AN: Yay! 11 total reviews! thiswould've been up sooner, except I just got home last night. =] I have not seen Love Never Dies, so any similarities are merely coincidence. Yes, the characters are not exactly as they are in the original play, but I had to change them for my story—that is what a fanfiction author does. I plan to read Leroux's original book in the near future, and my characters are based off of the original play and Susan Kay's Phantom (read it, it is worth it).

Disclaimer: I only own how the characters act and think in my story.


Anne's (Madame Antoinette Giry) POV

When will they all SHUT UP? I thought to myself as I sat in the meeting between Firmin, Andre, myself, and Elizabeth. I smiled as I remembered how Elizabeth came to be at the Populaire

"Oh, Anne, I am so nervous! I cannot do this! What if they don't like me?" the small blonde woman leaning on me shook with fear.

"Elizabeth, mon cherie, you will be fine. Firmin and Andre will adore you," I smiled as I patted her on the back. "They have searched high and low for someone to replace the old choir director. She mysteriously disappeared after the Accident," But Erik swore he had nothing to do with it I thought, though I had my doubts. "And someone with your talents is sure to impress."

"Do you really think so?" Beth looked up at me with tear-filled, hopeful eyes.

"I know so, Beth," I smiled and hugged her as we walked through the front doors of the Populaire.

Anyway, Beth is the only one who does not annoy me at these weekly meetings. Firmin and Andre ramble on about money and ticket sales, Beth and I report about our respective pupils, and the Opera Ghost is mentioned towards the end, as if no one wants to broach the subject.

"Monsieur O.G. has been quite quiet since the…uh….erm…."

"Accident," I finished for Andre, inwardly laughing at his fear, and the word choice he had made: "quite quiet"….poor fool, he makes me laugh!

"Yes, thank you, Anne. Now, since he has been quiet, is it safe to assume that the Populaire has finally been rid of its unwelcome patron?" Andre asked hopefully. We all shook our heads. Andre sighed and sat back down. "Well, Firmin, what do you think about our 'Obedient Servant'?"

Firmin rose slowly and uncertainly. "Well, we have received no notes,"

"Thank God," interjected Andre, then at the expression on Firmin's face, looked down and said, "Sorry, Firmin. Please continue."

"As I was saying," Firmin started again, "we have received no notes,"

At that moment, our favorite primadonna burst into the room, her wig askew, dress disheveled, and without makeup. "Senores, here I have a note!" She cried in her Spanish accent.

"Let me see it," Andre, Firmin, and I cried. Beth remained in her seat, a look of shock upon her pretty little face. Apparently she had not believed the stories I told her about the Fantome.

Carlotta crushed the letter to her ample, protruding chest, and said, "No, no! I will read it!" She cleared her throat (which Erik was constantly telling me was horrible for the vocal cords), and proceeded to read.

"Carlotta,

We here at the Paris Theatre Company have seen your performances, and would like to offer you the position of primadonna. If you accept, please…"

I tuned out the rest of the letter. Carlotta, leaving, for good? It's like a dream come true! As everyone turned to stare at me, I realized that I must have voiced my thoughts aloud. Oops. "I mean, Carlotta, dearie, that's good! Like a dream come true!" I tried to fix my mistake with a smile. The stares left my face and returned to Carlotta as the managers of the Populaire predictably attempted to persuade their primadonna to stay.

"Brat," I whispered to Beth, "I wouldn't be surprised if she made the whole thing up herself. Who's ever heard of the Paris Theatre Company anyway?"

"I have," she whispered.

"Really?" I breathed, intrigued.

"No, I just wanted to see your reaction!" Beth cried, getting up and running out of the room, for she knew I would chase her for that. She makes me feel like a child again. I peered at the trio arguing and decided they wouldn't notice or care if I left.

I ran after Elizabeth, laughing and giggling like a young chorus girl. But though I teach ballet to young girls, I no longer have the body of a young girl. As I stopped to catch my breath, I noticed that one of Erik's secret doors was open. That can't be good, I thought. Either someone got in and is now dying in one of his traps, or something is wrong with Erik. I rushed through the door, closing it on my way. I descended into pure darkness, fearing for the worst.


AN:Review, review, review! I love them, positive or negative, and I try to respond to every one. Sorry if I have not in the past. And remember that I ACCEPT ANONYMOUS REVIEWS! So, review! I expect at least ten more before I will post the next chapter. Au revoir! =]