"Erik, I will say yes, if you just free the two men in the torture-chamber." Christine replied.
"Christine, they do not deserve to be free. It was their mistake to come to my house. I will not free them." Erik said.
This sort of thing went on for hours. Christine was very tired, but she didn't dare go to sleep, for fear of what Erik might do to her. She didn't know what he had planned for her, but Christine was sure it was nothing good. Finally when it was five minutes till eleven o' clock in the evening, Erik gently took Christine's hands in his.
"I'll tell you what. There are two boxes on the table in your room. One contains a scorpion, the other contains a grasshopper. If you turn the scorpion, you will have said yes. If you turn the grasshopper, you will have said no, and all will be over. Here is the key to those boxes." Erik said rising. Then he began lauging. He went to his boat, and started to row away. Christine ran to the bank.
"Erik wait! Please come back!" Christine called. But Erik just kept laughing. Christine felt the tears rise in her eyes. She ran to her room with the key. "Raoul! Raoul!" Christine called hoping that he was still alive.
"Christine! What time is it?" Called Raoul in answer.
"It is five minutes till eleven!"
"Which eleven child?" Asked the persian.
"The eleven which is to decide our fate!" Christine called.
"Where is Erik?" The Persian asked.
"He just left laughing like a mad man. He told me I have to turn either a grasshopper or a scorpion." Christine answered.
"Christine, we have discovered gun powder. If you answer no Erik will blow up the Opera Populair!" Raoul cried.
"He said if I turned the grasshopper it meant that I said no." Christine sobbed.
"Which one are you by?" The Persian asked urgently.
"The scorpion"
"Don't do anything!" They waited for five minutes and Erik opened the door and came in. The Persian heard his footsteps, and called out: "Erik please don't do this! Christine doesn't deserve this. She is going to say yes."
"So, you are still alive. Well, I'll have to ask you to be quiet. The honor lies with Christine." Erik said laying his hand on her shoulder as if Raoul and the Persian could see. "You have not turned either grasshopper nor scorpion. I will give you two more minutes. If you do not answer then, I will turn the grasshopper. There is enough gunpowder underneath our feet to blow up a fourth of Paris. But if you turn the scorpion, the gunpowder will be drowned, and Paris safe."
"Erik how can you expect me to choose! Please don't make me do this!" Christine sobbed. Erik just looked at her waiting for her to make her choice. For the next two minutes Christine begged Erik to not make her choose, and the Persian begged Erik not to go through with his plan.
"The two minutes is up. I shall now have to turn the grasshopper." Erik said grimly.
"No Erik, don't!" Christine shreiked. Erik put his hand on the grasshopper. Christine reached and quickly turned the scorpion. Erik saw and smiled at her.
"I knew you would saw yes, my dear." Erik said.
"Erik please free them." Christine said. Erik just gently led Christine out of the room. The torture-chamber began to fill with water. It rose quickly. Erik led Christine to the main room. "Please, Erik, I promise to do whatever you say, just let them go."
"You will not try to kill yourself again?" Erik asked.
"No, I won't try again! Please Erik. For my sake." Christine cried.
"It is a bargin. I will free them, and you will stay with me, and not try to commit suicide." Erik said. He went back to the louise-philippe room with Christine on his heels. Erik drained the torture-chamber and opened the door. He pulled out the Persian first, then went in for Raoul. He laid the Persian on the bed, and Raoul on the sofa.
It only took Raoul fifteen minutes to regain conciousness. Erik gave him a cup of hot tea. Raoul yelled out feircly: "What are you going to do with Christine? I demand that she leave with me!"
"You are in no shape to demand anything monsieur. I suggest you drink this tea, and rest." Erik chuckled. Raoul accepted the tea. After he finished it, Raoul fell asleep. Erik went to the drawing room. Christine quietly followed. "You are tired Christine. You should sleep as well." Erik said softly. He sat in an arm chair.
"Yes, I am tired. Thank-you for letting them go." Christine whispered. She curled up on Erik's lap and started to fall asleep. She needed to be comforted, and Erik was the only one. Erik looked down at Christine with tears in his eyes. He gently stroked her hair as she fell asleep. They sat like this for two hours. After that Erik decided to check on his other house guest. He got up, and lifted Christine with him. Her eyes opened. Erik set her on the chair.
"I have to check on the Persian." Erik said.
"I'll help." Christine said.
"Very well. Would you warm up the tea?" Erik asked. Christine nodded and set off to her task. Erik went to the room. He saw the Persian looking around. He went up to him and whispered: "So, you are awake. I wasn't sure you were alive."
Just then Christine walked in with the tea. Erik took it from her and poured some in a cup. He then handed it to the Persian. "That fellow over there woke long before we were sure you were alive." Erik said. Christine sat in a chair by the fireplace. Erik left the room to do something.
"Christne, are you alright child?" The Persian asked. Christine came over and smiled weakly at him, then followed Erik.