A Phantom Christmas Carol - *Phantom of the Opera*

Chapter Four

A/N: - on the video story- at that time, Youtube did not allow more than 10 minutes for a clip, so not all of this chapter is in the video. (I wanted to find a good place to leave off) It continues with the last scene of this written chapter in next vid and catches up later. Sorry about that, but really, the video story does have some differences to plot and dialogue (nothing really major), necessary when editing and using clips of the shows I used, etc. Also, I did not keep the subtitles up for as long as I should have at times - sorry about that, I got better at it, especially after YT gave more time for clips. If it is too rushed and you did not get to read all that was said and want to, just go back a bit click on the video screen to pause and read the first lines that show above the bar, then click again to start vid and read the rest. You might want to anyway, any time you see 3 or more lines of text. For this video, clips taken from: Phantom of the Opera (2004), Scrooge, Wuthering Heights (2009), Sleepy Hollow, and Firelight. Music: soundtracks from Interview with a Vampire (main) and Lady in the Lake. Intro from ALW's Phantasia.

Too Many Years, Fighting Back Tears

IV

Any words of reprimand for sneaking up behind him - a difficult feat - were lost on the Phantom as he stared at his midnight visitor.

"Why do you wear that ridiculous costume?" He quenched his disquiet by offering words of censure and sent Madame Giry a scathing glance.

Never had he seen her in any hue but somber black. Her present gown of deep blue velvet bespoke of a former century and glowed the color of twilight, the time of evening when pinpricks of stars slipped from beyond indiscernible veils of hiding. Embedded within the myriad folds of the voluminous gown, sprays of similar stars glimmered with the same faint iridescence, and a hairpiece of silver stars wound throughout her elaborately braided and coiffed hair. A subtle luminosity seemed to emanate from her person...likely a trick of the strong candlelight reflecting off his statues of gold.

Realizing he wore no mask, though her placid expression had not altered, he slapped his hand up to cover his twisted flesh. She had seen his gross deformity what seemed a lifetime ago, and he desired no repeat performance.

"Have you been to a masquerade ball?" he sneered, knowing full well the quiet woman rarely left the opera house, and the celebration of the Bal Masque was still a week away. "Or perhaps you secretly aspire to revisit the stage, as an actress this time?"

She did not respond, further stoking his ire. Her personal wanderings held no interest to the Phantom, unless, of course, they conflicted with his schedule, as they did now.

"Why have you come to my dwelling at this late hour? You know you're not to disturb my peace unless I send for you!"

"Peace?" Her eyes remained steady, her composure unnerving. She smiled, the act containing little warmth. "Is that what you call this place? Peaceful?" She shook her head, scoffing, as if to correct a child. "I think not. Reclusive, yes. Befitting an eccentric, most certainly. But I see nothing that could describe this as a dwelling of peace."

"I have no desire to belabor the point, Madame. You know nothing about me! Such confrontations in futility - all of which you have developed a bad habit of engaging in lately - insult my intelligence. And yours. Leave 'this place' - leave it now!"

Weary of her presence, the Phantom turned his back on her and moved toward his bed. He ripped open the knotted belt of his robe, hoping to shock her feminine sensibilities and guarantee her speedy departure.

"Au contraire, Opera Ghost. I know a great deal about you. Indeed, more than you know about yourself."

Her calm words rattled what little remained of his equanimity and he whirled around to face her. "If you do not leave these dark caverns straight away, I'll not be held liable for my actions."