This is the moment of truth. Andrew Lloyd Webber's Musical meets the book! Enjoy! (Also, thanks for getting me to 200 reviews! It's awesome!)
Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom of the Opera or anything in this chapter :)
Interview with the POTO Characters
~Andrew Lloyd Webber~
"Here you go," Darius said as he handed each person a cup of tea.
"Thank you, Darius, for making this," the Persian thanked as he sipped at his cup.
"You're welcome, and here's your coffee," Darius continued as he handed 21 her cup.
"Thanks," she replied.
"Has anyone seen Era around?" Meg asked curiously.
"Not since this morning, thank heavens," Raoul said with a smile. Erik looked around suspiciously.
"It's quiet…too quiet…" he observed while placing his cup down on 21's desk.
"It's nice," Christine replied.
"You can't possibly think Era will attack us while drinking our morning tea, do you?" Daroga chastised.
"We would never suspect it. This girl is out to get us, she wouldn't just let us get our hopes up with a cup of tea," Erik retorted while heading for the office door.
"Erik, you're getting paranoid, she hasn't done anything to you since your interview," the Persian called, placing his tea next to Erik's.
"She made us all sleep in her office," Christine defended. "Maybe Erik's right,"
"Thank you," Erik said while slowly, and cautiously, opening the office door. Christine, Raoul, and Meg all placed their tea cups down and walked over to the door with the Persian curiously.
"Well?" Raoul asked.
"She's not in here," Erik answered. "Daroga, come here,"
"What is it-" the Persian gave a sudden cry when Erik pushed him inside the office.
"Erik!" Christine yelled disapprovingly.
"I had to make sure there was no booby-traps," Erik explained with a shrug before entering the room himself, followed by the others.
"It's nice to know how much our 'friendship' means to you," Daroga mumbled.
"Don't misunderstand; I would have thrown that petty fop in here. However, I needed to get even for last night," Erik replied.
"What happened last night?" Christine asked curiously.
"Nothing," the Persian dismissed.
"Look," Meg suddenly said while pointing to Era's desk. There, on the furniture's flat surface, sat Era's Phantom book. Erik looked at it in hatred and went to grab it but paused.
"No…it's too simple," he said while studying the book a little closer, looking for traps.
"She's not even in here!" Raoul complained. "You're paranoid,"
"Don't underestimate your foe, Monsieur, that is why you could not beat me," Erik replied. After a moment of studying it he slowly walked to the back of the desk and hesitantly reached for it.
"SNEAK ATTACK!" a voice suddenly yelled as Era, propped up in the top corner of her office hidden in the shadows, dived down and tackled Erik to the ground.
Erik made a sound as he hit the ground, but more surprising was the painful sound Era made as she rolled off of him.
"You're like a boney rock! Ouch…that hurt," she moaned. The Persian, Meg, Christine and Raoul ran around the desk to the two. Erik sat up and immediately mounted the girl, pinning her down.
"What was that?" he asked angrily.
"I wanted to see if I could pin you down…but everyone was right, you're too tough to pin down. I got close though," Era beamed with a smile. Erik growled but the Persian put a hand on his shoulder.
"Let her go, or she'll do something terrible to you later," he advised.
"Don't touch me," Erik hissed before reluctantly standing and backing away from Era as she stood.
"Doesn't sound like you two are a happy couple," Era pointed out while looking from Erik to the Persian. "I thought when I saw you two cuddling in your sleep that you would wake up all bright eyed and bushy tailed,"
"What?" the other's all said in unison before mocking snickers were heard.
"I wasn't the one cuddling up to anyone," Erik defended.
"And yet you listened to him when he told you to get off the girl you were about to murder," Meg observed. Erik growled dangerously as the Persian sighed heavily with an embarrassed look on his face.
"Well, let's not embarrass Erik and Daroga anymore, let them take the time to accept their 'friendship' feelings on their own time," Era said with a dismissive wave as she carefully put her Phantom book back in its proper drawer and locked it. "Anyways, we got stuff to do today, so let's get moving!"
"What are we doing?" Christine asked.
"Well, since you can tell that you're all together in one room, we are on to part two of our time together. I want to see how well you can manage in the modern world without cracking," Era explained.
"So what are we doing today?" Daroga pressed.
"We're going to start simple. Ever since that book that Erik hates has been published, many people have fallen in love with your tragic life story. Some to the point where they made movies and other books about you," Era began.
"Movies?" Raoul questioned.
"Movies are when people dress up and act like characters and someone films it and puts it on TV for others to watch and learn the story too,"
"Brilliant," the Persian said with a smile.
"One man in particular, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, wrote a musical, with the help of others, about yours lives. And before you ask, a musical is people acting out a story while singing on stage. Now this musical isn't completely accurate to your story, but it tells the main events. In 2004 they filmed it and made it a movie. They made another one more recently but I think we should go for the 2004 because any minor leveled phan has seen that version," Era continued. The characters all stared at her quietly.
"…So we're watching the TV?" the Persian summed up.
"Yes, about yourselves, so sit down on the couch and get comfortable. And don't forget, feel free to comment during the movie," Era smiled as she went to the TV stations across from the couch and set up the DVD into the DVD player.
The characters all sat down on the couch, from left to right sitting: Daroga, Erik, Christine, Raoul, and Meg. As the movie loaded, Era turned the lights off and squished in on the other side of the Persian. The movie began playing and Era wasn't surprised when the questions started to flow in.
"Who's that old man that they're following?" Raoul asked.
"That's you," Era answered.
"What!"
"I'm glad I know what your future holds for you," Erik snickered as the movie continued.
"And that old lady is you, Meg," Era pointed out.
"Great," Meg sighed.
~oOo~
"And let us introduce our new Patron,"
"The Vicomte de Chagny,"
"Why does my hair look feminine?" Raoul asked confused.
"A lot of men grow out their hair," Christine reasoned.
"To look pretty but this is just feminine!" Raoul whined.
"You have a nice voice in this movie, so try not to complain too much," Era suggested.
~oOo~
"That is my daughter, Meg Giry,"
"Why am I blonde? I don't understand…wait, that girl looks familiar," Meg trailed off.
"She looks like that girl from your interview that I scared," Erik commented.
"And that exceptional beauty, no relation I trust?"
"Christine Daaé,"
"I'm blonde!" Christine whined.
"We should switch people," Meg suggested.
"I agree,"
"If you want to see screwed up characters, wait till Erik gets in," Era commented.
"When do I come in?" the Persian asked.
"You're not in this," Era answered.
"What? Why? I helped Raoul get to the torture chamber," Daroga protested.
"Well, now Mme. Giry does everything you're supposed to, and there is no torture chamber in this,"
"What!" Erik exclaimed.
"The Persian's my mother in this?" Meg said in disgust.
"Enjoy," Era said with a giggle.
~oOo~
Lights dim in the Opera House and Christine's candles blow out.
"Seems like a strange gust of wind is plaguing the Opera House…" the Persian observed.
"Surprisingly, Erik's doing all of that," Era explained.
"Fancy," Erik commented flatly.
"Insolent boy, this slave of fashion, basking in your glory! Insolent fool, this brave young suitor, sharing in my triumph!"
"Is that supposed to be me?" Erik asked in alarm.
"Yes," Era answered slowly.
"He sounds nothing like me!"
"You both imply the same things…" Christine mumbled.
"Angel I hear you, speak, I listen. Stay by my side, guide me. Angel my soul was weak, forgive me. Enter at last, master,"
"Flattering child you shall know me. See why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror, I am there inside!"
"Oh…my…God…" Erik said in shock.
"…On the bright side the half mask has a sexy tone to it when on Gerard Butler, and you can also see your emotions when you talk," Era pointed out.
"You can't see your emotions with the full mask," Christine agreed.
~oOo~
"Who is that face in the shadows? Who's is that face in the mask?"
Christine takes off the Phantom's mask.
"Damn you! You little prying Pandora! You little demon! Is this what you wanted to see? Curse you! You little lying Delilah! You little viper! Now you cannot ever be free! Damn you! Curse you…"
"Erik, you must work on that temper of yours," Daroga advised.
"Those were hurtful words, Erik," Christine said with a small sniffle.
"But I didn't…" Erik sighed with a roll of his eyes, "Alright, I'm sorry,"
"Erik, you knocked over a candle and nothing caught on fire," Meg pointed out.
"…Magic?"
"Did anyone else noticed that Christine gave a smile while Erik was yelling at her?" Era asked.
"…He's cute when he's mad?" Christine said with shrugged.
"You didn't say that when you removed my mask in reality," Erik mumbled.
"You weren't cute then," Christine replied.
"Harsh," Era mumbled.
~oOo~
"Did I not instruct that Box 5 was to be kept empty?"
"Scary," Daroga commented.
"Better run, Raoul, or Erik's going to kill you," Meg advised.
"I look really scared," Christine pointed out.
"He's here, the Phantom of the Opera,"
"It's him,"
"Your part is silent, little toad!"
"A toad, Madam? Perhaps it is you who are the toad,"
"Here we go," Era giggled.
"Poor fool he makes me laugh, ha ha ha ha! Ha ha-*croaks*"
"Well that's embarrassing," Raoul laughed.
"Go get them, Erik," Meg cheered.
"Why is it in the spray? Did I lose my voice or something that I couldn't use ventriloquism?" Erik asked.
"You don't' have your ventriloquism in the movie…" Era said sympathetically. Erik pouted unhappily.
~oOo~
"Say you love me,"
"You know I do,"
"Love me, that's all I ask of you,"
"Oh no," Meg sniffled as she passed the Kleenex box to Raoul as all of them began crying, except for Era, who had seen the movie before, and Erik, who just stared at the screen in shock and sadness.
"He was right there! What's wrong with you, Christine? Could you be more heatless?" Meg cried.
"I'm sorry! I didn't know he was there! Erik, why didn't you tell me?" Christine asked as she dabbed at her tears.
"Would you have me ruin the moment?" Erik asked quietly.
"Oh, Erik!" Christine pulled Erik into a hug.
"I pity you, Erik," the Persian said while patting the Phantom on the back.
"Not like you didn't already pity him," Era mumbled.
~oOo~
"As for our star, Ms. Christine Daaé. No doubt she'll do her best, it's true her voice is good, she knows, though, should she wish to excel, there is much still to learn, if pride would let her return to me, her teacher. Her teacher,"
"…Why does my Red Death outfit look so…so…" Erik thought hard for the right word.
"Sexy?" Meg asked.
"Not like mine," Erik corrected.
"Look, Erik, we're having a moment!" Christine said excited while pointing at the screen.
"Raoul's about to ruin it, isn't he?" Meg asked.
"Your chains are still mine, you belong to me!"
"No, Erik did," Raoul snickered.
"Erik! You can't win me over if you ruin all the moments we have together!" Christine complained.
"Not only did you take off my mask without permission, but you got engaged behind my back, this is all justified," Erik retorted.
~oOo~
"No, Christine, wait!"
"Raoul,"
"Christine, whatever you may believe, this man, this thing, is not your father,"
"Oh-I didn't see Erik there!" Meg said surprised.
"It was obvious he was going to come out and fight," Raoul said with a smirk.
"Get him, Erik," Daroga urged while tugging on Erik's sleeve, his eyes glued to the screen.
"I'm working on it, give me time," Erik replied.
"You two are going to kill each other!" Christine cried.
"Raoul deserves anything he gets! You wanted a moment, and this time he ruined it," Erik replied.
"You're stealing my woman! I hope you get slaughtered!" Raoul snapped.
"Ha! Slashed in the arm! The next wound will be better!"
"Don't count on it!"
The Phantom is knocked to the ground and Raoul raises his sword to strike.
"No, Raoul!"
"No, Raoul!" Christine yelled at the same time. Era broke out laughing.
"Good timing," she complimented.
"I almost had you!" Raoul whined.
"I almost got killed by Raoul? Something's not right here…thank you, Christine, from saving me from the humiliation," Erik said graciously.
"You're welcome," Christine said with a smile.
~oOo~
"Past all thoughts of right, or wrong. One final question: how long are we to wait before we're one? When will the blood begin to race? The sleeping buds burst into bloom? When will the flames at last consume us?"
"Past the point of no return, the final threshold. The bridge is crossed so stand and watch it burn. We've past the point of no return,"
"What made you change your mind to Erik all of a sudden?" Daroga asked curiously to Christine.
"…I don't know," Christine answered honestly.
"Say you'll share with me on love, one life time. Lead me, save me from my solitude,"
"That's our song!" Raoul gasped.
"I think I just realized he was there that night," Christine agreed.
"Me too, you can tell by that manly tear going down my face," Raoul pointed out. Era scoffed.
"Manly?"
"What's going to happen now?" the Persian asked.
"Say you want me with you here, beside you. Anywhere you go let me go too. Christine, that's all I ask of-"
"No!" Christine gasped. "No! Why would I do that?"
"My face?" Erik questioned confused. "What is that? A rash?"
"Maybe a sunburn?" Meg agreed.
"That was all a trick?" Daroga asked while looking at Christine.
"The police! Erik, look out!" Meg shouted while pointing at the screen.
"Cue, Chandelier," Erik said with a grin.
"Genius," Daroga said in awe.
"I'm so sorry, Erik! I didn't mean it, I swear!" Christine pleaded.
"You didn't actually do that…so I'm grateful…" Erik said with a sigh.
~oOo~
"Monsieur I bid you welcome, did you think that I would harm her? Why would I make her pay for the sins which are yours!"
"Why didn't I turn around?" Raoul gasped.
"You're mine now, de Chagny," Erik snickered.
"Order you'll find horses now! Raise up your hands to the level of your eyes! Nothing can save you now except, perhaps, Christine. Start a new life with me; buy his freedom with your love. Refuse me and you send your lover to his death! This is the choice; this is the point of no return!"
"I can't decide if that's worst then the options you gave me," Christine said in disbelief.
"I don't like it as much…in my options he would have died either way," Erik commented.
~oOo~
"Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? God give me courage to show you, you are not alone!"
"Aww!" Meg cried as she began tearing up again.
"We seem to be more than just kissing," Christine said with an awkward laugh, looking at her husband who was glaring at the screen. Era noticed Erik's silence and looked at him concerned.
"Erik? Are you alright?" she asked.
"Christine…never kissed me like that before…" Erik whispered. The Persian patted the man on the back.
"Take him, forget me, forget all of this! Leave me alone, forget all you've seen! Go now, don't let them find you! Take the boats away from here, never to tell! The secret you know of the Angel in hell!"
"The Phantom of the Opera is there deep down inside!"
"Go now! Go now and leave me!"
"You…let me go…again," Christine sniffled.
"…I had to…once again, you didn't love me," Erik said quietly.
"Masquerade, paper faces on parade. Masquerade, hide your face so the world will never find you…"
Christine enters the room.
"Christine, I love you,"
Everyone broke out into tears, Erik only letting a few escape, and Era refused to look at the screen.
"Say you'll share with me one love, one life time,"
"Say the words and I will follow you,"
"Share each day with me, each night, each morning,"
"You alone can make my song take flight. It's over now the music of the night!"
Christine pulled Erik into another unbreakable hug as she sobbed onto his shoulder. Raoul couldn't help hugging Christine's back as he cried, and Meg hugged Raoul. The Persian on the other side of Christine felt the need to hug Erik as well. Era just blinked at the mess of hugs, but decided to not break the moment by joining them.
~oOo~
Old Raoul notices the rose on Christine's gravestone. He looks around for a moment, but no one could be seen.
As the movie came to an end, Era stood and turned the TV and DVD player off.
"I can't believe you put a rose on my grave, even after all that I did to you," Christine said heartfelt.
"I still love you…" Erik whispered.
"I can't believe you continued stalking her and protecting her even after all that happened," Meg said in disbelief.
"It really shows you care," Raoul said reluctantly. "I'm glad she had you as a stalker…it could have been worst,"
"Technically I was supposed to be dead by then, but the compliment is appreciated…though I know you probably don't mean it lightly," Erik commented.
"I wonder how Raoul outlived me…" Christine said out loud.
"The dates on the tomb stone were wrong, you died ten years after this," Era corrected.
"What? Why?" Christine asked in alarm.
"Meg shoots you,"
"What!" Meg exclaims.
"Don't worry; you'll get to see the sequel known as Love Never Dies next!" Era announced with a grin.
A/N-I think this is actually the longest chapter yet...and yes, the horror that IS Love Never Dies is next. Actually, Love Never Dies isn't that bad, the Phantom of Manhattan IS. I won't do Love Never Dies as a play by play like this chapter, cause it will take WAY too long, but you'll still get to see the character's reactions to it, which is fun! So please review!
