Chapter 5

(Eight years have passed. Kristina is still being mentored by Eric, but she doesn't know he's the Phantom (aka Set Ghost). Kristina is still living with Madame Giry and her best friend, Meg and of course Kristina eventually assumes her Daddy is dead.)

Kristina Daae

Meg shouts, "We're leaving, Kristina." I dress into a silver dress with a blue sweater.

"I'm ready." I yell as I put on my flats. We exit and Madame drives us to the set.

"Kristine! You've perfected the cabriole!" I smile, "Yeah, but so have you. Thanks, anyways." Meg nods, "Welcome." We find Madame Giry with the managers and the lead actress and singer's assistant.

"Miss Carlotta is ill... I must attend to her now. She can not film today, mister." the assistant speaks. The managers pale, "Oh, my goodness, what can we do now?" They turn to Madame Giry, "Will the Phantom be upset? What can we do?" Madame Giry thinks, "Managers... give me a moment. The show must go on... however..." Meg speaks up, "Mother-Kristina knows all the words and she can sing." Madame Giry turns to the managers, "Yes, Kristina can." The managers look at me, "You are Kristina?" I nod.

"Who were you mentored by?" they question. I bite my lip, nervous, "I do not know." Madame Giry interrupts, "By a great tutor, trust me." The managers nod, "We'll rehearse and see what you can do. Someone fetch her the script! Wait... but exactly who are you and what are you doing on set?"

"She is a background dancer-and she lives with me and Meg. I've brought her up like my own." The managers simply nod, "Now, then, sing this." he looks to Madame Giry, "Give her the new piece." Madame hands me a piece of paper. I tentatively start, "Think of me, think of me fondly. When we've said goodbye. Remember me once in a while. Please promise me, you'll try. Then you'll find that once again you long to take our heart back and be free. If you'll ever find a moment, spare a thought for me. We never said our love was evergreen. Or as unchanging as the sea. But if you can still remember, stop and think of me. Think of all the things we've shared and seen. Don't think about the way things might have been. Think of me, think of me waking, silent and resigned. Imagine me trying too hard to put you from my mind. Recall those days, look back on all those times. Think of those things we'll never do. There will never be a day. When I won't think of you. Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade. They have their seasons, so do we. But please promise that sometimes... You. Will. Think. Of. Me!" I finish. The managers stare at me in amazement, so do Meg and Madame. I look at the ground, nervous. One of the managers speak, "That was... seraphic..." the other managers quickly nod, "Yes... we must have you sing, then, immediately. Madame, please call some maids to remove all of Carlotta's things in her room and place Kristina in there. That will be her room. Also, we must get a new dress. Carlotta was," he pointed out, hastily, "Pudgy and older. Now, hurry, hurry!"

Carlotta

"Girl. Wheres' mine flowers, eh? And medicines and doctors and words to make me feel better, eh?" My maid looked down to the ground, and I question, "Gal! Why do you ave my thing? Why?" I glare down at my maid.

"The managers... Carlotta... they have hired a new girl! To replace you! You are out!" my maid manages. I gasp, "Oh those little new managers... they not no me! How dare those little... AH!" I scream. A few minutes after I calm down, I breathe, "Woo is the new gal, EH? Tell, maid."

"Kristina Daae, who is currently living with Madame Giry and Meg-Madame's daughter." she responds.

"What? I... ave not eard of her! Doz she sing well? Eh?" The maid nods, "Very well." I wave my hand, "Well? GO! Check her movie! I expect news, maid!" My assistant hurries away and I call a maid. A brunette comes quickly to my call, "You. Get me a..." I wrinkle my nose, "plain dress and wig. Hurry, hurry!" she runs out. I practice my singing, "La. La. La. La. LA. LA. LA LA!"

Erik

Finally, Kristina had been revealed as the talented girl she is! I am extremely proud... however, I'm afraid she won't need me any more. After eight years of night lessons, we have become friends... I'm also sad... because I have to share her with the world-yes, I am truly happy for her, but... anyways, it's for her best. Ha, I can just imagine that horrible Carlotta creature going home and finding out... I was getting exhausted of hearing her "singing", which was more like screaming. I mean, of course, I had sent complaint letters to the managers, but they would be obedient about everything-except firing Carlotta-just because she had a few connections. Besides, I didn't want to hurt the little childlike managers, after all, they had been obedient to me. Just like my regular routine, I sang, played a bit of piano, and slept.

I woke up, remembering I had to help Kristina to come to my "underworld", which she quite liked... but to me, it was a prison... but it was nice when she came here-she was like a candle lighting up a dark room.

"Kristina." I call her, knowing she had gotten a large room-which used to be Carlotta's.

"Maestro." she smiled, pleased.

"Ah, come." I said, as I opened the secret pathway in the mirror, "Come."

"How did you know I would be in this room?" I winced, "Well, I saw you, before. And besides," I cover my lie up, "Madame told me." she nods, so innocent, just like she was years ago.

We get on the white horse, and ride across the pool of water to my lair.

"Maestro, I do love it here." she admits, as she gets off the boat. I turn to her, "Really, Kristina? Why?"

"Because it's so comfortable and, well, I can do the thing... I can learn the thing I love most-singing, Maestro. That's why, of course." I lead her to a chair, "Well, Kristina, Madame has told me that you are the new and better Carlotta." Kristina blushes, "Oh, Maestro... but poor Carlotta-she is ill, did you know?" I nod, "You are the better and younger Carlotta and yes, I did know." I look at her-now fifteen and still so kind. It seems like only yesterday she was crying in her room at Madame's.

"I am very happy for you-truly." I swallow. Kristina sighs, "Oh, Maestro... can I even thank you enough for training me so well? It's all your teaching that has brought me here... but I am so nervous, Maestro." I gently smile, "Don't be. You deserve this moment, Kristina. You should know that."