1870
"Christine are you coming or not? Mama will be made if we are late." Meg said waiting at the threshold of Christine's dressing room. This was the third time this week she had caught Christine just staring at that magnificent mirror.
"I'm coming," she said snapping out of her trance. Christine grabbed her slippers and ran out the door not even waiting for her best friend. Meg looked at the mirror suspiciously. Why did Christine always stare at the mirror? Meg wondered. Giving a glance over her shoulder Meg walked up to the grand mirror. She slowly put her hand up to touch the mirror. She quickly snapped back her hand thinking she saw a man's face. It's just an old mirror and there is noman in this room or in the mirror.She told herself. Meg shook her head and began to walk out of the room when she heard an angelic voice sing:
Wandering Child
So lost, so lonely
Yearning for someone'snotice
Meg froze. There was someone in this very room. "Whose there?" she asked timidly.
"My child, I am an angel here to protect you." The angel said.
"Are you Christine's Angel of Music?" she asked her eyes lighting up.
"Yes my dear and too long have you been wandering in winter far from the light. Your heart has fallen into darkness. I know what dreams are within your heart." The angel replied.
"I want to become the greatest ballerina, to show Mama that I can do great things." She said excitingly.
"Yes that is it my child, but I know that your heart yearns for attention. You want to be notice by your own mother."
"Mama is to busy for me. She has to take care of the entire ballet corpse. I don't blame her for that."
"But as her being your Mama she should be there for you, to comfort you when you're sad. To give you words of encouragement when you feel like failing. "This strange angel said softly.
"I know, but I can't be selfish and want her all of the time. Besides I am almost 18 I am not a baby anymore I can take care of myself." Meg wasn't even sure if she was telling the truth.
"Well my child you are an angel for believing this and now you must run along to ballet practice otherwise you will be truly late."
"Oh no practice, I forgot! Mama is going to kill me! Bye Monsieur," Meg called out over her shoulder as she ran as fast as she could to the stage.
Damn it! Erik was so close to showing Christine who he truly was. If Madame Giry's daughter did not have to come running into Christine's room yelling at her to get to ballet practice. Erik had seen this young blonde angel many times before. She would sneak away from all the other gossiping ballet rats and go to the roof where she would just sit there for hours either sitting there silently or crying. He had always been curious of the girl. She had never really been given much attention by her mother and she would always beg Christine to come with her shopping or to go out and eat, but Christine would always refuse saying she had a headache or something of the sort, but instead would go gossiping with the other chorus girls. Erik gave a deep breath; he would try to lift up the girls spirits.
As Erik spoke to the ballet rat he began to see the loneliness in her heart, the yearning in her voice to continue talking with someone. It was as if he could see right into her very soul that was long ago been forgotten. He then realized she was late for ballet. After realizing Meg being late for practice he sent her on her way. He would have to give Madame Giry a note excusing her tardiness.
"Meg you are late," Madame Giry yelled.
"I know," she bowed her head looking like a small child.
"That is going to be two hours of extra practice."
"But Mama…"
"No buts!"
"Yes Ma'am." She said. She didn't really care anyways. The Angel of Music had come to her. Her! Meg Giry!
As everyone was practicing for the new production of Hannibal the owner of Opera Populaire and two other men came walking into the middle of their rehearsal making the entire cast stop what they were doing. As the men were talking nonsense Christine walked up to her.
"New owners Monsieur Lefevre is moving to Australia." Christine said casually.
"Not surprise, the Opera Ghost has been bugging him for months." Meg said.
"Well I wouldn't blame him. I mean come on 20,000 francs a month is ridiculous. And besides he could even get himself a decent woman to sleep with him."
"Christine!"
"I'm just saying Meg that he is better off away from this place." Christine retorted. As the two girls listen to the conversation a handsome, young man, came walking in. His name was the, Vicomte De Chagny.
"Raoul," Christine breathed.
"Who?" Meg asked bewildered.
"Before my father died at the house by the sea, I guess you can say we were childhood sweethearts." She said smiling.
"Christine he's so handsome." Meg lied. He was ugly. His hair was to long and he was to skinny for a man, Meg thought. Raoul walked right by them not even noticing them.
"He wouldn't recognize me," Christine sadly said.
"He didn't see you," Meg said taking her hand. She hated when Christine would complain about not being notice. She was always noticed not only by her mother and the Angel of Music, but all the patrons in the opera house.
Madame Giry told them to start rehearsing again. As Meg was dancing by the managers she heard the new managers talking about her being a blonde angel. At least somebody took the time to notice her, she thought. Then she heard her mother and the managers talking about Christine. "Promising talents Messieurs, very promising," she heard her mother say. Meg rolled her eyes. Of coarse Christine was noticed once again and praised once again by her mothers.
Once they were done rehearsing a particular part, La Carlotta began to scream about how the managers only liked the dancing girls. When will that woman learn? Meg asked herself. Finally the Spanish diva got her attention and decided to reconsider leaving. As Carlotta was singing horribly a scene from Hannibal came crashing down on her.
"He's here the Phantom of the Opera," I cried out loud! Everyone began to whisper about what had just happen to our Prima Donna. Was it the Opera Ghost or was it an accident? As people were whispering, Carlotta stormed out of the opera house furious with everyone. Christine and I were debating whether or not it was the infamous Phantom of the Opera when my mother cried, "Christine Daae could sing it Sir." I wasn't shocked. My mother would always give Christine the best roles, while I would get a role where I was just a maid or an extra. Christine began to sing timidly sounding only alright when finally courage began to fill her and she sang like an angel.
After the young Giry left Erik went straight to the stage hiding in the shadows. He watched Christine practicing when Meg Giry caught his eye. She can dance as gracefully as a swan he thought. He continued to watch the little blonde angel until two men came walking in with the owner of the opera house. Erik listen closely wanting to know everything that went on in his opera house. After Monsieur Lefevre finished announcing the new owners of Opera Populaire the cast continued to rehearse. Carlotta looked like a complete idiot. As for Meg, she was perfect.
Carlotta's screaming snapped Erik out of his gaze. She was threatening to leave like she did daily. When will that woman learn? He asked himself. He watched as Carlotta stormed out of the opera house leaving the two managers puzzeled as to what they did wrong. This was the perfect time to give Madame Giry his note. He tossed it out over the railing of the catwalk letting it flutter down in front of Madame Giry's feet. He watched her open it and read what it said:
Madame Giry,
Please inform our two new owners of the requirements of running my opera house. I welcome them to my opera house and that my salary of 20,000 francs is due. I also expect Box Five kept empty for my use. I would also like you to please excuse your daughter, Marguerite Giry, from her tardiness, it was my fault she was so late. I bid you good day Madame.
Your Obedient and Faithful Servant,
O.G.
He watched her look up to see if she could find any hint of him, but was unsuccessful. He listen to her speak of his demands and waited for the new managers reactions. They began to go hysterical when Madame Giry suggested Christine sang the lead. He smiled at the thought of hearing his precious Christine sing once again, secretly hoping she was singing for him. He watched her sing at first timidly, but then more strongly. After she finished singing rehearsals were over. He caught site of a certain little ballerina with blonde hair heading towards the roof of Opera Populaire.
