Chapter Six – Reunion of a Phantom and his Angel
Paris Opera – Early April 2005
Her head bowed to keep the rain out of her eyes, Christine runs into the opera house for her second act vocal run-through. As the doors close, Christine runs right into Richard who has just finished a conversation on his cell phone. "Oh! I'm so sorry, Richard!"
"Don't be so sorry, love," he replies, nudging her in the arm fraternally. They head towards the staircase when Richard turns back to her, and she stops. "You know, Christine, we haven't had the chance to talk and we've been leading co-stars for at least two weeks now."
"I know, but everything's been so busy with the costuming and all and…"
"That's not what I meant, Christine." He takes her arm, and she realizes just how firm his grip is. "Don't you remember me?"
It dawns on her. "Yes! We went to camp together for a few weeks, right? You're so different!"
"It's only been four years, Lily." Lily. Her old nickname. He remembers. Christine throws her arms around Richard's neck. He had been her first real boyfriend, if only for a few days. That was the summer after her mother died, and she'd desperately needed someone to love her besides her grandmother. "I'm glad you remember me, love."
"And I'm glad I do!" Christine lets go of her co-star and he takes her hand as they walk to the theatre for rehearsal.
They enter the theatre and see that there's already a crowd onstage rehearsing for Masquerade. There is Millie Denton, the opera's La Carlotta, Missy, who is Meg, Mara Reinhart, their Madame Giry, and the three actors, whose names Christine really didn't know, who are Piangi, André, and Firmin. "Richard! Christine! Get down here!" Madame Garnier calls up to them
"We'll be right there, Madame!" The pair run to put their things in some empty chairs and hurry up on stage.
"Are you warmed up enough?"
"Yes, plenty, thank you," Christine replies, catching her breath. They go through the scene and begin staging Richard's entrance at the song's end.
"Take a break!" Madame calls to the cast, and Christine descends to the main theatre level with Richard, chatting most joyously.
"So, how was your vocal lesson the other day?"
"It was fine, thanks," Christine replies, taking a sip of her water. "He's really an amazing teacher."
"Ah," Richard replies, putting his arm around her waist. "A walk, maybe?"
"Of course!" The two walk steadily towards the back of the theatre, planning to make a lap around it before break is over. They walk in silence, merely enjoying each other's presence, before Richard speaks again.
"You know Christine, he's a little obsessive."
"Who? Erik?" Richard nods. "I know he is, but that's not a problem."
"It's odd though," Richard says, motioning for her to take a seat with him in one of the back-most rows. "Do you even know what the Phantom's real name was?"
"He didn't have a name…did he?" Christine gulps. Not another Phantom-obsessed man.
"Many think he did not, but I know that Erik Destler knows it; what serious fan wouldn't? Would you like to know, Lily?" She nods, a little worried of what she'll hear. "His name was," Richard takes a breath, "Erik."
"Y-you're joking! It can't possibly…and spelled the same too?" Richard nods, and she just knows he isn't lying. "Richard, that's crazy. It's impossible! Absurd!"
"It's true, love, it's true. I've checked it countless times since you were sent to take lessons from him. It's completely truthful. There is no mistake." His eyes are sad. This can't possibly be true, Christine is sure of it. That would be too awkward and coincidental.
"Oh, Richard," she says mournfully, throwing herself against him. "He is crazed, isn't he? It's too weird." Richard's hands move rhythmically over her back and arms, calming her a little. To go for lessons again the next day? It would be torture. But she has to have faith in her coach. She must trust Erik, her very own Angel of Music.
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