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.”