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Phantom of the Opera samples taken at Finchale Abbey in Durham UK. Photographer Robert Barnes (Immacu-Snap Studios Ltd) www.immacu-snap.co.uk
By Charles Garnier, opened 5th January 1875. Designed in what Garnier is said was "Napoleon III" style. The façade and the interior followed the Napoleon III style principle of leaving no space without decoration. A variety of colours, for theatrical effect, was achieved through the use of different varieties of marble and stone and gilded bronze. The two gilded figural groups by Charles Gumery usually adorning the top corners are absent in this 1996 view.
The Palais Garnier has been called "probably the most famous opera house in the world and a symbol of Paris. This is at least partly due to its use as the setting for Gaston Lecroux’s 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera.
I only put one of my ari's in the photo since the other i have alittle project for her :D
"If this idea of putting a Novi Star head on a Monser High Body inspires you to make your own please credit me ;)"
Vaudeville Games
A villainous study in 2 actes.
Acte 2
Soon the “Grandmother came walking out from the corridor (sans mink), rubbing her finger along her nose, the “granddaughter” noticed the sign rose from her chair, leaving her dejeweled friend playing happily with the boa, while she slinked cunningly off. The two met inconspicuously in front of the back corner and began whispering together in a conspirator like manner as they looked around, something in the corridor must have given the devious “Grandmother” and idea for some sort of fresh opportunity and they were looking for someone to try it out on! I think I spotted it before they did, but not by much, as I saw them both start looking in the same direction that I had been.
The grandmother went first, heading over to the bar and asked for a glass of wine, which I noticed she no more than sipped at as she watched the “Granddaughters” Progress. The “granddaughter “ then slowly moved out on her own course, zeroing in on a small group of 10 mid- teenagers, playing a game of hopscotch on the floor tiles in a far corner between my table and the restrooms.
Four of the group were suit clad boys, nothing they possessed would be of interest to her. However, the other six would fit her objective, being that they, all girls dressed in glossy attire, were wearing the “good stuff”. Four were exhibiting jewelry of glittering rhinestones, number 5 was adorned with a rather pricey display of gold glistening from her shiny green taffeta clad figure, and the 6th…. Ahh, but the 6th one was quite the exception, and the one I knew was in the granddaughter’s” devious sight. She was pretty, a doe eyed ginger haired doll faced lass, a bit older (an immature 17?) than her playmates, resplendent in a expensively long gown of pleated purple silk, with a seed pearled pattern sewn into the gown’s bodice. She was wearing long satin gloves dyes perfectly to match her gown, and holding in her slippery grasp a small fat satin clutch purse of the same hue. She was adorned with a fine matching display of costly white pearls that went well with her gown and darker completion. Her attractive jewelry dangled ever so invitingly with a pure white gleam; a double rope necklace, matching earrings, and bracelet. Her long plait of soft blonde hair was intertwined with a rope of pearled silver. She also was in possession of a single, remarkably fancy ring, an adult’s pinky cocktail ring that fit snugly along her index finger, it was set with a single large oval Japanese sea pearl surrounded by a row sparkling diamond chips.
The “Granddaughter” quite understandably zeroed in on young Miss purple silk, quickly attaining her friendship. I noticed that both girls were about the same height and physique, an observation that would hit home to me later on. The “Granddaughter” started chatting up her new friend up royally as they watched the others play, each one admiring the others glittering trinkets. I had been wondering what the “Granddaughter” had up her shiny satin sleeve; as I saw her and her friend in the appealingly fluttering purple silk gown, start to walk a little way off, unnoticed by all but one of her playmates, the green taffeta clad girl who was watching with interest.
I had lost track of the “Grandmother” so it was with a start that I noticed her coming out of the Ladies room, and when she spied the “Granddaughter” and her friend, and she causally waltzed over. I could tell that the “Granddaughter” was putting on the act that she the “Grandmother” was just as much a stranger to her, as the older lady was to her new friend, or should I now more appropriately be calling her next victim instead of a new friend!
The “Grandmother” chatted with the two young girls, asking them questions, making them feel comfortable around her. She admired their clothing, and Miss purple silk happily showed of the gown she was wearing with it’s fancy seed pearl decoration. I saw that the “Granddaughter” had been watching the girl in green taffeta, and as soon as the youngster’s attention was focused elsewhere, the “Granddaughter” did a most peculiar thing, she reached up, and undoing her own necklace, slipped it off out of sight in a pocket of her skirt. As she did, I saw the “Grandmother” who had been apparently waiting for the sign, made an excuse like she had to be somewhere, and left the pretty pair of young ladies.
I watched, with some curiosity I will freely admit; as the “Grandmother” walked briskly back up along the wall towards the hidden corridor. She had almost reached the corridors entrance when I happened to look back to the “Granddaughter” just as she began to feel her throat, putting on an act about her now missing necklace. . Miss purple silk had begun to look around on the floor, when the “Granddaughter” grabbed her arm and pointed towards” The Grandmother”! I could tell that she was telling Miss purple silk that the older lady had somehow taken it, and was getting away. This was just as “Grandmother “disappeared around the corner, it had been timed perfectly, giving me an odd impression that this wasn’t a new trick they were pulling . The “Granddaughter” quickly scurried off after her. Following right behind the “Granddaughter”, in a flurry of shimmering jewels, purple silk and satin, the 17 year old followed her new friend, concern spreading across her pretty face.
The pair made it to the end, disappeared down the corridor, unnoticed by anyone but me. I decided to wait this latest bit of skullduggery by the two female con artists out. I reckoned that the worst thing that could physically happen to miss purple silk was her hands being pinned behind her back as the “Grandmother” nimbly run her fingers up and down the teen’s slippery gown locating and stripping the young lady of her pricey pearls, or minute prickling’s as her ring and earrings were removed! I was positively sure that the light-fingered pair was after nothing more from their victim, otherwise I would have had to intervene at once!
The methods the two female thieves had been employing were not by any means close to my way of doing things by any measure, and deucedly to steal from any female under twenty was not my cup of tea atoll! So, the situation now being what it was, I decided to wait and watch, trying to time it just right before rescuing Miss purple satin, deducing that it may prove more profitable to me in the long run to hold me horses.
I had, by my timepiece, been waiting almost 15 minutes when, strangely enough, a figure looked around from the corner. It was the “Granddaughter”! What was she up to now ,I thought, as I saw her inch back along the wall, looking back to the group still happily playing off in their corner. I saw her eyes following the girl in green taffeta with the dangling, shiny gold jewelry. She couldn’t be contemplating what I thought she was, not with the bird the pair already had in hand, it absolutely made no sense!
But just then it was announced that the cake cutting would be commencing, and the children playing hop scotch all scampered off to join the moving crowd that was gathering at the far end of the cavernous room. The “Granddaughter “watched as whatever opportunity she had in mind, slipped out of reach from her ringed fingers,
The “Granddaughter”, a clear look of displeasure creeping into her eyes, walked back to the spot where she had first encountered the group of children. As she watched the festivities, I could tell her eyes her checking out the now deserted tables. She spied the boa still on its chair, and slowly made her way towards it.
The “Grandmother” then appeared from around the corner and looking for the “Granddaughter” spied her and questioningly caught her eye. The “granddaughter”, looked at the “Grandmother” as her hand laid upon the feathery boa, looked around and shrugged. The “Grandmother” nodded back, signaling that it was time to shove off then. The “Granddaughter” picked up the Boa, (probably with the idea to make the same use of it at some other function) and started to move her way out. I started to rise, time to get into action, but at that moment I saw the “Grandmother’s” head snap up, looking over at the crowd where the cake was being cut. The “Granddaughter” looked over also, as I followed suit.
A lady in a swishing long black gown had been bent over talking to the young girl wearing the emerald green taffeta gown and glistening gold chains. The girl had pointed towards the play area, then spotting the “granddaughter” had pointed her out. She had now straightened and departed away from the flocking crowd of cake watchers, heading our way, alone and obviously looking for someone.
She was a rather a quite attractive wealthy lady of not more than 20 years of age. She was clad in a long black A-line gown of shiny liquid satin, that literally appeared to be poured down over her rather nicely endowed figure, shimmering quite appealingly from all points of interest as she gracefully moved , her long gown swirling around in step. The gown fell swishing down to her green satin spiked heeled feet, fluttering in motion around them as she walked ever closer to unrealized peril. A real corker, this lassie was. But it was not her slinky satin gown that had caught the thieves’ attention, but the quite copious display of dazzling white diamond jewelry flickering along her slickly shiny black satin clad figure that warranted the drooling, desirous looks.
The Siren, a green eyed beauty with flowing locks of naturally red hair, made her way towards the back area, looking about her in earnest. I saw the pair of mischievous watchers pass a sign, and as the “Grandmother” disappeared in wait back down the passage, the “Granddaughter” moved off, and standing by the lady’s powder room, watched and waited like a cat will a mouse scurrying about, diligently waiting to pounce! Her prey made it to the area where the hopscotch game had been played, and it was then that the “granddaughter” approached her. If she hadn’t, I probably would have.
As she had walked over I took the opportunity to scrutinize her abundant display of jewels. A long silver necklace shimmered with diamonds set in a grape leaf pattern that fell to a v hanging down just over her gown’s top, that covered her fine “clivage”. Long sparkling earrings, patterned after her necklace, flickered fire as they swung to and fro. Hanging from the wide strip of rippled sash like material around her waist area of her black gown, swayed a leaf shaped silver brooch set with diamond chips. She wore long black satin gloves, around each wrist were twin wide fiery diamond bracelets, while from 3 fingers, 2 on the right, one on the left, were glistening cocktail rings of diamond and emeralds, not a sign of an engagement ring or wedding band. She was wearing a short button less jacket of midnight black satin, with ¾ sleeves over her bare shoulders. On the left side of the jacket was pinned a clip in the shape of a pouncing cat. With green emeralds for its feline slanted eyes, and its entire figure encrusted with glittery diamond stones and chips, it was an incredibly beautiful piece of work, probably Tiffanies, definitely valuable!
All in all it was a very heathy display of what a few hundred thousand grand of loose change ( to one of her ilk) can buy. The” Grandmother” and her blonde “Granddaughter” had hit the jackpot with this one, if they were able to lure her off. I took a quick look around, ladies like her usually always travelled in pairs, especially if they were wandering off somewhere, but this young darling apparently had missed that memo. Being alone, and wearing jewelry of that caliber, made her just that much more vulnerable to pickpockets, thieves and such, even at wedding receptions!
I could now overhear wisps of conversation. Apparently the siren was looking for her kid sister, and from the description, it appeared to be non-other than the pearl wearing miss purple silk, who had fallen ever so rudely into the thieves’ clutches and had been lured away to some hidden corner to fates unknown.
The “Granddaughter” her large blue eyes wide with concern, pointed in the direction of the corridor. The young miss in black satin put a hand to her chest, jewels flashing, falling for it, hook, line and soon to be diamond-less figure. I watched with some self-centered interest as the pair made their way off, soon disappearing around the corner with a silent disappearing swish of her gown, unnoticed by anyone but me, and the girl in emerald green taffeta who I also had seen watching the activity. I kept my eye on her, feeling some anxiety that she would be the fly in the ointment, but she soon turned her shiny young back to it, losing interest, in order to join the line for cake. I breathed a sigh of relief, the game was still afoot for me. I decided to wait now that the coast was clear, wait to give the pair enough time to start in on their new victim. It was imperative that I catch them in the act with no doubts as to their evil intentions if my plan was to work to my ultimate benefit!
Wait about 10 minutes , I figured, before someone should probably investigate, I kenw the pair would not waste any more precious time, their clock was ticking out fast. But as I reached that conclusion, a lady, splendidly clad in a long dress of maroon silken lace, passed by the corridor, heading off to a lady’s powder room as she wiped a bit of cake from her front. Things could wait little longer if necessary I told myself.
I got up and headed over to where the Ladies powder room was located. Beside the powder room was a small alcove with an old phone hanging on the wall for personal calls. I pretended to be on it, watching the doorway. Mere minutes later I heard it open and at the first sign of the silken lace dress, I put up the phone and lumbered out, plowing right into her as she exited. I got a whiff of sweet perfumed as her long hair flew into my face as I grasped her warm figure to keep her from toppling. I successfully scared the living daylights out of her! Her eyes wide with embarrassment as I apologized profusely, slipping my hand along her sensuous figure with the ruse of steadying her as I made sure she was okay, my fingers finding their pretty objective. The entire episode lasted mere seconds before I was off and on my way, leaving behind me in my wake the flustered lass tying to recollect her wits. I smiled to myself, my hand in a pocket, releasing from my grasp the plucked diamond brooch that had taunted me when I first detected it brightly glimmering as it dangled loosely down from its very pick able perch on Miss silken lace’s lovely tightfitting gown as she had strolled by the fateful corridor.
I had spotted it early on, a far too valuable piece to try for under normal circumstances, but then, present circumstances were now anything but normal, now weren’t they? But now I had it now, the easily $75,000 piece was comfortably slumming it with the now cold bracelet (a mere $25,000) also residing in the same pocket. Time to get back to work I now told me self, my mind buzzing with high hopes of success.
I than walked over to where I had two of my security guards located by one of the many exits. I nodded to Pete, one of the men I had handpicked for this job ( all of them selected due to their lack of attentiveness, and lack of common sense) , I whispered something to him, explaining the situation, and he followed me over to the entrance of the corridor., leaving the other one to continue guarding the door, not that it was doing much good, it was the same door that the “Grandmother” and “Granddaughter” had brazenly strolled through unchallenged!
The corridor was long, with a pair of closets on either side., ending in a set of stairs, about 6, leading down to a landing with yet another door; this was not to a closet, but to a workroom with an outside exit. I had made a careful study of the building and its exits the day before. When we reached the workroom door, I slowly turning the handle, then flung it open and we thrusted our way inside, pistols drawn.
The” Grandmother” and the “Granddaughter” were just finishing tying up their second victim, the siren in the black satin gown, to a chair; she had been gagged with dirty rags, her brite green eyes looked at us wide with fear. The sister was also tied to a chair across the room, and blindfolded, neither seemed to have been maltreated., other than the fact the younger sister was clad only in a long purple satin slip. The pair of female thieves also looked up at us startled, frozen in step. I looked them over, then I looked over at the tied up lady, and her sister, there was no sign of any jewelry, which is what I was hoping for. I had timed it perfectly, I smirked to meself.
“So what’s been goin on here then? “ I asked, knowing full well what had been “goin on” just by the looks of things before my eyes.
I identified myself in my official capacity, as head of security for the function, and had the “Grandmother” and her “Granddaughter” line up against the wall, and told Pete to hold his pistol on them.
I went over and removed the gag from Black satin, she was shakin something awful. I told her to be still, and untied her bindings. She rose shakily as I helped her stand, falling onto me, and then huggin me as she wept. I patted her, relishing in the incredible softness of her gown that prettily was draped along her warm figure. It’s all right now my dear, I said soothingly, as I comforted her , making sure at the same time that she wasn’t holding out on anything. She pulled away, “my sister” she said, looking straight at me, blasting me with the gaze of wide green eyes.
Go untie her I suggested, and in a swishing of her gown, she moved swiftly over to the unfortunate lass. We all watched, not a word spoken, as miss purple silk was freed from her bindings, and the blindfold removed. Both sisters than embraced, a quite touching sight, the older sister took off her shiny black jacket, and placed it over the other’s shivering shoulders. I was happy that I had been able interfere before the thieves had taken anymore advantages, but, before things started calming down, and words started to be said from the two victims, I knew that I would have to take command of the situation.
I beckoned to Peter. “Ere Pete, take these ladies outside and have them go to their people, and use the phone by the rest rooms to call the local police in, then report back here.” “I will wait her with these two buggers.” Pete nodded obediently, unquestioningly, which is why I usually call upon him when the situations requires a bit of, how should I say it, delicate maneuvering. As they all left, I backed up to the door and wedged it from the inside, surprised that these two against the wall had not taken the very same precautions.
“All right ladies, I want each of you in turn to approach the table and put the goods on the it” ,I commanded in no uncertain words! “What do you mean?” growled the “Grandmother”? “Come on sister “I responded, “people are talking, seems that some of the youn’uns are missen their jewels!” As the pair of them started to balk and protest, I waved my pistol, “trust me ladies, you don’t want me search ‘in for it.”
The “Granddaughter” approached the table first, and tossed down upon it the small purple silk purse, it landed with a quite satisfyingly heavy plop, I inwardly smiled. She went back to her position on the wall, and I indicated for the “Grandmother to approach next. She came up, a snarling look upon her face, quite different than the look of simpering kindness she had been given her victims.” Hurry it up now” I said, and watched as she reached twice deep into her skirt, came out holding a pile of shimmery jewels and another of glistening pearls in her cupped hand, and laid it on the table. Then as they both were back at the wall, looking at me, wonderingly. I snapped “Turn around” I said, “I don’t want to see your thieving mugs,” and they did, defiantly.
Without changing my expression, I opened the purse, and dumped out its glittering contents, then carefully, but quickly, studied the gleaming piles . it was all there I reckoned, and most certainly the pieces of it I was interested in. I walked over to the work bench, picked up the high-backed chair the girl had been tied to, and walked it back with one hand, turned it around and sat on it backwards, my pistol, pointing at the backside pair of female thieves, resting my hand on the chairs high backside. Using my left hand I began placing the jewelry back into the purse, or at least my pair of captive thieves’ thought that was what I was doing with it!
When I finished with that business at hand, I looked around, saw the mink, boa, purple silk gown and matching gloves, all piled on the floor by the stairs leading to the outside exit. I was wondering what the function was that the “Granddaughter” had been planning to wear the purloined purple silk gown to, for I harbored no doubts that was why they stripped it off from their victim! I said nothing more, nor did the pair against the wall, though I caught them stealing questioning looks to each other.
Pete returned, knocking on the door, I backed up and removing the wedge, let him in. I told him to watch the pair, and left the room, leaving the purse on the table, I told Pete I was checking to make sure things were calm, to tell my other guards what was going on, and wait for the local police inspector to arrive.
When the coppers did finally arrive, a full about 40 minutes later , tardy as usual, it quelling the frazzled guests considerably. I welcomed them and led them to the workroom. We entered, and there was Pete, all tied up and gagged, with no sign of either the “Grandmother” or “Granddaughter”! The mink, boa, purple silk gown, and the gowns’ matching clutch purse(containing the cheapest of the jewels), had all gone away with the fleeing pair! The miscreants had taken it all, along with Pete’s pistol (which was later found outside, empty), and had scampered to off some hiding hole.
The cops, not the least bit happy with the situation, (but rental cops, in their opinion, are rarely a competent breed anyway), took down our statements, and those of the victims as well. They then left, waiting until then to place out an all-points bulletin on the suspects(which suited me fine, give them even more time to disappear). Everything soon settled down as best as could be under the circumstances. The final 2 hours of the reception went off without a hitch. But, giving the fact that the “flock” was a bit skittish now, it would ‘ave been difficult for anyone to make any further attempts at “shearing”em of their opulent jewels anyhows.
I drove home hours afterwards, my mind abuzz with what had transpired, trying to make it all clear to me how to best approach the opportunities that had quite literally fallen into my hands.
That night, sleep was hardly, me friend.
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Epilogues, of sorts:
6 weeks later, in a large city about 2 states away, the young lady who had been wearing the emerald green taffeta gown with glimmering gold chains in the tale told above, was now in attendance at a wedding for the daughter of one of her papa’s fellow congressmen. Her mother had encased her daughter in an expensive silk dress of soft ocean blue for the occasion, telling her she needed to be on her best behavior, and not to be under her Father’s foot for the occasion!
While nestled in the receiving line, behind her parents, the young lady had felt the slightest of tugs at the back of her dress. A minute later she discovered that the bib pearl necklace that had been her great aunts, had fallen away from her throat and was missing. A hurried 15 minutes looking around the church for it, had failed to come across it, and she was scolded for being so neglectful in losing such a valuable piece, and also for causing her Father a bit of embarrassment in the process.
Then at the wedding reception, the girl, already on the alert, spotted the very same slinky purple gown with the seed pearled bodice and matching gloves that she had seen a girl wearing a few weeks earlier. The girl whom had had been pulled in a back room and had been mugged!
She studied the girl now wearing it, even with her blonde hair dyed black, she was recognizable as the girl who had been one of the thieves at that reception, the “Granddaughter” The thief was walking with a young lady elegantly attired, whom she recognized as the niece of the congressman! As the girl in blue watched the pair move off, an older lady with silver hair, wearing a pretty top and skirt, approached them, and the 3 moved off. The inquisitive girl in ocean blue silk, followed. The trio had stopped by a window, looking out at something. The girl in ocean blue moved closer to see what it was all about. She could see the 3 ladies reflection in the window. Suddenly she froze; something was not quite right, out of place. It took her only seconds to figure it out, the congressman’s niece, sandwiched in between the thief and the older lady, was missing the necklace of diamonds that she had been wearing when the young girl in ocean blue silk had first seen them, only minutes before!
The girl, in a swirling of her blue silk dress, scurried off as fast as her high heels could carry her, to find her parents. Her parents, reluctantly at first, finally listened after she had pointed out the suspect to them. Her Father took his daughter to the congressman’s security who had her point the “Granddaughter” out. They approached the Niece first, finding her still standing alone by the window. She, with a gasp, confirmed to them that her diamonds had indeed, vanished. They reached the pair as they were making their separate exits out of the reception. “The Grandmother” and “Granddaughter” were caught red handed, pearl bib necklace and the nieces diamond necklace, and plus assorted, mismatched pieces of jewelry being found hidden in secret pockets. All of it had been slipped off the silken figures of young ladies attending the wedding and reception, whom had the misfortune to meet up with the charming “Granddaughter”!
It turned out that neither of the female thieves was what they had appeared to be! The “Grandmother” was an old washed up actress and vaudeville magician named Agnes Adelyirood, in her late 40’s ,who had been forced to find other means to scrape a living, she had dyed her hair gray, and taken on the demeanor of a much older , kinder, lady. The “granddaughter” was not a 16 or 17 year old girl, but a 26 year old midget named Doris M__, whom Agnes had known from her vaudeville days, when her specialty was to play the part of a young girl. Together they had been working as a team combing the country and lifting jewels at the most posh’ist of events.
The authorities, after searching their rented apartment in a shoddy part of the city, discovered several piles of hot jewels and other goods stashed away, including the purple clutch purse with the lesser jewelry from the job they had pulled at the reception my firm had been hired for security. Not included, of course, was the more valuable pieces reported missing from the function, which the authorities mistakenly believed had been broken down and pawned right away by the light fingered pair.
It was after reading all about this in a formal police report and the conclusions that had been reached, that I had finally made some decisions that I had been mulling over.
Now I must admit, being a skilled thief, and also owning my own security business, had certainly turned out to having its benefits…Basically being paid to watch for thieves, leaving the glittering venue open for me to do a bit of thievery on me own.
But for the five years I had been in business, I knew that eventually someone might finally catch on, though it was amazing how daft the wealthy can be most of times, not to mention gullible. To which fact I had caught onto early on and worked the “fields” profitably to my benefit.
But I had been thinking over the past year that it may be time to get out of the business, living off the small nest egg I had acquired over the past 5 years. But that nest egg had suddenly, quite unexpectedly hatched into a small treasure trove.
I owned an old stone cottage on the Cornish coast that had been in me family for generations. Retiring to it while still relatively young, living the life of the country gentleman while I was still youthful enough to enjoy it ; fish a little, evening walks with the dogs at my heels, watch a sunset, rise as I so desired, all had always been me pipe dream. . I, until recently, did not possess quite enough funds to make it a reality. And until I knew for certain which way the winds of change would come, I was unable to really make us of what fortunes I now possessed. But, with the pair caught and being blamed for the missing diamonds, everything had fallen quite neatly into place!
So, I finally decided, run the business, with a clean nose, for another year, let things cool down, and then I would sell the business to Pete and his fellow guards. They all had had been showing an interest as of late, and seeing how Pete had been the unwitting part of my plan by letting Agnes and Doris escape, it was the least I could do for him and the rest.
Also, In her last letter to me, the ginger haired lass I had left back home, had broadly hinted that she would like more than anything to see me again, which was surprising, since the last time we had danced I had carried out a light-fingered lift of the emeralds she had been wearing at her university’s formal!
But I guess love can be blind. She had apparently let her pretty self see my nicking her jewels as a loan to get me started, a loan that I was prepared to pay back, with interest, and I had already written her expressing that desire!
.
Back home my late Grandfather, whom I had learned a thing or two from back in the day, had always been fond of saying when certain tricky issues arose ; “lie low for a bit, like a fox in the hedgerow, wait until the dogs had sniffed past and the trail cold before, darting home.”
And that my dear friends, was exactly what I was going to do!
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Epilogue Duex
11 months Later
So it was that 11 months to the day I had read the report on the capture of Agnes and Doris, that I found meself on a vessel heading across the pond…
As I watched the waning shoreline I looked again down to the letter I held in my hand. It was written by my friend in England, the Ginger Haired lass, agreeing to my plan to meet her up at my Cornish based cottage the weekend of my return. The letter was signed with x’s and a faint lipstick stained mouth print. So I was fairly sure of the reception I would be receiving.
My luggage was on board, including me steamer trunk with its hidden drawer containing a small fortune in jewels.
I had already wired ahead my nest egg, which included the amount accumulated over six years in the security/shearing business, and the sale of that Business to Peter, along with the money I received from……
But me mind wandered to Peter and his cohorts. I had sold the business to them a month before, and had learned through channels that those ingrates were smearing my good name, hinting that I had been in cohorts with Agnes Axelrod, of all things.
Peter had no clue as to the double life I had been leading, and he had no idea how many times I had been approached by the criminal elements willing to “grease my palms if I just would look the other way! Of course I always played the saint, and chased them off…….. So as far as Peter really knew, I was clean as a whistle, and he had no basis for his attack on me name.
So, as I felt the ship lurching as it left the channel, I smiled to meself, paybacks old son, I murmered silently to the unsuspecting Peter and his crew. For , before leaving I had made use of those contacts gleaned from the underworld.
In a fortnight there was to be a rather grand reception put on by a local church diocese with the intentions of enriching themselves under the pretext of hosting a Black Tie Dance, Gourmet Dinner and Casino Night. I had secured the Job the year before, and as an incentive to Peter buying the business, had secured it for this year.
Then Peter had to go and shoot off his mouth… Well, for a rather surprisingly handsome price, I had sold inside information about the Diocesan Event to the cohorts of a rather greedy mobster.
I harbored no doubts as to the gang’s intentions and plans for the monied ( and jewel laden) participants of that event, nor to the ineffectiveness of Peter and his crew to preventing them being carried out.
The whistle blew one last time as the grand ship left port. I turned back and made my way below decks, to catch up on a bit of reading….
Beginning my new, saint like existence of being crime free
.
As I made me way below decks , still basking in Peter receiving his comeuppance, I let me thoughts wander and caress over a memory from previous year’s Diocesan event.
I had just relived a wealthy gent of a wallet containing his casino winnings when from behind me I heard the rather enticing sounds of something silky swishing about. I immediately slowed down and was soon passed by a rather fetching, long haired female vixen . I watched as her form fitting green satin dress moved silkily along her figure, whipping and whisking about her shapely figure with each passing motion…. She was also enticingly dripping with jewels of sparkling diamonds.
I replayed the entire episode in me mind, as I started to follow her discreetly, watching and waiting like the hungry fox watches prey from the shadows of his hedgerow……
Fini
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"If this idea of putting a Novi Star head on a Monser High Body inspires you to make your own please credit me ;)"
Chatwick Chronicles
A Persistent Saga
Intro
The Doctoral Candidate
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From Chatwick SL
The study below was derived from facts uncovered while doing research for the following Doctoral dissertation:
Light to the shadows of their mind:
Criminal tactics and strategies
Criminology Department .
Chatwick University
Case Study 48
Accounts derived from a series of meetings clandestinely conducted with the subject.
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She had never had interviewed anyone quite like this one, even Angelica!
She was in the twilight of a doctoral thesis that had been in the works for almost three years now. The research she was doing centered on career criminals, trying to pinpoint in her studies of how they operated, trying to establish motives that may have been compelling enough for them to have lived the lives they did. Her conjectures were that by understanding their thought processes, a series of tests could be developed that could be used on younger subjects to determine their rehabilitation attainment perspective.
She had interviewed dozens of career criminals from assorted paths in life. Most of whom had been hardened ,elderly, and had paid their dues, or were in the process of doing so( Prison). It had not been an easy time of it, a rough road of hurt, treachery and deceit, running the gauntlet from muggers, to pickpockets, to burglars, to various other thieves. Gathering information from them, weeding fact from fiction through checking histories, deciding whether or not to use what she had gathered it in her research , testing the results and writing them up! The last 3 years had certainly been a rollercoaster ride, a whirlwind of activity, number crunching, and pages upon pages of notes:. then, amongst all this controlled chaos of her work, He had come into her life
This One had been different. He had contacted her, never revealing exactly why, or how He had heard of her and her project. She had gone into it blind, not knowing anything about the man, what he did, or really even if it was at all relevant to her research. She had only the subjects assurance, through an intermediary( A Priest), that it would be to her benefit to interview him.
She had already made plans to go out that evening when abruptly informed of the time of meeting she had been trying to coordinate with him. She was under the impression that it was a one shot deal, and would not last for more than a couple of hours.
Since she would already be in the city, she convinced her date to act as chaperone, and then they would leave after the interview for their night out clubbing. She had thought nothing of wearing her favorite party dress to the interview. It was a pretty thing, a russet velvet top and bronze taffeta skirt. She had even worn her good jewelry, gold with inset pearls, wearing her long hair down, but tied back so the long earrings of the set could dangle freely.
She remembered clearly the evening of their first encounter; it had almost seemed ominous when she and her companion had pulled up to the address given to her. It was an old lime stoned church, with gothic overlays, the stone darkened black with age. All it needed was a group of villagers with torches and pitchforks to make the picture complete, her friend had joked, but she had not found it funny.
She had gone inside with some reservation, it all seemed too much like something out of a film noir bit of theatre. She remembered thinking that thought as , just before opening one of the old oak doors to the church, as she was brushing back a wisp of her hair, her fingers touching a long pearled gold earring. She also had remembered thinking, as she had been going through her notes weeks afterwards, how much differently she would have approached the interview if she had been aware of the most peculiar nature of the Man waiting inside for her!
She may have given more thought to how she had dressed, if she had known the type of man she was interviewing! But as it turned out, her idea to kill 2 birds with one stone that evening may have been quite fortuitous indeed.
The Priest, vicar of the church, met the two of them as they came into the church. He was a cheerful man in his mid-fifties with reddish hair and beard , complete with a deep Irish brogue and twinkling green eyes, He had had her companion go up into the choir loft, where there were refreshments of scones, tea and/or wine. The good father indicated that once she was situated at the interview, he would join her date in the loft to keep her companion company. This would become the practice with rest of her various escorts from the University; sitting with the Vicar in the choir loft as the priest kept an ever watchful eye on the activities going on below in the nave of his church.
Otherwise the church was deserted, except for Him. She never did meet with Him face to face. They used , appropriately enough, one of the old oak confessionals. Although He could see her through the screen , all she could see was a darkened shadowy figure. Later she would learn that the confessional had a secret door, with a monk’s passage that led out somewhere in the bowls of the catacombs below the church. She was never to find out where it went, came out, or was ever offered to explore the passage by the Vicar.
Her subject possessed a deep, sing-song voice had a light eastern welsh accent, with his carefully selected words spoken crisply, succinctly, and right to the point, very little emotion behind anything he told her. She guessed his age at around fifty,( based on the priests age) and it would always vex her to know if he was that age, younger, or if he was as handsome as he sounded, she had to admit to herself.
He was polite, obviously well educated, and listened to her questions seemingly with deep interest. On her own part she found herself paying rapt attention at what he told her, writing down his words in a note book, using the dim light from the church coming into the confessional doorway way she kept open. She was not permitted to tape the interviews, and she felt compelled to make as many notes as she could.
She had approached the whole affair holding a grain of salt. It could be all something of a hoax, a bit of tom foolery designed to lead her on. She knew of one or two individuals capable of such deceptions, willing to go to such lengths to play with her mind a bit, so it was not totally with a blind eye that she first came into these interviews.
It was quite soon into their first meeting that all her fears of this being a put on were quelled, it was no hoax, the cold reality was that the man on the other side of the screen, authentically was for real. He himself, almost like reading her mind, had been the first to give voice to her secret concerns about it being a hoax. It was first of many times when he appeared to anticipate one of her questions. He was for real, the real Mccoy as an American acquaintance had been found of saying. Her new subject ended up providing her with a wealth of information, and left her with almost as many unanswered questions.
He did not beat around the bush, informing her of what he was without hesitation or regret.
He was a person in a character mold that she had never quite encountered or classified before. An accomplished sleight of hand street Magician, who never made magic a profession; His career instead was that of an expert jewel thief: both a pickpocket and cat burglar, who appeared ( without actually stating) to have arisen to the upper echelons of his chosen field. He never indicated that he had ever been caught, or incarcerated, although it was clear he had not been totally unsuspected. But she had been given an impression that he was now retired, for the most part, and had done quite well by himself financially, albeit, his earnings were tainted( her opinion) by the methods he had employed to accumulate his fortune.
He talked about his life in singular, mentioning only sparsely people he had befriended, including the Irish vicar, or at least one Irish priest whom she assumed was the one present during the interviews. He had mentioned several women by description as lovers and partners, although she had given them different names, she had a strong impression that they all may have been one and the same Lady. She wanted to believe that she, if she had indeed existed, was still a part of his guarded life, and he was protecting her from any possible repercussions of his conducting this interview...
The strange thing was, and as a Psych Major she was unable to fully explain her actions, she found herself becoming enveloped in his story, like she had been almost a player in his escapades. She had never experienced that, not even with the charming female pickpocket, Angelica.
He had given the impression that he had only wanted to be interviewed once, and that there were to be limited questions. But he didn’t follow that course, seemingly encouraging her to ask questions, and it was he, himself, asking her if they could meet again. She had jumped on the opportunity. She found herself looking forward to his interviews, even dressing up for them, even going so far as wearing her pearls on several occasions. He seemed to open up more when she did, and she began to wonder sometimes, as she was alone in her room transcribing the information, if perhaps he saw in her potential prey. It was for this reason that she always took inventory of her jewelry after the interview was over, feeling just a wee bit silly in the process!
And so, sometimes as he talked, she was finding herself secretly hoping he was watching her, maybe even…. Well nothing ever came about anyway of course, she was a professional herself. And he had left her life after that final interview as he had come into it… a mystery man. She later came to the conclusion that it was all because she could not see his face, was unable to see how his eyes moved, his expressions, and so, she had begun invented things from her own deep personal fantasies to fill in the gaps, and despite her training, had begun to allow herself to come under the spell of her own imagination. It would never happen again, she promised herself, in her field of study, it could spell disaster!
So, afterwards, she just concentrated on putting it all together, trying to keep her emotions in check. As an outlet she began to write down some of his narratives, a chronicle of his life as she had been allowed to delve into. She had asked, and from the dark shadows of the confessional, had received his voiced blessing to do so.
The accounts below are derived from those chronicles.
That first meeting, as she had gotten her things together, she had automatically started off by asking him for a first name, he hadn’t answered , and she never did receive a proper one. But then, as she was gathering her things to leave, he had said, in his pleasantly rolling welsh accent;
Luv, just call me Chatwick …..
SEE :
Anatomy of a Jewel Thief
For part Duex of the Chatwick Chronicles
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"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade!
Hide your face
so the world will
never find you!"
Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Her Majesty's Theatre in Haymarket - home of the famous musical. For a quarter of a century (this autumn it will be 25) it was shown to over 100m people worldwide and has grossed over $5bn - the largest grossing entertainment act of all time...
Press 'L' to see large on black
Published by Yahoo! in their iPhone weather app, 25-Apr-13
"If this idea of putting a Novi Star head on a Monster High Body inspires you to make your own please credit me ;)"
L'òpera Don Giovanni, de Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart s'estrenà a Praga el 1787 al aleshores Teatre Nostic. Per conmemorar la ocasió, aquesta impressionant estatua del fantasma de Il Commendatore es troba a l'entrada del mateix teatre, ara anomenat Stavovské divadlo.
Aquest Commendatore és clavadet, clavadet, a un Nazgul, tot sigui dit.
Foto presa amb una FED-2 fabricada el 1958 a la URSS; rodet Ilford Delta 100.
ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Giovanni
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In 1787, the famous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart opera Don Giovanni, was presented here in Prague in the Stavovské divadlo (then named Nostitzsches Nationaltheater). To conmemorate this historic event, this creepy statue of the ghost of Il Commendatore stands in the entrance of the theatre.
If he's not the Commendatore, maybe he's a Nazgul out of Minas Morgul...
Picture taken with a Soviet FED-2 rangefinder camera made in 1958; lens Industar 50 f3.5 50mm; Ilford Delta 100.
Please NOTE and RESPECT the copyright.
© 2019 photos4dreams - All rights reserved.
This image may not be copied, reproduced, published or distributed in any medium without the expressed written permission of the copyright holder.
for purchase information see my profile
for more pics of the PHANTOM please visit my professional stream: www.flickr.com/photos/4dreamz/albums/72157625782809890
The revenge upon her would be sweet, even though it was purely theoretical.
She was the very epitome of every stuck up girl who ever passed judgment on those she refused to view as an equal. And I? I possessed the subtle skill to knock her smirking ego down a few pegs.
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In late spring of the year 1952, a, bank rented safety deposit lockbox, dusty from many years gone by, was opened. The box had laid unclaimed, the banks records having been destroyed during the Nazi blitzes of World War Two. When its existence became known, an attempt was made to contact the owner, whose family surname was well known in the county. The name turned out to be an alias, no such person ever existed.
Please read the account below to learn more about the person who was believed to have rented the strongbox, as well as what he had placed inside……….
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Case Study 84 :
Warning, these are the raw, bare unusual facts as originally recorded. Some names, times, places and some facts have been altered for obvious reasons.
Exerted from the private letters of Mr. Harley Q. circa early 1900’s.
Name: Harly Q. circa 19 …
Subject: Seemingly a rather dexterous scoundrel
Place: A large coastal metropolis
Time: A period of time in late autumn
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Harly’s story as related:
The following affair occurred during my younger days when my youth and its’ raw passions were still a strong pull on my reactions! Now, how do I start?
The Blonde dancing in front of me was was dressed up like a movie star on a red carpet. Only about nineteen, her slinky gown created the impression of having been poured along her curvy, voluptuous figure, like shimmering liquid satin, fluidly swishing as she swirled about the massive chamber! It all made her appear far older and mature than she obviously thought she was. For some, her looks and personality may have been seen as charming and fun. “But for me personally, the only thing charming about her was the way her abundant sparkling jewellery played with the lights from the large chandeliers which held my upmost command!
But wait, I may be placing the carriage before the steed…….
Allow me to restart:
I had taken a long train into town with the intention of spending a few days relaxing from my previous month of hectic “professional” affairs. Rewarding myself, I located my lodging in a fancy upscale hotel situated across the street from a cavernous Ballroom, checking in for a fortnight. Since my social calendar was unusually light, with only the one high society event, a wedding that I was planning to attend the following Sabbath, at a “chapel” located in one of the cities sprawling suburbs. I spent the first day perusing the cultural calendar of the local papers, and ended up circling one or two events of interest that would be taking place later that month. I than took care of my remaining personal business, locating a reputable bank and renting out one of their lockboxes, before allowing myself some time off from my endeavors.
I than spent the first portion of my week taking in moving picture shows, visiting stores and hanging out at the local museums and antique shoppes. It felt great not worrying about work, although I will did admit that my mind scoped out a few prospects as I was out and about, walking amongst the great masses..
It was mid-week during my stay, while making my way back to the hotel suite, that I decided on a whim to pop into the Ballroom to see what it was all about. I walked into the massive lobby full of activity and wandered about, looking into the massive main ballroom, meeting rooms and various party rooms. As I was leaving I discovered a wall containing posters for all the upcoming events. One poster caught my eye. It advertised the occurrence of a Halloween Ball to take place that very weekend, Tickets still available. The Ball seemed to be the very type of party I was partial to, combining all of my favorite types of affairs, a large gathering frequented by the rich, and everyone attending would be in costume.
Purchasing a pair of tickets (less questions asked) I went out the very next morning scouting various shops in search of my own costume. I finally settled on a highwayman’s attire. It seemed appropriate, and the ribbon style “ masque” over my eyes set off the vacation beard that had been growing quite nicely since my last outing. On my way out to pay for the costume I spied a half off bin. On top of the pile was a phantom of the opera mask. On impulse I added it to my bundle and went to the checkout.
Although I really didn’t have the feeling that this concern would lead to anything, I mean, who wears good jewellery with a costume ? But a little bored by the inactivity, I was none the less growing excited about the venture. I still decided to play it cautious by setting up my usual safe guards, just in case.
A few blocks away from the Ballroom and my hotel suite I found a small chain style motel. Going to the desk I purchased rent for a room for the night, paying in advance. Going into the small room I laid down my purchases and headed back out to the street via a back stairwell, bypassing the registrars chambers. I headed back to my hotel suite to prepare for the evening.
After showering, I changed into a suit, shirt and tie. I then headed out onto the street a couple of hours before the ball was set to begin. Regaining my small quarters in the chain motel I changed into my new persona for the evening’s festivities and left via the same back door I had used earlier. I walked back to the Ballroom, getting my share of looks until I reached my destination, where I blended right in with the other arriving costumed guests.
I followed the stream to the ballroom proper. The main doors leading inside were large, made of a fancy scrolled oak, held open, and guarded by a pair of burly security types.
Apparently which, I soon gathered, was appearing to be the only security present for the evening’s festivities. Capital, I thought, smirking to myself as I joined my fellow guests.
I walk onto a landing, immediately in front of a long bannister guarding a set of wide stairs ascended downwards. I went off to one side, and paused at the railing, starting to survey with eager anticipation, the crowded room below.
All was quite glittering, as large chandeliers set off a spectrum of colors with any crystal or glass it touched. It especially created shimmers as it played off the colorful jewelry the lavishly costumed ladies present were wearing. Several dozen couples were dancing in front of a 17 piece orchestra, a slow dance, and many were dancing almost too close. Many more people were mingling around tables of appetizers. A large, chattering crowd was also gathered at the long oak bar that took up one whole side of the huge room. It was to the bar that I headed, to observe the merry proceedings.
But the Ball, as it turned out, was a bust, so to speak. Although several attempts were made to ask a number of charming (to me) ladies to add me to their dance cards, they all were, unfortunately, full. I should have suspected it would turn out this way, but I still harbored an all too familiar nagging feeling in the back of my head that something was still going to happen, call it intuition if you need to label it. So I nursed my drink, reminiscing about how I had reached this point in my then still young life…..
Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of my favorite poets, once said” Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Long before the the time I discovered this quote I found that my life’s path had already been heading that way.
Without boring anyone with far too many details of my rather complicated youth, I discovered while quite young that I had a certain knack for adeptness at being able to nimbly pick pockets. When I was eighteen ( having graduated high school at seventeen) and out on my own in the world, I found this skill quite useful. But it was at a wedding reception in my early twenties where I became of age, so to speak.
She was older than me, resplendent in a sleek black satin gown with bright white frills, long white satin gloves upon which graced a pair of diamond bracelets. She was very tipsy and would not take no for an answer when asking for a dance partner. She cornered me and before I could catch my wits, we were in a close embrace on the dance floor. I was totally mesmerized by the feel of her warm figure emitting through the sensuous satin gown. My eyes feasted upon the dazzling show put on by her flashy twin bracelets. When the exquisitely long dance ended and she moved on: I was left with a lot of pleasantly mixed feelings, I was also left with my first trophy, the Lady’s appealing necklace of pearl that I had ever so delicately sipped off her throat, using the sleekness of her satin gown to its fullest advantage.
I found myself enthralled with my new “hobby”, and over the course of the next couple of years sought out fancy dress affairs to better learn how to master the art of attracting and dancing with any lady I chose. Along the way I managed to accumulate quite a few trophies for my efforts. I stayed under everyone’s radar by picking out only those females who had been enthusiastically imbibing and by allowing myself to acquire only one trophy per gathering, two if the function was large enough.
During this period I made two discoveries: One was that most women would rather assume their jewel had been merely lost long before ever considering that they had been robbed of it. The second was that most of my collection of pretty trophies carried an equally pretty price, and could quite acceptably be turned into ready cash.
So, by the tender age of twenty two, my life started to lead where there had ever been but few tracks. And thus we finally come to this particular branch of my rather unique, lengthily crooked trail….
So, there I was, on a bar stool, alone and growing more bored by the minute, wishing something interesting would happen. I can remember thinking, as I looked over my fellow partiers about a saying that I had always found to be amusingly true. “If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to.” I don’t know who first said it, but brother, the person was right on the money. As I had witnessed for myself time and time again. So I just settled in and watched the amusing antics of the wealthy among the crowd, especially those of …“the girl!’
The girl was a stunning young blonde who was probably just fresh out of high school, with the maturity level of a grade schooler!
I kept catching my eye on her all evening, and once or twice, was sure she caught mine looking. But I was not watching her for the reasons she would think were mine. To her I was just some male face in the crowd, exhibiting his lust. But, the reason my eyes kept traveling upon her was for an entirely different one. I just found nothing to be more annoying than a sulky, immature young whelp who believes she is the apple of everyone’s eye, making an absolute nuisance of herself. She was running around, making silly remarks about people, sometimes to their face. Hanging out with her group of friends whom seemed to be of the same mold as my blonde, one girlfriend was even dressed appropriately enough, as a willowy witch.
The Blonde was dressed up like a movie star on a red carpet. Only about nineteen, her slinky gown created the impression of having been poured along her curvy voluptuous figure, like shimmering liquid satin, fluidly swishing as she bounced about the massive chamber, slipping in and out amongst the guests! It all made her appear far older and mature than she obviously thought she was. For some, her looks and personality may have been seen as charming and fun. “But for me personally, the only thing charming about her was the way her abundant sparkling jewellery played with the lights from the large chandeliers which held my command! But I had decided, as far as I could tell, that she was wearing nothing but cheap rhinestones, which like her, appeared totally fake. But, as they say, appearances can sometimes be deceiving!
This girl was the epitome of every condescending stuck up high society girl that probably everyone has had the misfortune to be the victim of. The girl, who mainly because of her looks, was popular with everyone like her, and had no use for those who, forever what reason they deemed, was ostracized by those of her type. In high school I knew girls like this one, and was a witness, sometime victim, to many a scene of arrogance displayed by girls like her. This one was young, too young to be acting the way she was. Her mannerisms were just a beacon, reaching out out to be taught a lesson.
Wallowing in my boredom, a spark began to kindle into flame deep within my brain. Determined not to let the evening be a total loss, I decided act upon it. My plan being to theoretically get revenge on all those smirking girls who tormented me during high school, by knocking this cocky little scamp down a few pegs, using the best of my abilities..
Now, I’m not one normally to act as judge, jury, and executioner in most situations, in my selected line of work it would be hypocritical. But obviously old wounds’ had been opened, this long haired girl scampering about reminded me of ones whom had ridiculed me, another lifetime, one that I had left behind A long time ago. The opportunity for bittersweet revenge had presented itself for the taking, and the pull to obtain a little solace by using my unique talents was far too great to resist. Talk about mixing pleasure with business I though wickedly to myself, smiling with the inviting thought.
Believe me, this girl would be no innocent victim, and nothing I was about to attempt would leave her with any type of lasting impression, or harm. But if I could cause her at least some considerable discomfort to ruin the rest of her evening out, it would be reward in and of itself! I again eyed her sparkling jewels with all the seriousness I would have given any I was really interested in acquiring. Although she didn’t fit my favorite pre-requisite, she certainly was not drunk on alcohol, she was merely just intoxicated in her own questionable self-esteem, which can work just as well.
I waited until her friends had all apparently deserted her for the evening and leaving her, quite vulnerably, alone. I walked up behind her and tapped her shoulder. She whirled facing me, her eyes going from happy expectations to a glare! “What do you want!? she snipped disdainfully”. Calmly I held her gaze, “I was hoping you would help me win a bet” I asked in what I hoped was my most wily voice. She was curious, but wary of me, “as you should be my pretty miss”, I remember thinking to myself. Her eyes sized me up and down, and I seized the moment to take in her jewels, not at all disappointed in them, but my curiosity was aroused about her necklace, I definitely needed to get a closer look to appraise them! “Why should I help you,” she practically spitted out he words like daggers.
“It’s this way miss, a couple of boys over at the bar bet me 50 quid that I could not get a dance with the prettiest girl here.” “Me?” she asked primping, no I confessed, I picked you, they had wanted me to dance with someone far less pretty, in my opinion.
I don’t think so; she said with a slight hint of hesitation, my card is full. Just for fifteen minutes I implored. That’s all I need (which was the truth), and Ill split my winnings with you on top of it. She finally bought it, hook line, sinker and pound signs in her adorable violet coloured eyes. Fifteen minutes she specified, before, be-grudgingly, allowing me to lead her to the dance floor.
Now, as I took her stiff body in my arms, I was able to satisfy my curiosity about the girl’s necklace, and it caused a dilemma to rear its thought provoking head. While she was busy looking around to make sure none of her friends saw her dancing with me, I allowed myself a couple of precious minutes to think. Her long rhinestone earrings were clip held, and an easy pick. I wanted to try for them both,( I knew how I would do it), and losing a pair of earrings would send a message that they had not just fallen away. Also, I would be suspected by her, which suited me just fine. However, my dilemma was caused by the vixen’s pretty necklace. While the rest of her plentiful jewels were cheap rhinestones as I had suspected the row of diamonds that rippled blazingly around her throat were in fact, the real McCoy. So, which should I go for? The necklace would be profitable and easy but she may just suspect its clasp had broken. The earrings would be just for a sporty trophy, not worth anything but for the knowledge that she would know she had been a victim. Ah, life’s precious little quandaries!
So, I continued with the dance, my partner still rigid, so very true to her character. Then, with five minutes left, I made up my mind on what she would not be leaving the ball still wearing. She was a charmer, this disdainful one. Her stiff figure was warm to the touch, underneath the scintillating slippery gown. The show her sparkling jewels produced was most pleasing to the eye. All in all quite a pretty portrait, a shame it was that I was not allowed to appreciate it. Which was fine by me! I was able to concentrate freely on the task at hand. I looked around, the coast was still clear. Then eyeing for one last time her mesmerizingly swaying long earrings and the flickering diamonds that graced her pretty little throat, I executed my move..
By the time the final five minutes were up I had the selected jewelry in my pocket without even the slightest notice from my unwilling dance partner. Then, fifteen minutes to the second (good thing I had been keeping track of the time) she broke it off. “Thank you”, I said, to which she mumbled, “my money, sir!” I told her I had to collect it, and would meet her by the ladies powder room. I left her waiting, smiling inwardly to myself at the empty space from which the missing jewelry was glaringly gone from her.
She had no doubt that I would be back with her money, was I not merely like one of her household servants, who routinely, without question or error, existed to do her bidding. It would be a major jolt to her system when she realized I was not coming obediently back to her. I had no doubt she would spend some time searching me out for her money once she realized I was not coming back forthwith, with the intention of lecturing me on how I should act around my betters. So I knew that her immediate attention would be elsewhere upon realizing I was tardy, and that it would take quite a bit of time before she recieved a second shock of an altogether different sort.
I left with my prize, walking past the two guards with such a carefree air that even they would never have suspected that I could possibly have been up to any mischief. I made good time getting back to the dingy motel room. Changed out of my costume and back into the shirt and tie I had worn. The highwayman costume, which had served me well, I rolled in a bundle under my arm, I again left by the back stairwell and retraced my earlier steps, whistling, back to the suite in the hotel. Along the way the costume was stuffed unceremoniously into a handy trash bin. My little operation had been a complete success. The evening was after all, not going to be a total loss.
Back in my suite I stowed the newly acquired jewels the girl had worn into one of my many secret hiding spots. There they would be safe until I could convey it to my banks lockbox on Monday. As I finished I, spied the phantom of the opera mask lying discarded on top of a table. A shame it would not be used….
A thought washed over me that would not be denied! Risky, but it would make my evening complete. I quickly shaved off the thin beard, and restyled my hair. I changed from my suit into my tux and tails. Scooping up the phantom mask I headed back to the costume ball. Placing the mask on before entering, I presented my second ticket( not very often did the opportunity arise to use both of the pair of tickets I customarily purchased!) I walked past the two security types without a second glance from them, they absolutely did not recognize me, which meant I had passed that test. My objective now was to try and catch the second half of the show; namely the shimmering liquid satin gowned brats squawking reaction when she first discovered her jewels were gone.
I regained a bar seat just in time.
She did not disappoint!
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Epilogue
When, in the presence of both bank and county officials, the strong box was opened, it was found to contain a fairly large collection of the Kings currency, equaling roughly £500 , and a selection unmatched jewelry, rings, single earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, worth a almost £3.000. Also inside was small a bundle of papers. The papers, old and yellowed, appeared to contain the partial handwritten journals of a certain Mr. Harly Q___ , esq. The papers were examined, but gave no clues to who Harley was, or to his current whereabouts. But the journals presented clues as to Harly’s nature, and as a consequence the money and jewels were considered stolen goods and handed over to the authorities. No one knows what became of them, as for the papers, they were handed over to a relative of one of the government officials, and also, for a period of time, lost.
The journal was rediscovered amongst the personal files of the late Professor Sedwig Dermitt phd, llc.a dex,
Recovered, restored, and now kept in the human behavioral archives of the criminology dept, Chatwick U.
Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives
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Softly, deftly, music shall surround you ...
Feel it, hear it, closing in around you ...
Open up your mind, let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness which you know you cannot fight -
the darkness of the music of the night ..
Floating, falling, sweet intoxication!
Touch me, trust me savour each sensation!
Let the dream begin, let your darker side give in
to the power of the music that I write -
the power of the music of the night ...
You alone can make my song take flight -
help me make the music of the night . . .
"Phantom Of The Opera" - The Music Of The Night
Furikawa Beach
Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte
Philippines
“You must know that I am made of death, from head to foot, and it is a corpse who loves you and adores you and will never, never leave you!”
Note: Still the world's second largest chandelier, weighing over four tonnes! ( 4.40924524 tons) The proscenium arch of the stage frames the chandelier
Website of the State Theatre, Sydney: www.statetheatre.com.au/index.asp
Format: Photograph
From the collections of the Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales www.sl.nsw.gov.au
Information about photographic collections of the State Library of New South Wales: acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/search/SimpleSearch.aspx
Persistent url: acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=153778
The Phantom of the Opera, an English play that is an adaptation of a French novel, is been enacted at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) auditorium till 9th Nov.
The Centre Stage Productions (CSP) performed the play in collaboration with Warid and the Capital Development Authority.
Directed by Shah Sharahbeel, the play was very well received by the audience, who appreciated the immaculate performance of all artists.
The Phantom Of The Opera is one of the most out standing plays to have been staged in Lahore and Islamabad, directed by Shah Sharabeel, one of the pioneers of the parallel theatres in Lahore who laid the foundation of Centre Stage Productions.
The Phantom of The Opera’ is about a young singer who is charmed by a mysterious spectre who haunts the Paris Opera House. The Phantom teaches her to sing and on her opening night, takes her to his lair in the misty catacombs beneath the Opera House, where he declares his love for her — but she soon learns his terrible secret
His voice calls to her, nurturing her extraordinary talents from the shadows of the opera house where innocent chorus girl Christine Daae (EMMY ROSSUM) makes her home. Only ballet mistress Madame Giry (MIRANDA RICHARDSON) knows that Christine's mysterious "Angel of Music" is actually the Phantom (GERARD BUTLER), a disfigured musical genius who haunts the catacombs of the theatre, terrifying the ensemble of artists who live and work there.
When temperamental diva La Carlotta (MINNIE DRIVER) walks out in the middle of a dress rehearsal for the company's latest production, the theatre's eager new managers (SIMON CALLOW and CIARAN HINDS) have no choice but to thrust Christine into the spotlight.
Her mesmerizing opening night performance captivates both the audience and the Phantom, who devotes himself to casting his protégé as the opera's next star. But he is not the only powerful man to be awed by the young soprano, as Christine soon finds herself courted by the theatre's wealthy patron, the Vicompte Raoul de Chagny (PATRICK WILSON).
Though she is enthralled by her charismatic mentor, Christine is undeniably drawn to the dashing Raoul, enraging the Phantom and setting the stage for a dramatic crescendo in which soaring passions, fierce jealousies and obsessive love threaten to drive the fated lovers past the point of no return.
Based upon the novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by GASTON LEROUX.
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Mark your calendars as you won't want to miss this special event!
🎭♥ ♫ 💃🎹🎭♥ ♫ 💃🎹🎭 🎭♥ ♫ 💃🎹🎭
✰ ♫ ♪ ✰ ✰ ♫ ♪ ✰ ✰ Smoke Jazz Club ✰ ♫ ♪ ✰ ✰ ♫ ♪ ✰ ✰ ✰
✰ ♫ ♪ ✰ ✰ ♫ ♪ ✰ ✰ Is proud to present:✰ ♫ ♪ ✰ ✰ ♫ ♪ ✰ ✰
🎭 ♫ 🎹"The Phantom of the Opera" masked ball. ♫ 🎹🎭
🎭Who- DJ Talon - Award winning DJ in the SL DJ Hall of Fame.
♥ What - The Phantom of the Opera masked ball.
🎹Where - Smoke Jazz Club
♫ When - Saturday, June 24th @ 8 pm SLT.
🐎 Your Carriage Awaits - maps.secondlife.com/.../Myrtle%20Beach.../131/122/17
🎭♥ ♫ 💃🎹🎭♥ ♫ 💃🎹🎭 🎭♥ ♫ 💃🎹🎭
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I'm a HUGE Phantom of the Opera fan and love masquerade balls. I even had a Phantom of the Opera wedding ceremony...:) This is just one of my many masks.... and Me behind it...:)
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About the hooded Netflix life now that my eyes are dilated. So I'm watching phantom of the opera live from Albert hall--life is pain. #dramatic #netflix #phantomoftheopera #thanksleo #beweird
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"If this idea of putting a Novi Star head on a Monster High Body inspires you to make your own please credit me ;)"
So its the BIG prop in the Phantom of the Opera, the Chandelier that drops dramatically from the Majestic Theatre ceiling. It was being raised into position before the start of the production.
The dazzling replica of the Paris Opera House chandelier is made of 6,000 beads with 35 beads to each string. It is 3 metres wide and weighs one ton.
The Chandelier is likely the most famous special effect on Broadway and perhaps the most well-known of all time. Even though the chandelier has been dropping for 25 years audiences are still astonished when the massive lighting fixture comes sailing over their heads and crashes to the stage at the end of the first act.
So as you can see i'm working on something here..but i removed one side of her face for the photo, to show how there faces all except Nita Light,and Tula, have this Shiny paint cover over there face that is also is what get's alot of wrinkles from being scretched, also she is only rooted for her hair to be put up, so i'm going to be working on her for sometime but i did finish cleaning her head, and i thought people would find this interesting or maybe even helpful? lol
OK, OK. Nothing against the hard working success story Oprah Winfrey. I’m just poking fun at own overweight self. But that was the most wordplay providing title I could think of after 14 hours of meetings in Manhattan. Well, actually, the last three hours were a team bonding exercise. We went bowling in Times Square, with me getting fatter on thin crust pizza, buffalo wings, chicken tacos, shrimp, lots of soda for me and drinks for others, and more. It was in my walk to the bowling place that I took this photo. It is the theater of one of the few Broadway plays I enjoyed and love the music of, The Phantom of the Opera.
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