Phantom of the Opera (Yu-Gi-Oh style)
THE STAGE OF THE PARIS OPERA, 1905
Bakura, now old, walked towards the old opera house where all of those strange events happened all those years ago. Bakura sighed as he thought of Courtney, who was now passed. The contents of the opera house were being auctioned off. The auction commences with a blow from the auctioneer's gavel.
"Sold." The auctioneer said. Then he spied Bakura. "Your number, sir?" Bakura handed him his number. "Thank you." Bakura nodded to him.
"Lot 663, then, ladies and gentlemen: a poster for this house's production of "Hannibal" by Chalumeau." The auctioneer said.
Bakura watched the auction until he found the item he was interested in.
"665, ladies and gentlemen: a paper-mache musical box, in the shape of a barrel-organ. Attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian robes playing the cymbals. This item, discovered in the vaults of the theatre, still in working order."
The porter held up the item, showing it around.
"May I start at twenty francs? Fifteen, then?
Fifteen I am bid."
The bidding continues. Bakura eventually buys the box for thirty francs.
"Sold, for thirty francs to the Vicomte de Touzoku. Thank you, sir."
The box is handed across to Bakura. He studies it.
"A collector's piece indeed . . . every detail exactly as she said . . . She often spoke of you, my friend ... Your velvet lining, and your figurine of lead... Will you still play, when all the rest of us are dead?" Bakura said, half to himself and half to the box.
"Lot 666, then: a chandelier in pieces. Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera: a mystery never fully explained. We are told ladies and gentlemen, that this is the very chandelier which figures in the famous disaster. Our workshops have restored it and fitted up parts of it with wiring
for the new electric light, so that we may get a hint of what it may look like when reassembled. Perhaps we may frighten away the ghost of so many years ago with a little illumination, gentlemen?" The auctioneer said.
The auctioneer switches on the chandelier.
REHEARSALS FOR "HANNIBAL" BY CHALUMEAU
We have reached the great choral scene in which Hannibal and his army return to save Carthage from the Roman invasion under Scipio. Hannibal is Marik Ishtar; Elissa, Queen of Carthage (his mistress) is Vivian Wong. The two leading slave girls are played by Natalie Giry and Courtney Daae. Jade Giry is the ballet mistress. M. Reyer, the repetiteur, is in charge.
We join the opera towards the end of Elissa's (Vivian's)great aria. She is alone, holding a pre from the approaching Hannibal.
"This trophy from our saviors, from the enslaving force of Rome!" Vivian sang loudly.
A stage hand carries a ladder across the stage. Others are seen still constructing parts of the scenery.
"With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration we greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!" The girl's chorus sang.
"The trumpets of Carthage resound! Hear, Romans, now and tremble! Hark to our step on the ground!"
"Hear the drums - Hannibal comes!" Everyone said.
Marik enters as Hannibal.
"Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far-reaching grasp."
"Signor . . . if you please: "Rome". We say 'Rome' not 'Roma'" The director, Mokuba, said, interrupting him.
"Si, si, Rome, not Roma. Is very hard for me. Rome . . . Rome . . ." Marik said mostly to himself.
The retiring manager, Seto Kaiba of the Opera enters the room, with Yami and Yugi Moutou, to whom he has just sold the Opera to.
"Once again, then, if you please, Signor: 'Sad to return . . .'" Mokuba instructed.
"This way, gentlemen, this way. Rehearsals, as you see, are under way, for a new production of Chalumeau's "Hannibal"." Seto Kaiba said.
"Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may already, perhaps, have met Yami and Yugi Moutou..."
The new managers politely bowed.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Kaiba, we are rehearsing. If you wouldn't mind waiting a moment?"
"My apologies, Mokuba. Proceed, proceed ..." Kaiba said.
"Thank you, monsieur." He turned back to Marik. "'Sad to return..' Signor ..."
"Mokuba, our chief repetiteur. Rather a tyrant, I'm afraid." Seto said.
The rehersal continued.
"Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Rome's far-reaching grasp. Tomorrow we shall break the chains of Rome. Tonight, rejoice - your army has come home." Marik sang, getting it right this time.
The ballet girls begin their dance.
Kaiba, Yami and Yugi stand center-stage watching the ballet. They are in the way.
"Signor Marik, our principal tenor. He does play so opposite La Viviana." Mokuba said.
"Gentlemen, please! If you would kindly move to one side?" Jade Giry said, banging her cane angrily on the stage, exasperated by their presence.
"My apologies, Jade." Kaiba said, leading Yami and Yugi to the side.
"Jade Giry, our ballet mistress. I don't mind confessing, gentlemen, I shan't be sorry to be rid of the whole blessed business." Kaiba said.
"I keep asking you, monsieur, why exactly are you retiring?" Yami asked.
Kaiba ignored this and said," We take a particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets."
The men notice a beautiful blonde girl with icy blue eyes dancing among the dancers.
"Who's that girl, Mr. Kaiba?" Yugi asked. "Her? Natalie Giry, Madame Jade Giry's daughter. Promising dancer, Yugi, most promising." Kaiba said.
Courtney, one of the dancers becomes prominent. She has absent mindedly fallen out-of-step.
"You! Courtney Daae! Concentrate, girl!" Jade said, spotting her and banging her cane again. "Courtney . . . What's the matter?" Natalie asked Courtney quietly.
"Daae? Curious name." Yami said. "Swedish." Kaiba said. "Any relation to the violinist?" Yugi asked.
"His daughter, I believe. Always has her head in the clouds, I'm afraid." Kaiba said.
The ballet eventually ends.
"Bid welcome to Hannibal's guests -the elephants of Carthage! As guides on our conquering quests, Dido sends Hannibal's friends!"
An elephant, a life-sized mechanical replica, enters. Marik is lifted, in triumph, onto its back.
"Once more to my welcoming arms my love returns in splendour!" Vivian sang.
"Once more to those sweetest of charms my heart and soul surrender!"
"Ladies and gentlemen - Madame Giry, thank you - may I have your attention, please? As you know, for some weeks there have been rumours of my Imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these were all true and it is my pleasure to introduce to you the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, Yami and Yugi Moutou."
There is some polite applause and some bowing. Vivian makes her presence felt.
"Gentlemen, Signora Vivian Wong, our leading soprano for five seasons now."
"Of course, of course. I have experienced all your greatest roles, Signora." Yami said politely.
"And Signor Marik Ishtar."
"An honour, Signor." Marik said.
"If I remember rightly, Elissa has a rather fine aria in Act Three of "Hannibal". I wonder, Signora, if, as a personal favour, you would oblige us with a private
rendition? Unless, of course, Mokuba objects . . ." Yami proposed.
"My manager commands . . . Mokuba?" Vivian said. "My diva commands. Will two bars be sufficient introduction?" Mokuba said. "Two bars will be quite sufficient." Yami said, nodding.
"Signora?"
"Maestro."
The introduction is played on the piano.
"Think of me,
think of me fondly,
when we've said
goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while -
please promise me
you'll try.
When you find
that, once
again, you long
to take your heart . . ." Vivian sang.
As Vivian is singing a backdrop crashes to the floor cutting her off from half the cast.
"He's here:the Phantom of the Opera . . . He is with us . . . It's the ghost . . ." The choir and the ballet girls murmured.
"You idiots!" Mokuba said, looking up furiously.
"Ana! Ana! Are you hurt?" Mokuba asked, rushing over to her.
"Signora! Are you all right? Wheeler! Where is Wheeler?" Mokuba asked angrily. "Is no one concerned for our prima donna?" Yami asked, concerned.
"Get that man down here! Chief of the flies. He's responsible for this." Mokuba said.
An old stagehand, Joey Wheeler, holding a length of rope, which looks almost like a noose.
"Wheeler! For God's sake, man, what's going on up there?"
"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 . . ." Wheeler said.
"He's there; the Phantom of the Opera ..." Natalie said, looking up.
"Good heavens! Will you show a little courtesy?" Yami said.
"Mademoiselle, please!"
"These things do happen." They said to Vivian, who was very angry at the sudden accident.
"Si! These things do happen! Well, until you stop these things happening, this thing does not happen!" Vivian said in outrage.
Marik dutifully fetches her furs from the wings.
"Amateurs!"
"I don't think there's much more to assist you, gentlemen. Good luck. If you need me, I shall be in Frankfurt." Kaiba said, leaving quickly.
The company looks anxiously at the new managers. "La Viviana will be back." They reassured them.
"You think so, messieurs? I have a message, sir, from the Opera Ghost." Jade said, holding a letter. The girls twitter and twirl in fear. "God in Heaven, you're all obsessed!" Yami said.
"He merely welcomes you to his opera house and commands you to continue to leave Box Five empty for his use and reminds you that his salary is due." Jade said simply. "His salary?" Yugi asked, confused.
"Mr. Kaiba paid him twenty thousand francs a month. Perhaps you can afford more, with the Vicomte de Bakura Touzoku as your patron." Jade suggested.
Courtney takes hold of Natalie nervously.
"Madame, I had hoped to have made that announcement myself." Yami said, frowning.
"Will Bakura be at the performance tonight, monsieur?"
"In our box." Yugi replied.
"Madame, who is the understudy for this role?"
"There is no understudy, monsieur - the production is new." Mokuba said. "Courtney Daae could sing it, sir." Jade said. "The chorus girl?" Yami asked.
"She's been taking lessons from a great teacher." Natalie said, confident in her friend.
"From whom?" Yugi asked, interested.
"I don't know, sir . . ." Courtney said hesitantly, twirling her hair between her fingers.
"Can you believe it? A full house - and we have to cancel!" "Let her sing for you, monsieur. She has been well taught." Jade urged them.
"From the beginning of the aria then, mam'selle." Yugi said.
Courtney hesitantly started to sing.
"Think of me think of me fondly,
when we've said goodbye.
Remember me once in a while -
Please promise me
you'll try."
"Yugi, this is doing nothing for my nerves." Yami said.
"Don't fret, Yami." Yugi said.
Courtney stepped forward and started to sing more loudly and confidently.
"When you find
that, once
again, you long
to take your heart back
and be free -
if you
ever find
a moment,
spare a thought
for me..."
Courtney is on the stage in her costume, a beautiful poofy white dress with sparkles on it. Her pale ivory skin glows.
"We never said
our love
was evergreen,
or as unchanging
as the sea -
but if
you can still
remember
stop and think
of me . . .
Think of all the things
we've shared and seen -
don't think about the things
which might have been . . .
Think of me,
think of me waking,
silent and
resigned.
Imagine me,
trying too hard
to put you
from my mind.
Recall those days
look back
on all those times,
think of the things
we'll never do -
there will
never be
a day, when
I won't think
of you . ."
Applause. Bakura stands up and claps loudly. "Can it be? Can it be Courtney?" Bakura whispered. "Bravo!" He shouted, raising his opera glasses. "What a change. You're really not a bit the gawkish girl that once you were..." He said in amazement as he rushed down the stairs.
"She may
not remember
me, but
I remember
her..." He sang.
"We never said
our love was evergreen,
or as unchanging as the sea -
but please promise me,
that sometimes you will think
of me!" Courtney sang, finishing.
The audience clapped loudly and Courtney smiled, dazzling them.
Hey people! What did you think? I thought it was awesome! Mostly cause I've been obsessed with the Phantom of the Opera for the week! :)
Review!