The Phantom of the Opera: The Next Generation- part 1

Paris 2005

A small car pulls up to the courtyard of the newly restored Opera Populaire. A girl climbs out of the car, accompanied by a woman in her mid-forties. They walk up the steps to the entrance of the opera house. The girl stares at the building in awe, her large dark brown eyes shining.

"Marie? Marie. Come along or else we'll be late." The woman said, pulling the girl inside.

"Yes Madame Glaire." Marie mumbled, following behind Madame Glaire, who was the ballet instructor at the Opera Populaire. She was of medium height, and had the build of a life long dancer. Her brown hair was streaked with gray and pulled into a tight bun. She led Marie to the Manager's office, which, like the rest of the opera house, had been recently renovated. Madame Glaire knocked on the door of the office, which was promptly opened by a short man dressed in a gray pinstripe suit. He looked to be about forty-five and a bit overweight, Marie noted.

"Ah Madame Glaire. This must be our new chorus girl," the manager said happily.

"Oui, Monsieur. Marie, this is Monsieur Jacques, our new manager. Monsieur, this is Miss Marie Day," the ballet mistress introduced Marie. "Now Monsieur, I must show Miss Day to her room."

"Oh yes of course. Carry on," the manager said, watching them leave, "She's quiet, but she is very pretty."

The chorus girls were all gathered around the new star of the Opera Populaire, Helena Sinculaire. Helena was a tall and slender young woman, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She was telling of her great performances, when she noticed Madame Glaire enter with a new girl. Helena noted that the new chorus girl was shorter than she was, but still slender, with shoulder length auburn hair that fell in soft curls. The new girl also had high cheekbones and unusually large eyes. The other girls fell silent when they saw Madame Glaire coming their way.

"Girls! We have a new chorus member, Miss Marie Day. Now that these introductions are complete, continue your exercises! When I return, we will begin rehearsals." Madame Glaire said sternly. She then led Marie away, up to the rooms.

"She won't last here," Helena said, breaking the silence. "She's too quiet. I don't even think she can sing!" Some of the other girls laughed at this, but then went back to their exercises. Something moved in the shadows, moving in the direction Marie went.
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Madame Glaire left Marie alone in her new room, which was a bit small, but still comfortable. It had a floor length mirror against one wall and a dresser against another. Marie sighed deeply and sat down on the bed. As she stared at the ceiling, Marie noticed something move out of the corner of her eye. She shook her head and changed into her ballet attire.

A few months later, Marie was getting used to her new life style, to the other chorus girls, and even to her strange music teacher. Her teacher only met with her in her room, and even then, it was only his voice. His lessons made her voice stronger, louder, and enhanced her range.