modernmillie

[Bulstrode Manor back to London]
[Anyone]
[Morning]

"Well Ma Ma you see the thing is that Pansy is making a rather huge mistake, she's getting an arranged marriage to some loud mouth and adulterous he isn't even being very subtle about it."

Mrs. Bulstrode nodded considering what her daughter just told her.

"Well Pansy is just going to have to learn to deal with it if she wants this sort of life,stay out of it Millicent, this is her business and no one else, in public anyway"

"Yes I agree but the thing is she's not even able to survive the engagement, she...well I didn't want to say it to her but it's aging her. Between work and planning this sham of a wedding, she's falling to pieces!"

"My dear Millicent, you're growing hysterical. It's nothing to concern yourself with, she doesn't have a mother to tell her these things. And as your mother I instruct you to shut your mouth. Pansy's smart, she'll figure out she has to put the man in his place before long and she'll have to get rid of that dreadful job."

"Ma Ma surely you must be joking, if she's not handling it well now what makes you- has everyone just gone mad or am I the only one with any sense! Fine if you won't talk to her, me and Daphne will just have to do something before this man embarrasses her!" She stood up from the sofa and stomped out the door back to London.

[WWN interview]
[Evening]
[Anyone]

*finishes singing Madama Butterfly
That was Millicent Bulstrode singing Madama Butterfly live and in the studio. Hello Miss Bulstrode are you excited about this Autumns Opera.

Oh yes very I always thought Madam butterfly was a nice way to start the season, I've never done it before

Do you know what part you will be playing? How does it work do you take turns in leading roles?

No not yet the Company wants to give every one a fair shake you see so we all have to Audition for the main production the in between operas which are usually lesser known operas work the same way.

I quite like the in between ones.

Me too it's how I got my start, but they're reserved for new comers to the company the offer top students parts I here. It's sort of like an advanced training ground. The only reason I'm doing the main shows is because I became so popular in Italy

What do you think of your popularity in Britain

It's quite odd actually I was only really popular underground in Italy, I wasn't headlining in big shows but real Opera fanatic knew about me then I headlined Barber of Seville then all of a sudden my name cropped up in a few Muggle papers as a rising star then I whisked back here and it's like I'm starting over only this time I'm on the surface and not underground

What was it like there.

I was only there for a bit but it was great. Again I had underground popularity at the beginning, we, meaning my Opera family all had the same trainers and I lived in a old flat in Florence with 5 other people and it was just fantastic. Our lives consisted of auditioning, nothing but auditioning...oh and rich Italian food. For anyone who is going to make their fortune as a singer that's the way to do it at first make friends and live in a small flat with 5 people you never go hungry someone always is getting paid for a role or something. Not to mention next door someone is having a birthday or a christening oh and if you can befriend someone in town getting married, you're stomach is set.

*Laughs* That's the way to do it eh? So your popularity here has even garnered gossip from our very own daily prophet.

*giggles a bit* I mean in a way I'm flattered they're that interested but at the same time I have to ask my self am I so boring that she has nothing else to comment on but my looks? Well at least they like my voice and that's something eh? I mean Pansy Parkinson is getting Married don't they have wedding plan snooping to do she's famous or something right?

Well we here think you're gorgeous if it makes any difference. One more thing before we hand it over to Evening Murder Mystery.Got a soprano joke for ya. Stop me if you've heard this one, What is the difference between a soubrette and a cobra?

Dunno Paul, what's the difference?

One is deadly poisonous, and the other is a reptile

*laughs* That one is quite good. You yourself were once a tenor yeah?

In school yeah!

Got one for you, Why are soprano jokes all one-liners? So tenors can understand them.

Cheeky! But I suppose I had that one coming, touche Miss Bulstrode. It was an honor to have you here tonight, now all of you out there listening quickly get the led out and get those season tickets before they run out!

[Owl]
[Daphne]
[Afternoon]

Daphne,
As I am sure you are well aware me and Pansy Parkinson are not seeing eye to eye. And to my knowledge you are the one who's been telling her we should reconcile. I would like to make it clear I would love to be friends with her again as long as she can listen to my request of not liking the name Millie. I know it's a very silly thing to be arguing over a name but I feel it is a very simple request. I understand she has fond memories attached to the name sadly I don't. And it seems our conversations also turn out with this same argument over and over again as I explain to her that I don't like that name because I don't like that girl;I don't like Millie. If she cannot respect something as simple as that then I'm sorry to say just don't send her back. Both of us have enough going on in our lives we don't need the headache. This is me taking the stance I should have taken the day me and her met.

Thank you,
Millicent

[Opera house to tea shop]
[Anyone]
[Noon]


The scene was somber Rodolfo clutching Mimi's hands hoping above hope that maybe god wouldn't take her from him, his beautiful MiMi.
Era buio; e il mio rossor non si vedeva...
"Che gelida manina...
Se la lasci riscaldar!..."
Era buio, e la man tu mi prendevi...

Millicent began violently coughing and with one last smile at Rodolfo...

"OI I'M DYING HERE!" she shouted at the village chorus whispering all at once backstage.

"Just a small bit of professionalism would be lovely thank you!" she shouted.

The director sighed and spoke from the sound booth.

"She's right, if we could all pretend that this is the real thing it would be lovely, Millicent you're doing fine you can head home if you like"

She made her way back stage the young girl playing Musetta stopped her.

"Miss Bulstrode we all think what that horrid woman said about you is just plain awful and you know I read something about letting your feelings out so don't you worry if you need a shoulder to cry on I'm right here!"

"No thank you really I barely read it myself I've grown quite use to name calling by small minded people, what ever she may have said is petty and childish." She said simply. She desperately needed a brew and a Vodka twist. She settled for the former at a small teashop that made a nice cup of Jasmine. And gave her the option to sit on the balcony because she was a regular.

[Backstage of Opera House]
[Anyone]
[Noon]

"Millicent from the top, Mi chiamano Mimì" He hit the key on the piano to start her off. In less then 2 weeks they would start performing, and they had started dress rehearsals. Keeping their word her agent and the company had begun advertising her. Witch Weekly wanted to do an interview and the Opera House, a bi weekly wireless segment, were determined to have her on to talk abotu Italy.

"No no no Millicent I don't feel it you are small and humble, meeker then a mouse when you are talking to Rodolfo."

He hit a few keys and roughly sang it
"Sola, mi fo
il pranzo da me stessa.
Non vado sempre a messa,
ma prego assai il Signore.
Vivo sola, soletta
là in una bianca cameretta:
guardo sui tetti e in cielo; You see you are talkign about your mundane life but then you talk about the spring!
il primo sole è mio
il primo bacio dell'aprile è mio!
il primo sole è mio! these things are not mundane to you, they are the few things in life that you feel were made special for you. You see."

"Well maybe if i wasn't being forced into this ungodly contraption I'd be more inclined to pretend I'm excited abotu a spring day!" She snipped gesturing to two costume assistants wrestling to get her in a corset.

"We're sorry sir but there's a lot of force needed for these things"

"Well why don't you go make it bigger!" she hissed.

"Ladies, if you could" he gestured to the door. The two girls left with the costume without another word.

"Now if you could pretend for a second that you are not a prima donna, you are meek little Mimi, who's spring day belongs to her and god. From 'Sola, mi fo'" he gave her the key and once again Millicent went back to rehearsing her part.

[Millicent's house]
[Noon]
[Anyone]

In between her practices with her voice couch and talks with her manager a very thin man walked up the out side steps to the house with the very beautiful music that Diagon ally had grown use to hearing.

"Yes what is it that you want?" Millicent answered the door. She was becoming very annoyed with the constant interruptions.

"Er, dilivery or Millicent Bulstrode"

"Yes that's me? These better be my glasses, how am I supposed to have a decent business dinner with bargain brand crystal?" She snatched the clipboard out of the frightened man's hand and signed it. He waved his wand and a basket with a rather plump British Short hair and a lean Siamese cat looking very comfortable.

Millicent made a sqeal that only dogs could here.

"Look at the wittle Kittie Witties! Are you my new wittle babies? Mummy has been waiting for you two for-"

The thin man was now even more horrified. She cleared her throat and tipped him before taking the cats in and slamming the door.

"You two are absolutely adorable! I'll name you Jasmine!" She said placing a diamond collar on the Siamese cat

"And you I'll name Contessa" She went to put another sparkling color on the plump cat only to have it not fit.

"Okay...erm big Contessa" She smiled and rushed into the kitchen to fix her new little ones dinner.

[Practice room in the Opera House to the streets]
[Anyone]
[Evening]


She finished the last of Musettas waltz and made a modest bow. In the hall with all the rest of the hopeful auditioners she couldn't help but feel that this was her year.

"Oh my aren't you Millicent Bulstrode?" A petite woman turned and asked.

"Yes, I am" She said politely

"Oh my I saw you in 99, you were terrific in The Barber of Suville"

"Well thank you so much" She shook the woman's hand in an effort to shut her up. Thankfully before she could go through the list of operas Millicent had done a tall haughty woman came out of the second practice room.

"Millicent Bulstrode we're ready for you"

She took a seat in front of the table and the woman took her seat. There was a pause that seem to take an hour to get over but then the woman's face softened.

"Can I just say I love you in Barber of Seville, Brilliant."

Millicent blinked a few times then nodded

"Um...well thank you."

"You can sing in three different language, studied exclusively in Italy, oh there I go blathering on, you know you're credentials and why we we've given you a contract to join the company." The woman took out a stack of paper.

"As for the role you've auditioned for in this Year's production of La Boheme"
Millicent in the most lady like way possible sat on the edge of the seat.

"We think you'd be absolutely perfect for the role..."

"Oh my goodness" Millicent said a bit faint

"As Mimi"

"It is an honor a real hon-as who?" She eyebrowed

"As Mimi, you were brilliant in all of the other performances you [played her and I think and I'm sure your agent would agree that if they loved you in Italy they'd love you here. And it's exactly what this place needs. Think about it in big letters "MILLICENT BULSTORDE REPRISING HER ROLE AS MIMI" It'll be pronominal and create the the fanfare you deserve in Britain! Now we have the..."

Millicent kept a stiff upper lip and kept smiling though the woman's words had faded in her ears. She took the song books without even thinking to tell her she already had them in several different languages. Her thoughts were only interrupted by the petite woman who was waiting for her out in the hall.

"Oh Miss Bulstrode I have you to thank for this surely!" She grinned and hugged Millicent.

"I got Musetta, I came here expecting to be cast as one of the towns people but fate, it must be fate. I meet you out here surely your talent must've rubbed off on me some how because they casted me. Imagine, sharing the stage with Miss Bulstrode! I do hope I don't muck it up!"

The young woman hurried off excited. Millicent hadn't made it to the front door before her mood turned nasty. She said something in an incoherent mesh of German and Italian.

"Mimi Mimi Mimi!" She shouted into the streets and a few onlookers moved out of her way.

[Diagon Alley]
[Anyone]
[Early evening]

Around the time of Twilight as the lanterns were dimming and the night owls found their designated spots; she could be heard singing something beautiful but at the same time sorrowful. The new neighbor in Diagon. She had put on quite the show, the large woman made her presence known without even trying. Neck draped with three different scarves you'd think it was below freezing.

"No, the piano is on the second floor, why would I have it on the first? What? So a thief can pop right in and take it or worst some drunk can play it after a party?! Be careful it's a family heirloom.

The poor movers, had hey not have been payed in advance they wouldn't have even bothered to get the thing through the second story window.

And put that out around me, do you have any idea how bad that is for the throat? she snapped at one mover.

No one knew who she was or what she had done prior to appearing. All they knew was that night there was a change in the evening sounds. If someone were to tell them who's singing beautiful German lyrics "O maiden! see a maidens sorrow -
O mother, hear a suppliant child!
Ave maria!
"
They would have died of shock.
The last Ave Maria flowed out of her mouth and the piano stopped.

"If I have to sing that again I'm going to jump off the side of a building" She said simply walking from her place beside the piano.

"Well you must admit it is a nice exercise keeps you limber Miss. Bulstrode." The old fat man quipped as he stood to leave.