Here is a new chapter for all you fop-haters out there! Enjoy!

Erik was bored again. He'd spent the whole day doing practically nothing. After scaring a couple of chorus girls and chasing the managers down the hall, he found himself bored This "phantom" thing could only be so drawn out. Closing his eyes, he curled up in his coffin and went to sleep to dream of more ways to torture Raoul…

XxXxX

Raoul was so excited. He and Christine were going to the opera house to see the newest production at the Paris Opera House: Phantom of the Opera. It was a new show and Raoul had gotten backstage passes. The title had been a bit of a shock since it seemed familiar.

When they got backstage, it seemed as though panic was settling down over the actors and actresses. From down the hall, an almost non existent voice and an exuberant voice were heard.

"Vat happened?" the first voice yelled.

"I don't know!" the other whined in a small voice.

Raoul was shocked. It was Carlotta and Piangi.

"What is wrong?" Christine asked, getting to them.

"I lost my voice!" Piangi yelled… or tried to.

"What parts do you play?" Christine asked.

"I played the part of myself, La Carlotta since no one can sing as lovely as me." Carlotta said proudly.

"Wait, you're in it as yourself?" Raoul asked.

"Yes. And Piangi here was going to be the Phantom. But he can't even sing a note now!" Carlotta huffed.

"Couldn't before either!" Christine whispered in Raoul's ear.

"THAT'S IT! WE QUIT. THIS PLACE IS SO EVIL AND MEAN AND I DON'T SEE ANY PROFIT FROM ME WORKING HERE. FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO PLAY THE MAIN CHARACTERS!" a man yelled, and took a woman's hand trying to pull her out. Finally he succeeded and they were gone.

"Oh my goodness!" Carlotta moaned. "Could this get any worse? Opening night and we have hardly any of the main parts. How can The Phantom of the Opera be acted out without Raoul, Christine, and the Phantom?" Carlotta exclaimed.

"Christine?" Christine asked.

"Raoul?" Raoul asked.

They were pale.

"Why are we in this?" Christine asked.

"It is the story of you, Raoul, and Erik. The doomed love triangle, destined for death!" Carlotta laughed evilly.

"Oh." They chorused.

Suddenly, puffs of black smoke popped up. It also happened to just be the moment when the chorus was practicing: "He's there, the Phantom of the opera! Beware the Phantom of the Opera!"

Erik appeared, looking dashing in his cape, fedora, and half white mask. "I've come to play the part of the Phantom. You, boy…FOP… will be playing the part of Raoul, and Christine, dear Christine, you'll be playing the part of ….. CHRISTINE!"

Erik clapped his hands. "Com'n. Makeup everyone… and Piangi, that's not the way my disfiguration looks… this is!" Erik showed the man his face. Piangi fainted.

XxXxX

Right before the curtain opened, Erik wrung his hands. This was so exciting! He was actually going to be playing the part of himself in a musical. Besides, he'd get to be close to Christine again.

After going over a couple of things with Christine, he felt that she was ready. Raoul was born ready. It was enough that he was dumb to play the part.

Erik gulped as the curtain opened and the show began.

XxXxX

Christine knew this play like the back of her hand even though she'd just been casted a few hours ago. The musical was her life! As it came to the end, and she came on the stage behind Erik, pretending to struggle, she tried to hide a grin. Through his disfiguration, he was almost cute.

When Raoul came in, Christine closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. He was way too good at this "fop" thing. Why in the world had she chosen him over Erik? In some ways, Christine wished that Erik had killed him when they were in the final scene.

XxXxX

Erik grinned, ready for the final scene. As he tightened the noose around Raoul's neck, he pulled it tighter than was comfortable for the man. Raoul's eyes widened.

"For either way you choose, you can not win! You've past the point of no return…."

Erik's lines ended.

He felt that this was the right moment. With all of his might he pulled on the lasso, and he heard the distinct snapping of the man's neck. A gasp circled through the theatre.

"MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Erik cackled. He walked over to Christine, "Will you marry me now?"

Christine's hand flew to her mouth. She took one glance at Raoul's lifeless, hanging body before nodding and throwing her arms around Erik's neck.

She pulled his face down and they kissed their first REAL kiss.

There! I finally updated. I hope you enjoyed that… lovely vision of Raoul's neck being snapped ON STAGE. Oh yes, it is wonderful.

-Kara