Chapter 36: A Final Act.

Christine fled from the ballet hall in tears. It was true she had completely crewed up all of her hopes and was now exiled to find her own way in the world. Her mind was suddenly clear, clear to the world and all that happened in it. She had hardly anything and could do nothing but face her own problems. That was the saddest truth of them all. There were many things that an unfortunate woman could fall into when no longer respected by the world. And all of the horrors flooded into Christine's mind, and yet she could do nothing more but face the uncertainty of the rest of her life.

She gathered to her the few belonging she had and sat sobbing on the bed that she had occupied in the ballet dormitory. She hadn't been there long at all and yet it was the only home she knew. Where was she to go? How would she survive? She had gained a small amount of money and saved it. Stashed under her pillow she cradled the small sack of coins in her hands as she cried. She was a ruined woman and soon she would have to face the fact that Meg had gained everything the world had to offer.

The horrors of her past and future flooded in all around her.

"How," she asked herself, "how could everything be so terrible?"

"Because you were not careful," Madame Giry said as she entered the ballet dormitory. She was alone but looked as severe as she had earlier that morning, "you have made some very grievous mistakes and now you much face them all. There is nothing more we can do for you here. You understand that I believe."

"I do," Christine said as she choked back her tears.

"Never had I ever thought you would end up like this Christine," The old woman said as she sat down on the bed beside the sobbing diva, "I had, had great expectations for you and yet you have failed me, it was not I who failed you. You could have been great you know, and perhaps you can again, but it will not be in this place."

"Where could I go?" Christine asked for the first time looking into the old woman's eyes, "there is no where for me now."

"You are not without your skills and I believe that if you were better behaved you could have regained some of your previous glory but that cannot happen here. Do not think me heartless, young woman, as I have done all in my power to help you along the way, even if my reprimands were insincere you had been like a daughter to me," she said and held out another small sack of coins to Christine, "use these wisely they should tide you over until you get another position somewhere. I have written directly to a few other institutions and they are willing to audition you," she added and held out a small sheet of paper, "it isn't much but I believe that you can act your way into their ranks, but be cautious not to use any of the antics you have tried to apply here. They will not do you any good and you are going to have to counter act the stories that are going to follow you by way of the media. I do not know how you will be out of that terror," she said and stood, "but that is what awaits you. I wish you well but I do not ever wish to see you back in this building. Never again will you dance on this stage, or sing, as long as I live,' she concluded her speech and left the ballet dormitory.

Christine sat silently for a few moments looking at the list of names and paces. There were but two, but they were well known ballet institutions and the money would bring her as far as their doors. At least she had some hope for the future.

"So that is it," she said to herself, gold coins in one hand and the sheet of paper in the other, "perhaps fortune has smiled on you and one day you will see that it has, but as of right now, no one is smiling. You've really done it and they hate you for it. At one time you had hated and feared what lived within these walls and now you must morn the loss of it all. It was all you knew," she said to herself and dried her tears, "that is all, there will be no more of this."

Picking up her case, that contained the few items of clothing she had left and her personal effects, she walked out of the ballet dormitory for the very last time.

She walked slowly through the silent opera house and toward the foyer. No sound could be heard in the darkened hallways. No one was present in the doorways. It was a sad and silent procession she made through a place that had once been such a great part of her life and such a terribly dangerous place at one time. Now it was she who was exiled.

As she pulled open the door leading into the foyer she was caught by a great shock. There, lining the great stair cases and the walls were every last member of the company. High atop the stairs stood Madame Giry and the Managers. All around them the ballerinas, the chorus members, the cast and crew of all that was to happen and all that she had disgraced so badly.

Christine fought to keep her composure as she walked toward the great gilded entrance doors. Two footmen stood on either side of the doors. It seemed like a mile across the floor that she had to travers to gain her escape, all eyes trailed her in silence. The looks on the faces that she past were that of anger and hatred. She couldn't reach the doors fast enough. But just as they were within her reach a voice called out to her.

She turned, suddenly, a hope spread through her body, perhaps it was not yet to late. As she turned she watched the crowd on the staircase part and there in their mists stood the Phantom of the Opera and at his right, holding tightly to his arm and looking prouder then every before stood Meg Giry.

They descended the stairs to the stunned glares and the whispers of the entire congregation. Never had the Phantom make a spectacle such as this before. They walked regally down the stairs and Meg smiled lovingly at him. Across the floor they came and stopped just in front of Christine. She looked horror struck to behold them. But there they were, Meg dressed in the finest cloths she had ever beheld in her life and Erik looking as strong and menacing as ever he had.

"You are to apologize to the fair lady before you depart," Erik said looking down at Christine.

Christine was horror struck, she turned an angry glare at Meg but with all the eyes of the congregation on her, she could do nothing but curtsy and apologized to Meg.

"I thank you," Meg said softly, "and I do wish you luck," she returned the curtsy.

"You must know, Christine, that I shall never think of you again after this day. Long ago I would have died to see you here, but I have lost that part of me only to be filled with a greater love for another. You and I were never meant to be, no matter how much I had wished it, but I want you to go into the world knowing that I am loved, a really and sincere love," Erik said as he looked down and pressed his hand to Meg's, that held onto his arm.

"I wish you happiness," Christine whispered as tears welled up in her eyes once more.

"And now I shall offer one final favor to you as you leave," Erik said and he reached out and pulled open the door himself.

Outside the door an army of media men had been waiting. As they saw the door open they called out to Christine but to their surprise they did not see her at all but the ominous figure of the Phantom himself. They stepped back in fear and Christine stepped out of the great gilded door. Erik bowed slightly to Christine and Meg curtsied. Christine returned the niceties and she stepped down the stairs and away from the crowd.

"It's him," one reporter yelled.

"The Phantom, himself," another gasped.

But not one of them moved. They were awe struck, or horror struck, but it didn't even occur to them that they had missed the story they had come to capture. Christine disappeared into the crowd and left the Opera Populair forever.

The great gilded door closed on the reporters and Erik and Meg stepped back toward the crowd in the foyer. Walking back the way they came the crowd parted once again to let them pass. They started to mount the great stairs once more all aware of the eyes on them.

"You should all stop gawking, and return to your practice," Erik said as he addressed the crowd, "Full dress rehearsal will start in one hours time," he added and he and Meg disappeared together into the darkness of the theatre.

Madame watched them out of side, a joy filling her to her very soul, finally her daughter had found her place in the world. Meg would be a very happy woman.