The OPERA HOUSE Chapter 11 & 12

Book of love and dedication

11.

.If there was way to quantify love it’s probably by looking at them with a microscope to see if there was any new sparks in them. Some of us believe we can count them but the one who held the microscope daily would attest they never seen it at all.

Tell that to the young lovers.

“Christine, you moved.” Raoul raised his brush from the canvas before he took a step to the side. They were at the side of the pond with his subject of painting seated on the grass by the pond. The painting was near completion saved for the finer strokes on the lady dress. The lady in the painting was dressed in a gingham dress with her legs stretched out in the front.

“Well, I have to. The ants were crawling up my legs.” Christine stood up before bowing down to brush at her legs but for the painter it was his excuse to approach the lady. He crouched down to assist her but she stepped back with giggling.

“Raoul, you are getting naughty.” Christine remarked to the man while she smoothed her dress.

“None like yours to show me more of your bosom.” Raoul laughed out. He could not resist the look then.

“Raoul, you are insufferable.” Christine hid her blush with her hands and then pranced off to the shade of the tree. “I am sure you …”

Raoul had held the other into his arms from the back and laid his lips on her hair. He inhaled the sweet smell of his love while she leaned back into his arms.

“My love, I wish…” Raoul words were stopped by the lady.

“I would love to but there are so many things I need to consider. You are the Viscomte and myself….”

“The perfect lady for the Viscomte.” Raoul cut in. “I don’t see why your status and mine have to be our …consideration. Love is between us and not of my estate and your family.”

“Raoul, it’s not that…I have ….No, we have much to consider. You … and me are both…” Christine tried to explain and then she gave up to be direct which was her nature.

“You and myself are still not ready for it. You have your military career and myself, my dancing and my other love for the singing.” Christine turned to look at the man she was sure held her love. “I need time to work on my dreams as you for your promotions.”

“Promotions? I cared not it. I am happy to with my men on the parade fields than those pompous officers seated under the shade. They are …” Raoul saw the look in her eyes before he changed his words. “And I love you too much to be away from you. It hurts here.”

“And there?” Christine asked with a grin.

“Only for you.” Raoul declared to her.

“And you lie. I knew of men like you. You hold no loyalty there. It moved with whatever offered.” Christine told him. “I am not your naïve lady who does not leave the home without a protective matron.”

“And you are …” Roaul struggled to find the definitive word without offending his love but Christine cut in with her melodic voice.

Il faut partir, hélas!
Il faut quitter ces bras
Où je te presse
Et t’arracher
À cette ardente ivresse !
Ah ! que le sort
Qui de toi me sépare
Plus que la mort
Est cruel et barbare ! etc..

( Alas, we must part!
You must leave these arms
in which you clasp me,
and tear yourself
from this passionate joy!
Ah, how much
more cruel and barbarous
than death is the fate
which severs me from you! Etc )

(Romeo and Juliet Act Four Scene One) http://www.murashev.com/opera/Rom%C3%A9o_et_Juliette_libretto_French_English

Christine danced her steps as if she was on stage. Raoul stood there looking for the reply. He knew her words were from the play of Romeo and Juliet; which was one of his favourite. He then replied with his arms extended before he fell to the ground clutching his heart.

Ni larmes, ni prière,
Rien, rien ne peut les attendrir !
À la porte des cieux !
Juliette, à la porte des cieux ! et mourir !

Hélas !
Je te croyais morte et j’ai bu ce poison !

( Neither tears nor entreaty,
nothing, nothing can soften them!
To the gates of heaven,
Juliet, to the gates of heaven and to die!

Alas!
I thought you dead and I drank this poison! )

(Romeo and Juliet Finale Act )

Christine turned to look at the man she loved on his knees still clutching his chest then. Raoul then extended his arms once more with the hands painted red with the brush.

“Before you go, take my heart and hold it close to you.”

“That was not in the play…” Christine frowned on his acting.

“Then it’s not an act but the true nature of my feeling for you.” Raoul placed on the stern expression before he split into laughter. Christine returned to her lover’s arms and then she whispered to him into ears.

Va ! ce moment est doux !

(Ah! this moment is sweet!)

She laid her lips on his.

Ô joie infinie et suprême
De mourir avec toi ! Viens ! un baiser !
Je t’aime !

( O infinite, supreme joy
of dying with you! Come! One kiss!
love you! )

The young lovers embraced then for their time were soon to depart. One to each of their career and it will years before they were to meet.

12.

“I will not have that as my child.” The man hollered out before he glared from the child to the midwife holding the child..

“He is of the …devil offspring. How could you birth this child to me?” The man stormed across the room. They were outside the sleeping chamber. “Have I not taken care of her when she needed it?”

“I set her up, love and blossom her to now. For what mis-deeds have I done she birth me the devil’s child?” The man glared at the midwife. “Tell me, old lady. Have you seen one that so…. Hideous?”

The midwife glanced away from the staring eyes of the man.

“Have you no reply then you must agree to me.” The man looked to the door that will open to his lover waiting there. He felt the pain to tell her and yet in him, the child was her doing. He took the courage to see her and told her his words. .

“Margot, I am a man of fame and wealth. I cannot be seen with that child. Do what is needed and let me be on my way.”

With that the father of the child stormed from the room pushing aside the mid wife who held the child. The elder lady had performed many deliveries including still born but never had she seen so deformed. They may have come with a twisted leg or arm but that child was unique. He brought the crying child to the mother and laid the child by the side.

“My child? Can I see my child? Is it a boy or girl?” The mother then still pain was longing for her child. She reached for the child to look.

“It’s a boy, Madame.” The midwife adjusted the cover on the child. The mother pulled back at the cover to look at her boy’s face and then she reeled back in fright at the sight but the love of a mother for her child overcame her fright.

“It’s head ….. Its deformed.” The mother tears flowed form pain for the child.

“Lady, I could take it outside.” The midwife stared at the young mother. “It would be painless.”

The young mother looked towards the midwife. Her mind then was confused but her love for the child was of a bond. She shook her head while her hand held the new love in her life

“No, …you may leave now. I will send you the money soon when I am able to move.” The mother spoke ever gently. “The child stays with me.”

Two weeks later, the mother stood on the living area watching the last of her servants taking leave of the house. They cited excuses of many kinds but none was as true like the one she knew of them. They feared the child and more the tales that the Devil will come to collect the child.

“Madame, please do not be hard upon yourself. The child is …”

“Madame Gerr, there is nothing wrong with my child. He aches in his ears and sleep evades him.”

“Yet he sleeps sound in the day. He is not a child of …I would know for I am a mother of five…..though I lost three in their younger days but none of them though sick ever does what…”

“Speak no more, Madame Gerr. You have your dues paid in full now please leave.” The mother sent her last and devoted then servant away. She stood there looking at the departing Madame with her two surviving children following behind. 

Her woes were not long for she saw the carriage that turned into the garden path.

“It’s Papa…” The mother whispered out. She smoothen her skirt and stood poised for her love. The carriage stopped before the entrance and the man stepped out. It was not the lover she was expecting but his servant bearing a small case.

“Madame Valerian.” Her maiden name adopted during the distressing time. “I am …”

“Girard, speak your master’s words and then be gone.” The mother disliked the aide which followed the master like a docile pet. The mother turned to step back into the house before the aide could explain his visit.

“Stay, madame. My words are few.” Girard cleared his throat before he continued. “The master wants you to vacate the house and there is your compensation for your current needs. More will be send over when you have established your new home.”

“Au revoir.” Girard left the case on the ground before he mounted the carriage to leave. He stood on the carriage steps. 

“Madame, if I may persists to you. He has returned to his ailing mother.”

The mother gasped in fright. She recalled her first meet with the ailing lady in the house then. The lady had visited her there assisted by the personal servant. She arrived on the carriage and then made her way to the library where Margot was seated.

“You are Margot.” The ailing lady stumbled into the library catching the other who was exploring in the books. The ailing lady gave the younger lady a look from head to toes.

“You are a younger catch. I have seen his previous ones but none as paled then you.” The ailing lady took a seat that was offered to her by her servant. “Not his usual retinue but I guessed he may have found his need to get them unspoiled.”

“Are you a virgin? Have you lain with him yet?”

“Madame! I deplore your line of questioning. I am ….”

“Please shut your trap on your vanity. I lost mine a long time ago and honest with you, I felt no loss for it. I much enjoyed opening my legs but the one that got in between it could only do for me one son and no more after that. His wealth stopped me from forming new lovers.” The ailing lady looked at her. “So are you the same like me?”

“I implore you, my lady. I am not what or who you may think of.” The mother defended herself. “Your son rescued me when I was in need and he did not demand of me any ….vile request.”

“Then he is a fool.” The ailing lady laughed. “I shall have to speak to my son.”

That was her recollection of her meet with the mother but she was not prepared for her own when she returned to her own home holding her child.

“My home is gone. My parents gone.” The mother wailed her woes with her child in her arms. She regretted the day she had wandered off to search for food and then battle that was started then caused her to run further away. She ran in fear and soon found herself lost. She called for her parents until her voice was hoarse. Her woes were not over by far, with more events that was to give her fright.

“Young lady, you need not fear me. I will protect you.” The mother then found herself cornered in the abandoned barn with a soldier holding a rifle levelled at her.

“I have here food and I can share with you.” The food was enticing but the expression on the soldier’s face was most distressing. The mother then stepped back with her stomach and her head having conflicting thoughts. She would have sacrificed her virtue then but there were shame to it. Her mother had once told her, a harlot even holds a price for her body. Her delays irked the soldier who charged at her. She was thrown back to the flooring and was set upon. She struggled and fought with her hands but the soldier was stronger. He grabbed her bodice and tore it open. She screamed and fought ever harder but it was only aggravating her pain. The soldier punched her and all her resistance went limped. She felt his hands tearing at her clothes and was resigned to her fate. It was not to happen then for she heard him scream and yet it was not of pleasure.

The soldier rolled off her body holding the back of his left torso where a dagger had pierced there. He was to reach for the dagger when he felt next was the booted leg that slammed his throat to kill him.

Margot was saved and soon she was to be the real mother of the child but not of the love she was to get.

A mother with a deformed child was not welcome by any.

She will learn it the harder way. 

Tweet...tweet...12/11 ..... Hail the Man

I was at my work place this late morning ( Yes I know its Sunday but life schedule of mine was to work ); crunching data for my client when I got this message.

Who is a woman?
When she is quiet, million of things are running through her mind.
When she stares at you, she may be wondering why she loved you so much in spite of being granted.
When she says I will stand by you she will stand do so like a solid rock.

And more to it which we all have read it many times......I did look up and bid her happiness for being one but most times she ignore me.

So back to us;the minions of the world. Have someone ever asked;

Who is a Man?

Well, let me tell you that.

Once we were considered the Bread Winner until they changed the home menu to Salads and Organic fruits.
We used to drive like the dedicated bus driver until they allowed the kids to do so while we sat at the back holding onto our last decade of life.
We used to man the doors into late nights but since the mother gave them the keys, they waltzed in while we are .....resting. Snoring is our bark that tells the outsider we are at home. 
We used to cook but lately no one came home for dinner any more except weekends when they cleared the fridge of anything eatable.
We used to wash the laundry until the maid came into lived in the house. Now she collects the leftover coins dropped out of the jeans.

Life is tough for the Man but we get tougher. Hail us for the Man is here to stay. Thank you for listening and now I will go to clean the dishes before I disposed the garbage. It's not a bad task when the maid is there bending over the laundry machine reaching for the coins I left behind. I can tell the colors from there and its mostly peachy.

Cheers

The OPERA HOUSE Chapter 9 & 10

9.

The figure sat on the top row watching the pianist coached the young lady. It has been some years then when he was back in Paris, he would sneaked in and looked at her. She has changed from the young teenager to the full blown lady but the most challenging change was her voice. She have then dual role to play, the dancer for the mother and the soprano for the guardian.

“Oh, Raoul. mother had agreed to me to be coached in singing by Master Valerian.” Christine then hugged him. It was their first hug and he had barely even touch her hand since. The young man then was only fifteen knew little of love and kisses but hugging was he was used to from the many visitors to the Manor. They all wanted to hug ‘Little Raoul’ for it may lead to more hugs from Comte de Chagny and perhaps his sharing of wealth.

“I am happy for you.” The young lad held the lady closer to him. He felt the softness of her body on his and then he felt the irritation inside his pants but he won’t let go. He could smell her hair and the skin on her neck.

“Raoul, can I…” The lady was pushing him off her. He pulled away and apologies for his action.

“I …I am sorry.”

“It’s okay. I had seen many hugged …and they kiss…”

“May I kiss you?” Raoul asked out hastily. Then he retracted back. “I am sorry. I was carried away.”

“It’s …okay. Yes, you may kiss me…. On here.” Christine handed out her right hand. Raoul leaned down to kiss her hand and then he stopped there. He looked at her wrist and then to her elbow. He was to shift his eyes then when she leaned over and kissed his forehead.

“Mother does that often to me.” Christine smiled when he leaned up. He was at eye level to her. He was unsure what made him do it but he moved forward to kiss her on the nose. He stayed there and when she moved her head, he laid his kiss on the side of her lips. He lingered there and it was her who moved to kiss his lips before she pulled away.

“You should kiss on the lips but you need to move your nose out of the way.” Christine told him. “Elaine told me so.”

That was their first kiss then and subsequently there were more but the young couple dare not ventured further. They were in public places and he has not heard of the hunting lodge.

“Monsieur Raoul, your friends are here.” The young man then of nineteen looked to the usher who spoke to him. He nodded and followed the other out to the lobby of the House. There were his three friends from the Military College.

“Hey,Raoul. We are going over to Cabaret de L’Enfer Montmarte.” Enrique the Moroccan hollered out. The other two grabbed hold of the idiot who told the whole world where they were going. The young man laughed and then followed his friends to the place where all that was evil lurked. That was what the priests condemned at their sermons.

The Cabaret de L’Enfer was everything a young man wanted to get into then. Its entrance was like stepping past the gates of Hades with the gaping mouth made to resemble the door. Once inside the place, you will be transformed to the hellish decorations of demons and harpies that were carved into the walls while demonic midgets served drinks there. There were the tables and benches for those who needed company and seats but beware the one that may share your table held amorous request. It could be for free or be dispensed with an exchange of money for pleasure.

“Raoul, if I am to die at battle bury my soul here. I shall be pleased for eternity.” Enrique voiced up his final request but then he was considering other more immediate request from the lady seated next to him. She could have been his aunt but she held all the attributes a young horny man needs.

“Vous voulez que je vous suivez? Comment puis-je faire confiance à vous ne m'avez pas volé là-bas.” (Translated:  You want me to follow you back? How can I trust you will not rob me there.)

“Je ne vais pas vous voler. Je vous entraînerai dans les plaisirs de l'amour. Vous pouvez me déposer votre amour.” (Translated: I won't rob you. I will coach you in the pleasures of love. You can deposit in me your love.)

“She offered me love.” Enrique was then drunk and his purse near empty. The others cheered him on regardless that the one he was sacrificed his ‘millions’ was ghastly looking. So were all of them in the Hall after all they were demons in disguise.

“Go, Enrique. At least you won’t die a virgin.” Raoul shooed him off to his personal venture. The remaining three young men then continued with their drinks until Raoul later found himself alone at the table. The other two were taken away by some ladies for groupe de quatre mois. He had declined on the reason he was not into sharing.

“You have a place to stay?” Raoul looked to the lady seated next to him. She looked like Christine and held the same looks from the neck downwards. The man nodded and then he was off with her to her place for his was too far. He stepped into the small room overlooking the Pigalle other offerings. The place was with a bed and cupboard and a table stacked with kitchen utensils. The room was lighted by the single gas light near the table but it was better that way not to see the peeling paints and the worn carpet.

“Do you have the money?” The lady stood there in her evening dress. She had discarded the shawl that was to keep the cold away. Raoul reached for his purse and drew out some notes. He then looked at her.

“Do you sing?” Raoul asked. “Faust? Carmen?”

“What is your name again?” Raoul asked once more.

“Whoever you want. And I can sing. I am loud and deep.” Raoul could not tell the difference then for he was drunk but he did know who she was to him then.

“Christine, I love you.” Raoul then slumped forward on the lady body. She heaved him over and then stepped to the bowl of water. It was cold but she wanted to clean herself. She slipped on the night robe before searching his pockets. He had some small changes and two cigarette sticks. She took one and lighted up the other end. She sucked in the smoke and then puffed it out. That was her only luxury then to suck without gagging.

10.

Everyone had been to his domain but none have seen him. He cared not for them nor cared if they did of him. Life was meaningless for him from birth to his year when he learned that pain came from love. Yes, he was born deformed and only his mother protected him. When he was old enough to understand why the incessant pain was there, it was too late to feel it. He recalled then at the early age of five, his mother pulled aside to speak to him. He listened hard for he could not speak much.

“Emil, you must be brave.” The ailing woman sat on the only chair in the house looking at her son who was seated on the flooring. He was dressed in some rags but they provided him comfort for his body. He was normal in every limb but his disfigurement was his head. He held a deformed head shape with the right side larger and it affected his facial expression to that of demonic expressions. The later made his speech slurred but the disfigurement gave him more to think and aided in his movements. He was quick on his feet and arms. And somehow the senses on pain have dulled while his hearing perked to higher levels.

Emil was brave but there was so much a child could do. With the limitations of the options after his mother passed on, Emil was sent to the circus. The Circus then was the main trend for family entertainment.

“See the Hunchback of Notre Dame ….here alive once more.”

“Hideous creatures from the high mountains.”

“Devil’s child…Poor mother ravished and then given birth to this child before she died.”

They were all spectacular captions to showcase Emil to the public. He was with them for over fifteen or was it twenty years. He lost count and for a person like him, the time was the break of dawn to the fall of the night. There was no other measure of time or would it have mattered.

The hideous part was the people paid good money to see him. And children threw him their half-eaten meals. Emil was never happier for he had food to eat and place to stay with no beatings. Kindness came in many forms too and one was a young lady who extended the muffin she was to eat. He took it from her before she could pull back.

“Mother, why is he there?”

It was a simple question.

But did you see the kindness behind it.

Emil did.

And so did Madame Giry.

They came that a few nights later. Not the girl but the mother and another older couple.

“Break opened the lock, Jean.” The elderly man took out the cutter he had borrowed from the carpenter. It was not a huge lock but the man took some time to break it while the ladies kept watch. The hyenas howled and so were the bears but who cares. They always do howl regardless of the time of the day or night. The caretakers were too drunk or exhausted to care.

“Come with me.” Madame Giry offered the child a coat. He did not know but he followed them like a child he was before. He followed them out and then after a short distance, he was led into a huge structure.

“Where shall we keep him?” The other lady asked.

“The lower levels. No one goes there.” Madame Giry voiced out.

“No, we are not agreeable. He may come out and harm the others. He must be sent to the ….country side. We can find a home there for him.”

“We can do that but for now, he needs to stay hidden. Where can we go?” So the call was made and the choice selected. Emil was led to the bottom levels of the House. Once he was there, somehow he felt at home. He rushed ahead of the trio and disappeared into the darkness.

“I think he is home.” Madame Giry spoke out. “We shall take turns to come here and feed him. And then we shall move him out to his proper home.”

That was ten years ago and soon after the ownership changed to the French business partners. It was also the words that Madame Valerian entrapped the other to secure guardianship of the lady named Christine.

“I never expected you to …do me in that manner. I am disappointed, Madame Valerian.”

“And I do apologies. Christine is a special child with a unique talent. I want to see what is good for her like you but to me that is in her singing. She has a superb voice for soprano.” Madame Valerian explained. “Christine will still be yours but we will help her in the singing. We have no children of our own and we shall take her from you. We asked is that you give us the chance to see her sing.”

There was one other who found singing was a relief for him. Emil never knew any comfort till he heard the singing. He sat there in the darkness and listen. Soon he was mimicking them with his own voice and despite his efforts, he failed to hum properly but his ears were able to distinguish the chords, the notes and the vowels of the singers. He knew the intensity of the voice and how with training, he learned their techniques. In his mind he was singing like them, in his ears he was listening like the masters, in his mouth he was muttering the instruction, and into his soul, he was a soprano singer.

Not until he heard her voice. She was a diva…no she was not yet one. She was a rough gem but with training, she will be one great soprano singer.

Like his mother was