Calico Illustrated Classics: The Phantom of the Opera
1 It’s the Ghost Many years ago terrible tragedies fell upon the Opera house in Paris A ghost roamed its many floors Did he really exist Did a great singer disappear twice from the eyes of the house Why did so many people flee in fear and refuse to return These questions had no answers and remained a mystery until now I have researched the stories It is now time to tell you all I know The managers at the great Opera house were giving a party to mark their retirement Sorelli a dancer was in her dressing room getting ready for her performance Suddenly six younger dancers invaded her room 4
It’s the ghost said the youngest dancer Jammes She locked the door Sorelli shuddered Although she called Jammes a silly little fool she couldn’t help but ask questions Did you see him As I see you now said Jammes She dropped into a chair and cried He’s very ugly said Meg Giry He appeared to me It was as if he walked through the wall He was simply there Over the last several months all the girls spoke of such sightings The legend of the Opera Ghost spread quickly It was hard to know who really laid eyes upon him and who just wanted to join in the fun If anyone met with an accident they blamed the ghost If anyone became ill they blamed the ghost If something was missing they blamed the ghost It became a game of sorts Joseph Buquet the stage manager had really seen the ghost He saw him near the cellars The ghost fled as soon as he was spotted 5
He is thin His dress coat hangs on him as if he’s a skeleton said Joseph His eyes are simply two black holes They float in a dead man’s skull His skin is a nasty yellow He has no nose and barely any hair at all Since Joseph was a trustworthy man almost everyone believed him Those who didn’t at first soon realized that a ghost must be responsible for all the odd happenings at the Opera house Sorelli was thinking of Joseph’s description when Jammes said Listen I hear him A rustling sound could be heard outside the door It stopped Sorelli tried to be brave She went up to the door Who’s there Of course no one replied Little Meg Giry cried Whatever you do don’t open the door Sorelli turned the key and threw open the door She bravely poked her head into the hallway It was empty She slammed the door shut 6
