The sun finally sank and the sky changed to a dark blue. Christine left Raoul's warm embrace and entered her dressing room, an ill-foreboding feeling already in place. She changed into a spare dressing gown of thick, creamy cotton and lace, then sat on the dainty stool in front of her vanity. Taking out an ivory comb from a drawer, she combed through her abundant curls and stared at her reflection. A knock on the door interrupted Christine's reverie. "Christine?" The soprano heard her dear friend Meg ask through a crack in the door. "Come in," she replied quietly. The small blond entered the room, graceful like always. She held what appeared to be a costume in her small hands. "Here is your costume for Act 1, if you agree to perform." Meg said, gently setting the outfit on the table in front of Christine. "Yes, I've agreed. Let me see it." She looked down to see a sheer white blouse with loose, lacy sleeves, a gold silk skirt covered with swirling suns, and a black corset of the same pattern. There was also sheer stockings, a black lacy shawl, a large red rose in full bloom, and a chunky yet still delicate bracelet consisting of gold squares. "Oh," Christine said simply, letting her hands trace over the thin skirt. Meg watched her friend dumbly feel the material, then reassured, "All will be well, Christine. The police are already secured at all exits, and Raoul will be supervising the whole thing." .
"Yes...you're right....All will be well," Christine echoed quietly. Meg smiled and helped Christine into her costume. The singer remained mute while she changed. She also kept her face away from Meg, and the room was silent. Meg tied the black shawl around Christine's small waist like she would for a child. Minutes passed after Christine dressed, then Meg finally faced the soprano. "Christine? Christine, are you crying?" The little dancer asked in confusion. Christine finally looked up to Meg and wept, "Oh Meg, nothing shall ever be all right again! Something horrible will happen tonight, I know. The Phantom will return, preforming his opera is not enough!" She collapsed against the dressing stool seat, her head falling into her hands. Meg cautiously walked over to her friend. Christine had seemed rather calm to her, and now the soprano seemed to be having a meltdown. The strength Christine had feigned with Raoul had vanished.
"Everything will be fine. The opera will be a success, and nothing more. You can't know that something horrible will happen tonight. It will be all right, dear Christine," Meg reassured, and placed her hands on Christine's quaking shoulders. The brunette looked up, and with clear eyes, whispered, "No, Meg...I know for certain. I've known him for ten years. That man, the Opera Ghost, he holds my soul. I gave it to him the first time I heard him sing! He will come for me tonight! I know it. Raoul knows it too, and we are just playing a sick game together, delaying the inevitable....I can only hope Raoul shall be safe." Meg looked down at Christine. The brunette stared off into the distance, she was clearly not herself. Christine began to laugh, softly at first. Her laughter grew louder and she barely managed to madly hiss, "We are all just playing a game! I wonder who will lose?" The petite dancer took a deep breath, then slapped Christine's white cheek. The soprano immediately grew quiet, and the two girls stared at each other. Softly, the blond murmured, "I'm sorry for that. You were not yourself." Christine nodded and managed to whisper, "Thank you. I was letting the madness reach me. Do not hesitate to do that again, if needed." Meg nodded and left the room, whispering, "I need to change. You should warm up." She left and Christine was alone.
The girl went over to her window and stared out to the dark streets of Paris. "Christine.." a ghostly whisper of song. She jumped and glanced around the room with narrow eyes. "You shall join me at last...." The ghost continued, fading into silence. Fearfully, she ran out of the room. She continued running till the crowded backstage came into view. Dancers stretched to the sound of singers doing their scales and the musicians tuning their instruments. Christine slowed at the reassuring sight of other people and walked over to a group of chorus girls who were vocalizing. She joined in and her breathing calmed.