I suppose I should tell you what we are about. The cave, which I have been studding, sent us to Paris at about the time The Phantom of the Opera occurs. It has been about a year since the Disasters and all four of us have been called together again. We don't know yet what we are supposed to do here, but I have a strong feeling it does not concern the Phantom if he really exists. The cave let us out near the Paris Opera, and oddly enough we were able to find jobs there; Amy as a singer in the choir, Andrea as a ballerina, Laurie as a stagehand and my self as Stage Manager. As these latter jobs are only open to men, can you imagine that, they were harder to obtain since we had to convince the management that two young men such as our selves could possibly have the experience necessary for the positions we applied for.
That's the other thing, Data suggested that since many jobs are closed to women Laurie and I should masquerade as men. With his help we have been able to design relatively decent costumes which enhance this illusion. Data also designed clear "spectacles" for me, which block almost as much light as my sunglasses. Unfortunately they don't work as well as my dark glasses do and most days I end up with a headache. But as Raist would say, my sensitivity to light is a small price to pay for my art.
We have modest lodgings in a near by hotel, the down payment having been made with what was left of my reward from that little incident with the will-o-the-wisp back home. The conversion rate for gold here is highly favorable and we have more than enough to pay for lodgings, food and other necessities for several weeks. Our Lodgings here are sparse. I think Amy and I are the best adapted to this style of living. For us this is almost luxury living. At home we have to wash our own clothes by hand, here we send them out. And both Amy and I are used to the trials of travels in late fall and spring. Laurie is still used to having all of our familiar 20th century amenities and Andrea has grown accustomed to the 24th century's luxuries. It seems strange to call anywhere but Running Springs home, but so the Tower has become in the last year.
We have rehearsals to night and I still have to study so that I don't get behind.
Your loving sister,
Jennie
Dear Sarah,
To day we came up against an unexpected problem. Andrea was accosted by a stagehand with unpleasant propositions. After a long debate we decided that in order to protect Amy and Andrea from further problems they would become paramours to Laurie and myself. At least in appearance. This should be fun. I always loved acting, but I never could stand the lights.
Too bad in order to appear a man I am forced to use grease paint. Laurie and I are getting really good at making it look like we have a dark tan or a five o?clock shadow.
Stage Manager here seems to be a cross between SM and TD.
Love Jennie
Dear Sarah,
Our ruse seems to be working well. It's funny to hear Laurie curse a blue streak and someone tells her to watch her language in front of the ladies. It's also fun to accost Amy on the main stage during rehearsals and whisper "sweet nothings" in her ear. I wish you could be here, Sarah, you would laugh over the antics we pull.
You would have loved what Laurie did to Miss Carlotta the other day. Carlotta was getting a bit like Jon, bossing every one around and beating up on them when they didn't do what she wanted, and Laurie dropped a set almost on her toes. Of course the Corps blamed the Opera Ghost, but Carlotta stopped her bossing.
I really miss you. I guess now you can't say you love me more than I love you.
Love Jennie.
Dear Sarah,
It's been almost three weeks since we arrived here in Paris. I am sorry I haven?t written but I have been sliding into a depression. Last week it was all I could do to make my self eat and get to work. All I could think about was how much I missed you. I'm getting behind in my studies too, and Raist is not going to be pleased. I don't think Amy has noticed that I have been crying my self to sleep the last few nights. I'm glad I share a room with her and not one of the others. Even if she does notice she won't say anything.
We do know now what we are supposed to be doing here. There is a nest of Vampires here in the city. Apparently, they have plans to take an artifact that is going to be exhibited at a local museum. I don't know why they want it but they do and I guess it's our duty to stop them and all that. I would much rather have my old job with the national tour back.
There are some funny rumors going around in the Corps. Andrea was telling me last night that many of the girls talk about a ghost haunting the Opera and terrorizing the management. I plan on investigating these rumors as soon as possible. I have a little more clout than my friends do. Andrea also said that a girl named Meg Giry seems to be the source of many of these rumors. I began to wonder if perhaps they might have some connection to our vampires.
Love Jennie
Dear Sarah,
I got a funny note to day. It said, basically quit ogling Miss Daae or else. Actually, this is the third note like that. The first two were less threatening than this one. Personally, I would be more than happy to do as the writer wishes, if only could figure out who Miss Daae is. I have been having trouble sleeping recently so I took up wandering the Opera to keep from bothering Amy. The smell of sets in progress seems to calm my nerves. I've been thinking to much about my life before the Disasters to much lately. I wish you could read these letters. Even though I know you'll never see them I keep writing.
Love, Jennie
Dear Sarah,
I was wandering around in the back hallways early this morning, I couldn?t sleep again, and I heard voices talking in one of the dressing rooms. There are halls, and halls of unused rooms here. The place is a labyrinth of rooms and closets you and the boys would have loved it here. After a while one of the voices began singing. I couldn't help but stay and listen. It reminded me of my Phantom C.D. I don't know why I didn?t think about it before but it occurred to me that listening to Phantom might brake my depression. I guess it's a good thing I brought my discman and that C.D.
Love, Jennie
Dear Sarah,
From what I have managed to ascertain, the ghost is not related to our vampires, this, after what happened this morning, does not surprise me. We have managed to kill several of the vampires we are hunting, but since they are night creatures and our jobs often require us to be out during the day we are loosing sleep. I am getting very behind on my studies. Amy says she misses you too
Love, Jennie
Dear Sarah,
Things are getting stranger every day here. This morning I was walking near those old less used dressing rooms and I heard the voices again. We keep some of the costumes back there and I was looking for several for the up coming gala. It sounded like a singing lesson but I couldn't hear much of what was being said. I don't know why I didn't consider the possibility of the affair of the Phantom with everything else that has happened to me in the last year, but it seems to be real. I suppose I just didn't want it to be true. Just our luck to get involved in that as well.
Love Jennie
Dear Sarah,
What a night! I forgot to tell you that the Opera was undergoing a change of managers. The Opera threw a big party for the old managers and to welcome the new ones. You would have loved it all the lights and costumes and dancing and talking and everything. It was like one of Mom and Dad's Fourth parties. I'm just plain tired.
