The next morning, Christine wakes up with a groan. Her head is pounding and she is in an unfamiliar room. It was a stone room with a bed, tons of candles, and surprisingly a piano. A man with a mask was at the piano currently, playing a few notes then writing them down on parchment.
'I remember there was mist. Swirling mist upon a vast glassy lake. There were candles all around, and on the lake there was a boat. And in the boat there was a man,' she thinks.
The masked man notices that she is awake.
"About time you're awake ma chérie."
"Where am I? Why I am here?"
"I have brought you, to the seat of sweet music's throne. To this kingdom where all must pay homage to music, music. You have come here, for one purpose, and one alone, since the moment I first heard you sing, I have needed you with me to serve me to sing, for my music, my music."
"No. I am no servant."
The man seems to think for a moment. Then he says, "Come."
-meanwhile, above ground in the Opera Populaire-
Monsieurs Firmin and Andre, the new managers, are getting frustrated. They had found no sign of the missing lead soprano. The two were debating what to do when Raoul comes into the office.
"Monsieurs, I had just received this note this morning. I thought you might want to see it."
They open it up to read:
Do not fear for Miss Daae.
The angel of music has her under his wing.
Make no attempt to see her again.
-O.G.
"O.G.? Why that is the signature on the letters we had gotten about Carlotta and the salary, Andre!" Firmin cries.
"What did he say about Carlotta, and what is this about a salary?"
Andre explains how they had gotten notes this morning from an O.G. (which they figured meant opera ghost), and how they said to not cast Carlotta any more, and to pay his- supposed- monthly salary of 20,000 Francs a month.
After a half hour discussion they decide to not let the insane "opera ghost" bully them into anything, and go against what the letters have said.
-back under the Opera Populaire-
The masked man had Christine follow him to a room that she hadn't noticed. In it is a bed and chains with cuffs that are promptly placed around her hands.
The man comes up behind her, and whispers in her ear, "I have some things to do, but when I get back the fun can begin. You will be mine.
Christine shudders in fear, and silently prays for rescue as the man leaves the room.
So? What do you think? Good? Bad? Let me know!
Adieu! -Nina