Phantom of the Opera

Singers, dancers, and employees prepare for the masquerade ball. Everything seems to flow with vibrant energy, but your mind cannot stop circling around that red rose you found in Box 5. A silent mystery that weighs heavier than the festive joy. ---- "Look, it's snowing!" A dancer exclaims, pointing toward the window. "Apparently, every year it snows on the eve of the masked ball." "But this year..." another lowers her voice, "didn't you say the phantom would ruin the ball?" "Oh... How can you be so sure?" You watch as a few of your companions bow their heads, sigh, and walk away hurriedly. You approach the window and open it. A snowflake, delicate as a swan's feather, lands in your hair. Outside, a white blanket covers the gray pavement. You have a peaceful view before you, but your heart is filled with anguish. "____!" Meg interrupts your thoughts. "What do you plan to wear to the ball?" "I... I haven't thought about it yet..." "Oh! How can you care so little? The ball is in a few days! Haven't you even thought about who you'll go with?" "I don't know who to invite..." "You can invite some close friend, how about the viscount of Chagny?" she hints complicitly. "I don't understand why you're giving it so much thought." "Do you really think I can invite him? But we're from different worlds..." you look at your hands. "People at the opera are already saying they see Raoul and me together all the time... They think I used tricks to get close to the aristocracy." "You hear all kinds of rumors at the opera, don't pay any attention to them." Meg grabs you by the shoulders. "I know perfectly well what kind of person you are, they must be jealous!" The confidence Meg places in you cheers you up a bit, but a shadow looms over you; you think that lately the Angel of Music hasn't appeared as often, and your heart clenches into a fist again. The last time he appeared, he behaved very strangely and left without saying goodbye. It's been a long time since he's appeared... If you go to the ball, you might miss the chance to see him. "Thank you, Meg. But I need to think about it a bit more." "Alright, but decide soon, you can't miss the ball!" Meg tries to say more, but suddenly she looks intently behind you, and a mischievous smile spreads across her face. "A gentleman has come to see you! I'll leave you two alone." With those final words, Meg sets off. You don't have time to stop her, and you have no choice but to receive the visitor. "Raoul? What are you doing here? It hasn't stopped snowing out there. If you crossed through the snow to come here, you must have business to discuss with the director, right?" "I just came from discussing the details of the masquerade ball with him... and I thought I'd stop by to see you. Am I interrupting your rehearsal?" "To tell you the truth, I haven't felt in the mood to practice for a while." "Why doesn't that surprise me?" he says softly. "Everyone at the opera is on edge because of the phantom. ____, you shouldn't feel guilty, if you relax a bit, you'll get better results in your rehearsals." "But I feel his threat like a sword hanging over my head. How do you expect me to be cheerful?" "It's just that you seem tired," his voice softens, "I'm worried about your health. I know the phantom is still a danger, but if we surrender our happiness to fear, he will have defeated us. The masquerade is in a few days... why not take the opportunity for a change of scenery?" "So... you're going?" you ask. "Of course... Actually, that's the only reason I came." He looks away, not daring to meet your eyes, and his ears are completely red. "By the way, ____, do you like to dance?" Is he asking you to the ball? You hold your breath. You can't help but think that maybe it's just your imagination. You keep your composure and look at Raoul, frowning. "Raoul, you're really weird today, are you hiding something from me?" "____, how could I?" he says, taking a deep breath. "It's just that... the director was in such a good mood, he invited me to the ball, and I thought of you. Ahem... What I mean is, would you grant me the honor of being my dance partner?" As soon as he finishes speaking, he lowers his head immediately. He doesn't dare look at you, fearing you'll disappoint him with your answer. "Well..." you say, pausing. "Okay, I know it's a little embarrassing what I'm asking..." Raoul turns around and is ready to leave. His disconsolate silhouette looks like that of a child whose dream you have just rejected. Seeing that he fell for your joke, you grab his arm. "As I was saying... Of course I will!" Raoul stops so suddenly he almost trips over his own feet. His face is filled with joy. "Really? This isn't another one of your jokes, is it?" "This time I'm not joking. Raoul, I'm very happy you asked me to go to the ball with you." "Great! What character will you portray? A peasant girl from the outskirts? Or perhaps a haughty duchess?" Raoul asks for your opinion enthusiastically. His smile gradually resembles that of the boy from ten years ago. The passage of time hasn't changed that Raoul is still just as sincere. "Now that I think about it," he adds, "since I joined the sailors, I haven't been to any banquets. I must go back and get ready. I'll pick you up promptly on the day of the ball!" "Alright! I'll be waiting for you." Raoul says goodbye to you, reluctant to leave. But suddenly, a disaster occurs. The scenery, which had always been securely fastened, suddenly collapses and falls near where Raoul is standing. You feel your heart leap out of your chest. "Raoul! Watch out!" "Stay away!" You both shout at the same time. Debris falls one piece after another, raising dust. For a few moments, you lose sight of Raoul. Fortunately, Raoul reacts quickly and avoids this unexpected disaster. "Thank goodness you're alright!" you exhale, trembling. "Don't worry, this is no danger to me," Raoul says, brushing off the dust and moving a plank that lies between you. "It seems the opera is full of dangers. Luckily, it happened to me this time, but what if it had hurt someone helpless? I must go speak with the director about this incident." "It's very strange. Since I joined the opera, nothing like this has ever happened. Why today of all days?" "Do you think someone is behind it?" His eyes darken. "I wouldn't rule out that possibility." "If, as you say, someone did it, there's something fishy going on here." "Hmm... Let's go investigate first." You and Raoul turn the place upside down, but don't uncover a single clue. Until... an out-of-place wooden box catches your attention. "I don't know if it's my imagination, but I have the impression someone moved this wooden box. I don't remember it being here. If someone truly is behind this, they made an effort to leave not a single clue. Perhaps it's...?" You and Raoul turn to look at each other. A very familiar name comes to both your minds at the same time. "The ghost! Surely he's the cause!" This time, you cannot contain your anger. These past few days,you have acted with caution, waiting for an unexpected disaster to occur at any moment. The phantom controls you at his whim. No one can be at ease inside the opera. But if you have no proof, why not draw him out of his hiding place? Determined, you go looking for possible hiding places backstage, directing your words to the corners. "You failed in your attempt to harm Raoul. You must be very disappointed and that's why you're hiding in the darkness, aren't you? Do you think that if you hide like a rat, I won't know what you did? If you think you can control us at your will, you are very mistaken! I will not bow to you! People with rotten souls will never have my respect!" Confident, you make this vow to the enemy hiding in the shadows. Raoul steps in to protect you, watching attentively in all directions. "____, if you provoke him like that, I fear he will harm you." "Raoul, there is no reason to fear a clown who takes refuge in the darkness. I don't care if he uses such vile means, a person so repugnant will sooner or later be crushed by the weight of justice." "......" "That voice... It has to be the phantom!" Suddenly, darkness envelops the opera. It is so dark you cannot even see the palm of your hand. Savage howls approach and recede until they finally disappear. One after another, the screams of women resonate in the dressing rooms, the rehearsal hall, and backstage. "It's definitely the phantom! What a terrifying voice!" someone shrieks. "Why did the lights go out suddenly? Quickly, get the lights back on!" You recognize the director's voice giving orders. "The staff is on their way, the power will be back soon!" an employee replies to him. You feel calm with Raoul by your side, even though when the lights went out, fear gripped you. Feeling danger lurking in the shadows, he took you in his arms. Despite the chaos of the scene, you do not get distracted and maintain your composure. You are calm and have an iron conviction... It is the phantom. He tried to hurt Raoul on purpose, and in his anger, he even caused panic throughout the entire opera. "The electricity is back!" The sudden return of the light discomforts you. Far from calming people,the light causes them to crowd together and run off in all directions. "____, this place isn't safe. Come with me!" Raoul takes your hand. "Alright! Let's go." Raoul accompanies you home and asks you to rest and not think too much about what happened. But you spend the whole night tossing and turning in your dreams, in which you hear the phantom's terrifying voice close to your ear. ----- The next morning, you go back to the opera, even though you know it's not the right decision. The opera is back to business as usual, but unlike before, the workers are gathered in small groups and fearfully commenting on the events of the previous night. You head to your dressing room, but when you open the door... you discover that its interior is a mess, overturned furniture, torn dresses.... "Last night, everyone ran out of the opera. Who could have entered my dressing room?" you murmur to yourself. The first thing that comes to your mind is to check if you've lost anything valuable, but upon entering the room, something on the vanity catches your eye... A beautiful scarlet rose and an envelope with a dull red seal! With trembling hands, you open the letter: «_____: Forgive me, I lost my temper. I did not mean to wreck your dressing room, but don't ask me to approve of you going to the ball with someone else. Get it out of your head! ____, please, I will give you whatever you ask... You will be the prima donna, I will shower you with glory, anything you want! Listen to me and I will do anything. The Phantom of the Opera» The Phantom... It's the ghost again! Is he everywhere? It lurks in the dark corners of the opera, futilely trying to control your life? Isn't there a way to get rid of him?" What should you do? Your mind quickly fills with all kinds of thoughts. No, you must not act rashly! The Angel of Music is affected, Raoul was about to get hurt and everyone is living under the shadow of fear... You must not provoke the ghost's anger, otherwise it will attack the people around you again. Then you apologize mentally to Raoul, because you come to the conclusion that, even if you don't want to break your promise, it would be best not to go to the ball with him. You look around. The current state of the opera is chilling, but you must be brave. Perhaps if you reach a truce with the phantom, you can make him let his guard down. You must think of a way to lure him out of his hiding place!