"So, how did the audition go?" Leonard asked as Penny walked into the apartment to join them for dinner. Penny had auditioned for 'the Phantom of the Opera' this afternoon, and if she got the part, this would be her big break!

"Ah I hate the Phantom of the Opera!" Penny cried.

"She didn't get it, did I get it right?" Sheldon asked.

"I mean, what kind of director say I look 'too old' to play Meg? And that my singing was too, what, accustomed to singing pop? That's ridiculous!" Penny shouted.

"Oh Penny, don't get too upset!" Mimi said. "I bet you'll get a part in another musical. Remember the time you played me in Rent!" Mimi giggled.

"I play you wh- oh, the time I played Mimi!" Penny laughed.

"That's the spirit, girl." Mimi said.

The next day, Mimi didn't have work, so she was just doing some cleaning and singing. She felt bad for Penny, but the Phantom was her absolute favorite musical. She even got the part of Christine in her high school musical! She knew all the words by heart, and she sang all the songs in sequence.

Just as she finished singing the final number, she heard a knock on the door.

"Oh! Wonder who that could be." Mimi said, getting the door. And there stood a man dressed in a formal suit, looking around his 50's.

"Good morning." Mimi said. "How may I help you?"

"Young lady." The man said. "My name is Christopher Greyser, and I am your next door neighbor. I am also the producer of the Phantom of the Opera at the Pasadena Playhouse."

Mimi was startled. The producer of the Phantom?

"I heard your singing," Christopher Greyser continued, "and I was wondering if you will be willing to play a part in my musical next week."

Mimi was so surprised the man actually said that. "Wow, um, I'd be honored!" she said.

"Good." He said. "Do you have some time right now? Grab coffee, discuss it in detail?"

So Mimi and Christopher went to the Cheesecake Factory.

"I was very impressed by your singing." Christopher said. "Did you ever receive professional vocal training?"

"No, sir." Mimi said. "I taught myself."

"Impressive!" Christopher said. "Anyway, as you may or may not know, we held the auditions to fill the part of Meg, but we couldn't find anyone suitable. But you sing well, and you look young enough – how does it sound?"

The part of Meg? That was the part Penny failed to get! Poor Penny…. She felt bad for her friend. Still, she wondered if she felt guilty enough to turn down the order. Nope, she didn't think so.

Just then, a waitress came to take their order. "Hello, welcome to the Cheesecake Factory, how may I help you?" she asked.

Mimi looked up at her and saw to her surprise, that it was Penny.

"Hey Penny." Mimi said. But Penny, seeing Christopher, was too shocked to say hello back to her.

"Mr Greyer?" she gasped.

"Yes. How did you know my name?" Christopher asked.

"Wha – what are you doing here?" Penny asked.

"I came for coffee and cheesecake." Christopher said. "I'd like two café lattes, and two original cheesecakes."

Penny left with the order, with the shocked expression still on her face.

"Do you know her?" Christopher asked Mimi.

"She's Penny, my friend, and the girl who auditioned for your musical yesterday – and unfortunately failed to get the part." Mimi whispered.

"Oh." Christopher said. Mimi could see beyond his shoulder, Penny staring at them. She didn't look too happy.