The Phantom's Daughter

10. Plotting

Elise found it hard to sleep that night, as thoughts of Raoul kept weaving in and out of her dreams. She was terrified about what would happen if everyone found out her secret.
When she woke up, Madame Giry escourted her, Meg, and Christine to a meeting in the directors office. And by the time they arrived, those already there, were in the middle of a full blown argument.
Everyone had read the phantoms opera, and it seemed that no one was happy with it.
The phantom had also left the directors notes on how to do his opera properly, which had angered them greatly.
Elise however, was ecstatic when she found out that her father had written in a part for her. It was a minor role that involved her doing her aerial and acrobatic tricks, but she was pleased that he had thought of her.

"Ah, Miss Daae, quite the lady of the hour" mocked Andre, when Christine and the others entered the room.
"Yes, it seems that you have been cast in the leading role in this opera" added Firmin.
"Christine Daae, she doesn't have the voice" muttered Carlotta under her breath.
"Mademoiselle, please keep this meeting civil" replied Andre.
The diva opera singer, was stood at the back of the room next to Piangi, and both of them had their arms folded.
Elise guessed that Carlotta was not happy with the small role Erik had given her, as she was used to playing the lead.

"I take it you'll agree to play the part written for you?" Andre asked Christine.
"I don't think any of us have a choice in the matter" admitted Firmin.
"I will not sing it. I don't want any part of this plot" announced Christine.
"But you have a duty to peform this" replied Andre.
"I cannot sing it, duty or not" Christine snapped back.
"Christine it's O.K. They can't make you do anything that you don't want to do" reassured Raoul, as he placed his arms protectively around her.

Madame Giry suddenly pulled out a letter from her pocket, causing everyone in the room to groan.
"I have another note" she revealed.
"Well, you had better read in then" sighed Firmin.
Madame Giry nodded, and began to read out the phantom's note, "Fondest greetings to you all. A few instructions just before rehearsals start. Carlotta must be taught to act, not her usual trick of strutting around the stage. Our Don Juan must lose some weight, it's not healthy in a man of Piangi's age. And if Christine wishes to excell, she must return to me, her teacher.
Signed your obedient friend, and angel".

Elise had been forced to suppress a grin when Madame Giry read out what the phantom thought of Carlotta and Piangi.
Carlotta had tried to intervene when the phantom mocked her acting ability, but Firmin had raised his hand, stopping her from interrupting Madame Giry.
But once the letter had been read, a triumphant smile suddenly appeared on Raoul's face.
"We, have all been blind, and yet the answer is staring is in the face" mumbled Raoul.
Everyone crowded around him, encouraging him to continue.

"We should do as he says, perform his work, but remember we hold the ace. For this could be the chance to ensare our clever friend" continued Raoul smuggly.
"We're listening, go on" replied Andre.
"Don't you see, if Christine sings, he is certain to attend. Which gives us the perfect opportunity to capture him"
"Yes, we make certain the police are there, and that they are armed. With all the doors closed, we might have a chance of getting him".

Elise frowned, as she was concerned for her father, even though she had a hunch that he would be able to outsmart the police and the directors, as he had done before.
She was also astonished at how quickly Raoul's intentions could change. One minute he was protecting and defending Christine, and the next he was putting Christine's life on the line to capture the phantom.

"This is madness" announced Madame Giry, voicing what Elise was thinking.
"But it could work, it could turn the tide on this so called phantom" replied Andre.
"Sir, believe me, there is no way of turning the tide" admitted Madame Giry.
"You stick to ballet" snapped Firmin.
"Or help us" insisted Andre.
"Sir, I can't" replied Madame Giry.
"Instead of warning us, help us"
"I can't help you".
"Why? Is it because you're on his side?" Questioned Firmin.

Madame Giry looked to Raoul, but he said nothing, indicating that he hadn't told anyone about what she had told him the day before.
"Look, I am on no ones side, and I bare you no ill. But I cannot help you with this. You also need to be on your guard, he has killed before, and he will kill again if we aren't careful" warned Madame Giry.
"Raoul, please don't make me do this" begged Christine quietly to her lover.
"This is the right thing to do" replied Raoul.
"But he frightens me. Please don't put me through this ordeal. He'll take me I know, and we'll be parted forever. He'l never let me go. And he'll always be there singing songs in my head".

"The girl is mad" commented Carlotta.
"You said yourself, that he is nothing but a man" reminded Raoul, ignoring Carlotta.
"But I don't want to sing anything written by him" admitted Christine.
"It's just a few songs. Doing this will result in his capture, and we will never have to worry about him ever again" replied Raoul, as he placed his hands on Christine controllingly.
Christine had no choice but to agree, but once she had, she fled from the room.
Elise frowned, and she couldn't see why someone like Christine would fall in love with someone who looked at music the way Raoul did. Music meant the world to her, as it did her father, and hearing Raoul disregard it in such a way, made her anrgy.

"Everyone should head downstairs, so that we can start the first rehearsal" announced Madame Giry.
Carlotta raised her head in the air and marched out the room, with Piangi close behind her.
Madame Giry then placed her hands on Elise and Meg, guiding them out the room.
Pretending to stop to tie her shoelace, Elise hung back and Madame Giry stayed with her, encouraging Meg to go on without them.
"They're not really going to go ahead with this, are there?" Questioned Elise quietly.
"It would seem like they are" whispered Madame Giry.

"But this is crazy" admitted Elise.
"Yes, it is" agreed Madame Giry.
"We should tell him, and warn him of what the directors plan to do" insisted Elise.
"I'm sure he already knows that they want to capture him. Don't worry though, your father is a smart man, he will not allow himself to get captured. He knows this place better than anyone, so he will be able to escape from any trap set for him"
"You're sure?"
"Yes. Now, we'd better hurry up, as we don't want to keep the rest of the cast waiting"
"No, we don't".