Of Phantoms and Angels

XI. A Disaster Beyond Imagination

     Lilienne stepped onto the tray of flour backstage, rolling the toes of her slippers and coating the slippery silk - less likely to fall onstage.  Everyone was dashing about, tossing props around and rummaging through costumes, all setting the last-minute details; tonight, they performed Il Muto - well, in exactly ten minutes - and the energy behind the curtain was exhilarating.

     Lilienne, alongside a few dozen other dancers, bounced and stretched her body so that she would be nice and nimble for their dances - there was nothing so atrocious as a dancer who's knees can't bend past their hips, as said Mme Cartelle.

     Then, finally, that magic moment arrived when everything was set and still, and the raucous noise gave way to silence as all stood poised and ready to perform.  There was the cue from the stage director, causing the music to change as the curtain lifted, revealing the lavish stage and dolled-up performers, already in position and awaiting their audience.

     Lilienne watched the grand reveal from the wings backstage, noting how Carlotta smiled from cheek to rouged cheek and greeted the audience as if she was a relic - as was an old habit of hers.  She was dressed in the pink gown and high wig of the Comtesse, and Christine accompanied her in the silent role of the page-boy - a direct offense against the Phantom of the Opera's orders.  

     Lilienne noticed how some of the cast and stagehands seemed mal à l'aise, their eyes shifting from shadow to shadow as if one of them would leap out at any moment; Lilienne stifled a smile - these people called her naive, yet they were the ones who fell to easily into paranoia.

     "Serafimo, away with the pretense!

      You cannot speak, but kiss me in my husband's absence."

     Lilienne heard the audience gasp on the other side of the stage as the maid's true identity of the page-boy was revealed, laughing as he "kissed" the Comtesse.  Suddenly, a gasp overtook the whole crowd - performers and audience alike - as a booming voice echoed through the theatre.  All heads jerked up, yet its owner remained invisible.

     "Did I not instruct that box 5 was to be kept empty!?"

     "It's him - the Phantom of the Opera..." Christine immediately recoiled, paling visibly.  Behind the stage, his name echoed in whispers of panic.

     "You're part is silent, little toad!"  Carlotta said, "Maestro, per favore..."  The music picked back up, a few lines earlier.

     "Serafimo, away with the pretense,

      You cannot speak, but kiss me in my husband's - oooouuuugggghhhh -"  

     Suddenly, Carlotta's voice gave way to a horrible croak - which, Lilienne observed, resembled a toad's.  Laughter rippled through the crowd and gasps echoed backstage, but Lilienne could only giggle; the Phantom had indeed done his worst to her, and Carlotta would likely never again call somebody a toad - especially his precious Christine.  The maestro picked up the music a few bars earlier, yet again.

     "Old fool, he makes me laugh-

     Ahahahahah-

     Ahahaha- ooouuuggghhh- aaauuukkkggghhh-"

     The audience laughed hysterically at the unfortunate Prima Donna, sending the great Carlotta squealing and wailing off the stage.  The managers were already there, and the curtain fell behind them to conceal the commotion.

     "Ladies and Gentlemen, we apologize" M Fermin began, "The performance will continue in ten minutes time, when the role of the Comtesse will be played by Mlle Daaé."  The audience applauded.