The Phantom's Guardian (the Phantom of the Opera fan fiction)

Part 34 - let the Opera Begin (Finale Part II)

Chapter 34 – Let the Opera begin!! (Finale Part II)

Desiree repaired Piangi's hat in record time despite his incessant nagging and whining. It did not help that Carlotta also joined in for grilling "Derrick". She kept throwing insults around, questioning Madame Giry's judgement on assigning a low-level stagehand-turned-amateur dresser to Piangi, who is clearly the male lead tenor and "the most important and well-deserved casting of this whole production". If it was any other time, Desiree would have lost her patience and would have proceeded to pull out that old bat's wig along with her hairs.

Fortunately, Desiree had already perfected the art of singing a favourite song in her mind to tune her out. That strategy worked wonderfully when Carlotta noticed that Derrick is not paying any attention to her and flounced out to prey on another unfortunate soul.

With minutes to spare just before the Opera start, Desiree hurried out of the costume room holding the mended hat in her hand. Someone has informed her that all backstage personnel were to be assembled as per instructions of the Monsieur La Vicomte. When she arrived, she found several policemen in uniform streaming backstage. They were all armed to the teeth and Desiree saw Raoul and the Police chief at the front of the parade.

The police chief shouted out his command to his . "Do you understand your instructions?".

"Sir, Yes, Sir!" came the unified reply.

"When you hear the whistle, take up your positions.

I shall then instruct you to secure the doors

It is essential that all doors are properly secured."

"Sir, Yes, Sir!"

Desiree noticed Andre and Firmin speaking furtively in the corner. Hoping to catch some part of the plan, she tried to listen but they were too far away. It would be impossible to get closer without raising suscipion. She caught the snippets of conversation.

"Andre, are we --- right thing?"

"Well, --- a better idea?"

".... seems rather risky, doesn't it?"

The two of them proceeded to Raoul and started pestering him.

"Monsieur la Vicomte, are you confident this will work? Will Miss Daae sing?"

"Don't worry!!Andre, Firmin."

"We're in your hands, monsieur." Desiree could hear the desperation and fear lurking in their voices.

Raoul then turned to the group.

"Attention, everyone. From now on, we want you to stay away from any entrance and doors of the theatre. The police are here to do security coverage and if any of you is found loitering around an entrance, you will be apprehended by the police as potential threat. Is that clear?"

Desiree could almost touch the palpable tension in the room. One by one, grim-faced stagehands nodded their heads and gave each other scrutinising looks. Then, Raoul dismissed them and as Desiree was walking out, she could make out some words of their chat.

"Monsieur la Vicomte, am I to give the order?"

"Give the order."

Then, as the bone-chilling whistle of the chief rang out behind her, Desiree whispered..

"Here we go...."

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"ARE ALL DOORS SECURED?"