Chapter Two:

Night Time at the Opera House

The next morning I awoke to the sounds of scenery being movedbackstage. Sitting up in bed I realized that it wasn't a dream andthat I really had a job as a costume girl. Hearing a loud knock onthe door I quickly put on my robe and opened it.

"You must hurry up and get dressed." The usher said standingin the doorway. "The costume girls go to work at 8:00 am."

"Thank you Mousier." I responded shutting the door. Openingthe dresser I found a suitable dress to wear for a day of mending andwashing clothes. Looking at my reflection in the mirror over thedresser I tried to smooth out the flyaway hairs. It had been twodays since I had been able to bathe, but I doubt it mattered much. Iwas in 19th century Paris after all. However I decided to ask theusher where I could bathe this evening. Quickly putting on an apronI ran downstairs to meet the woman who was going to show me the ropesof my new job.

Walking downstairs I met another woman about my age dressedvery similar. She introduced herself as Marie, but I recognized heras Rebecca. She explained to me the basics regarding my new job.

"You pick up the dresses from this table and place them in thebasket to be washed." She demonstrated this by picking up severalornate dresses made with yards of fabric, lace, and pearls. Placingthem carefully in a basket she wheeled them to the side.

Looking onstage I could see company rehearsing. "Which operaare they performing?" I asked Marie as I walked past with abasket.

"'Faust'" She replied.

"I thought Carlotta had that role." I responded seeing thatanother girl was rehearsing in her place.

"Carlotta doesn't think she needs rehearsal." Marie remarkedsarcastically.

*****

Later on after my work was done and the company had left forthe day I found myself wandering through the Opera House. Walkingonstage I felt myself performing for an audience that wasn't eventhere. Singing softly I danced around the stage smiling and bowingafter a marvelous performance. Hearing the soft sound of applause Iturned around quickly and let out a small gasp.

"Do not be afraid." A voice said from behind a piece ofscenery. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"Who are you?" I asked defensively.

"A friend." He replied. A few minutes later he emerged fromthe shadows. He was a tall figure wearing a tuxedo, a cape, and amasque that covered his face. "I'm sorry I startled you, I wasadmiring your voice."

Taking one step backward I stared at him with my eyes wide.

"If you please it's a very sweet voice with one thingmissing."

"What is that?" I asked cautiously.

"Training." He replied. "You see I'm a voice teacher. Iwould like very much to train yours."

"I have no money." I responded quickly.

"Oh, not to worry. I wouldn't be asking for payment." Heanswered.

"Why do you wear a masque?" I asked quietly.

"You see I don't want you to know my identity. If you knew whoI was and word got out that I was giving lessons, I would feelobliged to give them to everyone." He responded eloquently.

I agreed to meet him the following evening at the same time. Walking away I couldn't help but think about Vincent. This man hadhis voice, but I wasn't able to look very closely at his eyes. Isilently wondered if I had truly gone over the edge.

*****

The following evening I walked onto the stage waiting to meetthis man who reminded me of my lost love. Turning around I heard thesounds of someone approaching.

"Good evening." I responded as I saw this man walk up. Looking closely at his eyes I could see they were the same blue poolsVincent had! Sucking in my breath rapidly I tried to relax. Howcould this be?

"There's a piano in one of the rooms off the stage. We can usethat for practice." He explained leading me off the stage into asmall room.

"Thank you so much for doing this for me Mousier…" Ibegan. I wanted to know his name.

"Maestro." He responded quickly. "Just call me Maestro."

"Maestro." I said smiling. Practice went quickly. Perhapsbecause of the company, but also because the music seemed to flowfrom my lips effortlessly. Having always felt I was inadequate as asinger, this was quite astonishing. Smiling broadly I began to singanother aria. The final one from "Faust." I knew the words fromhearing it many times before. It was by far my favorite opera. ButI would have never dreamed of singing it myself. Happy with myperformance I sighed deeply when I was finished.

"Beautiful Christine." Were the Maestro's only words? Agreeingto meet the following night I walked out of the room and up to mysmall room at the top of the stage. Preparing for bed I realized Iwas not the least bit tired. I wanted to learn more about Maestro,but he seemed so secretive about his personal life. I didn't evenknow where he lived and how he had acquired a key to the Opera House. These thoughts were running through my mind as I drifted off tosleep.

*****

Continued in chapter 3