A/Note: While I'm writing this fic, I have to always watch the 2K5 POTO movie and soundtrack a lot to help get the inspiration juices up and going. This fic shows what might things have looked like if our well-beloved Erik gets the mental block while Christmas season is upon Opera Populaire.

I don't own POTO and I'm not expecting it to happen for the next century or so… anyway, onto the fanfic now… yayyyyyy.

Chapter 2 "Me" Time or also known as The story about 'The Man from Sarajevo'.

Previously on the first chapter…

Up on the grand tier of box 6 at 8 o'clock, the night is young and there Madame Giry could be found after taking a little detour before retiring to her room, sitting on one of the luxurious chairs, with her right elbow resting on the arms of the seat and resting her head on her hand, thinking. But she's not the only one who needs some "me" time.

"Ahhhhh, finally some "me" time. It's been a while since I've had one of these, really makes you wish that the December chaos is over." Reclining on the chair, clearing her mind, she paused and said in her calm voice: "You can stop hiding now Erik, I know you're here. Must you constantly lurk in the shadows even though it's so clear that there is no one but me here?"

Slowly but surely a figure emerged from the shadows of the box curtains, he's here the Phantom of the Opera. After stepping out in hiding he took the liberty of taking a seat, hoping to have a chance to talk to his trustworthy box keeper.

"I'm having a rough day, no make that a month; it's killing me every year."

"Well, you're not alone Erik, I have to put up with Firmin's spaz attacks and God I hope Carlotta won't come in and make the managers do another episode of uber pansy groveling to win her over for the main lead. Everyone has their bad days, but why does everything have to be so hectic?"

"Are you kidding?" Erik blurted out. "That's exactly what I live for, chaos, the hustle and bustle of life to pass the time and to help me keep busy because I am bored!"

"I'm sorry did I just hear what I thought I heard?" Leaning over towards Erik showing a gesture of disbelief and amazement. "The Phantom of the Opera is bored! Now I've heard everything, this whole opera house is going downhill. But it can't be that bad, right Erik? I mean you were preoccupied the last 2 months composing this new opera in time for the New Year."

"Indeed, I am creating my greatest work of all time (but my DON JUAN TRIUMPHANT must not be revealed until it is complete). Unfortunately I'm experiencing a mental block; my masterpiece will have to wait until I can get back on my thinking cap. Damn it every year it seems like I'm not my usual self. Things can get pretty lonely, depressing and boring down under."

And so the conversation went on.

Giry: "Is it really that bad?"

Erik: "Are you aware of what happened earlier today about the wardrobe department backstage?"

Giry: "Oh but of course, news like that spreads like wildfire, but what does that have to do with your problem?"

Erik: "Well, last night was stuck in a rut, and got so bored I tried to pass the time by trying to play this new game craze that I've been hearing of a lot called basketball with a bunch of costumes backstage seeing how many clothes I can shoot through the farthest without missing the basket."

Giry: "Oh my God that was you! You were always a lot more discreet at this time of the year. And I thought it was one of those bumbling new workers that came a couple of days ago, no one would suspect even thought it was you. Truly such a joke doesn't suit your usual taste."

Erik: "But you did have a feeling that I had something to do with it, don't you?"

Giry: "Hard to believe at first, but yes."

Erik: "Arrrrrrrrgh! I need to do something about this before more random acts of stupidity come flooding into my head."

Giry: "You need to find something that'll keep your hands and your mind busy, like a project, until the opera gets the good old phantom back in its system. Seriously this place will go down the dumps without you terrorizing and Punjab lassoing people, every single day would be so dull. To ease your annual Christmas tension, perhaps seeing my doctor Monsieur Sebastian would do you some good."

Erik: "I'm just bored not sick, I don't want a doctor, I want bubblegum BAZOOKA ZOOKA bubblegum." (Crickets chirping)

Giry: "………. Okay then, that was so random."

Erik: "Sorry I just felt like I should say it because it sounds so funny DAMN IT I DID AGAIN!"

Giry: "That is it! I am going to call Monsieur Sebastian whether you like it or not. First thing tomorrow morning you're going to see my doctor." (Stands up and begins to leave)

Erik: "No No No Noooo…. I will not be silenced!"

(Madame Giry suddenly stuffs her black shawl into Erik's mouth to shut him up.) Shoop!

Erik: "Mrmrmmmmpppphhhh……"

Giry: "That ought to make him behave for the time being."

As Madame Giry closes the door of box 6, walking down the dim carpeted hall she bumped into another unknown moving figure, releasing a soft but definite thud. Being the experienced ballerina that she is, balance came back in flash. Upon realizing what had just happened, Madame Giry bent over to reach out with her right hand the man she had just knocked over. It was Firmin.

Firmin: "What in God's name are you doing at this time of the night; do you know what time it is?"

Giry: "Ummm… is it the time to go, already?"

Firmin: "Well of course it's time to go sleep its half past ten. I wouldn't have suspected to see you up and about at this hour and at this place, no wonder there's a ruckus going on around here."

Giry: (Wow, time flies when you least expect it) "But what are you doing here, you did say it's time to sleep?"

Firmin: "Came by to check why the light is still on in this hall and on box six. Then I saw you walk out of box six just now, is there something wrong?"

Giry: "No, no at all."

Firmin: "In that case, you won't mind if I'd go in and take a look"

An alarm went on in Madame Giry's mind, and on an impulse she couldn't help but say...

Giry: "NO!"

Firmin: "No? Why not? But you just said that there's nothing to worry about."

Giry: "Which is why you shouldn't even bother going in."

Firmin: "I'm just curious that's all."

Giry: "Well, 'Curiosity killed the cat' and its curse is getting stronger and stronger every year. It's starting to target people too you know. So you should be careful on where you stick you nose into."

After a short quiet pause, Madame Giry solemnly gazed at a nearby hallway lamp. Firmin thought that she had finally finished with her talking, but he was wrong.

Giry: "Have you heard of 'The Man from Sarajevo'?"

Firmin: "Is there even such a place as Sarajevo?"

Madame Giry simply continued speaking without taking into account that he just asked her a question.

Giry: "It all began when a man called Baron Zealous-Consuelos Wellington celebrated his grand 20th birthday and decided to throw an elegant yet a very bizarre costume ball. He arranged every single aspect of the party with care and attention to detail, from the swinging flaming trapezze daredevil entertainers to the tiny pieces of ice, which were carved into the shape of his dear beloved family's crest. Symbolizing the venerable..."

No one has ever heard Madame Giry tell an urban legend with great seriousness and detail. Surprissingly, this was most frightening for Firmin, all tired and sleepy, wishing to end the conversation so he could go to bed immediately.

But, she doesn't appear to be stopping with her irrelevant storytelling. It was showing no signs of an end.

"Ummm... I should get going, tomorrow will be a busy busy day." He turned around and started to walk away, thinking that he's out of the woods at last. Suddenly, he felt a pat on his shoulder, with a firm grip that served both to draw his attention and to hold him down within an earshot of the voice that seemed to have ceased for a few seconds. Only to continue filling the hall with echoes after a moment of uneasy silence.

"Firmin, why must you leave so quickly? I'm not yet finished explaining Baron Zealous-Consuelos Wellington to you."

"It's okay, it's okay. I'll just leave." The half-panicked Firmin began to pace himself in a brisk walk. "I think it's best if we don't discuss this thing to anyone or to each other."

The light tapping sound of his footsteps gradually diminished into the dark long tunnel-like hall leading straight to the lobby.

"Wow, didn't even look back. He must've really freak out of it." Madame Giry said astonishingly. Most of the time she was an excellent conversationalist, but never was she ever a random babbler of the insignificant, until that night.

Left out all alone down the hall, she could've sworn she heard a faint voice somewhere behind the walls complimenting her for a smooth and an ingenious getaway. Relieved yet tired, she simply smiled and walked back to her room and this time, there were no detours.

Hope you like this chapter. I would like to hear some reviews and feedback and I would gladly continue writing if you guys like it so far.

Also the next chapter may contain suggestive themes, just to let you know. Enter the doctor.

Gotta go.