Disclaimer: POTO belongs to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Leroux.

Allo' Again. Five chapters! Yay! I'm going to keep updating as much as I can but I am still busy with work and my last exam ( thank the Lord) so we'll see how it goes. (We being me and the voices in my head :P) Chapter 5:

Erik walked into the main reception and over to the blonde receptionist. She looked up and smiled. Wow, two smiles in one day. That's got to be a new record, Erik thought.

'Good afternoon, sir. How can I help you?' Erik cleared his throat.

'My name is Erik Durrante. I'm here to see my mother Madelaine Richards.'

'Oh, you're Madelaine's son. She's very excited that you've come to see you. Now, if you just walk through those double doors over there and follow the corridor to the very end, you will find a second set of doors that will lead you outside and your mother is in...' Casey punched in a few buttons and consulted her computer screen. '...Unit 2.' She smiled at him.

'Thank you very much,' Erik said.

'No problem. Have a good day.'

'And the same to you,' Erik said as he walked away. Erik walked through the double doors and was met with a wide, sparkling white corridor. He could hear the faint sound of laughter from somewhere but otherwise it was very quiet. Erik was impressed with what he saw. Everything was spotless. A lady came out of one of the turnoffs dressed impeccably in a nurse's uniform. She smiled at him and continued with her duties. The staff at my hotel could certainly learn a thing or two from the people here, Erik thought.

Erik continued down the corridor, his heart beat increasing with every step he took. C'mon Erik. It's just a visit to your mother not an execution march, he chided himself.

Erik finally reached the second set of double doors. Opening them, he was pleasantly surprised with what he could see. There was a wide concrete path with benches dotted along either side of it and units surrounded by lots of trees, green grass and flowers. It made for a pretty picture.

Now, she said Unit 2. Erik walked along the path and saw that the first unit on the right had the number two on it. He walked towards it slowly, took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Almost immediately the door opened and Madelaine was there.

'Erik,' she said with tears in her eyes.

'Mother,' he replied. There was a slightly awkward pause and then Madelaine rushed forward and swept Erik into a hug.

'It's so good to see you,' she said as she hugged him tightly. Erik was unused to such signs of affection but he returned the hug gratefully. Madelaine released him and drew him towards the front door. She led him inside her unit which Erik was also impressed by. The unit was comfortable and airy and clean. They passed what looked like a dining room or a lounge room or perhaps both and she drew him into the kitchen.

'Would you like something to drink? Tea, coffee, water?' Madelaine asked.

'Now, mother, surely you remember that my favourite drink in the world is coffee', Erik said in a slightly sarcastic tone but with a twinkle in his eye. Erik had never been able to stand the smell of coffee.) His dislike for coffee increased when he was around ten and he was carrying a mug for his mother and some of it slopped over the edge onto his arm. Without realising it he began to rub that arm. Madelaine laughed.

'I'll have water, please.'

'No worries. I've been keeping an eye on you over in Europe,' Madelaine said, laughing again as she saw Erik's face. 'I must be the only person in town that has a subscription to the French Music Entertainment Magazine. It seems you haven't been a very social person lately.' Erik winced. He knew that magazine kept tabs on his work. There had recently been an article on him, not just his work, entitled The Phantom of the Opera, talking more about his seclusion and the lack of information that the magazine had on him. Erik had...convinced the author of the article and the editor of the magazine that it would be in their best interests to concentrate on his music and not his personal life. Madelaine walked over to the fridge, pulled out a jug of water, poured two glasses and sat back down again.

'Well, I'm not the most social person. It's easier to get on with music than it is people. Music doesn't stare at your face everywhere you go,' Erik said. It was Madelaine's turn to wince. 'Now, my turn for interrogation,' Erik said, a not very subtle attempt to change the subject but Madelaine was happy to avoid the topic that had just come up. 'There isn't exactly a magazine that keeps an eye on Madelaine Richards so you'll have to fill me in.' Madelaine laughed again. I could happily get used to that sound, Erik thought. I'm so glad she's moved on.

'Well I've had a lot of physiotherapy which has made it easier to move. I didn't really want to do all that much but a friend convinced me I needed to get out more so I now play tennis and try to get a swim in 2 or 3 times a week. This place has a great pool and tennis courts and they provide all the equipment as well. The owner was even able to contact a tennis coach who was told of my restrictions when moving and she's helped me increase my movability so much. There's all sorts of things organised here for entertainment, individual activities and ones in groups. There's also a hall that we set up as a church on Sundays which makes it easier for me because I don't have to go into town.' Erik chuckled.

'Seems like your life is all set. I also happen to recall that your birthday is coming up,' Erik said.

'You remembered! Damn. I don't need everybody finding out that I'm fifty,' complained Madelaine.

'Mother, you live in a place that is a partial retirement home. I'm sure that to most of the residents will tell you that you're still a "young'un,' Erik said, finishing his sentence with slightly southern drawl.

'Now that you mention it, I guess it's not so bad,' Madelaine said sheepishly. 'I must ask, however did you manage to tear yourself away from your opera theatre? That article mentioned you were very particular about the quality of your operas and here you are, traipsing from continent to continent.'

'I managed to find a young man whose musical work I appreciate who is leading the production currently. He's written a few operas himself which are fairly good so I'm sure he will be able to run things while I am gone,' said Erik

'Wow. He must be very good to capture your attention,' Madelaine teased. 'You always were one for perfection...or at least as close to perfection as possible.'

'What's wrong with that?' Erik protested.

'Nothing,' Madelaine said. 'I was just impressed with the young man in question for managing to pass whatever audition you gave him. That and the fact that he managed to work with you most likely breathing down his neck.' She grinned mischievously.

'Ha ha, very funny.'

It was then that Madelaine began the first stage of her plan (which had popped into her head as soon as she heard that Erik was coming to visit).