Chapter 151 - 149: Fundraising Concerto I
The days passed like a blur and soon it was the 15th. Everyone performing left the school at 9 in the morning to arrive in the venue early.
When they got near Columbia's opera house, they saw that a crowd has already formed at the front entrance. People were already lining up even when the ticketing has not yet opened. They were all surprised for it was still early and that the venue was an hour away from the center of the capital.
Luckily, there was a backdoor for them to enter which saved them from going through the crowd. Inside, the facilitators and the children from the orphanage were already waiting. Seeing that all the performers were already present, they all went to the stage to have a last rehearsal before their performance later.
30 minutes before noon, Edward arrived at the venue to inspect and ensure that everything was working properly. When he saw Charlton and Emily, he was quick to approach them.
"Charlton and Ms. Emily, I'm glad to see the both of you. Do you have any idea what it's like outside?" he asked.
"When we arrived there's already a line forming. However, it is still within expectations." Charlton replied.
Edward laughed. "Then you haven't seen how it is now. People have been arriving in hoards, and to think that the ticketing isn't supposed to open until noon and that the event would only start at 2. I'm afraid that the opera house will not even be able to accommodate everyone. Anyway, I suggest we start selling tickets now, if not we might not be able to finish distributing them before the start of the benefit concert."
Charlton did not expect that many people, the tickets were not cheap at 200 each. Anyway, he could only nod his head in response.
"By the way, after the recording session, I need to talk to you about something, I know today will be a long day, but I hope you can spare some time." Edward requested.
Charlton, knowing that they were not under curfew later voiced his agreement. "Okay."
--
"There are no more tickets? But I have walked all the way from the capital to here just to see the concert. I even prepared the money to pay for a seat. Please, I'm even willing to just stand and pay the whole price." A lady who was wearing worn out clothes insisted.
It was 20 minutes to two when the tickets sold out. However, there were still about a hundred people in line. The people working on the ticketing has experienced working under other opera houses, and they have never encountered this kind of situation. Usually, people buying tickets were from the upper middle class of society. However, today, even those from the lower middle class came to see the concert.
The most perplexing thing was that the performers were just children from the orphanage and some students from the nobility. And although Charlton was playing, it was just two numbers.
"We're sorry madam, but this is not something we can decide on our own. Let me talk to our boss first."
--
The supervisor of the ticketing office went backstage to report to Edward. The performers have also been there since 1 in the afternoon after the opera house has been open to let the people to find their seats.
"Sir Edward, we have a problem. There are still about a hundred people on que that was not able to purchase tickets. Normally, we won't have to report matters like this, however, they have been insisting that they would just stand to watch and are still willing to pay for the whole price. Also, the people outside… well you have to see to know…"
Edward shook his head. "We can't accommodate more. The opera house is already packed."
Charlton and Emily who was also beside Edward at that time looked at his questioningly. They only asked for 1000 tickets and the venue could accommodate 2000.
"Actually, we printed 2000 tickets just in case. And to think that it still isn't enough. What kind of a benefit concert is this? How did you promote this event to have this kind of response?"
Emily answered with, "Perhaps, Charlton's name has this much pull, or that the article we submitted and published by the times regarding this concert has appealed to the hearts of everyone attending. I'm not sure…"
Edward begged to differ. If it was just that, he doubts that it would be like this.
"Anyway, I'll go outside to see and check what we can do to placate them. Charlton, Ms. Emily, I will leave everything to the two of you. I will come back later. Good luck."
"thank you." They both said.
--
"Hmpft, really, if not because of your convincing powers, I have no plans of attending this concert just because it's headed by Emily too! You and Via are not even performing. UGHHH just look at what's printed on the ticket. I think just the date and the title of the event 'Hope rising, a benefit concert for the children' is enough. No need to print hers and Charlton's name. So annoying!" Gizel complained.
"Don't be like that Gizel, we're going for the children, not Emily. But yeah, you have a point. When I saw what was published on the times, it was really annoying to look at." Milly said.
"Although I agree, I think Emily printing Charlton's name specifically is good for publicity. Though her name would have been insignificant, she was indeed the main person leading the event. Anyway, I think we should go, we don't want to be late." Via reminded.
Serena nodded her head. "Yes, we should. Let's all ride together in my carriage. Gizel, Milly, I'll just ask my coachman, Bernard, to send you back here after the event. Me and Via can hitch with Leonard to the studio later."
"Sure!" they all agreed.
The four of them rode Serena's carriage and left school at half pass twelve. When they arrived, what welcomed them was the sight of about a hundred people almost rioting outside the opera house.
--
TBC