Chapter 3 "Masturbate"

The week passed with the Phantom and Christine not in contact or speaking at all. The end of the week was also the end of the year, with the exciting masquerade on the way!

"I do hope he likes me in this," Christine said to her best friend, Meg.

"Oh, he'll just adore you, sweetie-pie!" Meg gushed. She fingered the beautiful, pure white gown that her friend was wearing. "He'll take you back in a second!" She paused. "What do you think about my outfit?"

Christine glanced over her friend. "Oh, Meg, it's so….so…."

"Is it too low cut? I don't want a wardrobe malfunction," Meg explained nervously.

"No, dear." Christine replied in what she thought was a reassuring voice. "You look splendid."

Meg thought for a moment. "Oh, Christine, in this light you look like….like…."

"Like who?" Christine leaned forward eagerly.

"Minnie Driver!"

"Minnie Driver?"

"Yes!"

"Alrighty then….."
The two stepped out into the magnificent palace that was the front of the opera house. The crowd was singing a happy song about the masquerade, and dancing in colorful and cheerful costumes.

"Reminds me of the super bowl." Meg said in a dismissive tone.

"Is it just me," mused Christine, "Or does the word 'masquerade' sound a little like something else?"

She looked over and realized that her friend's dress was showing much more of her than it should.

"Uh, Meg, dear…."

"Yes?"

"Wardrobe malfunction."

Meg tittered away to the ladies room, leaving Christine alone.

For a moment…..

A voice whispered in her ear. "Come with me…."

"Oh, Raoul!"

On the top of the roof, under Apollo's Lyre, the two lovers sat, watching the snow fall in gentle, graceful flakes, covering the world in a peaceful blanket that, in the meantime, might silence anger or sadness in a person and let them contemplate the wonderful miracle of nature…..

"I fucking hate the snow." Raoul grumped. "It makes my hair look like I have dandruff!"

"Honey, pipe down, I'm trying to be romantic."
"Then go call your precious Phantom."

"You know I can't be with him."

"Why not?"

Christine sighed. The truth was, the Phantom was her passion, her lust. Raoul was her love. She needed innocence more than her pure infatuation. Besides, the Phantom was not the kind Angel that Christine had first seen him as.

"He can be a terror." She explained briefly.

"In what way?"

"His eyes….they burn me….he's obsessed with me…he would kill for me. Plus, he likes it too rough."

"There is nothing more dangerous than obsession." Raoul said simply.

"That is true." Christine hung her head.

Raoul gazed at his lover and an idea struck him. "Why don't we run away?"

Christine looked up. "To where?"

"To a beautiful place. To a place where he can't find us. A place where we'll never have to grow up!"
Christine stared.

"Uh….my Neverland Ranch….."

"That's a wonderful idea!" Christine exclaimed happily. "But one hitch."

"Name it."

"I must sing for the Phantom before we leave."

"WHAAAT?" Raoul exploded.

"Raoul," Christine pleaded. "He loves me….he's….he's OBSESSED with me! To leave now….that would be an unforgivable act of cruelty!"

"Something in my gut tells me….we should leave tonight."

"No, Raoul."

"Christine…..I love you."

"And I you."

The two were leaning toward each other, lips nearly touching, when a hairy head came between the two lovers.

"Bubbles! Go back inside!"

And that's it for Ch. 3! Thank you so much for reading! And thank you for the reviews! Excuse me for the title, but I was afraid that some people wouldn't get the one liner with the "masquerade" (I'm looking at you, Vivi). It's true! If you turn the soundtrack up full blast on "Masquerade," that's what you hear! Well, that's all for now! This is giraffy 410, signing off!