Just One Dance
This being the account of how one ballet rat succeeded, on a bet, in securing a dance with the Phantom of the Opera
I must confess that whenever I read the title of this work I have to smile. It makes it seem like I have done something daring, like I actually meant to dance with the famed Phantom of the Opera. But it was nothing of the sort, and, in truth, had I known who I was dancing with I should have fainted dead away.
But the incident occurred before the frightful abduction of Christine Daaé, and I, ignorant ballet rat that I was, considered the Phantom to be a ghost in truth, not a man wandering around during the annual Masquerade. Looking back now—after the passage of time and the existence of a great many miles between me and Paris have given me a calmer perspective—I can see the whole night was one ironic mishap after another. Indeed, I wonder that I survived it.
But I digress. You are only reading this account, I would guess, in order to hear more about the infamous Opera Ghost, not read the meanderings of a lowly ballet rat. So, without further ado, the fantastic tale of how I, one Aurelie Therese Collard, pursued the Phantom of the Opera and got him to dance with me.
Aurelie scanned the crowd with undisguised excitement. Beside her, her friend Celeste grumbled, "I can't believe you made me come with you to this."
Aurelie chided her without looking, "Oh, do be quiet Celeste. You'd have fun if you just let yourself." She herself was set to have the best time of her life.
The annual masquerade at the Paris Opera House was the pinnacle of the holiday celebrations held there each year. Everyone came, and the dancing lasted until the early hours of the morning. Aurelie had been waiting for Madame Giry, the ballet mistress, to consider her old enough to go for years, and finally the year had come.
She turned to Celeste, who was glowering at the dance floor. "Can't you feel any excitement? Look at all of it: the dancing, the music, the impressionable young men looking for dancing partners!"
Celeste wasn't persuaded. "Well they probably won't look at us to remedy that lack, Aurelie. All of the best partners are hovering around the likes of her." She nodded towards where Carlotta, displaying a generous amount of cleavage, was flirting with at least four different men.
Aurelie sighed. Her friend was right. Not only was Carlotta occupied, she could see Meg Giry over to her left, engaged in talking to the Baron de Castelot-Barbezac. Sorelli was in the opposite directing talking to the Comte de Chagny, who everyone knew was crazy about her. And she had no doubt that Christine Daaé was flitting about somewhere with her Vicomte in close pursuit. But Aurelie refused to give up; there had to be someone worthwhile left to dance with.
She gave Celeste a determined look. "I'm not leaving without dancing at least once. I'll find someone suitable before the night is over; you'll see." A flash of scarlet caught her eye, and she focused in on it, her mouth dropping open.
It was a man, dressed entirely in an eye-blinding shade of scarlet. On his head was the most incredible death-mask, topped with an enormous plumed hat, also scarlet. A short cloak hung from his shoulders, and when he turned around, Aurelie saw a caption was embroidered on it in gold. It read: "Don't Touch Me! I Am Red Death Stalking Abroad!"
"Perfect," Aurelie breathed. She looked at Celeste, who was also staring at the scarlet man. Aurelie gave her a little nudge. Celeste turned to look at her. "Him," Aurelie said, pointing, "I'll get a dance with him!"
Celeste looked horrified. "With him? Aurelie, look at him! He's wearing a gigantic plumed hat for goodness sakes!"
Aurelie had turned her eyes back to the scarlet man. "I am looking at him," she said dryly, "and I don't see any problems. Look, he's not with anyone else." That was blatantly clear as there was a ring of empty space surrounding him, as if people were scared to get near him.
Celeste snorted in a most undignified fashion. "There's probably a reason for that." Aurelie just looked at her. Celeste continued, "You'll never get him to so much as look at you."
Stung, Aurelie retorted, "I bet you my new sash I will."
"Done." Celeste held out her hand. "Your new sash against my new gloves that you can't get him to dance with you before tonight is over."
Aurelie grabbed Celeste's hand and shook it. "Deal." She grinned, "I was just admiring those gloves."
Celeste rolled her eyes. "Well you can keep admiring them from a distance, seeing as how I'm going to win. This is the easiest bet I've ever made."
Aurelie just smiled, and started making plans.
A/N—I hope this was at least mildly amusing! I've had this plot bunny bouncing around in my head for the longest time. Oh and I forgot, get any ideas that I may own the Phantom of the Opera in any way, shape or form out of your head, because I don't! The next chapter should be up shortly.