Chapter 3

The Interview

The rest of Christine's week passed quickly as all of her being was looking forward to this interview. Friday finally arrived, prompting her to wake up early. She received interview tips from her father as she cooked breakfast ("Don't forget to shake your prospective future boss' hand before and after the meeting!"), fashion tips from Meg as the girls raided Christine's tiny closet ("Honestly, Chris! Is there anything you own that isn't a baggy tee and jeans!"), and last minute body language tips from Mrs. Giry ("Don't sit there with your legs and arms crossed. It makes you look unreceptive to their offer and, overall, uninterested in working there.").

"You look cute!" Meg insisted as Christine attempted to smooth nonexistent wrinkles from her pinstripe skirt and while blouse. "But I wish you had let me do more with your hair." Christine had insisted on pinning her hair into a half tail with a jeweled hair clip.

"I feel overdressed compared to you." Christine admitted, picking at her nails nervously. Meg had chosen khaki capris and a light pink blouse, her hair pulled into a severe ballerina's bun. She looked perfect, in Christine's opinion. They entered the dusty, run down, little shop, with its still-papered windows, only to be greeted by a tall, dark man.

"Good morning, ladies." He said in a deep, calming voice. "My name is Nadir Khan. If you will give me your names, I will call you when Mr. Foster is ready to see you." Both girls gave their names to Nadir, who walked off into a back room of the store.

"What do you think?" Meg asked her friend, who was eyeing a box of sheet music and scorebooks like a kid in a candy store.

"I would be in heaven if I wind up getting the job." Christine breathed, reaching for a particularly thick libretto. "If I don't, you know I'll be in here every day, if only to read this." She held up the libretto to Faust. "This is my favorite play, you know."

Before Meg had a chance to reply, Nadir called her name. She gulped and walked to the back room. A boy from their graduating class, who seemed fairly familiar to Christine, walked out, grinning widely.

"Hey, Christine!" He greeted her, giddy with excitement. "It's Kevin Doone, from Home-Ec." He made a face, which immediately jogged her memory.

"Kevin, you were the one who nearly blew up the kitchen with your antics." She laughed. "I didn't know that you plan to work here too."

"Yeah." He said, his smile broadening. "Mr. Foster hired me right on the spot. He said he needed someone with a good guitar background."

"That's wonderful." She returned his grin. "Would you mind joining Meg and me for lunch once we're done? It's a celebration lunch, and I know Meg has this huge crush on you. It'll be fun!"

"Sure!" He said enthusiastically. To pass time, he began telling her everything he knew about guitars, which began to bore her to tears.

"Christine Daae!" Nadir called out. She almost leapt up and hugged him. Meg gave her a thumbs up as she passed.

"I'm in." She said excitedly.

"Kevin Doone's joining us for lunch." Christine whispered quickly.

"Okay." Meg whispered back. "Good luck, Chris. Not that you need it."

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Christine entered the small white room and closed the door behind her.

"Good morning." A familiar voice whispered sensually, or was it her imagination telling her it was sensual?

"Good morning." Christine echoed, staring into the same green eyes that she saw four days ago. The man took her outstretched hand and shook it firmly.

"I am Erik Foster, the owner of Music of the Night." He introduced himself eloquently. "So, Miss Daae, you are interested in being one of my employees?"

"Yes sir." She said, wringing her hands slightly. "I was thinking of something flexible, since I have my father to take care of."

"What kind of musical background do you have?" His emerald eyes bored into her, searing her with their intensity.

"Well," She gulped, involuntarily trembling, "my father was a concert violinist and a songwriter. My mother was an opera singer. They both trained me in classical and operatic music." If there was anything Christine Daae hated above everything else, it was talking about herself. "I would be perfect if you were looking for someone who knew opera. Or I could give violin or piano lessons to kids. Anything would work for me."

Erik leaned back into his chair, taking care in analyzing Miss Daae. She appeared to have the qualities he wanted for a part-time manager. A little on the meek side, perhaps, but she had the potential. "Well, Miss Daae," He began, "I was thinking of hiring you as a manager, to keep an eye on the shop when I'm not here."

"R-really?" Christine stammered, flattered that he'd offer her such a high-up position with little experience on her part. "Why?"

"You were raised by a concert violinist and an opera star." He said. "You have a high appreciation of music and knowledge suitable for a manager. You also strike me as a responsible adult." He gazed at her, appraising her value. "How does three hundred and fifty dollars a week sound?"

Christine's jaw dropped as she struggled to find words to accept such a generous offer. Unable to form words properly, she simply nodded her approval, a wide smile growing across her face.

"Very well." Erik said, unable to suppress his own smile. "We start working two days from now preparing the shop for its grand opening. We will work together on it, and hopefully, we should finish up before the June 30th opening." They went through the appropriate paperwork, Erik having to show Christine how to fill out the tax forms, an she signed her contract. Slipping the paperwork into a beige folder, he handed it to her. "Give this to Nadir on your way out." He said standing, prompting her to do the same. "Welcome to Music of the Night, Miss Daae. I trust you will make a fine manager." He shook her hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Foster." She said, beaming happily. She flitted past Meg and Kevin, who were engrossed in some kind of debate, and walked all the way home in a happy stupor. "Hello, daddy!" She cried, pirouetting in the middle of the hall.

"How did your interview go, Princess?" He asked as he wheeled himself over to her side.

"Daddy, you are looking at Christine Daae, lead manager of Music of the Night!" She cried, jumping up and down, laughing. "I work six days a week and make three hundred and fifty dollars a week! Isn't it wonderful?"

"Yes it is, Princess." He said, reaching upward to hug her. Together, they made their way into the kitchen, laughing as they made lunch and enjoyed the day together

Sorry this one was so short. I'll try and make it up to you next time, with some more Erik and Christine goodness. Again, please leave a note and tell me how I'm doing! And bonus points go to whoever can point out which POTO movie I got Erik's last name from.