Chapter 1

Hannibal

A lady with light purple hair was on the stage practicing for a dress rehearsal in a gold and red dress singing very loudly with a deep accent. She was holding what was made to look like a human head in her hand. On her head, there was a large golden crown with red feathers.

"This trophy from our saviors, from our saviors from the enslaving force of Rome!" The lady nodded her head, then threw the head at a person in the wings.

Two rows of six girls in similar attire came from the back of the stage, marching and singing. "With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration,
we greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!"

Men march from the side singing the next lines. "The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to our step on the ground!"

"Hear the drums, Hannibal comes!"

A man steps forward and begins to sing. "Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp!"

The man who was showing the men around starts to make his way to the stage with the others behind him.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen..." The conductor instructs from the band pit. The gentlemen are on the stage.

"Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's 'Hannibal'."

"Monsieur Lefevre, I am rehearsing.'' The conductor tells the man giving the tour.

"Monsieur Reyer,"The man tells the conductor. "Madame Bitters,"He calls to a lady stretching at the ballet bar. "Ladies and gentlemen, Please if I could have your attention, thank you." He addresses everyone. "As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these were all true," The lady in the crown points at a chorus man and says 'Ah ha!' "and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, Monsieur Red Firmin and Monsieur Purple Andre".He presents the other two men to them. Their coat are the same color as their names.

"I'm sure you've read that recent fortune in the junk business,"

"Scrap metal, actually," He corrects him.

"He must be rich," Whispers her friend off on the side.

"And we are deeply honored to introduce our new patron, the Vicomte Dib de Changy." He gestures to the side of the stage where a handsome young man walks towards them. He had black hair and was wearing a black coat.

"My parents and I are honored to support all the arts especially the world renowned Opera Populaire." He tells them all.

"It's Dib, before my father died, you see, Tak, I guess you could say we were like siblings.

He called me Little Gazzie." A dancer with purple, curly hair tells a girl with short purple hair in a quiet tone.

"Gaz, he's so handsome" Her friend told her in a soft, sweet voice, turning towards her.

"Vicomte, Gentlemen, Signora Zita Giudicelli, our leading soprano for five seasons now." The old manager shows the new men, gestures to the lady with the gold crown on. She bows and buts her hand for the vicomte to kiss. A small man clears his throat to get there attention. "And Signor Skooge Pangi." Skooge gives a small bow. A few people clap for him.

"An honour, Signor. I believe I'm keeping you from your rehearsal. I will be here this evening to share your great triumph. My apologies, monsieur." He told the gentlemen. He turns around and leaves.

"Thank you, Monsieur Le Vicomte. Once more if you please, signor." The conductor instructs.

"He loves me! Love me, love me, love me." The diva says to her costume and make-up workers.

"He didn't recognize me" Gaz told her friend, Tak as Dib walked past.

"He didn't see you" Tak consulted her friend.

"If you please, monsieur" The ballet teacher, Madame Bitters, beckoned to Red and Purple. "We take a particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets, monsieur." As they walk by the ballerinas, hard at work practicing there dance.

"I see why, especially that little purple-haired angel." Red says to Madame Bitters, nodding towards Tak.

"My daughter, Tak Bitters."

"And that exceptional beauty? No relation, I trust." Red said regarding Gaz, dancing with passion in the front row.

"Gaz Daaé, promising talent, Monsieur Red, very promising."

"Daaé, you say? No relation to the famous Swedish violinist?"

"His only child, orphan at 7, when she came to live and train in the ballet dormitory."

"An orphan, you say!"

"I think of her as a daughter also." She defended Gaz. "Gentlemen, if you would kindly stand to one side." Madame Bitters warns the two. They move to the side a few steps as a large dance number begins with the whole cast.

"Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests, the elephants of Carthage! As guides on our conquering quests, Dido sends Hannibal's friends!"They all sing as large, fake elephants enter the stage, with Zita singing the loudest. A big rip was heard as she made her was, backwards, towards the elephants.

"And not on my dress, why?" She yells at the cast member who stepped on her gold dress.

"The trumpeting elephants sound, hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to their step on the ground, hear the drums! Hannibal comes!" The finale ends with the dancers doing kicks, and Skooge and Zita on an elephant. But neither could even get on.

"Ah Daae, all that they want is your dancing." She yells at everyone. "Vicomte is very excited about tonight's gala. He's excited by dancing girls as your new managers, because I will not be singing

Goodbye, everyone!'' She yells at Red and Purple. "Now it's finished, get my doggie, bring my doggie. Bye bye!" She yells at her helpers.

"What do we do?" Red asks the old manager.

"Grovel, grovel, grovel." He motions towards La Zita.

"Right" Purple said quickly following La Zita.

"See you later, because I'm going out

It is finished!" La Zita yells behind her.

"Principessa. Bella diva" Purple calls to her.

"Si si"

"Goddess of song!" "Red adds.

"Mosieur Reyer, isn't there a rather marvelous aria for Elissa in Act Three of "Hannibal"? Perhaps if Signora..." Purple suggests.

"Yes, yes, yes. Ma no! Because I have not my costume for act three because somebody not finish it!

And I hate my hat!" La Zita started to break down crying.

"I wonder, Signora, as a personal favour, if you would oblige us with a private rendition.Unless, of course, M. Reyer objects..." They look at an unhappy M. Reyer.

"No. Aspetta, aspetta. If my managers command...M. Reyer?" La Zita askes, happy again.

"If my diva commands."

"Yes, I do. Everybody be quiet!" The diva commanded.

"Monsieur Lefevre, why exactly are you retiring?" Purple quickly asked the old manager.

"My house" He replied

"I see" said Purple, nodding.

"You as well!" She points to two people talking off stage.

"Signora?" M. Reyer asks for his stand, ready to conduct.

"Maestro."

The maids cleaning the seats put in ear pugs.

THINK OF ME

"Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye" She sings very strong, and slightly off key. A few cringe as she holds the note. "Remember me once in a while please promise me you'll try" A shadow moves from above the stage starts to untie a rope. "When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free-" La Zita screams as a backdrop fall right on top of her, pinning her down. Many rush to help her.

"He's here, The Phantom of the Opera!" Tak says, startled.

"Signora! Are you all right? Lard Nar! For God's sake, man, what's going on up there?" He calls to a stage hand, who was pulling up the backdrop.

"Please monsieur don't look at me. As God's my witness, I was not at my post. Please monsieur, there's no one there and if there is, well then, it must be a ghost!" He laughs as he walks away. Some of the dancers exchange glances. Md. Bitters, behind set, watches a letter fall from up above. She bends over and picks it up with a grim face when she sees the seal.

"Signora, these things do happen!" Purple tried to comfort the stunned prima donna.

"For the past three years, these things do happen and did you stop them from happening? No!
And you two, you're as bad as him. These things do happen! Until you stop these things happening,
this thing does not happen!" She points to herself and struts away. " Ubaldo! Andiamo! Bring my doggie and my boxy." La Zita yells for her things. Skooge walks up.

"Amateurs!" Skooge says before following La Zita out.

"Now you see. Byebye I'm leaving!" She hollers as she makes her exit.

"Gentlemen, Good luck. If you need me, I shall be in Australia." M. Reyer holds his head in his hand as the older manager follows La Zita out the door.

"Signora Guidicelli, she will be coming back, won't she?" Purple asks M. Reyer. He just shrugs.

"You think so, monsieur? I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost." Madame Bitters shows up from behind and opens a letter with a red skull seal.

"Oh God in Heaven, you're all obsessed!" Red said as he rolled his eyes.

"He welcomes you to his opera house-"

"His opera house?" He interrupts.

"And commands you to continue to leave Box Five empty for his use," She points to the box to the left of the stage with her cane. "and reminds you that his salary is due."

"Hissalary?!" Red grabs the letter from her.

"Monsieur Lefevre paid him twenty thousand francs a month." She said calmly, flipping her long, dark braid behind her back.

"Twenty thousand francs!" He looks over the note.

"Perhaps you can afford more, with the Vicomte as your patron." She says, a little smug, leaning on her cane.

"Madame, I had hoped to have made that announcement public tonight when the Vicomte was to join us for the gala but obviously we shall now have to cancel, as it appears that we have lost our star!" Red says, ripping up the note.

"There should be an understudy!" Purple points out.

"Understudy? There is no understudy for La Zita!'' Monsieur Reyer said, bewildered.

"A full house, Purple, we shall have to refund a full house." He said worried to his good friend.