Wynne mimicked Meg, as she stretched to warm up her leg muscles.

"Alright ladies!  Since we only have ten days till Hannibal is opening I want to see you all in perfect form." Mme. Giry ordered. 

"Yes madame!" the girls chorused.

"Meg, I want you coaching Wynne. To get her up to speed with the other girls." Madame smiled.

"Yes maman!" Meg chirped.

Meg led Wynne to the side of the stage, and begun the tedious task of teaching her the steps to the slave girl dance in Hannibal.

Wynne watched as the new managers were led around and Soreli took center stage.

"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye!" Soreli's voice was akin to that of an angry goose.

Meg winced and covered her ears.

Wynne sucked in some air through her teeth.

The director looked up to the heavens and seemed to be praying for lighting to strike.

---

The odious woman would not stop singing... If you could call that singing. Erik felt as though somebody had taken an ice pick to his head.

He left the box promptly and headed back to the reprieve of his lair.

That poor little girl... what was her name... Wynne. The new girl. How he wished he could shield her ears for her. This simply wouldn't do. If Soreli sang, it would be ruinous to the Opera. There must be somebody else who doesn't sound like a dying swan.

Erik made a mental note to speak to Nadir about this. Perhaps the odd little man in the odd little cap could prove useful to Erik after all.

Besides it was well past time to greet the new management.

Erik sat down at his desk to compose his letter.

He dipped the pen in the ink well and got to work.

My Dear Managers,

Welcome Monsieur's to my Opera. I do so hope you will treat it with the dignity it deserves.

Rehearsals today were damnable as I'm sure you agree. I would suggest you find somebody capable to play as the lead, unless of course you wish to make the audience's ears bleed. In which case feel free to leave Soreli as the lead.

In other matters I have not received my salary. I shall expect the 2000 Francs in my box by the end of the day.

I do rather hope we can come to an agreement. I'd hate to have a repeat of the whole Carlotta incident. Messy business.

And as always I remain your obedient servant. O.G.

Erik smiled and sealed the letter. He would simply leave this on the manager's desk and that hopefully would be the end of that.

Erik smirked and tucked the letter into his pocket, taking the stairs two at a time. He gasped as he nearly bowled Madame Giry over.

"I'm terribly sorry Madame!" Erik exclaimed.

"Erik, good I was just about to go looking for you."

"You were?" Erik frowned. Had he ever met this woman??

"M. Kahn told me about your memory problems. I do hope this means you'll take it easy on the new management." Mme Giry replied.

"Of course I will!  Provided they follow my instructions."

Madame Giry huffed impatiently. "I suppose you have a better idea of whom to cast for the main role then?"

"Actually I'm open to suggestions. I know of nobody who can sing ever since Christine left."

"I think we should leave that to the management."

"I am the management."

Giry gave him a tired look.

"You are in charge of all the ballerinas correct?"

"Why?"

"Just answer my question." Erik huffed.

"Oui I am."

"Tell me about your newest recruit... Wynne is it?" Erik leaned against the wall.

Madame Giry's face hardened, "Non. Absolutely not!"

"Please Madame?" Erik begged.

She sighed, "There is not much to tell. She is a friend of my daughter's. That's all."

"Perhaps I should ask your daughter then." Erik replied nonchalantly.

"You will do no such thing!" Madame Giry burst.

Erik shrugged. "Well, as I'm sure you are a very busy woman I'll take up no more of your time. Besides, I have a letter to deliver~"

"Erik!" Madame Giry called after him.

"Au Reviour, Mademoiselle~"

And with a swish of his cape Erik was gone.

Madame Giry stood still in the darkened hallway trying to process what had happened.