Christine woke up the next morning determined not to spend another moment wasting away in her hotel room. She took a bath, dressed and then tended to Gustave.
"Where are we going, Mother?"
"I need to see the Stage Manager and the Music Director today, Gustave and find out more about my job."
Gustave smiled. "You're really going to work here, Mother?"
She nodded. "I am and I'm very excited about it."
"I'm sure if Father knew, he would want to hear you sing. Your voice is so beautiful."
Christine hugged him. "Come, I thought we could get some breakfast in the park. I don't know about you, but the smell of the fresh bread is making me hungry!" She touched his nose.
As they were heading out the door, Gustave picked up the present that Erik had given him last night. "Can we have hot dogs again, Mother?"
Christine giggled. "Not for breakfast but maybe later."
"Can... Can we see Mr. Y today?"
She touched his face. "Would you like that?"
"Yes…. I would."
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"Alright kids, take five." The Stage Manager called Camille over. "Camille, let's go over the new routine once more for Bathing Beauty, okay?"
"I'm sorry, Tom. I promise I'll get it by tonight."
"Don't worry, you just took it over." He started to rub her shoulders from behind. "It's easy. I know you got this."
The other girls gave each other looks.
Molly groaned. "Yeah, she's got this alright. The only reason Tom picked her is because he's already gotten everything else from her."
Sally laughed. "Face it, if we are going to advance in the business we need to start sleeping our way to the top."
"Didn't hurt Meg, did it? All those admirers. No wonder the Boss made her the headliner."
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Christine and Gustave came onto the stage looking for the Stage Manager but didn't see him in sight.
"Excuse me, do either one of you know where I can find the Stage Manager or the Music Director?"
Sally couldn't contain herself from laughing but Molly ignored her and answered Christine.
"Don't mind her, Ms. Daae. Tom is a little preoccupied right now, with Meg being gone and all." When she realized what she said, her eyes went wide. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean…."
Christine stood poised. "That's alright. I suppose everyone knows by now."
"Well, Billy should be here." Molly looked about trying to see if she saw him.
Christine shook her head. "I'll find my own way, thank you for your help."
Molly faced the floor and Sally hit her arm. "That's using your head, Molly."
Molly slapped her hand away. "I didn't think, okay? Blame Meg, not me."
"And now, none of us will be able to live it down." Sally looked worried. "I hope she doesn't tell the Boss…. Come on, let's grab a bite while we still can."
Christine had moved her focus over to Gustave.
"Gustave? Where are you?"
"Mother! Over here! Do you remember Ms. Fleck?"
Christine came over to them. "Yes, of course. Hello."
"Ma'am."
"I was looking for the Stage Manager or the Music Director but I'm afraid I can't find either one of them." She took Gustave's hand. "Come, Gustave we can go and…"
"Ma'am, I can look after the boy, if you'd like. I am sure Tom and Billy will be back soon and you can wait in Mr. Y's office."
"His office?" Christine's curiosity piqued her interest. I wonder if it is decorated in all black.
"Sure. Right past the stairs."
Christine thought against it. She shouldn't leave Gustave alone and didn't think it would be best to take him back to Erik's office so soon. "I shouldn't trouble you. No, we'll just…."
"Mother, I'll be alright."
Ms. Fleck saw Christine was troubled. "Ma'am, I won't hurt him, and I'll make sure he stays safe."
"Well, I'll just be a minute." She smiled at Ms. Fleck and followed her directions until she came upon Erik's door. She knocked.
"Erik, are you here?" She was surprised that the door was open when no reply came. She walked in and saw the room was empty. "Erik?"
She was about to leave when Madame Giry came into sight.
"Christine, so good to see you, my dear." Her words were cheerful, but her expression was not.
"Madame, I was looking for Erik."
"I can see that." She grimaced. "He's not here. Judging by the time of day, I would think he is at the stables. Would you like me to show you where they are?"
"No, I can manage. I have already intruded on enough of your time." She knew she shouldn't ask any more questions, but she couldn't help herself. "Madame, do you and Erik share the office?"
Madame Giry folded her papers and didn't look at her. "Each day around this time, I bring Erik the daily receipts from the night before. You caught me as I was leaving."
"I see. Well, I won't keep you. Good day."
"Christine?"
She turned around dreading the words the woman would say next.
"I hope you take this time to really think about what is important. You have a life back in France and Erik has one here. I think it's obvious by now that chaos and despair follow you two whenever you are together."
"Are you saying that it is Erik and mine's fault that Meg ran away with my husband?"
"Are you going to stand there and say that it wasn't?"
Christine was dumbfounded. "You don't know what you speak of."
"I think I do. Why didn't you leave the moment you realized that it was Erik that commissioned you and not Oscar Hammerstein? Why did you continue to tempt fate and agonize your husband by agreeing to sing? Singing for Erik? The music between you two…."
"I never asked Raoul to leave and take Meg!"
"Have you even stopped to try and find out where they are?"
Christine was seeing red. "Why are you behaving this way towards me? What have I ever done to you?"
Madame Giry looked at her in disgust. "You, my dear child, have done nothing. Remember that. You did nothing." She walked passed Christine and out the door.
Christine felt as if she was going to faint. She had to sit down, and the closest spot was the seat at the organ. She took it and exhaled a deep breath. She touched the keys to try and calm herself and instantly heard a noise. She looked up and saw a portrait come out from inside the wall. Christine looked down at the keys, realizing she had activated something when she touched them. When she looked back up, she was in shock when she saw her own eyes staring back at her.
