The OPERA HOUSE Chapter 16 & 17

16.

Raoul knocked on the door to the Commandant’s office. He came then bearing the bouquet of flowers for the hostess. The door opened and there was Lorraine dressed in the gingham dress. He was asked to step in and shown the dining area.

“I prepared us dinner.” It was not a lavish spread but the meal looked delicious. “We are alone.”

“The Commandant is not around? I thought he will be here.” Raoul felt uncomfortable in the full uniform he wore that evening.

“No, Papa is away. He was called to a meeting for two days. We have the house to ourselves.” Lorraine smiled. The young man then took to be the gentleman that he was expected to be. She was the Commandant’s daughter and he intended to be a cadet.

“That was a fine dinner.” Raoul then were served the cognac in the living area. “Maybe I should help to clean the dishes.”

“No, that is not important.” Lorraine looked at him. Raoul had seen those eyes before and he doubted he want to do it. “You can paint me here. I can be on the settee.”

“Lorraine…” Raoul was stunned when Lorraine dropped the gingham dress and stood there nude.

“Paint me.” Lorraine told Raoul. The man strode back but she cautioned him.

“I demand that you do as I say. Or I will call Security and you will be arrested for trying to violate me.” Raoul knew Lorraine was not joking then. “The brush and paints are by the table.”

Raoul walked over to pick up the brush. It was a fine one and the paints were good ones. He then looked at her standing by the couch by the living area. She then took to recline on the couch with her legs stretched out.

“Raoul, am I beautiful?”

Raoul’s right hand holding the brush shook momentarily at the question. He looked at her and could not avoid admiring her beauty. He was without any real ladies; excused the whores that he had patronized on several occasions. It was not that he needed it but the pressure of his peers in the squad. He could not be seen to be not of one of them.

“Raoul, lease come nearer.” Loraine motioned to him. “The lighting here is better.”

Raoul lowered the brush and then stepped over. He leaned down to kiss her on the lips while her arms went around his neck.

Raoul was her first and when the opportunities arise he was there for her.

“Tell me, Recruit Raoul. Are you happy here in the Regiment?” The Commandant asked him that day in the marching ground. Raoul stood there in attention under the hot sun in his full uniform.

“Yes, Sir. I am happy.”

“Then you will march for next hour. I like my men to be tough. My daughter’s lover tougher than the others.” That was the start of his punishment.

Raoul ran for the tree trunk where he leaned on it. It was one of his brutal training then soon after the Commandant decided that he was to be toughened. He looked to his sides to locate the others. They were four of them out there armed with sticks to toughen him. If pain and breaking bones was the method to do. He was then without any weapons except his own hands. He tightened the muscles on his arm stretching and then releasing them in a series of moves. He then flexed his fingers to get the circulation going.

For Lorraine, he will survive the test.

Raoul rushed at the first hunter when the other stepped into the trail setup by him. He had broken some twigs to lead the hunter there. He lashed out with his hand to grab the hunter from the rear on the left shoulder. He pulled the hunter back and the punched with his left fist. The hunter went down against the tree trunk behind. Raoul followed up with the right leg into the belly. He then rushed in with his arms on the half crouched hunter and with that he pulled the head towards him to land the left knee.

One down and three more to go.

Raoul was armed then.

The second and third was easy to take down. They were not prepared for him, and he left them broken bones. The fourth was tougher. He was the Major.

Raoul crouched there on the hill side looking at the area below. He was hurt in most places but if he fail, it will be worse. He eyed the Major standing by the trees at the lower part of the hill slope. The officer was expecting him to walk by the trail below but he had taken to the slope to gain the vantage view. It was something that he learned from the gamekeepers who guarded his family lands.

The higher plateau gives you a better view.

Raoul descended with care towards the Major who was not moving then. He went down on his belly to crawl nearer and then he realized his mistake. The Major was not moving there.

It was a ruse to lure him there.

Raoul got up into a half crouch just then he felt the impact on his back by the forceful jump by the Major. Both of them went down the slope in a tumble of bodies among the bushes. He moved to get up and was brought down by the right fist into his face. He tried to block the other punches but it was oncoming. He rolled over to avoid the punches and then crouched up looking at the Major with his face bloodied.

“Not so smart huh? I being doing this for over a decade.” The Major stood up. He was dressed below the waist and head used his jacket to set up the stooge which was by the tree trunk.

“I have been watching you for over sometime. You are good, Raoul but I am better.” The Major held up his arms before rushing at Raoul. Both of them exchanged blows but the younger man was no match for the seasoned officer. Raoul sank to his knees with his arms held over his head.

“Raoul, you are dismissed form the Regiment. That is the Commandant’s order. You are a disgrace to the Regiment. Go back to your role as Viscomte.” The Major stepped back before he brushed the dirt off his arms.

“What did I do wrong?”

“You fucked the wrong person. Do you know that Lorraine was betrothed to someone in the Bavarian? He is the son of a Baron who owned some huge business.” The Major told him. “The Commandant is not easy with you. And more to it, Lorraine did not like you. She used you to get at the Commandant.”

“And I used her to get back at the Commandant.” It was then Raoul rushed at the officer midriff and knocked them over. The younger man was in a rage then with no hesitation for his own life, he was lashing out with his fists at the Major. The officer who was taken by surprise at the move had knocked his head against the ground and was in pain then when the blows came. The officer hurt by the fall could not raise much of a defence then against the younger man.

“I surrender…” The Major called out but Raoul was past listening then. He thrashed the other till the Major fell into a state of unconsciousness. Then he stopped there and stood up. He had never felt the rage inside him before. Lorraine used him for a stooge. He will leave for home.

To Christine.

17.

“This is absolute crap!” Debienne tossed the note off his table when Coligny walked into the office. They have this private unit at the rear next to the dressing rooms and with a quick exit to the alley behind.

“Is it another one?” Coligny leaned down to pick it up. He read the note and it was the same as before.

PAY YOUR DUES OR I WILL TAKE IT FROM THE HOUSE.

It was not the first but the several previous ones were paid by the two to avoid the publicity. The rumours of the Phantom have been on the news some weeks back and with the counter publicity, they managed to quell the rumours. It did however spread to other establishments which had dispensed with other actions including the police but some of them failed to recover their rankings among the public.

“The Opera House will not suffer the same fate.” Debienne declared then to his partner. “We will pay.”

The payment took its toll for six months before he stopped. And the reminders came.

“I had it. Today the piano strings were cut. Valerian was fuming with rage. He had just got it tuned last week.” Debienne sighed. “Two weeks ago a fire broke out in the dressing room but Lenier stopped it in time.”

“Lenier… Maybe he is involved.” Coligny commented. 

“Lenier? I doubt so. He is …too gratifying. He won’t do that to us but he may know a bit more than us.” Debienne assured his partner. “I have known Lenier before he came here.”

“You knew him? How I was not to know? We have been partners for some time.”

“I knew Lenier when he was in the Legion.” Debienne voiced up. He recalled then during his hey days when the Legion was the place he could sought sanctuary.

“Captain Debienne, Corporal Lenier reporting for duty.

“Corporal Lenier, I need you to look into the theft of some supplies.” It was expertise of Lenier to find the information he needed. It was all arranged then when he cornered the one informant there. All it took was some smooth persuasion with some physical moves. He earned the respect of one named Captain Debienne.

“One favour and he is your friend; unknown to me.” Coligny replied with sarcasm.

It was soon to have the ex-corporal on the task to protect the Opera. He walked through the Opera past the corridors and rooms that he was ever familiar with. He was not to hunt the Phantom but to make sure the Phantom will not harm the Opera.

The Phantom found Lenier.

It was in the roof where they met.

“Who goes there?” Lenier stepped up through the opening of the roof. He peeked over the roof trying to make out the images in the moonlight. It was not a full moon but there was enough light coming from the city to illuminate the roof. He then saw the dark figure standing at the far corner of the roof. The figure was dressed in a dark cloak and had one a wide brimmed hat.

“It’s me, the Phantom. You wanted to see me. You wanted to know me. Here I am now.” The dark figure stepped out into the moonlight. His face was covered by the face mask.

“Who are you?” Lenier asked while he groped for a weapon to use. There was none on him. He stood there looking at the masked figure.

“Perhaps you need to know more about me…..the Phantom.” The masked figure reached for the mask to remove it. “I did it for the Opera.”

“I am also its owner in half. I am Monsieur Coligny.” The face belonged to the name. “If you must know, Corporal Lenier the opera house have been a loss sometime back. We are not the dame to match the others. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dama Cathedral, the Lourve or the Sacre Couer Basilica.”

“I had to create some sensational news here.” Coligny admitted. “So the next question asked is why am I telling you this, Lenier?”

“I am just an investor keen to get my return back. The Opera House will be changing ownership soon. We are seeking new owners. And its time for the Phantom to cease.”

“Why tell me, Monsieur? I was assigned to find some missing supplies.” Lenier shrugged his shoulders. “New owners mattered not to me. I am ready to retire anyway.”

“No, Monsieur. You will stay with the Opera House. You are the man behind the curtain. You can do better than me here.” Coligny replied. “The mask, cape and hat will hand over to you after tonight. The Phantom will rest with you. If need be, you may let it rise again or deceased it yourself.”

That was the night the Phantom went to rest. And Mephistopheles had gained one more follower.  It was then Lenier recalled the last words of Faust  to the love of his life from the opera play.

FAUST
Come, follow me, come I say!
Come! Let us leave this place!
The sky grows light already!
Come, you must obey my bidding!
The sky grows light already!

Lenier saw in the horizon the rise of the sun then. He had sold his soul to the Phantom then. Later at the break of dawn, Lenier saw a case was left for him outside his room door. He took it and left it at the catacombs hoping that it will be buried there forever.

As all treasures, it was whoever could find it will keep the treasure.

The OPERA HOUSE Chapter 13, 14. & 15

13.

Raoul stood there before the daunting high double gate that was to be his imprisonment for two years to be trained as an officer cadet. He saw the two sentries there standing there in the red and blue uniform. He wished he would be wearing that one day but the sacrifice for it was for him to stay there for two years.

“Viscomte Raoul, you will be late.” Raoul turned to look at the servant who brought him there. The man was holding his luggage and was ever anxious to go back. He sighed and then recalled his conversation with his brother back at the house over the dining table.

“You will enjoy it. I did and now in the reserve to be called up if there is a need.” Major  Phillipe de Chagny when he is in the uniform. He does cut a fine figure in it and ladies swooned over him. “Our father and his father were in the army. Our generations go back…”

Raoul nodded to his brother while the other rambled on the family history. He knew them all for their portraits hung on the corridor to the bedrooms. He did wonder who did sleep in his bedroom or there were hidden corridors in the walls but he was not to know. The servants were close lipped on it.

“Phillipe, I …I don’t want to go. I am not a man of …physical needs.”

“Raoul!” The elder brother slammed his fork on the table. “Don’t tell me you are one of those…”

“No, I am not. I am saying I much prefer the finer side of life; the opera and paintings. I am bad in the playing fields. You knew that.”

“And all the more to get you toughen.” Phillipe made it clear. “I can’t have you being a weakling. I may not be… able to face father in the afterlife that we have you in that form. The family held men of valour and you will be one too. I am sending you to my Colours and they will make you a real man.”

“I need to see Christine before I leave.”

“Christine? Surely you are not taking that lady for your ….liking. I am telling you there are more beauties in the families and friends. I can attest to young Bernice…”

“No, Phillipe. I am in love with Christine and it will be her I shall wed.”

Raoul never got the reply he wanted but he was packed off to the Academy. He took his steps into the Academy and was met by Major Jacque Pierre..

“Viscomte you may be out there but here you are a recruit and your name is 24601. Remember that, 24601.”

The training was tough and the living conditions were tougher. Meals times were chaotic and the rest hours fewer than the times they get to bathe. Those were the laments of the recruits although it was not half as bad. Raoul endured it all for his family name above all he held the painting set he was given privilege to have.

It was a de Chagny gift. 

Raoul could not paint much but he did sketches then of the life he was enduring.

“You are good at it.” Raoul looked up from his sketch and saw the daughter of the Commandant there. She was young then but her interest was in the sketch.

“Your pencilling is bold and yet you brought out the lines.” The young lady smiled at him. Raoul then remembered his manners and stood up.

“I am …”

“24601. I know. And your name is Raoul de Chagny. You are a Viscomte.” The lady smiled wider. “My name is Loraine. I am the Commandant’s…”

“I know who you are but now I know your name. I am pleased to be acquainted with you.” Raoul did a bow towards her. He then looked at the barracks and was to excuse himself. “I need to prepare for my march. Au revoir, Madame.”

It was not their first meeting. They met for many more occasions.

“Who is that girl you always sketching?” Lorraine asked of him one afternoon. “Is she your sister?”

“No, she is a friend I knew back home. She inspired me in my drawings. Her name is Christine.”

“Are you in love with her? Most of them who draw their ….girls are in love with them.” Raoul heard the lady but he hid his smile. He was always thinking of Christine.

“I can be Christine.” Lorraine told him. He was taken aback and looked at her.

“You can but she is ..much older, and …”

“I will be older. It’s a matter of time.” Lorraine replied. “Will you paint me?”

Raoul looked at her. Somehow then he knew her intentions and was unsure how to tell her. If he made her angry his military career would be over. He then told her later.

It was not her last request and she was insistent.

“In the military, dedication is utmost importance. Your role will determine success or failure.” The Commandant told them. Raoul listened harder and then he decided that he has another year then. It was no harm to be dedicated to one other than Christine.

“Yes, Lorraine. I can paint you.”

Raoul got his first kiss from her.

Raoul also got his first cautionary words from the Commandant through the Major.

“You better take care of her or risk me having you get killed in training.”

14.

Et la garde descendante
rentre chez elle et s'en va,
sonne, trompette éclatante !
Taratata, taratata !
Nous marchons la tête haute
comme de petits soldats, etc.

(And the old guard
goes off home to barracks -
blow out, loud trumpet!
Tararara, taratata!
We march with head erect
like little soldiers, etc.

(Carmen; No. 2 Chorus of Street Boys) http://www.murashev.com/opera/Carmen_libretto_French_English

Emil listened to the song in his head. His mother used to sing that song to him when she still could. He missed her singing. She passed on and he went on to a new life. One that he thought was to be better but better was how one perceived it.

“Emil, you be good today.” The boy then of four years nodded holding onto his soldier toy.

“Father Enrique will be here soon. You will do me proud.” Florence the caretaker of the orphanage told him. He could not reply to her for he could only speak in syllable but not a complete sentence. He could however hummed the chords although it did not come out the correct tone. He did not like Father Enrique. He felt the other was not a nice man. He could not expressed himself so he sang with the low tone to himself in his mind.

Mon père ! Tout m’accable ! Tout est perdu !
J’ai, pour vous obéir,
Caché mon désespoir et mon amour coupable.
C’est à vous de me secourir,
À vous de m’arracher à mon sort misérable !
Parlez, mon père,
Parlez ou bien je suis prête à mourir !

Father! Everything overwhelms me! All is lost!
In obedience to you, I have
concealed my despair and my guilty love.
It is for you to help me,
for you to rescue me from my miserable fate!
Speak, Father,
else I am ready to die!

No. 16 Scene Romeo And Juliet (http://www.murashev.com/opera/Rom%C3%A9o_et_Juliette_libretto_French_English)

“Mama….. I need…” It was Emil trying to find the words. Father Enrique arrived then and spoke to the caretaker. There were some exchanges of coins and then he heard the one word that was lived in his memory.

“Circus.” Emil could hear well despite his speech impediment and for a four year old, he was ever alert. His fear was coming to forth. He began singing once more in his mind.

Sur la place
chacun passe,
chacun vient, chacun va ;
drôles de gens que ces gens-là !

On the square
everyone comes by,
everyone comes and goes;
funny sort of people these!

(Carmen. No 1 Chorus)  http://www.murashev.com/opera/Carmen_libretto_French_English

Emil paraded off to the wait for the priest by the door. He had then worn the cloak with the hood to cover his head. He pulled it over there to cover the right side of his head where the hair growth was less. He had combed his hair to cover the lack of it there but the right side was higher and the hair will drop back. Then it was when Mother made him cover it with the hood. He sat there with his feet making circles with the dust on the flooring. He was not able to speak well but his hearing was acute on the right side. He could pick up the low noise that was around and able to differentiate the noise to the different source.

It was the day that he will leave the world of love to the curse of survival. A harsh reality he was not ready for. Even if he was ready for it, it was not what he had envisioned. Emil learned that some lessons well for he was gifted.

Emil learned to adapt with his new life.

Emil learned that he was different.

Emil learned that his solace was with his music in his mind.

Music soothes the soul.

Emil also learned how to dislike the others that was different from him.

15.

“Christine, there is a visitor to see you.” Madame Giry told her daughter at the back stage. “If I am not mistaken, he is Comte de Chagny.”

“The Comte?” Christine dropped her dancing shoes and rose to her feet but the mother stopped her.

“Behave yourself, lady. Your shoes are to be kept in the locker and put on your other shoes.” Madame Giry told off her daughter. “The Comte like others can wait for the diva.”

Christine complied with her mother’s wishes while in her mind was the concern for Raoul. Was he hurt or perhaps death had prevailed? It can’t be for he was still in the Academy. And the fool have not sent a letter for days then.

“Christine, you must compose yourself. You will be a diva one day and men like him will wait for you. You must be prepared for that. Don’t be….” The daughter of the Madame had taken off while trying to slip on the left shoe. It was so undignified but the Madame knew what her concern was on.

Love was intoxicating and at the worse moment, could cause misery and anxiety. The last was what on Christine’s mind then. She held the same anxiety for Fabian.

“Comte de Chagny, I am honoured to meet you.” Christine did a bow to the man standing there at the lobby. “Did you..,”

“Mademoiselle Daee, I came to see you on another matter. If you were asking on the Viscomte Raoul, he is fine. The Academy will make him a better man there.”

“Have we actually met? I know I have seen you but have we spoken?” The Comte asked.

“No, Comte. We did not speak before but I saw you at the Opera before. Raoul…”

“The Viscomte you meant?” The Comte then stirring his tone to denote the formality be maintained. “Yes, we came here often. The de Chagny members are avid followers of the plays. It’s our favourite pastime besides hunting and of course the grand parties we hold.”

Christine felt the scene was not she was expecting and took on her subservient attitude.

“I am pleased to meet you Comte de Chagny.  How may I serve you?”

“Yes, I came here for a purpose. I have with me some letters which was to be delivered to you from Raoul. The boy is so busy with his training that he left his letters to be sent by the aide. The aide was the son of an old friend and ….. Well, the letters are here.” Comte de Chagny handed over the letters. “I trust that all are in order.”

Christine took the pack of letters and saw a few were opened. She was offended but she could not voice out then.

“Yes, some of it was opened by my servant. Imbecile did not read to whom they were addressed and assumed it was mine.” Comte de Chagny then came to the reason for his visit. “I am concerned on the Viscomte training. He is in the advanced stages and he needed no distractions now. When I was there at the Academy in his role, I had to work hard at the studies and tactics.”

“Oh, you know like your dancing. We have to rehearse until we are so good at it. And that took our utmost attention. I knew of one recruit then divided between his training and the personal matters he was hurt in the horsemanship rounds. Poor chap was bedridden since then.”

Christine bowed her head down to avoid looking at the Comte.

“Nevertheless I am sure the …Viscomte knows his duties and ranking. He will prevail to become the officer that will make the family proud.” Comte de Chagny then looked at Christine. “It’s only a period of time and then you may had found new plays. I am sure you are capable of it. In fact, I am….”

“Merci, Comte de Chagny. I am needed back for my training. Please excuse me.” Christine turned to leave with the Comte standing there upset at her not have hear his last words. He saw the young lady walked with quick steps to the back stage. He himself then felt a stirring in his heart for she was a beautiful and innocent lady unlike the companions he had to put up with.

“Comte de Chagny, we missed you at the second part of the meeting.” It was Debienne then still the owner of the House with his partner Coligny. They were accompanying the prima donna, Carlotta who may had agreed to sing there.

“Madame Carlotta will grace our stage with her gracious presence.” Debienne announced to the Comte. “It will be our honour that you be there on the opening night.”

“Phillipe Cherie, you will be there. You promised me.” Carlotta the soprano after having dispensed off two previous husbands was once again on the prowl. She was already in her early forties and with her marriages short in engagement, there was little doubt she was looking for better prey. She was dressed in the low cut blue dress adorned with the red roses that were in bloom over the wide skirt with the minx coat that was draped over her shoulders. Her high tone voice resonated in the lobby when she addressed the Comte who had then disrupted from his lusty thoughts on an innocent lady.

“Phillipe, you will come or I will cancel the signing.” It was undeniable that the lady was convincing for her hug on his frame was augmented by the push up bosom that would have made the Alps snow melt in winter.

“Yes,, mon Cherie. I won’t miss it for the anything.” Phillipe replied before he gave her a peck on the nose. The lady however moved her nose way and laid her lips to his as a seal of promise.

“Bravo!” Debienne called out. “We have lined up several plays featuring her. From Faust to Carmen and maybe even Romeo and Juliet.”

Coligny was meanwhile mentally counting the franc notes in his head.  

“Monsieur Debienne, could I speak to you in private?” Both men strolled to the far side before the Comte voiced his request.

“This Christine Daee? Could you…”

“It can be done. I will have her …” Debienne gave his snide smile but was stopped by the Comte.

“No, Monsieur. My intentions are gentlemanly. I would like to have her given a more prominent role in the coming plays. Could she sing?”

“Like an Angel, Comte. I can assure you that can be arranged.” Debienne mind reeling on how to do that.

“Then we have our commitments to come nightly with guests.” The Comte smiled at Armand. “I have a meet later with your friends; Armand Moncharmin and Firmin Richard.”

“Oh, those impeccable rascals.” Debienne laughed. It was then they heard a crashing sound at the back stage.

“Oh, of all the time. I must be going, Comte. Work and work calls for me.” Debienne took his leave but he did motion to Coligny to escort the Comte out.