Captive Angel

15. The managers

"Sorry, about not writing this weekend. :( I hope to write some more this week. 

~~~~~

“Mademoiselle Daae, we’ve heard quite a lot about you?” One of the managers says.

“All good, I hope.” Shaking his hand, I smile. The two men, known as the managers, Firmin and Andre, are former French “scrap metal” dealers. At least that’s what Madame Giry told me yesterday while fitting the dress for Hannibal next season.

 “So, Mademoiselle, we’ve wondered if you could sing for us.”

 “Uh-well, -uh”

 “Mademoiselle, you can’t just expect us to let you in right away.” Firmin says.

 “Uh, no- I mean of course not.” I nervously reply.

 “Then sing.” Andre tells me.

I give an exasperated sigh. “What do you want me to sing?”

 “Anything,” Firmin answers. “Except ‘Amazing Grace.’” I give a puzzled look. “It’s too easy to sing for anyone, really.”

If Amazing Grace is too easy to sing than what isn’t? What should I sing? Songs are impossible to come with a mind that’s blank. I ponder on for a second or seconds… Until I finally think of a song worth singing in front of them.

The words flow from my mouth with the passion God gave me. Everything from the chords and sweet song come from my mouth gives off the music that speaks love.

 "On my own pretending he's beside me

 All alone I walk with him till morning

 Without him I feel his arms around me

 And when I lose my way I close my eyes

 And he has found me

I recall the song of my favorite from Les Miserables. The song Eponine sings about the man she loves, Marius. 

"In the rain the pavement shines like silver

All the lights are misty in the river

In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight

And all I see is him and me forever and forever

And I know it's only in my mind

That I'm talking to myself and not to him

And although I know that he is blind

Still I say, there's a way for us

The managers look at me with shock of wonder.

I love him, but when the night is over

He is gone,  the river's just a river

Without him the world around me changes

The trees are bare and everywhere

The streets are full of strangers

I love him

But every day I'm learning

All my life

I've only been pretending

Without me his world will go on turning

A world that's full of happiness

That I have never known

 “Mademoiselle Christine, I think you have stupendously earned La Carlotta’s lead role in Hannibal.” Andre happily exclaims.

 “Well, thank you, but I didn’t finish the song.” I inform them. I hadn’t finished it. The part where Eponine says, “I love him.”

 “Well now, that isn’t important, Christine.” Madame Giry stands in the doorway. “Come now, the managers need to work.”

 “Tomorrow we will rehearse, so memorize the songs for Hannibal today.” Firmin adds before I leave.

 “You’re only giving me 24 hours to memorize several songs I haven’t heard.” I say annoyed. “I won’t have the time to go through them all.”

The managers seem to be aware that it takes weeks to memorize music. Madame Giry takes me out of the room. “Dear, I know you don’t have much time, but at least get the tunes in your head tonight. Then tomorrow we’ll worry about the rest.”

~~~~~

Erik listened through the room where his Christine sang. She sang like an angel, but still needed more training before the season began. The managers were just morons making Christine memorize the whole play in 24 hours.

He changed his clothes and left the Opera House through a passageway near his lair. Erik took a cab to Nadir apartment. While driving in the cab, the driver asked him:

“Where are you from?”

Erik looked away from the window, “Excuse me?”

 “I asked: ‘Where are you from?’” repeated the driver.

 “I suggest you follow the road and mind your own business, sir.” Erik told the man. The driver gave a rude look from the mirror, but didn’t say anything back.

When Erik got to Nadir’s apartment. “Daroga! Open up!”

Nadir unlocked the door and stood in the doorway. “Well, Erik,” Nadir looked at him with a smirk, “I see you’re alive from all the chaos.”

 “Shut up, Daroga.” Erik said angrily. “Let me in.” He barged inside the apartment.

 “You’re welcome.” Nadir sarcastically said closing the door. He walked in the kitchen and sipped his cup of coffee. “How can I help you, Erik?”

 “Those idiot managers are getting in the way of this season’s show.” Erik said to Nadir.

Nadir looked puzzled. “What do you want me to do about it?”

 “Well, since you know them fairly well,” He started, “Tell them to quit spending money of the ballet rats pleasures and to invest the money for interest or else we won’t make a good profit.”

 “Should I tell them the ‘Phantom’ told me this?” Nadir asked, teasing his old friend.

 “Do whatever to convince them.” Erik replied. He knew Nadir was a better talker than himself.

~~~~~   

“Christine, try the costume on now.” The seamstress tells me. She helps me change into the white, elegant, sparkly gown for Hannibal. The 1860’s style of dress brings the emotions of the story ever so carefully. The dress sparkles in the light.

 “I’ve never worn a dress so beautiful before.” I beam happily. Being seventeen and wearing a dream dress I never knew I liked is amazing!

 “It’s nothing yet, not until we get your hair managed, but that can wait next week.” She asks while tying the dress. “Have you ever been to a masquerade?”

 “No,” I answer, “I haven’t.”

 “Well, then, every New Year’s day the Opera people celebrate with the entire staff a masquerade.”

 “Very nice. I don’t know if I’m going.” I tell her. “Maybe I’ll ask Raoul to come.

 “You have, too, you’re the lead singer this season.” She laughs at my words. “Well, then not a more finer De Chagney to dance with.” Finally getting the pins in place for my size. It’s dark outside after an hour passes, she tells me I can go home. So I do, humming the words of Hannibal in my head. I get to Nadir’s apartment, when I smell something familiar. Not food, but a certain scent that I smelled not too long ago. I try to ignore it and go to sleep. The next day will be very busy…