Chapter Three

Box Five

The next day was going to be a performance of "Faust." I wasto spend most of the day preparing the costumes for the night'sperformance. However strange things began to happen throughout theday. First was the strange letter that the corps de ballet wasbuzzing about during their costume fittings.

"It is from him, The Phantom!" one of the girls insisted as shejumped excitedly.

"How can that be?" Another girl asked. This girl has softbrown hair and a young face. She was much younger than the rest ofthe ballet members.

"Meg, are you gossiping about the Phantom again?" Madame Giryasked. She was the ballet manager. Although stern with her severebun, black clothing and walking stick, I had heard she was like amother figure to many of the girls. Meg was rumored to be her ownchild.

"No Madame," Meg replied dejectedly. She retreated with theother girls back onto the stage. They were having one lastwalkthrough.

I had scarcely begun to put away my mending materials when Iheard a scream from the stage. The body of Joseph Bouquet wasswinging from the rafters. On the floor was a piece of white paper. Carrier had heard all of the noise and came to investigate.

"I wish for Box Five to remain empty. If this request is notaccommodated there will be more tragedy tonight."

"This is nonsense," the new manager replied who had come toinvestigate the noises himself. "I sold that box to some of myfavorite patrons. I'm not going to accommodate a murderingghost!"

*****

The performance seemed to be going ahead as planned with peopleoccupying Box Five. I stood backstage with props in hand prepared tohand them to Carlotta.

"This is my greatest performance," she declared during a break. I was fixing her long black wig and adjusting her tunic-style dressmade of bright blue and burgundy velvet.

"Yes Madame," I responded quietly. Before I finished thesentence I heard a small commotion coming from the audience.

"It is the Phantom!" an excited ballet dancer stated runningbackstage. "He is demanding that Box Five be emptiedimmediately."

I peered around the curtain to see several audience membersrunning downstairs and out the door.

"People please be seated, be seated. The show will continue inone moment," the manager declared as more people began to leave theirseats.

"I don't think it's going to continue at all," Marie whisperedin my ear.

*****

Marie was right for a few minutes later the opera was cancelledaltogether with promises of refunded tickets. I walked back upstairsafter I had completed my chores for the evening and found myselfcollapsing in my bed. A few moments later I heard a soft voice.

"Hello Christine," the voice said in the darkness.

"Hello Maestro," I said quietly. I stood up and grabbed myrobe before I walked any further towards his voice.

"It is time for your lesson."

"Ok Maestro," I replied tentively. I knew about Mr. Bouquet. I knew about the Box Five incident. Should I fear this man? Thisman who had been nothing but nice to me?

"I sense your fear," he said in the darkness. "I would neverharm you."

"What happened?" I asked feeling braver.

"Joseph Bouquet is an idiot. He insisted on seeking out mylair. No one is allowed to seek out my lair and live to tell aboutit."

"Why is that?"

"I must keep a secretive existence."

"What about Box Five?"

"Box Five has always been mine. I won't stand for it to betaken away from me," the Phantom replied assuredly. With moreassurance than I remember my own love having. "No that's enough ofthe unpleasantness. We must begin your lesson."

"Yes Maestro."

*****

A few weeks later I felt my voice becoming stronger and surer. "Thank you Maestro, for everything," I told him at the beginning ofmy lesson.

"It is I who should be thanking you, for the privilege ofhearing your voice."

I blushed at his comment. Why would I blush? What could thisstrange Phantom, a known murderer, possibly be able to offer me? Wasn't I here to reunite with Raoul? No, I thought to myself, I washere to find my Vincent.

"Let's begin with the scales," he said breaking me out of myreverie. Taking a moment to prepare my voice I sang the variousscales and a few selections from The Fairy Queen. This opera woulddebut in a few months.

"Before long you will be prepared for the role of Titania."

"The lead?" I asked in disbelief. "Are you sure Maestro?"

"With your lovely voice anything is possible."

*****