. As for you salary. We shall pay you 5,000 francs a month for the first year. Depending on sales we will go up to 10,000. By the third year depending on how much we've made we will pay you 20,000 francs a month. Deal?"

"20,000 francs by year 2 depending on sales of course."

Firman extends his hand.
"Done"

I shake both hands as we have come to an accord.
"Gentlemen it is a pleasure to work with you again. Now if you'll excuse me I have a wedding to get ready for. Please spread word to the corps de ballet and to Madame Giry. I expect the cast, ballet, crew, and the two of you there tonight. It will be held here at 6:00 sharp."
The men agree and congratulate me. Before I know it I am off to prepare for my wedding.