Summary: My take on the 2004 movie… with an added character. Not an Erik/OC, Erik/OW if that's what you are worried about, or thinking. Erik and Christine's relationship remains the same as it did in the movie, with nothing to complicate it… and I may let them be together in the end… It depends how big a response I get from you, the readers. Madame Giry will feature in this more strongly than the other characters.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, everything belongs to Sir ALW, and Gaston Leroux. The only character I own is that of Phillipe Caruso.

"Dance As If Noone Is Watching…"

The Opera Populaire was an impressive sight. Phillipe Caruso warmed to the beautiful building on sight; it's majesty wrapping itself around his senses, as he entered the grand hall. But appearances were sometimes deceiving, and Phillipe has experienced disappointment within his life. It was not a pleasant experience, and he hoped to never experience it again; especially where love was concerned.

As he made his way onto the majestic staircase, Phillipe was quickly approached by a terribly scruffy looking man, quite obviously a servant in this place. The man grinned at Phillipe, revealing yellow teeth, a result of what was probably years of drinking and smoking. A servant indeed.

"Monsieur Caruso?" Phillipe nodded his confirmation, and the man continued.

"I am Joseph Buquet. I work here as a Stagehand, Misseur's's Firmin and Andre sent me here to direct you towards their office."

"I see. Thank you, Buquet."

Buquet gestured for Phillipe to follow him towards the managers' office, which he did, maintaining a fair distance from Buquet, who must have been unaware of the unpleasant odour he was emitting. Really, if Firmin and Andre wanted to present a good impression upon him, they could have sent someone else to greet him. Preferably someone who had bathed at some point in their existence.

Buquet soon stopped Phillipe outside a large oak double door. Firmin and Andre's office, he assumed. Buquet knocked on the door. Loudly. Phillipe rolled his eyes. He soon heard an annoyed voice from inside the voice.

"Yes, yes, who is it?"

Buquet answered. "I have your guest with me, Monsieur Andre."

A shuffling could be heard from inside the room, and a few moments later, the door opened, and a pair of attractive women exited, flashing him brief smiles. Phillipe nodded his head at them respectfully, as they sauntered down the corridor. Andre and Firmin's wives maybe? Phillipe thought not.

"Come in." Came the same male voice from inside the room.

Buquet opened the door, and stood aside. Phillipe walked in, to see two aging men sat at separate desks. Phillipe almost laughed as he saw that the encounter with the two women had left the elder of the manager's toupee sitting awkwardly on the top of his head. The two men stood up, and shook hands with Phillipe, who then sat down, still vastly amused by the toupee that was very close to falling off.

"Monsieur Caruso, I presume?" The younger of the two men spoke, after he and his partner had sat down.

Phillipe nodded. "You are correct, Monsieur."

The younger manager spoke again. "My name is Richard Firmin, and this is my business associate and friend, Gilles Andre. You came here in regards to the position of the Opera Populaire's personal accountant?"

Phillipe nodded once again. "You are indeed correct, Monsieur."

Andre leaned forward, and spoke. "We have seen your credentials. Impressive, I have to say. I think myself and Monsieur Firmin have to agree the job is yours, if you would like to take it. Although, I feel that it is my duty to warn you…"

"Warn me?"

"Yes. Warn you. The people at this Opera House are obsessed with a so called… 'Opera Ghost', that they believe inhabit the lower regions of the building. We regularly receive notes from this 'O.G', but never take any heed of him. It's my firm belief that it is a trick being played on us in order to provide money for the ballet rats and their mistress." He rolled his eyes at this. Phillipe noted for further reference to sit as far from Andre as possible when he became agitated… he tended to spit.

"The notes demand money?" Phillipe questioned, and promptly regretted it, as a shower of saliva from Andre's mouth hit him when he next spoke.

"Indeed! Although they will never get any out of us. I assure you of that!"

His companion agreed, his head vigorously nodding. Phillipe hid an amused smile behind his hand.

"If I had my way, I'd fire that damned woman!"

Phillipe frowned. Had he missed a section of the conversation?

"Which damned woman, Monsieur?"

"The Ballet mistress. Giry. She's the 'Phantom's' right hand woman, if you like. She's the one link we have to 'O.G', though I wouldn't be surprised if it was indeed her demanding the money!"

Phillipe could see someone was obsessed with this story, and it wasn't this 'Giry' or the Ballet rats.

"I see…"

Andre suddenly seemed to snap out of his rant.

"Enough of this talk. We sincerely hope that you will make an appearance at tonight's gala, I think you'll find you'll be impressed! We have a new Soprano you know! Tell him, Firmin!"

"Yes! Christine Daae! A pretty little thing… I'd have never suspected she held such a capable voice!"

Andre jumped back in. "And she can dance too! Yes… The Ballet rats may be terrible gossips, but there's no denying that Madame Giry has taught them well. I think you'll be very impressed with what you see tonight, Monsieur Caruso."

"I'm sure I will, Monsieur. I look forward to the Gala." He hoped he would be impressed, he certainly wasn't so far. He laughed as Andre discovered the toupee, and quickly exited. Maybe he hadn't been impressed yet, but he had been thoroughly amused.

And there was still time.