Alright, after my last short chapter which I wrote only as a filler and because that was the only thing I could think of in my momentary brain freeze I give you… the next chapter!

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We all practically threw ourselves into the dance, trying to show off for the new owners, to prove that we are awesome or something along those lines, but I couldn't get my mind off of Raoul.

I slipped up a couple times, but Mme Giry was too busy with M Andre and M Firmin to take notice I was screwing up. I glanced over at Christine who was now beside me, and flashed a quick grin, but she seemed not to notice. She never let anything interfere with her dancing.

The chorus and starts took the stage again, this time joined by a giant elephant that Piangi was supposed to climb atop and sing the final lines, but he couldn't get up.

The girls nearest the owners were spinning a little faster and kicking a little higher than was necessary, but enough to attract the attention of the two men, and to make Carlotta mad.

"All day! All they want is the dancing!" She yelled, turning away from the new owners. M Lefevre started talking to Andre and Firmin, but was interrupted by Carlotta.

I could only hear part of what she was saying, having finished the opposite side of the sage, but what I did hear was "…I, will not be singing!"

Christine, Meg, and I, as well as the other dancers and chorus members sighed, but a few waved her off, apparently thankful to have been rid of her.

"Get my doggy, bring my doggy bye-bye!" she called to her maids as she rushed past us. I tried to suppress a giggle as I tried not to mouth the words.

Andre and Firmin were praising her as they followed her, and she turned around, still angry, but agreed with them.

Suddenly Andre said, turning to M Reyer, "Monsieur Reyer isn't there a marvelous aria for Elisa in act 3 of tonight's Hannibal?" Reyer tried to stutter out an answer but Carlotta spoke over him. "Yes, Yes Yes, Ma No! Because I have not-a my costume for act 3 because, somebody not finish it-a! And, I 'ate my 'at!"

At this slur of speech I could not suppress a giggle, and covered my mouth, glancing to where Christine, Meg, and Mme Giry were standing. Either they had not heard or they didn't take notice.

"Signora, I wonder, as a personal favor, would you oblige us with a private rendition?" M Firmin said smartly.

Carlotta pretended to sob for another moment, before she smiled.

"If-a my managers command-a. Monsieur Reyer?" "If my diva commands." He said with a hint of irritancy. "Yes, I do! Everybody very quiet!" she yelled to the stage people who were whispering wishes of earplugs.

She rushed to toward the front of the stage, still hushing at people before she grabbed her throat spray and got some in her mouth. I couldn't help but thinking of the fateful 'Il Muto' scene.

"Signora." M Reyer said, getting himself ready at his podium. "Maestro." Carlotta said before flashing a smile at Andre and Firmin, as if that whole tantrum never happened. She adjusted her hair and dress, before taking a deep breath to assault our ears.

"Think of me…. Think of me fondly when we've said go-o-o-od- bye…. Remember me; once in a while please promise me yo-o-ou'll try! When you find that once again you long to take your heart back-" I glanced above her, searching for Erik, who knew would be sure to drop the scenery on the woman. "And be free…" but Carlotta was interrupted by the squeaking of the scenery pulleys as they fell straight down onto her.

Meg let out a little scream and pulled Christine and I back into the other dancers.

"Oh my God! Signora!" M Reyer yelled as she fell on the floor. "I hate you!" Carlotta screamed, beating the floor with her hands.

I looked back up at the catwalks, trying to catch a glimpse of Erik, and Meg followed my gaze. "He's here, the Phantom of the Opera." Meg said, looking frightened to Christine and I. Mme Giry scrutinized her daughter for a moment before turning from us and hurrying off to find the note she gets.

M Lefevre called up to Buquet, "Buquet, man, what's going on up there?" "Please, Monsieur, don't look at me! As God's my judge I wasn't at my post! Please Monsieur, there's no one there! Or if there is, well then, he must be a ghost." Buquet called back down, raising the scenery back up with a joking gleam in his eyes.

"Signora, these things do happen…" Andre said, hoping to console Carlotta, but instead making her even angrier.

"For the past three years these things do 'appen, but did you stop-a these things from 'appening? No! And you two! You are as bad as 'im! These things do 'appen. Ma, augh! Until you stop-a these things from 'appening, this thing does not 'appen! Uraldo, Unamo! Bring my doggy and my boxy! Bye-bye! Ciao! Now you see, I'm really leaving!" and with that she stormed off of the stage followed by her servants.

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I know that is not a good stopping place! Please forgive me, but it's getting late, and if I try to write any more I might fall asleep on the key board and wake up with this whole chapter deleted.

Please review!