Page 23 - Phantom of the Opera

Monsieur Poligny went to his desk and returned with a copy Firmin Richard was a very famous and much respected writer
of the memorandum book, which contains the managers' rules of music who had a number of successful pieces in print. He had
for the Paris Opera. It looked exactly like the one we had except a strong personality, but unfortunately, he also had a very nasty
that at the end there was a passage in red ink and in a strange temper.
handwriting. This passage was as follows: "An allowance of
In their first few days at the Opera, the new partners enjoyed
20,000 francs per month is to be made to the Opera ghost."
the excitement of finding themselves at the head of such an
"Is that all? Doesn't he want anything else?" asked Monsieur
admirable company. They had forgotten all about the crazy story
Richard with great coolness.
of the ghost when something happened that proved to hem that
t
"Yes, he does," replied Poligny. "Box Five will be for the use of
j
the oke — if it was a oke — was not over.
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the Opera ghost for every performance."
W h e n Monsieur Richard entered his office, his secretary,
We rose from our chairs, shook their hands, and thanked them
Monsieur Remy, showed him a letter which was marked
for the charming joke.
Monsieur Poligny asked, "Have you considered what the loss of "private." It was addressed in red ink, in handwriting he had seen
Box Five meant to us? We did not sell it once. We really can't before. He remembered the memorandum book and opened the
work to keep ghosts! We prefer to leave!" letter:
Monsieur Richard said, "It seems to me that you were much
Dear Mr. Manager:
too kind to the ghost. If I had such a trouble-making ghost, I
I am sorry to bother you when you must be very busy. I know
would not hesitate to have him put in prison!"
what you have done for Carlotta, Sorelli, and Jammes, and for a
"But how?" they cried together."We have never seen him!"
few others whose admirable qualities, of talent or genius, you
"But when he comes to his box?"
have suspected.
"We have never seen him in his box."
When I use these words, I am not referring to La Carlotta, who
"Then sell it."
sings like a child; nor to Sorelli, nor to little Jammes, who dances
"Sell the Opera ghost's box! Well, gentlemen, try it."
like a goat in a field. And I am not speaking of Christine Daae
Then, we all four left the office. Richard and I had never
either. Although her genius is certain, your jealousy prevents her
laughed so much in our lives.
from performing any important part. I am not happy that you
have forbidden her to play the part of Margarita since her
• triumph the other evening, but I would like to hear her in the
supporting role tonight.
Armand Moncharmin wrote so much and so often in his Memories I will ask you not to sell my box today nor on the following
that it is hard to believe he ever had time to do his job. He did not days, as I cannot end this letter without telling you how surprised
know a note of music, but he knew the right people. He was a I was to hear that my box had been sold on your orders. I did not
journalist for a short time and enjoyed a large private income. He protest, first, because I dislike unpleasant behavior, and second,
was a charming man and did not lack intelligence. As soon as he because I thought that Monsieur Debienne and Monsieur
made up his mind to be a partner in the Opera, he chose the best Poligny had forgotten to tell you about me. But, I wrote to them
possible manager and went straight to Firmin Richard. and they replied that you knew all about my memorandum book

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