The Angel of the Opera: Part Two
by KrazyGirl
The stage of the Opera House was decorated with designs of Carthage. Several slave girls and slave masters danced about, singing in joy of the return of their leader. Carlotta Giudicelli trotted out in all her fancy as Elissa- Queen of Carthage. She daintily held a bloody, severed head in her fingers. "This trophy from our saviors, from the enslaving force of Rome!"

The entire group danced in joy when their leader approached. Ubaldo Piangi, Carlotta's husband, rode out on a jeweled elephant. The crowd shouted out a chant- "Hannibal! Hannibal!" Hannibal stood to speak. "Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp." The play was broken by the sound of Monsieur Reyer, the director. "Signor, if you please! We say 'Rome' not 'Roma'. Once again, if you please." Piangi nodded and began.

The play went on more smoothly, until 2 well-dressed men barged in. "Ah, my good friend! This will be very much wonderful!" Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre have entered, admiring their new Opera House. They just became the new managers. The old manager, Monsieur Lefevre, had just retired. The 2 men walked about the stage until the dance instructor banged his cane against the hard floor. "Good sirs, would you please move aside?". "Certainly, sir." replied Lefevre. They moved aside. "Who is that?" asked Firmin. "Rupert Giles, head dance instructor. He is very good for the young students." Under his breath, he added, "He's part of the reason I want out of this wretched business all together."

"Why did you retire, old friend." Lefevre's eyes darkened, but he said nothing. After what he knew, he was glad to be out of the country. The 3 men watched the play, until their eyes caught on the two main slave girls. "Who is the red-haired girl?" asked Andre. "That is Willow Giles, Monsieur Giles' daughter." The brunette slave girl wobbled a bit, catching their attention. "And her?" asked Firmin. "That is Buffy Daaé, daughter of the late, famous violinist." Giles rapped his cane on the ground. "Concentrate, Buffy!" Willow whispered to her, "What is wrong, Buffy?" Buffy's eyes grew nervous and wandered around her.

Carlotta called out to the maestro. The maestro played a gentle piece of music, and Carlotta began to sing:
"Think of me,
think of me fondly,
when we've said
good-bye.
Remember me,
once in a while-
please promise me
you'll try.

When you find
that once again you long
to take your heart. . ."

Carlotta stopped short as the backdrop of a country crashed the ground. The ballet girls screamed and ran. Willow looked up at the flys. "He's here: The Angel of the Opera. He is with us . . . It's the ghost . . . ' Piangi ran over to his wife. "Cara! Cara! Are you all right? Does anyone care of our prima donna?" Monsieur Lefevre called angrily to the stagehands. "Bring Joseph Buquet down here immediately!" He turned to the other men. "Buquet is the Chief of the Flys. He's responsible for scenery."

Buquet ran out to Lefevre. He was a fat, old man, but gentle. His eyes were wide with fright- a terror that was unexplainable. "Sir, I was not at my post. No one was. I assure you! I went down to check on the bag ropes, and then the set fell. No one was up there. And if there was, it must be the ghost!" Willow and the ballet girls cried out in fear. Buffy squeezed Willow's hand- more tightly than simple fear would allow. Carlotta and Piangi scooped up their things and left immediately. Carlotta ranted about 'accidents happening all the time'. Piangi backed-up and said in his most oafish voice, "Amateurs!"

Lefevre gathered his hat and coat, shook hands with the new managers, and promptly left. "I shall remain in Frankfurt. Good-day gentlemen." With that, he was gone. Andre looked and Firmin. "La Carlotta will be back." Giles stepped up beside them. "You think so, Messieurs? I have a message- from the Opera Ghost." Firmin was shocked. "You are all obsessed!"

Giles smiled tightly. Oh, they had no idea what was in store. "He mearly welcomes you to his opera house and commands that Box 5 be left empty for his use. He also reminds you that his salary is due." Andre bellowed out, "His salary?!" Giles replied, "He is to be paid 20 thousand francs a month. Perhaps you can afford more, with the Vicomte de Chagny as your accomplice." Firmin changed the subject. "Who is the understudy of Miss Carlotta?" "No one," replied Reyer. "The play is new." Andre cried out in despair. "Oh! Now we must cancel our first play, Firmin." But there was another choice . . .


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