Dear Reader,
The story you are about to read is true. Every word. This is the story of The Phantom's return. It takes place years after Christine had died. She and Raoul were married, but mysteriously were killed the day they said 'I Do'. My great, great grandfather saw the original show, the production of Hannibal. He had heard the stories that Christine had told, of the Phantom and her spectacular times with him. And now I hear the stories of this time.
After Meg and the others found the lair under the stairs, no one ever could find it again. And no one knows what happened to The Phantom. Now, some people have the nerve to do a production of The Phantom Of The Opera. But, they leave Box 5 empty and give him (the equivalent) of 20,000 francs anytime they do the play.
Some go into the opera house to see the ghost. A young girl goes onto the stage and sings one of the many duets, and if she is good enough, the Phantom appears. I have seen many girls run out screaming from the theater. One of the many privileges of owning the theater and living across from it.
Have I ever seen the Phantom? No. I haven't. But, my daughter sometimes sits in Box 5 or wanders around backstage when I fix up the old place, and she swears she hears singing around or below her. A few times she has said she has seen the Phantom, or he has given her gifts. He seems to enjoy her company. He even gave her the ring Christine gave him that fateful night.
Now, where was I? Oh, yes. The Phantom's return; Now, it all started about 15 years ago, when a young girl named Madeline joined the newest production of Phantom Of The Opera…
---
…"Now, the play we are doing this fall is The Phantom of the Opera. Does anyone know a song from it?" Andre asked from his chair, which was positioned to face both the middle and the front of the stage.
Madeline's hand shot up. Andre nodded and she climbed onto the stage. "Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye. Remember me once in a while - please promise me you'll try…"
---
"Okay, so Madeline will be playing our leading lady, Christine-" Andre, the director started.
He was interrupted by Cecile, the diva who had always been the lead, "WHAT? You know I'm the star! I'm the one with the talent, the one with-"
"-the perfect disposition to play Carlotta?" Antonio tried, looking at the list over Andre's shoulder. "And while we're on the subject of Phantom, I just happened to get that part!" Antonio shouted.
The chatter of the company started again and Andre screamed, "Fine! You can just read what part you got, what the hell do I care?" He shoved the list into Antonio's arms and stormed off.
"What's his problem? Anyway, like he said, you can all read what parts you got," Antonio re-capped, "AFTER the meeting ends. Until Vince gets back from costume shopping, I'll be running the meeting. Now, as all of you know, The Phantom of the Opera takes place in this very Opera House. I feel like I should warn you about The Phantom and some superstitions I have picked up online. Do not break any of these rules when you are in this opera house, or horrible things will happen. One: Never insult The Phantom or the play. This is one of the most important. Two: Never imitate the Phantom. I cannot wear the costume until opening night, and I have to do a few things before I can. Three: Do not enter Box 5. I'm warning you, don't do it. Four: Madeline, as Christine, you must come to this theater and sing The Phantom Of The Opera at midnight before the dress rehearsals begin. They say if the Phantom likes your singing, he will sing the duet with you and he will help the show go off without a hitch. Five: If you break any rules, you better pray to God that I won't come and find you. Understood?"
"Yes, my dear, superstitious Antonio, we understand," Jacques and Marcus chorused and then broke into a fit of laughter.
"Okay, okay, will the stage hands stop doing the actors' jobs? Meeting adjourned." Antonio placed the list on the table that was set up on the stage. He left, a relieved smile on his face. Madeline joined him and they went backstage.
Antonio ran his fingers over the frames of the many pictures backstage. Each one was a different photograph of that night when The Phantom made his appearance known onstage. Madeline sighed. She reached out to a picture of him when his mask came off and placed her finger over the disfigured side of his face. He was handsome if you saw him in that way. Andre called the cast together to start practicing.
---
It was the day before dress rehearsals began. Antonio and Madeline sat in the 'boat' and were practicing 'The Phantom Of The Opera'. Maddie just couldn't get that last note and Antonio couldn't get the correct vibe going. Just as they were about to take a break, they heard a voice. It was low, soothing, beautiful.
You, boy, when she sings "Here, inside my mind" place your hand to her forehead. And Madeline, if you need to, hold your diaphragm when you try to hit that note. Press it firmly and you should be able to hit it. Try the song again.
"Wait, Andre. Can we try just one more time?" Antonio pleaded.
Andre glanced at his watch and nodded, "Well, alright. And one, two, three, four…"
"SING FOR ME!" Antonio cried as Madeline hit that high note and held it.
"Okay guys! That's enough!" Andre stopped the instrumental recording and clapped. "That was simply spectacular, guys. Antonio, you looked so real and so haunting up on the stage. And Madeline, you hit that note with such accuracy I felt like I was really there. Ha ha, yes!"
Andre let them take a break and Antonio tore off the paper mask he had made with a piece of paper and a rubber band. He had said that, because he used things in the opera house and the mask wasn't that good, it didn't count. Maddie sighed; relieved they had got it over with. Antonio got out of the boat and helped Madeline out as well. They grabbed some water and sat down at the edge of the stage. Jacques came running down the center aisle and stopped where the two were sitting.
"Wow, that was amazing. What were you guys doing up there? Right before that last take? You were looking around, almost like you were listening for something."
"I don't know what it was, but a voice told us how to fix our problems. It was like The Phantom knew what we were doing wrong. And if it was The Phantom, I think I'm going to leave a gift in Box 5 to thank him." Antonio raised his bottle toward the ceiling and gulped. He looked meaningfully at Box 5.
"I thought you said we weren't allowed in there!" Jacques whined, knowing his route around the theater would be quicker if he could go into The Phantom's Box.
"For recreational purposes. If you are there to give the Phantom a gift or pray to him or something, then yes, you are allowed in. And speaking of the Phantom, are you going to sing to him tonight?" Antonio looked to Madeline with pleading eyes.
"Of course. I'm not scared-" Madeline started.
"-That the Phantom will get you?!?" Marcus had grabbed Madeline by the shoulders and made her spill her water.
"Agh! Marcus! I'm going to get you for that!" She grabbed him and they started play fighting.
---
That night, Madeline, Jacques, Marcus and the organ player, Thomas, had all joined together at the theater. Jacques and Marcus hid on their stomachs' and watched Madeline get onstage between the seats. Thomas sat at the organ and, when queued, began playing.
Madeline began to sing:
"In sleep, he sang to me. In dreams, he came . . . That voice, which calls to me, and speaks my name . . . And do I dream again? For now I find, the Phantom of the Opera
is there - inside my mind . . ."
She then heard a voice. It seemed to come from everywhere at from nowhere. The low, crisp voice with the perfect pitch that haunted her that very afternoon was singing to her. The one who knew her name.
"Sing once again with me, our strange duet . . . My power over you grows stronger yet . . . And though you turn from me, to glance behind, the Phantom of the Opera is there - inside your mind . . ." he sang. She was entranced by this voice and just had to keep singing. He then appeared in the small musical part between the verses. They began to walk in a slow circle, looking each other in the eye.
"Those who have seen your face draw back in fear . . . I am the mask you wear . . ." she placed out her hand for him to take it. He held it and kept the slow circle.
"It's me they hear . . ."
He stepped closer to her and grabbed her waist. They began to waltz and kept singing. "Your/my spirit and your/my voice, in one combined: the Phantom of the Opera is there inside your/my mind . . ."
He disappeared and appeared behind her shoulder and strolled to her front. "In all your fantasies, you always knew…" he then disappeared again and appeared behind her other shoulder, "That man and mystery . . ."
She smiled at him slyly and blushed, still holding his hand, " . . . were both in you . . ."
They joined together for the first time, their voices in harmony. He caressed her cheek with his gloved hand; holding her hand with the other. She placed her hand upon his cheek, still in his trance. "And in this labyrinth, where night is blind, the Phantom of the Opera is there/here inside your/my mind . . . " he placed her fingers to her forehead and he laced his with hers.
He let go of her and said, "Sing, my Angel of Music!"
"He's there, the Phantom of the Opera . . . " she began doing the strange vocal part of the song, getting higher and higher but not high enough.
"Sing for me! Sing, my Angel of Music!" the Phantom encourages her to go higher but to no avail. He grabs her from behind and she screams. He yells, "SING FOR ME!" He wraps his cloak around her and they disappear.
"What the-?" Marcus said. He raced to the stage. He called her, "Cara! Cara Mia! Sister! Where are you, love? Sister? Where are you? Madeline! Please come out! MADELINE!"
---
Phantom and Madeline returned to his lair. Madeline had fainted, her arms locked around his neck. Phantom sighed and picked her up, bridal style. He laid her on his bed and unlocked her arms from his neck. He sat there for a minute, staring at her face and caressing her cheek. She stirred, nuzzling into his hand.
He sang to her, "I have brought you to the seat of sweet music's throne . . . To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music . . . music . . . You have come here, for one purpose, and one alone . . . Since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me, to serve me, to sing, for my music . . . my music . . ."
---
Marcus, Jacques, and Thomas were checking all over the theater, calling the girl. "Cara! Sister? Madeline! Where are you?" They soon gave up. The Opera House was deserted. Jacques ran outside to the square and began screaming, "The Phantom of the Opera strikes again! Beware, The Phantom has taken a girl!"
People stuck their heads out of their windows. People were yelling out to them things like, "WHAT? But, he is a legend!" "Not these clowns again!" "The Phantom? Oh no!" "Franck! Lock the childrens' bedroom!"
The two others followed suit. They ran all the way to the Police Station and were about to enter. Marcus stopped them. "Wait. What are we going to say? 'M. Policeman! Me and my friends were in the Opera le Populaire and my sister was taken by the Phantom!'? "
"What's wrong with that?" Thomas asked.
"Would you believe me?" Marcus asked skeptically.
"Probably not. You're right. But what do we do? We can't just let her stay there!" Jacques said worriedly.
"Well…" he started, then his eyes widened and he was grinning like a madman. "We will go home! In the play, The Phantom never kept Christine too long, so if he is a man of habit, then it makes perfect sense! She will be back by tomorrow morning.