The Opera House Chapter 29 to 30

29.

“Read it here. The Phantom had returned.”

“The Opera House is once more plagued.”

That was the news on the front pages of the daily tabloids in the City. The city dwellers throng the counters to buy their tickets for the delayed opening of the play ‘Carmen’. It was delayed for over two weeks and in that period of fourteen days, the Opera House reported of mishaps there.

The first one was minor incidents of the falling pieces during the rehearsals. It was enough to start the spread of rumours. The scent was soon picked up by the tabloids but they dismissed it as rumour. There was one tabloid of the lower circulation and dubious reporting.

“Monsieur Firmin, we have heard of the rumours that the Opere House is once again plaqued by the Phantom.” It was a simple question by the reporter who met the new owner at the steps of the Ritz. The later was to reply when Armand stepped over to speak.

“Yes, we are handling  the issue.” Armand sounded out. “We have delayed the opening pending the completion of the….exorcism of the Phantom.”

Firmin looked to his partner and read the expression. He then defended the statement.

“Regretably, with the haunting, we are doing our best to ensure the patrons of the Opera House will be blessed.”

It was enough to trigger en masse to pick up the unsold tickets at the Opera House once the news went out. The excitement spread out and the Divs herself came to the Opera House that evening.

“Where is everyone? We need to rehearsal. We got a show to put on.”

It also excited the two new owners who were elated that the tickets were selling well then for their funds was growing. It will soon be enough to cover their shortcomings. It may even finance new purchases then. They were celebrating at the private room at the Gentlemen Club. It was a private establishment modelled after the ones at London. It was not a shady place but a reputable place where legit transactions take place.

That excitement was not entirely shared by the previous owner. Coligny with his previous partner at the café by the River Seine.

“The Phantom does not exist.” Coligny looked at his partner. “I created the Phantom then and someone is resurrecting the myth.”

“Coligny, you created the Phantom? I am sure.” Debierne laughed. “Did I tell you that I built the Tower?”

“No you must believe me. Ask Lenier, he knows the truth.”

Debieme laughed again and then left the man there holding the bill. Coligny could pay for he was given his share of the proceeds on the sale of the House. He did not notice the solitary figure seated at the rear.

Chief Inspector smiled to himself for it was by chance he took have his coffee there. He had seen the two men talking and listened to their words. It was coincidence that he was holding the tabloid that carried the first news. The tabloid may be of sensational news but there were truths to some of it. And sometimes the fake news leads to the truth later.

“Monsieur Coligny, may I join you?”

“Chief Inspector? Yes, you may.” Coligny looked behind him in case there are more listening him. He did see any more familiar faces.

“Non, they are none for you to concern of. I am the only unexpected one. So tell me of the Phantom.”

It was not only the Chief Inspector that was keen to know then. The circle was widening then.

“Mother, is there a Phantom? We have been here for years now but all those times the so called Phantom had existed as a rumour. But this time, everyone had made it appeared to be real.” Christine asked her mother then seated with Lenier. She had accepted the pair will be together and it was the time she needed a fatherly figure to lean on. The mother looked at the senior caretaker.

“No, there is no Phantom. It may be only rumours that were created to ….revive the House.” Lenier smiled while he patted the hand that reached out to him.

“The Phantom is a fake.”

The Comte took the same opinion while he read the tabloid inside his library. He had heard the rumours and despite the earlier ones he was a regular at the House but never once had he met the Phantom. Even in the men’s room alone during the evening plays, he had never met the Phantom. He dismissed it as another works of the new owners who had then delayed his payment and hence he had held the shipment back. He had given them another week or the guns will go to the Russians. And their earlier payments forfeited. It will increase his profits on the guns. 

The door to his library was knocked by his servant.

“Comte, there was an invitation by Monsieur Firmin to meet him at the Gentlemen club tomorrow. His message also include that they are ready.”

Comte de Chagny was disappointed then. He was hoping that they missed the payment but the deal was to be concluded. 

So was Emil who was repairing the cables clips that held the chandelier high on the ceiling. He was checking the clips when he heard the Diva stormed in to call for the rehearsal at the late hour. It was a silly hour to call for it as the remaining singers and dancers were packing to leave after their evening rehearsals. Their numbers have dropped to half given the delay in the play and the wages paid was halved then. The others have left for other Houses for they have mouths to be fed.

Emil seated high on the rampart there listened hard on the conversation below.

“Yes, we will resume the rehearsal. Call for it tomorrow.” The Diva told everyone with her high voice. She looked at Madame Giry who joined them on the stage when she heard the commotion.

“Where are my dancers? My backup singers?” Madame Carlotta glared at the Valerian couple. “Where is the Conductor?”

“He left us yesterday along with the violinists and cellist. They got a new contract at the other Houses. They are playing La Boheme.” Madame Giry replied. “I am unsure …”

“Fools! The tickets to the play have doubled and we are booked for the two weeks. Do all of you imbeciles do not read the tabloids?” Madame Carlotta snapped out. “We are back in business and I will be singing.”

The Diva had no new bookings since and was depressed at it. Not even Raoul ministration on her worked at all, but she was still taking him on to spite the Comte.

“Get them all back or find me new ones.” Madame Carlotta called out as if she was the owner. “And where is …Christine? She must be here or did she betray us all too?”

It was not a really a question, but more of a hopeful gesture.

“I am here. I will sing for the Opera House.” Christine appeared.

“Sadly…” Madame Carlotta turned her back to leave the stage. It was then a piece of metal fell from the roof and landed near the Diva. She was stunned by the sudden impact of the item and then alarmed by the screams of the others who called out that the Phantom was back.

“The Phantom?” Madame Carlotta paled in the facial expression looked to the roof. She could not make out any figures there but pure darkness. She felt the shivers up her spine and took to her heels. The other stood transfixed by the metal piece that was on the stage.

“Make way!” It was Lenier who rushed in. He picked up the metal piece and looked up. “Darned roofing. It needs more repairs. Rest assured it was an accident. There are no Phantom here.”

Madame Giry shaken off her fear then took control of the others and asked them to leave for rest.

“The rehearsal is over.”

30.

Raoul picked up the papers and read the headlines comfortable in the café by the River Seine. 

“Isn’t it impressive? The old Lady of the Opera Houses is reviving well. The re-opening is tomorrow night and the tickets are booked to the end of the month. I am impressed.”

Raoul looked at the one who stood next to him. He offered the newly arrived a seat.

“I got your note. So tell me what the Viscomte want with me as Buquet or the Chief Inspector.” The Chief Inspector smiled before he took the seat. He looked at the table and then continued on.

“I am seated at an interesting table. Just days ago, I was fed with some interesting news. So make my day better.” The Chief Inspector signalled the waiter for his usual coffee with the extra cream.

“I will come directly to the point. If I am bring you news on some illegal activities what will be my payback?” The Viscomte asked.

“A wooden casket for one but we won’t offered that. I will however offered you something better. We do pay for good information and upon capture, there are rewards. And we also offered a new identity to the informer.” The Chief Inspector laid out the bare terms. “But I must caution you that told to you are the better news. The sadder news is that you may not live long for most of them died within the year after being hunted by the villains they helped to bring down.”

“You are very direct, Chief Inspector. I am …impressed.” Raoul replied before he took a sip of the coffee there. “I was merely asking.”

“And I was merely telling you. Young Raoul if I may call you that, I would like you to tell you a tale. It’s about an old Opera House. It was built some fifty years ago when the city was younger and more vibrant. The original owners wanted the city to have a new image. The opera then was new unlike in down South, the scene there was new. The owners were offered a number of locations but they chose the one place which was over the catacombs. It was cheaper the location and more to it the location was central to the new scene then.”

“The House took some years to build for the foundation was not your usual terrain. Nevertheless, they designed it with the structure seated on the firmer foundations and then supporting beams were designed to cater the huge auditorium with higher ceiling. It was a celebrated building then with many great plays hosted there and their major share of artisans including Divas that grace the stage.”

“Over the years, the Opera House decayed in its structure but the performances went on but soon that reduced with the drop of the audience.”

“Bravo! Is this the part when the Phantom appeared?” Raoul sounded his sceptic statement on the topic.

“Yes, the owners then felt the place was losing its appeal and held out rumours that the place was haunted. They wanted something new to rouse the audience. They did it which was unheard of then but it worked. The lure of the Phantom brought the audience back. The Opera House got its new revival with the Phantom.”

“I am lost, Chief Inspector. Tell me what has that tale got to do with me?”

“Nothing complicated. The Opera House was just a tale. For you, my young man. You need not be a Phantom to restore your life. The de Chagny had been around for many years and even during those years they have survived and rebuilt their fortune. There are no needs to destroy the family name by doing something drastic. Work on your strength and be good.”

With that the Chief Inspector stood up to leave. At the doorway, he turned to look at the young man.

“There are no Phantoms in the House but only the Opera House.” Chief Inspector Bouquet spoke then. “Just as in deChagny family. The name should not die with the occasional Phantom or ……black sheep.”

Raoul sat there wondering if he had done the correct thing to approaching his issue. He was soon interrupted by the arrival of a familiar face.

“Hello, Christine.” The lady turned to look at the man and her expression was that of surprise.

“Were you meeting someone here?” Raoul looked around and saw no familiar faces. “I had just met a friend…”

“Yes, I am. I have a meeting here with…”

“Oh, hello Christine, and to you brother.” It was the Comte. The Comet held his right hand to hold the lady’s left elbow. “We are to have tea. Would you join us?”

Raoul stared at the lady he loved and then at his brother. He was to say when Christine spoke out.

“The Comte asked me to see him on some matters…”

“Yes, I was leaving. So be it, my lady. I will be …seeing you some other days.” With that Raoul took his leave of the couple. Christine looked at the departing Raoul with mixed feelings. She was motioned to the seat that was vacated.

“Please excuse my brother. He has not been himself since his return.” The Comte looked to Christine. “Is there any issues between the two of you? I could speak to him.”

“No, there is none. We are still good friends.” Christine asked. Then she raised the pertinent question in her head. “Why am I here? You asked me to meet you here?”

“Yes, I asked you here. Pardon my forgetful manners. I called you here to ask if you were keen to be the lead singer at the Opera House. I could vouch for you with the new owners. They do owe me some favours.”

“Me…I am…” Christine was taken aback and it was then the waiter approached them for their orders. The order was placed and once again the two of them were alone.

“I…I mean I am not ready.” Christine pushed the offer off.  “The Diva is still heights above me in the singing and above all, she is the reigning Diva.”

“Don’t be modest, Christine.” The Comte reached out to hold the singer’s hand. “You are already a Diva in my eyes. With me I can offer you more.”

The exchange was not alone for them but seen through the café window by the younger brother who was then more upset with the brother.

“I will bury you, brother.” Raoul reverted to his personal angry persona with the clenched feet. “Family or not, you are my enemy.”

The Opera House Chapter 26 to 28

26.

“Pay me, Monsieur.” The lady displayed her right palm. The man took it and laid his kiss on it.

“It’s paid.” The man reached for the lady but she drew away. He stood up from the grass covered ground and frowned at her.

“Why, Christine? I thought you will be happy to see me? It’s me Raoul.” The man turned to look at the pond that he once painted many times over.

“Yes, I am ever glad to see you but if you are to treat me like a whore, then pay me first.” Christine sat up and then reached for the buttons on her blouse. She buttoned it up before looking at him.

“I am a lady and will like to be shown one. Don’t come to me and pawed me like an animal in heat. I will not stand for it.”  Christine pulled her legs up and covered it with her skirt. “You are not the man I used to ….know.”

“Know? Christine, we were in love before I left for the Academy. And I have returned to find you so …cold and distant.” Raoul looked at her. “What did happen in the year that I was gone? Was there another one?”

Christine looked away from him towards the pond. Yes, she has changed. She had become a woman. A free spirited one.

“Maybe I should call myself Carmen.” Christine muttered out.

“And I will be Jose.” Raoul smiled trying to win back her love.

“No, Jose was a fool. He killed her for believing the love that was never there. He should have stayed with his fiancé.” Christine replied.

“So was Faust not be with the Devil but it’s ordained in their life.” Raoul defended the fate of those two. “Mine was to be with you. Why have you changed?”

Christine approached the pond and stood there at the edge. Raoul joined her but he stood at her side. He made no move to touch her but his stare was with her to the pond.

“We were happier then. Why did….”

“Was there others, Raoul? I sensed that in you.” Christine asked.

“Others? Sensed? Did I carry any other smell on me?” Raoul grabbed the hem of his tunic to smell. “I smell only myself.”

Christine moved away a few steps and then looked at Raoul.

“I do…like you. I was elated that you were coming back but when you did, I don’t know why but I needed to start again with you. I am sorry, Raoul.” Christine spoke up. “I need time. I need to achieve my dream to be the singer. The new Opera Singer. The upcoming Diva.”

“If it’s time and space you need, I will respect that.” Raoul replied. “If it’s your desire to be the Diva then I shall ….respect that.”

With that Raoul took his leave of her. Christine turned to look at the man she thought she loved once more. Maybe then but somehow in her, her new love was the Opera House. She will be the Diva and changed her life forever.

So did Emil while he sat there in the dim light reading the musical notes that he took from the pianist table. He had seen the scribbled over chords to make the music more distinct and to suit the singer. He saw the chords to be sung by the older one, and then the younger one. He likes the younger one. He recalled her name was Christine.

She may seem older than him but with him, he has lost the count of time. He lived his days and nights as they come with no regard to when he will need to count the dates. He knew he was older then for he was taller and the body grown in size. He still could not read but his understanding of the tones was more acute. He does not know how to read the words that were written on the paper but he knew the sounds that it made. He then related the sounds to the chords.

Emil used his ears to manage the sounds that he wanted to hear.

Emil then took up the notes and scribbled in his own.

The scribbled notes then became the new score.

Not all knew of it but Jean Valeria stopped his fingers from tapping the keys. His sudden stop disrupted the others and the Conductor signalled the symphony to cease playing.

“Monsieur Valeria, why have you stop playing?” The Conductor held his respect for the elderly pianist. He has accommodated the other to get the best sounds out of the singer. His notes amended to cater to both the pianist and singer.

“Well, are you okay? Can we continue?” Jean Valeria heard the Conductor and nodded. He then told the Conductor on some suggested changes.

“It will give more prominence to the Diva’s voice.” The Conductor looked at the new changes in the notes and nodded.

It worked and the symphony was elated to rehearsal more on the new approach.

Madame Carlotta felt more at ease and went with the changes but she did not notice the emergence of Christine then. The younger singer was also seen to be more prominent then but Christine was to play second fiddle.

27.

Christine found the package on her table inside her room that evening three days to the opening. The rehearsal was over that day but it ended on a gloomy mode. The dancers were the first to hear and they told the others.

“The opening night tickets are slow in sales. The Parisians are not keen on the Diva. They have heard of her before and without the lure of the Phantom, the Opera House is no different from the others.”

“We have lost our Diva.”

Those words soon reached the reigning Diva and she was upset. She took to the Ritz to rest hence the rehearsal ended up earlier. She was also upset the Comte had not come to see her rehearse and ignore her invitations. Everyone knew then for the Diva was lamenting on it at every occasion she had.

The final nail was the dropped in the ticket sales.

“Fuck the show. And the Comte.” That was what the Diva said before she stormed off.

Christine looked at the package. It was light in the weight and yet it was bigger than her hands. She shook it and heard the tinkering sound.

 “Well, it won’t be a red apple.” Christine muttered to herself. She thought it may be Raoul’s gift to rekindle their love but she was not tempted to rush into it. It was funny how love sometime works. Some weeks ago she was keen to see him come back and when he told she was elated but when she met him, she felt as if she was facing some stranger. She could not find herself to say the words she once mentioned but did hug him. She felt his hands and then the feeling to get away. She however took his invitation to meet at the pond but when the meeting went amorous in nature, she got turned off.

And then the gift was there. Would it change her feelings? Christine then saw her mother have approached her.

“A gift? Would you not open it?” Madame Giry looked at her daughter. “It did not come from me.”

That was an uncalled call but their relationship been stormy for some days then. Christine looked at her mother. She smiled and then replaced the package on the table.

“It’s not important.” Christine then asked of her mother. “I am so sorry for my earlier behaviours. You are old enough to do whatever you want.”

“Thank you, Christine.” Both mother and daughter hugged each other without knowing they were watched by Lenier. He smiled from his peeking spot behind the wall, and then left the two together. He has a bigger task to do. The rumours reached him and he needed to make some remedies for it. He climbed the steps to reach the ramparts at the roof. He stood there and waited. He could find the boy up here but the other will find him.

Soon then Emil appeared.

“Boy, you have a new task.” Lenier told the boy. He had given the boy then an overall with the belt that hung his tools needed for the work. The boy carried a bag over his back containing the needed supplies for the task.

“Meet at the steps tonight.” That was all Lenier told the boy.

It was late evening when Christine looked at the gift on her table. She reached for it and then slowly unwrap it open. It was badly wrapped but the gift was inside. It was a monkey playing the drum toy. The toy have a key behind it which when wind up will get the monkey to play the drum. The tune was unknown but it resembled some marching bands music. The set was old and looked rusted.

“I have not seen one like that for a long time.” Christine looked to see her mother there. “Who gave you that?”

“I don’t know. I think it’s from some admirer.” Christine smiled. She had received gifts before from the admirers in the form of flowers or sweets but never a monkey. She thought it could be from Raoul as his way of reliving their love. She recalled their better times but his gifts were mostly dinner and the smooches after it. He had never gave her any gifts.

“So you did not come from Raoul.” Christine spoke to the toy. She then hummed to herself the chorus of Carmen.

Avec la garde montante,
nous arrivons, nous voilà.
Sonne, trompette éclatante !
Taratata, taratata !
Nous marchons la tête haute
comme de petits soldats,
marquant sans faire de faute,
une, deux, marquant le pas.
Les épaules en arrière
et la poitrine en dehors,
les bras de cette manière
tombant tout le long du corps.
Avec la garde montante, etc.

Maybe their love will rekindle.

Christine smiled.

28.

Raoul lowered his fork onto the dinner plate while his brother lament on his failure at the Academy. That was their first dinner since he returned.

“Raoul, I got the informal report from the Commandant. You were expelled for discipline issues and that include your flirting affair with his daughter. Do you know how many officers have been expelled by her behaviour? Five and you were the last one.”

“So I fucked her and her father tried to have me killed in the last exercise.” Roaul replied. “Did he miss that out? I bludgeon the Major for trying to kill me.”

“You did what…” The Comte sighed. “The Major and myself went back a long way. Why …Never mind. I will be direct. Why are you back here?”

“Why should I not be back?” Raoul asked. He glared at his brother. “Did you send me there so I could be send on to somewhere further or maybe die there? Was that your intention? Why?”

“So many questions from you, brother. I was talking about your Academy expulsion. So now what do you want to do.”

“The family have business I can take care of…” Raoul was cut off.

“The family held not anymore of the business. I sold them or traded them to keep the food on our table. Raoul, my dear brother, we are as poor as the mice except for the name and the clothes on our back.” The Comte told him. “You were to be an officer and earned your keep there but you have to come back here.”

“To be with your slut..” The Comte spat those words.

“You will not insult Christine She is my…” Raoul displated his anger but his brother was ahead.

“Shout not at me, Raoul de Chagny. I am still your brother and in rank. Respect me or leave the family.”

Raoul looked to his brother and then stormed off. He did not leave but returned to his room at the manor. He was angry then with his family and at everyone including Christine. He came back expecting love to be spurned by all. He wished he was on the roads then but he knew that he would not survive. He had no coins to live on his own. He sat there in his room and then his mind started working,

He will sell out his brother.

He was not stupid not to know of his brother smuggling activities. He can always get his brother to pay for the insult that night. He will speak to the one he knew have handling the investigation.

Chief Inspector Joseph Bouquet.

A knock on the room door shook him off his dream. The servant brought him an invitation from the Diva herself.

“Thank you for seeing me at such late hours.” The Diva greeted the young Viscomte at her suite in the Ritz. The lady was dressed in the peignoir there covered decently by the satin gown. The lady had prepared for the occasion the wine that will enhance the evening atmosphere.

“I think it was a wrong time for me to meet you.” Raoul stood near the doorway staring at the lady. He was uncomfortable and it was his anger that made him took the invitation. He had heard of the lady’s reputation as a seductress and a black widow as next. She does not take their lives but their wealth and dignity. She was also her brother’s lover or one of his.

“You may need to rest with the rehearsals for the play. I best be leaving.” Raoul turned to leave but the lady stopped him.

“I hear you like Christine. Do you want her to sing as lead for my play?” The lady laid the choice to Raoul. “I can be persuaded.”

“Forget Christine.” Raoul muttered out. “She does not matter to me. I want though is payment in Francs or whatever. I want it now.”

“The Viscomte in need of money? I am surprised. What did your brother do to you? Did he strike your name out of the DeChagny fortune?” The lady laughed.

“Forget it. I am leaving.” Raoul took hold of the door knob but the lady was persuasive.

“I can give you your payment if you do something for me.” Raoul turned to look at the lady. She had disrobed the gown and stood there with her peignoir.

“Are you worth it? I will pay you for the performance. Be my Diva tonight.”

Across the city of lights, Chief Inspector Buquet sat at his desk pondering over the stack of reports that he had yet to file. He had read those reports and all of it was related to the smuggling activities on the river. He had listed down the names of people that were suspects. They ranged from the dignitaries to the low level scums but a few names stayed in his mind.

Comte DeChagny; ex soldier and wealthy in the funds.

Armand Moncharmin; trader from his own backyard who left the colonies and created a reputation as the arms dealer.

Firmin Richard; a colonist and revolutionary for the independence of Haiti.

“Chief Inspector, the report is here. The Opera House had changed hands to Firmin and Associates.”

“So our new scent will give us the new trail. Hopefully we will find the closure to our case. Please pray with me that the Opera House will be our God sent gift.”