Erik arranged for a carriage to pick them up at the station. They rode the whole way in silence, holding hands. When they arrived at Hammerstein's private office, Christine smiled at him.
"The moment of truth, eh Maestro?"
"The moment when that fool recognizes what I have already known since I heard you sing Faust."
"No one will ever believe in me more than you do." She kissed him. "Erik, I love you."
"Remember, I am always with you."
"Inside my mind." She giggled. "Well, I'm off. I'll meet you right here when it's over."
Erik sighed.
"Erik, please don't pout. You agreed to let me do this on my own."
"I know. I just wish I could see his face when you bring him to his knees."
"Kiss me for luck."
"I'll kiss you for love, luck is not what you need, my lady."
He kissed her one last time and then watched her exit the carriage. Once she was inside, Erik told the driver to keep circling the block every few minutes, until he saw him again. Then he climbed out of the carriage.
"Don't worry, Christine. No one will even know I'm here, especially you."
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Oscar Hammerstein greeted Christine warmly and showed her to her dressing room to freshen up.
"Ms. Daae, welcome. Please meet me on the stage, once you are ready."
"With pleasure, Monsieur."
A few minutes later she entered the auditorium.
"It is an honor to accept your invitation, Monsieur…. Or should I call you Mr. Hammerstein?"
"Well, if the audition goes well, perhaps you can me, Oscar. Erik is a very big fan of yours and I admit, when I heard you sing the other night, I was impressed, but we are not at Coney Island, Ms. Daae. You won't be singing with sideshow freaks here. This is the big city and I need voices that will fill up my auditorium. The audiences here will not tolerate anything less. Are you ready?"
Bastard. How dare he…. She remembered what Erik would say. Don't let anyone rattle you. You are La Daae. "I assure you, Sir I am ready. I have been well trained. Lead on, Mr. Hammerstein."
Christine was poised, and her confidence was spellbinding. She kept hearing Erik's voice over and over again in her mind, as she gave her sheet music to the musical director.
You can do this. You are music. You are the Soprano of the Century and that man is a fool if he doesn't see it.
As she walked towards the stage, she could have sworn she actually heard her angel's voice.
Brava. Bravisima. I know you can do this. It's time to take your place and leave everyone else in the dust. Hammerstein is a fool for thinking he can intimate you. You are an Angel of Music. Never forget that.
She looked around. Erik?
"Ms. Daae is something wrong?" Hammerstein asked.
"No, I'm fine."
"Whenever you are ready."
Christine nodded to the director and he began to play the song's introduction.
"Who knows when love begins?
Who knows what makes it start?
One day it's simply there,
Alive inside in your heart.
It slips into your thoughts,
it infiltrates your soul,
it takes you by surprise,
then seizes full control.
Try to deny it,
And try to protest,
But love won't let you go,
Once you've been possessed.
Love never dies.
Love never falters.
Once it has spoken,
Love is yours.
Love never fades.
Love never alters.
Hearts may get broken,
Love endures...
Hearts may get broken,
Love endures.
And soon as you submit,
Surrender flesh and bone,
That love takes on a life much bigger than your own.
It uses you at whim and drives you to despair.
And forces you to feel more joy than you can bear.
Love gives you pleasure,
And love brings you pain!
And yet, when both are gone,
Love will still remain.
Once it has spoken,
Love is yours.
Love never dies,
Love never alters,
Hearts may get broken,
Love endures...
Hearts may get broken.
Love never dies!
Love will continue!
Love keeps on beating when you're gone!
Love never dies once it is in you!
Life may be fleeting,
Love lives on...
Life may be fleeting,
Love lives on."
Christine's eyes were closed but as she sang, she sensed him. She knew he was there. She knew she sang for him, only him.
"Ms. Daae, you were…" Oscar was on his feet. "You completely filled my entire theatre with your voice."
Erik smiled up from the rafters. He knew it was time to take his leave. Christine, you were exquisite. You have far surpassed your Maestro. You deserve this. He then made his way out of the theatre without a trace.
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Everyone who had heard Christine's song were too engrossed to pay attention to anything but their newest songbird. Hence Tom took the opportunity to slip into the dressing room, unseen and began tinkering with the door.
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In his office, Oscar offered Christine a drink, which she declined.
"All business, eh? Well, I am prepared to eat crow and tell you that you were extraordinary. I would be a fool to not offer you a contract. I'll have my people draw up the papers. I know you will make a fine addition to our family."
Christine smiled brightly. "So, you are willing to hire me, for myself?"
"Girl, I just said so. You are a bright star. Erik was not exaggerating. I must have you in my company."
"Thank you, Mr. Hammerstein and I want to tell you that it was an honor to sing for you, but I respectfully decline."
"You what?! Decline? You haven't even seen the offer. We can negotiate."
"I don't need to see it. I only wanted to know that I could receive this offer. I have no intention of leaving those sideshow freaks as you so charmingly called it."
He stared at her. "Ms. Daae, do I need to remind you that it was Erik's insistence that we even have this audition? He told me you wanted to do this. He expects you to take this offer."
"That's exactly why I am going to stay. He wanted me to do this because I told him I needed to know, but he also told me that you would insist on using your people and your team. I wouldn't have much of a say in things, would I?"
"You don't know…."
"Would I have a say in the music I performed?"
"Of course not, you would sing what my team determines is best."
"So, no say in the music. Well, what say would I have then? Would you allow me to have my Maestro with me?"
Oscar frowned. "No, you must work with the best and I assure you that I only employ the best."
"Then you better see if Erik is available because he is the very best."
"Now see here, what kind of a game are you two playing?"
"No game, Mr. Hammerstein. I came here for one purpose. I wanted to see if I could do this. I wanted to know that I was good enough and if need be, my son and I would be alright…. Better than alright."
"Ms. Daae, I am not going to offer you this chance again."
"Maybe not. Yet I intend to cause such a sensation at Phantasma, that you may have no choice but sponsor me on a tour with your so called best. I will bring the audiences to their knees and it will happen just as easily on Coney Island, as it could in New York City."
"Just who the hell do you think you are?"
"La Daae! And you best remember that, Mr. Hammerstein. Thank you for your time and an experience I will never forget it."
And with one final look, she walked out of the office. She was so proud of herself and so excited to see Erik that she almost walked right past Raoul.
"Lottie?"
She turned in complete surprise. "Raoul? What are you doing here?"
"I came back two days after Meg left me. I have been trying to summon the courage to see you." Hiccup. Those…. People at Phantasma told me you were here." He saw she was frazzled. "What? I thought you'd be glad to see me, at least. Meg told me… She said you and that hideous beast have been spending a lot of time together. I guess you've made your choice." His voice grew louder. "Why are you looking at me like that? Did you…Did you change your mind?" He hiccupped again.
"Not here. Don't make a scene." Good God, he's drunk, and he never received my letter.
"I'm not making a scene! I was only…."
"Let's talk in the dressing room."
He followed her inside.
A/N: Guess where that song is from? LOL
