The Phantom's Daughter (Book 2)

Not Good Enough

Meg was outstanding on stage, and Elise and Madame Giry were there to congratulate her when she had finished performing.
"How was I?" Asked an out of breath Meg.
"Amazing" answered Elise.
"Thanks" replied Meg.
"She's right. You really were fantastic, and I say that, not just as your mother, but as your producer" praised Madame Giry.
"Thank you mother... Does he agree?" Asked Meg.
"I'm sure he does"
"Good".

"He can't exactly ignore you Meg. There are posters of you all over Coney Island, and not just Phantasma. You're the famous oolala girl, and everyone loves you" reminded Elise.
"You could have that too" replied Meg.
"I've already told you, that that's not for me. Besides, I wouldn't want to take the spotlight away from you"
"I wouldn't mind sharing it with you"
"No, you deserve this after everything you've done. This is your shot"
"Thanks".

"She's right, and it seems that you have another admirer, a certain Mr Thompson" revealed Madame Giry.
"Is he important?" Asked Meg quietly.
Madame Giry said nothing, but nodded her head.
For a moment Meg's happiness faded from her face, and Elise's heart sank, as she knew her friend would have no choice but to do exactly as Mr Thompson wanted.
Elise had sold her talent for money, but Meg had sold other things.

Elise's father knew nothing of what Meg did, because they had all decided to keep it from him. But this meant that Meg never got the credit that she deserved.
However, now that Meg was gaining fame, she was finally being recognised, at least by the public, for her talents.
Meg quickly forced a smile back on her face, "Well, I'm going to change out of my costume. And then we should go and see what the master thought of the show".
Before Elise could object to this plan, Meg had skipped off down the corridor, towards her dressing room.

Several minutes later Elise found herself accompanying the two Giry's, into her fathers office.
"Tell me what you thought. Did you like the routine? If not I can always change a few things before the premiere" admitted Meg, as they marched inside.
"Do whatever you think is best" mumbled Erik, not bothering to look up from his desk.
"Did the costume look O.K, too revealing or not enough? People seemed to like it, but I could always show a bit more skin, that would surely bring them in-"
"Meg!" Interrupted Madame Giry.
"Can't you see that the master's at work? Can't you see that his mind's somewhere else? Don't you see that he forgot what today was" she continued.

Erik looked up from his paperwork and frowned.
"Today was opening day. The first show of this years season" explained Elise.
"Oh, right, that" muttered Erik.
"You see Meg, he was clearly thinking of things more important than you. A success I guess, means nothing, compared to the things that the master must think" sneered Madame Giry.
"Careful Madame, you forget yourself" warned Erik, as he jumped out of his chair.
"Christine. Christine" spat Madame Giry.
"Christine" mumbled Meg.

"Meg, leave us" instructed Madame Giry.
Meg sighed and walked out the room, looking defeated, knowing that she could never compete with Christine.
Elise wanted to run after her, and comfort her, but she didn't want to miss out on the conversation between Madame Giry and her father.
"Are you going to order me out as well?" Questioned Elise.
"You gave up listening to me a long time ago, and we both know that you would ignore my instructions if I gave you them. So stay if you like" replied Madame Giry, before turning her attention back to the phantom.

"In Paris, when the mob surrounded you, who was there? We were there. When the police searched for you, day and night, who stood by your side, feeding you and keeping you safe? Me and Meg. We looked after you and Elise, not her. We kept you alive, not Christine" continued Madame Giry.
"I don't see the problem, this is ancient history. Why do you bring it up now?" Asked Erik, as he moved around his desk to face Madame Giry.

"And who smuggled you across the sea, and worked hard to ensure that your dream was a success? Who didn't stop until your dreams became reality? Who greased the wheels of your high flying deals, and brought you time, when the bills were due? No, not her... She chose Raoul, chose his beauty and youth, and it's long past time you faced up to the truth-" began Madame Giry.
"Enough!" Interrupted Erik.
Madame Giry bit her tongue, and Elise stared at her father, wondering what he was going to do next.
He wasn't as angry as he used to be, but Madame Giry always seemed to know how to push his buttons.
Erik hadn't killed anyone since they arrived in America, and Elise wanted it to stay that way.

"You'll be repaid for your loyalty, as I promised that you would be. Now, if there's nothing else, you can go" announced Erik calmly, gesturing to the door.
Madame Giry turned and left the room, without saying another word.
"You should've told her what you've done" Elise said quietly, once her and Erik were alone.
"No, I shouldn't have. And you promised that you would not speak of it to anyone" reminded Erik.
"I haven't forgotten what I said. But it's all going to be out in the open tomorrow, when she arrives. Wouldn't it have been better to prepare them both for what is about to happen?".

"You will not mention it to anyone, not until she is here" warned Erik.
Elise raised her hands, as if surrendering, "I won't say a word".
"Good... I trust that everything is in order?" Questioned Erik.
"Of course. The suite you requested has been reserved, and I have already arranged her transport here, from the ship. Everything is in place"
"Well then, you'd better get some rest. It is a big day tomorrow"
"She doesn't arrive until late afternoon"
"I know. But I want everything to be perfect for when she gets here"
"It will be... But I can take a hint. I'm going".
Elise left her fathers office, worried for what would happen the following day, when Christine arrived on Coney Island.