Chapter Fifteen
Don Juan Triumphant
The cast and employees of the Opera Populaire gathered in the graveyard.
Reyer, Piangi, Raoul and Andre helped place Firmin's coffin its grave.
They made sure that it was right next to his wife and son's grave. When
they were done, Reyer, Piangi and Raoul returned to the others. Andre
stayed to speak a few words.
"Richard Firmin was good man and a very close friend of mine. He did
every now and then get a little out of control, but he was still a very
amiable person." Andre turned to the others. "Richard gave his life
to save mine, he was truly the most loyal companion I've ever had. I'm
sure we will all miss Richard."
Everyone looked down. Raoul took Christine's hand. " I shall try my best
to continue to run the theater. Richard would want us to keep the
theater alive. From now on when there's a show, we shall not just be
performing for the audience, but for Richard as well."
Andre kneeled down and placed a rose on the coffin. " At last you are
reunited with your family Richard. I hope you're happy in heaven. We
shall miss you dear friend." Andre and Reyer then filled up the grave
and the members of the opera house returned to the theater. Down in
the lair, the Phantom kneeled by his brother's grave.
"I got rid of your killer William. Now everyone has paid. Raoul's
brother is dead, Simon has been sent to an asylum and Monsieur Firmin
has been killed like the animal he was. You have been avenged."
'Oh Erik, dear, dear Erik. You have not avenged me, you have abandoned
me," said William's voice. The Phantom stared at the grave.
"William? William is it you?"
'It is.'
"What do you mean I've abandoned you? I did all this for you!"
'Erik! I'd hate to say this, but you've become a monster! A
cold-hearted killer!'
"I just wanted to make them pay," said the Phantom softly.
'Erik, killing is not the answer. Don't you realize that you've
destroyed all that we've worked for?'
"What do you mean brother?"
'Christine. You've lost her now. She begged you to spare Richard's
life. You butchered him right in front of her!' The Phantom gasped.
"Christine! Oh what have I done?" cried the Phantom. " William! What
should I do?"
'Erik, if you had stopped the killing earlier I might have been able
to help you. The only thing I can suggest is an apology and a gift.'
"What do you mean?"
'Apologize to the Opera Populaire and give them our opera.'
"Don Juan?"
'Yes, I'm sure you'll be able to complete the opera on your own. Let
them perform our work. Maybe this act of generosity will be enough for
them to forgive you. I must go now.'
"William!" cried the Phantom. " Don't leave me!"
'If our work is performed, sit in Box-Five. If you can see me, it
means you're forgiven. If I am invisible to your eyes, it means you
shall remain a hated murderer. Tomorrow I shall give you further
instructions.' Then William's voice was gone.
The Phantom dashed over to his cage of birds. He pulled out a dove and
placed it next to him. He wrote a note and then attached it to the
bird's leg. The dove flew off.
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Upstairs, Andre was with the cast. " It's impossible to concentrate
with Richard gone," said Andre. Christine looked up and saw the dove.
"It's one of the phantom's messenger birds!" Christine shouted as she
pointed up at the dove. Everyone started to look at each other in fear.
"What does he want now?" cried Carlotta. Piangi took her hand.
"Don't worry Carlotta. I won't let anything happen to you," said
Piangi. The dove landed on Andre's shoulder. The manager took the bird
from his shoulder and removed the note from its leg. Everyone stared,
awaiting the message that the Phantom had sent. Andre's eyes widened.
Dear Andre and the other employees of the Opera Populaire,
I beg for your forgiveness. I had not wanted to kill anybody working at the
theater. My hatred was just too great. I apologize to Raoul for
murdering his brother, I should have realized how much it hurt him.
Andre, I regret killing Richard as well, I already miss his jumpy
behavior. I know that apologizing will not take the pain away, but I
wish to help bring you back on your feet. In your office is a copy of
'Don Juan', an opera that my brother and I wrote and composed. I ask if
you can find it in your hearts to produce this opera, it would mean a
lot to me. It's the only way I can really make up for my crimes.
Signed,
O.G
Andre was done reading the letter. He looked at everyone. They just
stared at him. Andre decided that until he said something no one would
speak. He lowered the note. " Well, what do you think?" asked Andre.
"I refuse to perform the work of this monster!" screamed Carlotta.
"If Carlotta doesn't perform, then I won't perform!" snarled Piangi.
Andre shrugged.
"If our two stars don't perform, then we can't do the opera," said
Andre.
"Now just one minute!" snapped Christine. The ballet girls, Jonathan
and Gregory stared at her, surprised to see such a quiet girl speak up
like that. "Just because your stars don't perform doesn't mean that the
opera can't be produced!"
"Who will you get to replace Carlotta?" laughed Piangi.
"I shall perform!" said Christine.
"You?" asked Piangi. He burst out laughing. Raoul glared at him
furiously. "That's wonderful! Christine Daae, the Prima Donna chorus girl!"
"Hey shut-up!" snarled Jonathan.
"Give Christine a chance! We heard her voice and she sounds better
than Carlotta!" added Gregory. Carlotta was shocked by this comment. The
ballet girls began to talk in agreement.
"That girl's nothing but a wilting sparrow!" laughed Piangi. Raoul
walked right up to Piangi and punched him in the jaw. Piangi was knocked
over from the punch. Carlotta rushed over to his aid. The Phantom's
voice became clear.
"Bravi! Bravi! Good shot Raoul!" shouted the Phantom. Piangi and
Carlotta stared up. Andre turned to Raoul.
"Do you think Christine can handle a lead role?" asked Andre.
"Of course! Haven't you heard her voice? It's like an angel's!" said
Raoul.
"Hear, Hear!" shouted Meg. Andre got up.
"Well then, I'll go get the opera." Andre walked down the aisles and
out the theater. Carlotta helped Piangi up and then stormed over to
Raoul.
"How dare you strike Piangi!" screamed Carlotta.
"Signora, I don't need you to protect me," said Piangi.
"You lousy brute!" snarled Carlotta. She slapped Raoul hard across the
face. Everyone gasped and waited for Raoul's reaction.
The Phantom appeared on the stage. He had his mask back on. Carlotta ran
over to Piangi's arms. The Phantom walked down the stage and approached
the two.
"It isn't wise to strike the patron Carlotta. You should know that by
now," hissed the Phantom. He turned to the others. " It doesn't matter
if Carlotta performs or not. Either way, Christine gets lead role."
Then the Phantom disappeared. Andre entered with the opera.
"How about that, he already selected the cast." Andre then looked
closer. "That's odd," said Andre with a grin.
"What?" asked Gregory.
"Carlotta's gotten the smallest role," said Andre. Everyone but
Carlotta and Piangi started to laugh. Andre looked at Piangi while he
was still snickering. " You'd better work on your voice. You are singing
with Christine," said Andre. Piangi glanced at Christine.
"What? Never!" snarled Piangi.
"Signor Piangi, it's not that bad," said Andre.
"I will not sing next to some chorus girl! It's insulting!" Raoul
glared at Piangi.
"Are you asking for a black eye Piangi?" growled Raoul. Piangi pointed
to his eye.
"Take you best shot you dog!" snarled Piangi.
"That does it!" thundered Raoul. The patron charged into Piangi
knocking him to the ground. The two started to fight, punching and
clawing at each other. Christine and Carlotta began to call their
lovers' names. Gregory and Jonathan began to cheer on Raoul. Andre was
going to separate Raoul and Piangi, but then noticed that it was a
little too dangerous for him.
"Raoul! Piangi! Stop it!" screamed Andre. Raoul got his hands around
Piangi neck.
"You lousy Spanish swine!" snarled Raoul.
"God! Do something!" cried Carlotta. The Phantom then reappeared. He
ran over to the two and pulled Raoul off of Piangi. He continued to pull
the patron back. He then released Raoul and stared at him in the eyes.
"Vicompt! Do you want to end up like me, a killer? Stop this nonsense!
You're going to lose Christine if you don't!"
The Phantom then walked off the stage. Raoul and Piangi returned to
their ladies. Piangi in the midst of the fight had earned a bleeding
mouth and a black eye.
"Oh my darling! What has he done to you?" cried Carlotta.
"I gave him a black eye. I could do the other one if you want them to
match," said Raoul. Andre tried to hold it in, but he snickered.
Piangi looked at the manager furiously.
"Excuse me signor. Was that a snicker?" snarled Piangi. Andre shook
his head and then began to chuckle. Piangi approached Andre furiously.
"Be quiet! It's not funny!" Now Andre was in hysterical laughter. This
infuriated Piangi. "Signor! If you do not stop this laughing, I'll...."
"YOU'LL WHAT?" roared the Phantom at the top of his lungs.
"I'll....get going," Piangi said softly. He and Carlotta left the
theater. Andre finally stopped laughing. He wiped away a tear.
"Oh dear, I don't know what came over me," said Andre. He then giggled
a little. Christine looked at Raoul. He had gotten a black eye as well
and had a bloody nose.
"Come on Raoul. Let's get you cleaned up," said Christine. The two
left the theater. "Raoul, maybe we should wait and have the wedding
after the performance," she whispered.
"But why?" asked Raoul shocked.
"Because I'm going to need to practice for the opera and the wedding
might disrupt my rehearsal." Raoul sighed.
"If you say so Christine," said Raoul softly. Christine stopped held
Raoul's head and kissed him on the lips. When she was done she looked at
him.
"Do you feel better?" she asked. Raoul grinned.
"Much better! Thank you Christine." Then the two left for Christine's
room and spent hours there talking about their childhood memories.
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