牛津书虫系列 歌剧院的幽灵 02 The directors of the Opera House

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　　The Opera House was famous， and the directors of the Opera House were veryimportant men.It was the first week of work for the two new directors， Monsieur Ar mand Moncharmin and Monsieur Firmin Richard.In the direc tors' office the next day，the two men talked about Joseph Bu quet.

　　'It was an accident，' Monsieur Armand said angrily.'Or Buquet killedhimself.'

　　'An accident?…Killed himself?' Monsieur Firmin said.'Which story do you want，my friend? Or do you want the sto ry of the ghost?'

　　'Don't talk to me about ghosts!'Monsieur Armand said.'We have 1，500 people working for us in this Opera House，and everybody is talking about the ghost. They're allmad! I don't want to hear about the ghost， OK?'

　　Monsieur Firmin looked at a letter on the table next to him.

　　And what are we going to do about this letter，Armand?'

　　'Do?' cried Monsieur Armand.'Why， do nothing， of course! What can we do?'

　　The two men read the letter again.It wasn't very long.

　　To the new directors

　　Because you are new in the Opera House，I am writing to tell you some important things.Never sell tickets for Box 5;that is my box for every opera night. Madame Giry， the door keeper， knows all about it. Also，I need money for my work in the Opera House.I am not expensive，and I am happy to take only20，000 francs a month. That is all. But please remem ber， I can be a good friend， but a bad enemy.

　　O.G.

　　'Don't sell tickets for Box 5! 20，000 francs a month!'Monsieur Armand was very angry again.'That's the best box in the Opera House， and we need the money， Firmin! And who is this O.G，eh?Tell me that!'

　　'Opera Ghost，of course，'Monsieur tirmin said.'But you're right， Armand. We can do nothing about this letter. It's a joke， a bad joke. Somebody thinks we arefools， because we are new here.There are no ghosts in the Opera House!'

　　The two men then talked about the opera for that night. It was Faust，and usually La Carlotta sang Margarita.La Carlotta was Spanish，and the best singer in Paris.But today，La Carlot ta was ill.

　　'Everybody in Paris is going to be at the opera tonight，'said Monsieur Armand，'and cur best singer is ill.Suddenly! She writes a letter to us just this morning-she is ill， she cannot sing tonight!'

　　'Don't get angry again， Armand，' Monsieur Firmin said quickly.'We have Christine Daaé， that young singer from Nor way.She can sing Margarita tonight.She has a goodvoice.'

　　'But she's so young， and nobody knows her!Nobody wants to listen to a new singer.'

　　'Wait and see.Perhaps Daaé can sing better than La Carlot ta.Who knows?'

　　2.歌剧院的经理们

　　歌剧院很著名，而歌剧院的经理们也都是些非常显要的人物。这是两位新经理阿尔芒·蒙沙曼先生和菲尔曼·理查德先生上任的第一个星期。第二天，在经理办公室里，这两位先生谈起了约瑟夫·比凯的事。

　　“这是个意外事故，”阿尔芒先生气愤地说，“要不然比凯就是自杀的。”

　　“意外事故?……自杀?”菲尔曼先生说，“你想要听一类故事，我的朋友?或者说你想听一个关于幽灵的故事?”

　　“不要跟我谈关于幽灵的事!”阿尔芒先生说，“这个歌剧院里有1，500人在为我们工作，而每个人都在谈论关于幽灵的事。他们都疯了!我不想听到关于幽灵的事，行不行?”

　　菲尔曼先生看着他临近的桌子上一封给他的信。“那对于这封信我们该做些什么，阿尔芒?”

　　“做些什么?”阿尔芒先生叫道，“为什么，什么也不做，当然!我们又能做些什么呢?”两位先生又读了一遍这封信。信并不很长。

　　致新任经理们

　　因为你们是歌剧院的新任经理，所以我写信告诉你们一些重要的事情。不要出售5号包厢的票;那是我观看每一场晚场歌剧的包厢。吉丽夫人，那位看门人，知道这一切。除此之外，我还需要在歌剧院工作的钱。我要价并不高，一个月拿两万法郎我就感到满足了。就这些。但是请记住，我会是一个好朋友，也会是一个死对头。

　　O.G.(注： O.G即 Opera Ghost的缩写。)

　　“不要出售5号包厢的票!两万法郎一个月!”阿尔芒先生又来气了，“那是歌剧院最好的包厢，而且我们需要钱，菲尔曼!谁是这个O.G.啊?告诉我!”

　　“自然是歌剧院的幽灵，”菲尔曼先生说，“但你是对的，阿尔芒。我绝对不能按照信上说的那么做。这是一个玩笑，一个恶毒的玩笑。一些人认为我们是傻瓜，因为我们是新来的。歌剧院里根本就没有幽灵!”

　　然后这两位先生就谈论起当晚的歌剧来。当晚的歌剧是《浮士德》，通常由拉·卡洛塔演唱玛格丽塔。拉·卡洛塔是西班牙人，是巴黎最好的歌唱家。但是今天，拉·卡洛塔却病了。

　　“今晚巴黎的每个人都会到歌剧院来，”阿尔芒先生说，“而我们最好的歌唱家却病了。她今天上午方才突然写信给我们——她病了，她今晚不能演唱了!”

　　“不要再生气了，阿尔芒，”菲尔曼先生急忙说，“我们有克丽斯廷·达埃，那个年轻的挪威歌唱家。她今晚可以演唱玛格丽塔那个角色。她有一副好嗓子。”

　　“但是她太年轻了，而且没有人知道她!没有人想听一位新歌唱家的演唱。”

　　“等着瞧吧。也许达埃还会比拉·卡洛塔唱得更好。谁知道呢?”