MAN OF SORROWS

An Original work of fiction by GerrysJackie

Based on the characters from Gaston Lereux's, "Phantom of the Opera"

With special thanks to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber for his vision of the characters

©All original content and characters are the property of GerrysJackie

Members of the CAST:

Erik Argeneau – Gerard Butler

Christine Daughtry – Alyson Hannigan (slightly lighter red-hair and more buxom)

Meg Goldwyn – Jessica Simpson (taller)

Evie Sybille Tremaine – Liv Tyler

Julius Tremaine – Dolph Lundgren (in his younger days with shoulder-length hair)

Sam Bannister – Tom Hanks

Rafe Chaucer – Matt Damon

CHAPTER 1

This mid-August day in the Big Apple was sunny and slightly breezy. The forecast called for a slight chance of showers as the morning progressed; but many felt that those showers would provide little relief.

The sun shone, bright and blinding, down on the native New Yorkers and the tourists – showing no mercy from, what many considered to be, a heat wave.

New York is a bustling, hustling city with hoards of people passing each other every day. Many of them are completely obsessed with their own lives; caring little about the person they accidentally bump into or the cabby that drives them home at night.

Every person has drama of some kind going on in their life – broken hearts, shattered lives, the man who just lost his wife of 43 years to cancer and the loneliness is consuming him. More times than not, we are so wrapped up in our own soap opera that we fail to see the needs of others.

To those who did not know her, Meg Goldwyn would appear to be one such person. She had it all – looks, fame, fortune, fine cars, fine men…everything. Her world was so full of chaos and rivalry – it often felt as though there was no escape.

However, Christine kept her grounded.

Christine was her gravity in a hectic, overturned world. They had been best friends for years…ever since grade school. Christine was the sober, calming presence that always kept Meg's head above the water….with Christine by her side, Meg felt as though she could conquer the world.

To curious onlookers, redheaded Christine Daughtry was the brainy one. She wore sensible glasses, always pulled her copper tresses back in a messy bun or ponytail, seldom spoke unless spoken to, and wore prudent, no-nonsense clothes.

She had been this way all through school and her unsophisticated, callow appearance nearly drove Meg to insanity's edge.

The two friends, exact opposites of one another, sat at a table in the far left corner of a quaint, old-country style, coffee shop nestled smack dab in the middle of one of the busiest places in the world, Times Square.

They sat side-by-side with their heads inclined toward one another – Meg's long legs were crossed and Christine's shook nervously.

"I don't know Meg…I suppose I could try it one time, but I don't feel any attraction toward him…at all."

"How can you not feel attracted to him, he's gorgeous!"

The high-pitched exclamation her friend threw at her was enough to let Christine know that Meg thought she was insane.

Dillon Lloyd was the epitome of male attractiveness – well, at least he thought so. He had pursued Meg at one time, but Meg was currently "involved" with Rafe Chaucer, an up and coming ad executive.

Dillon had decided he would step down a notch – at least that was what Christine thought. Meg had talked him up and had even introduced her to him, but Christine could not get over the uneasiness that had settled in her stomach.

"That's your thing, Meg…." Christine mumbled, "…looks aren't everything." Megs astounded look made her giggle, "Come on – you can have all the 'pretty boys' if you want them…I want a man with some substance."

"Substance? Christine – substance is for husband material – this is just for fun…" Meg could see the disinterest on Christine's face and decided to let her expound, "…exactly what do you see as 'substance'?"

Christine rolled her eyes and smiled shyly, "A man who thinks with something other than his manhood, and who knows how to treat a woman. A man who has interests that reach beyond sports, cars, and drinking; a man who doesn't spend as much time in front of a mirror as most women do, worrying about his first grey hair, crows feet, or how 'gorgeous' he is."

Meg could do nothing but laugh and shake her luxurious blond, straight hair, "First of all, girlfriend, nobody says 'manhood' anymore, call it what it is - penis…staff…whatever – anything but manhood."

Christine buried her head in her hands, completely embarrassed by the brashness of Meg's language. She looked back up when Meg continued, making sure no one had heard her choice of words.

"Secondly…" Meg continued without caring that her friend was completely mortified, "…there is no such man on planet earth…he'd have to be completely bizarre to be all those things."

"Well then, bizarre is what I'm looking for…and don't tell me he's not out there." Christine barked, "How do you know…have you met every man on the planet?"

Meg stared at her best friend with incredulous eyes, snickered at her attempt at humor, and finally shook her head, "My gracious, what's got your panties in such a twist?"

Christine shot her friend a sideways look that spoke volumes about her mood. The green of her eyes seemed more intense as she peered at Meg over the rim of her glasses.

She raked her eyes over her best friend's tall, statuesque body and perfect face, "I am just so tired of the mindset that men have these days." Christine reflected. "They want a woman with perfect boobs, a perfect butt, flawless skin, perfect teeth, flaxen hair, a high-paying, exciting job – women like me don't stand a chance."

Christine flung her chair back and exited the coffee shop in a huff. She could not believe the tears that stung her eyes. What was wrong with her?

Meg ran after her, ignoring how every set of male eyes followed her. Her concern was for her best friend.

"Christine!"

Meg continued her pursuit, regardless of the fact that Christine completely ignored her.

"Christine…" Meg reached her and gently grasped her elbow, causing her to turn and look at her.

"I don't want to do it, Meg…I don't want to see the disappointment in his eyes when he discovers that I'm not like you."

Meg was stunned at the sincere pain and swelling tears she saw in Christine's eyes.

"Christine…you are a beautiful woman…why can't you see that?" Meg smiled reassuringly and wrapped her arm around her friend's slender shoulders. "Talk to me…I'm sorry if I laugh this subject off – I know you want to get married and have a family some day."

Christine wiped her tears away with her sleeve, hoping that no one was paying her any mind.

"I want a man who needs me…I want a man whose life is a complete mess without me…even though he doesn't know it…" She smiled at Meg and continued, "…I want a man who will let me take care of him…and who needs my love – and ONLY my love."

Meg didn't speak, but continued to walk with Christine down the busy sidewalk. She didn't notice that Christine kept examining her faultless features, idyllically proportioned body, and dazzling smile.

Christine laughed inwardly as she, once again, thought about the fact that Meg never left home without a perfect make-up job that covered her non-existent blemishes; and every straight, rich, deep blond hair being in place. If this hadn't been a constant source of amusement for Christine, it would have been a constant source of annoyance.

When they went places together, no one even noticed the mousy, copper-headed woman who accompanied Meg Goldwyn almost everywhere she went. To the media and the public, it appeared that Christine was perfectly content to walk in Meg's shadow.

However, looks were deceiving, and Meg knew that Christine was getting tired of always being the 'unknown woman' in pictures or articles that hit the newspapers and tabloids.

Christine didn't blame Meg for her lack of beauty; but just once she wanted to be the one that men noticed – the one whose face graced the billboards and decorated the news and magazine stands.

However, it was not to be – and never would be.

"Christine, come with me to my photo session." Meg pleaded.

"Why…so I can share my perpetual state of patheticness with all the world?"

Meg rolled her eyes and led Christine down the crowded sidewalk toward her next appointment.

"You, my dear, are not pathetic…you are a striving artist with some of the most intriguing and unique paintings I have ever seen."

"I'm sure that you mean 'starving' artist…" Christine chuckled, "Besides, to the world…I am just a high school chorus and art teacher…nothing more."

Meg was giving her best pouting look and Christine just rolled her eyes in defeat, "Okay…you're making me sick…I'll come – but I'm not happy about it."

Meg swatted her playfully on the shoulder and gave her a hug, "Great! Then we can have some lunch and spend the afternoon at the new gallery that just opened in Manhattan."

Christine smirked favorably, "Meg, you don't have to do that…I don't need a babysitter."

"I want to do it…I've heard it's owned by some mysterious French guy." Meg wiggled her eyebrows and winked.

Christine could do nothing other than laugh, "It always comes down to some man…doesn't it?"

"I can't help it, dear heart, I just love men."

"Yeah, I love 'em too, they just aren't very fond of me."

Meg frowned at her and they kept on the path toward their destination.

TBC