The Queen Of The Opera

The Hammy Opera Theater was full that night. Wendy and Boyd were in one of the corners of the theater watching Catherine perform. The opera was nearing its end and Catherine was singing the finale of the opera.

Wendy’s hands were clasped together in happiness, “I can’t believe anyone could rival the voice of Ms. Catherine, Mr. Boyd. She has the voice of an angel. She is truly the queen of the opera.”

“A queen indeed, she’s been acting as if she is the one who owns this theater. She forgets that I am the owner and she’s just a singer.” “Oh please forgive Catherine, Mr. Boyd. All the best opera singers have attitudes.”

“It’s that kind of thinking that leads to swollen heads among actors. People shouldn’t let fame get into their head. Why I remember the time when Catherine was just like you, a humble stage hand.”

Mr. Boyd lit a cigar, “Not too long ago, Catherine came here in this theater asking if I would give her a break to become an opera singer. I know that she had a very good voice, but what made me doubt helping her was her attitude.”

“Do you mean Catherine already has an attitude even before she got started in opera?” “Yes, Wendy, she came from a family of opera singers and doesn’t want to start from the beginning. She wanted to be an opera singer at the very onset.”

“I didn’t know, Mr. Boyd. I thought everyone in the theater started out just like me, a stagehand.” “That’s because you’re a nice girl, Wendy. You are willing to start from the bottom if you have to.”

“But you can’t deny Catherine’s talent, Mr. Boyd. It’s her voice that’s packing in the theater.” “I know. I know. And Catherine always reminds everyone in the theater about it. She wants us to bow to her like her servants.”

There was a standing ovation in the theater when Catherine finished singing the finale of the opera. She bowed to the audience. The other cast of the opera bowed too. Then she quickly left the stage as flowers are thrown onstage towards her.

She went forward to where Wendy and Boyd were standing, “Wendy, I want you to bring me a cup of water. Boyd, I’ll need to talk to you about my pay. It seems I’m being underpaid.” “Here’s your cup of water, Ms. Catherine.”

“Good, Wendy, Is my carriage ready? I want to go home now. I can’t stand this old and filthy theater.” “Now don’t you go insulting this theater. This theater makes you money,” said Boyd.

Catherine laughed, “Are you joking, Boyd? This, This theater makes me money? I beg to disagree. It is me that makes this theater money and not the other way around. Don’t you forget about it.”

Boyd bit his lips, “I’ll see to it that you get paid more in your next performance, Catherine.” “It’s Ms. Catherine. You would treat me with respect. I’m not your common stage hand like this dumb girl, Wendy.”

She touched Wendy’s forehead with her finger, “Dumb girl, I asked you before. Is my carriage ready?” “Your carriage is not yet ready. They’re still bridling the horses.”

Catherine turned red, “All you people are incompetents! I work hard to make money for this theater and you couldn’t even make sure that I’m comfortable? I should just go to the next theater. There, they would treat me like a queen.”

Boyd cleared his throat, “Sorry for the delay Catherine. I mean Ms. Catherine. But while you wait, there’s a gentleman who wants to speak with you.” “I’m not interested in seeing anyone. I’m tired. Tell him to speak with me later.”

A man wearing a victorian suit complete with a top hat approached the trio, “Forgive me for disturbing you, Ms. Catherine. But this is the only time I have to see you. I assure you, I won’t waste your time.”

Catherine sighed, “Okay sir, I’ll give you five minutes. But whatever it is you came to talk about, better be important!” “I assure you Ms. Catherine. You would find my proposal interesting.”

“Don’t waste my time. Tell me what you want.” “I am Mr. Andrew Finn, a film producer. I have come to you to ask you to be an actress in my film. You would be the leading lady in my film.”

“Are you kidding me, Mr. Finn? You want me to become an actress for this new invention called the silent film? I know silent films are entertaining, but they would not beat the opera. The opera has live acting and people speaking and singing!”

“But don’t you see? Silent films are the future. The masses are already crazy about it” Catherine laughed, “Surely, you don’t think that my talents are for the masses? I am not for the masses. I am for the elite of society who understands culture.”

“But even the elite would find silent films entertaining. It’s just a matter of time.” “You don’t understand high society, Mr. Finn. High society is all about fine entertainment, not mixing in with the masses to watch some sort of poor man’s entertainment.”

“But Ms. Catherine…” “Speak no more Mr. Finn. I assume you want me to be in your silent film because my face is popular. But I tell you now, my face won’t be seen in silent films. Our talk has ended Mr. Finn. Nothing you say will convince me. Wendy, Is my carriage ready?” “Yes, Ms. Catherine, one of the stage hands just informed me.”

Catherine walked away and into her carriage. Mr. Finn looked dejected. He bid his goodbye to Boyd and Wendy and started to leave. He then stopped and returned to Boyd who was busy telling Wendy what tasks she needs to do in the theater.

Finn touched his chin, “Mr. Boyd, I won’t deny it, I’m desperate. Do you know of other famous opera actresses who may be interested in being an actress for my silent film? I’ve asked a lot of actress already. I wanted to get Ms. Catherine because she’s the best, but as you can see…”

Boyd was silent for a minute then smiled, “Mr. Finn, I’ve seen a few silent films myself and all I can tell you is that they’re interesting. I know you want recognizable faces like Ms. Catherine, but do you have to? I mean, could you not do with unknown actresses?”

“What do you mean, Mr. Boyd?” Boyd pointed at his finger at Wendy, “I mean, Mr. Finn, is that you don’t need famous faces in your silent film. What you need are beautiful and young people who could act. A silent film is like a painting you know, it’s just that the people in the painting moves.”

Finn smiled, “Hmm… Come to think of it, you have a point Mr. Boyd. Maybe I’ll consider your idea and get an unknown but beautiful actress that can act.” “And I know one, Mr. Finn. She is a nice lady and does not have the attitude of people like Ms. Catherine. She’s also willing to work for cheap too. She just wants to act all her life.”

“And you recommend that lady? She is beautiful, but can she act?” “I assure you, she can act. I’ll call her. Wendy, Wendy dear girl, would come over here please? I have an interesting proposal for you.”

Slowly but surely, Wendy’s silent film career progressed. It was not long before she became very famous. She was recognized everywhere. What makes people like her is that she has a nice image on and off the screen. She was dining in a fine restaurant with Boyd.

Wendy was smiling, “Order as much as you want, Boyd. I can’t help you enough for managing my career. Without you, I wouldn’t even be discovered.” “Nonsense Wendy, I only did the introductions, it was your talent that did the rest.”

“You’re humble as ever, Boyd. But tell me, how’s the theater business going?” “Not good my dear, ever since silent movies became famous, people have been watching them instead of the opera. I’m barely making ends meet.”

“How are the people in the opera handling it? Are they all right?” “Wendy my girl, they’ll survive. The reason I trained you all to work first as stage hands is because I want you all to get ready in case hard times come. And I was right.”

“You are truly smart, Boyd. You’re like a father and a mentor to us.” “I know one day that entertainment would change once I saw my first silent film. I’m now making more money as a talent agent instead of a theater owner!”

He lit a cigar, “I’m helping the opera actors and stage hands to get jobs in silent films, especially now that talking films have been invented. Soon, I think this new invention would become the new entertainment sensation.”

Catherine and Boyd were dining in the same fine restaurant where Wendy and Boyd usually ate. Catherine does not look so good. She and the other opera actors were heavily affected by the popularity of talking movies.

Boyd smiled, “Eat up Catherine, you don’t look too good especially when you left us and worked for another theater. What happened to your theater? Why did it close down? Down eat too fast Catherine. Swallow your food carefully.”

Catherine wiped the morsel of food from her mouth, “I’m sorry Boyd. I’ve fallen on hard times and there is not much high paying work for opera singers anymore.” “You get by Catherine?”

“I get by. But I’ve lost my carriage. I can’t pay for the upkeep. You’re lucky Boyd, You even got yourself this mechanical carriage, what’s it called again?” “It’s called an automobile, Catherine. You should really be more in tune with the times.”

“Okay Boyd, I’m surprised that you even wanted to see me despite the way I treated you before. I’m sorry, I let fame get to my head then.” “Forget it Catherine. I came here to talk business.”

“According to the letter you sent me, some movie studio is interested in me because of my voice.” “That is true, Catherine. I’ve negotiated with a movie studio to let them use you as a voice talent.”

“Thank you, Boyd. I never knew that someday I’ll become famous again by acting in a talking film.” Boyd frowned, “Perhaps you don’t understand the meaning of the word ‘voice talent?’, Catherine.”

“Isn’t a voice talent an actor who would sing in a talking movie?” Boyd sighed, “Yes, a voice talent does what you just said. But let me be clear. The movie studio just wants your voice and not your face.”

Catherine was puzzled, “I don’t understand. Who’s face would be shown in the movie?” Boyd smiled, “We will record your singing and an actress would pretend that it was she who was singing.”

“You can’t do that! My beautiful voice is mine and mine alone. No one can steal my voice from me!” Boyd sighed, “If you won’t accept what the movie studio is offering you, I know of many other opera singers who are willing to do the job for a lower price. I’ve interviewed some already.”

Catherine bowed her head, “And who would be the face of my voice in this movie?” Boyd smiled, “It would be Wendy. Your former assistant, I’m sure you know she’s famous now. Her face is on most newspapers, magazines and billboards.”

“Would the film credits show that it was my voice that was used in the movie?” “No, you would need to sign a contract that states that you can’t tell anyone it was your voice that was used in the songs of the movie.”

Catherine sighed, “But why? Surely I deserve some credit.” “No, the movie studio has spent so much money developing the image of Wendy. It’s her face that brings in the movie watchers and the money as well. Her face is more important than your voice.”