In The Wings

Act IV Act III

"I don't even know what to say about this. I can't think of any words for it," Mr. Montegomery said, sticking his face in his hands.

"Ludicrous," suggested Mrs. Richards. "Perhaps lunacy."

"Both," Mr. Montgomery agreed. "Have you seen what this Auditorium Ghost has written?"

"But we can't refuse to perform it," Mrs. Richard replied. "Not another disaster like Chandelier."

Mr. Montgomery nodded in agreement and then started shuffling through his papers for the musical, including the new input from their mysterious friend. But as he was searching for one particular piece of music, he ended up finding something else. Mr. Montegomery paused in his flipping of the papers, and took it out of the pile.

"Look what we have here," Mr. Montegomery said. He began to read the note out loud.

"Dear Mr. Montegomery,

The orchestra that you have assembled is not quite up to par. Firstly, we need another first trumpet. The notes are always overblown, which I cannot have performing my work. Speaking of which, the third flute has to go. That boy could not be deafer so please replace him with someone who can actually play in tune!"

Mrs. Richards let out a long, overdramatic sigh. It was only fair, her being the drama teacher and such. "I suppose I must have one of those as well." Sure enough, after a quick flip through her papers she found a note.

"Dear Mrs. Richards,

I am rather disappointed with some of the students you have cast in the ensemble. All links in the chain must be strong, you know. Please find out who you have cast actually has a sense of pitch. I recommend a smaller role for those who cannot act."

Carly and Ian strutted their way in together. Carly had her arms crossed, meaning she had some serious business to take care of. There just had to be even more problems. Together Mrs. Richard and Mr. Montegomery already had enough problems.

"This whole thing is an outrage!" Carly shrieked.

Mrs. Richard heaved a sigh, this was getting frustrating. "What is it now?" she said.

"Have you seen the size of my part, after all the cuts he made?"

Ian decided to support his girlfriend. "It's an insult!"

"You too?" Mr. Montgomery said.

"It is an insult, just look at it!"

"Carly, Ian, please!" Mrs. Richard pleased.

Carly rolled her eyes in her fury. "The things I have to do for my art."

"If you can call this sh-" Ian began to say, but the teachers gave him a look that made him rethink his word choice. "Gibberish 'art.'" Carly nodded at this, but soon her attention was pulled away.

"Here she is, our little flower!" Carly said in a mocking tone. Christine and Paul walked in, Paul's arm protectively and affectionately draped around Christine's shoulders. Immediately Christine dropped her gaze to the ground. Paul held her closer, his black hoodie hiding her away from the world for just a moment.

"Carly!" Mrs. Richard snapped, then she turned to face Christine. "Ah, Christine, Mr. Montegomery has your new music. All of the new songs feature Clara in them."

"All?" Christine said weakly, looking up at Mrs. Richard. She looked tired, as if she had just been through a grueling trial.

"Christine Daae, she doesn't have the voice," Carly said, not even bothering to lower her voice. She rolled her eyes and looked to Ian, who nodded in his agreement.