Inside My Mind: The Phantom of the Opera as told by Miss Christine Daae

Chapter 5: Love Triangle

I sit up straighter, shocked by the fact that the patron of the Opera Populaire is standing in my dressing room. Not knowing what to say, I simply ask "Monsieur?" The voice inquires, "Well you can't have lost it. After all the trouble I took. I was just fourteen and soaked to the skin!" Finally remembering who the person was that I knew with the last name de Chagney and realizing that he was standing in my dressing room, I turn around in my chair saying "because you had run into the sea to fetch my scarf, oh Raoul, so it is you!"

Taking my hands and handing me a rose, Raoul exclaims "Christine! Little Lotte, let her mind wander" In shock, I reply "you remember that, too!" He continues, "Little Lotte, thought am I fonder of dolls"....I join in "or of goblins of shoes, or of riddles or frocks?" "Those picnics in the attic, or of chocolates?" Raoul is staring at me, my heart pounding. "Father, playing the violin" I recall. "As we read to each other, dark stories of the North" Raoul says, laughing.

"No, what I love best Lotte said, is when I'm asleep in my bed, and the Angel of Music sings songs in my head" Raoul walks behind my chair and putting his hands on my shoulders, joins in "the Angel of Music sings songs in my head". As we finish, I take his hand in mine and looking at my father's picture on the dresser, say "Father said, when I'm in heaven, child, I will send the Angel of Music to you". I turn and look at Raoul, saying "Well, Father is dead Raoul, and I have been visited by the Angel of Music". "No doubt of it" Raoul says. "And now, we go to supper". "No, Raoul" I say, startled by the sudden fear in my voice, "the Angel of Music is very strict". "Well I shant keep you up late, Raoul says, heading for the door. "No", I say persistently. "You must change, I must get my hat" Raoul chirps as he walks out the door. "Two minutes, Little Lotte" he calls over his shoulder, laughing to himself as he does.

"RAOUL!" I scream after him. The door to my dressing room suddenly closes and locks. I quickly put my father's picture in the drawer of my dresser and say, as a sudden fear that he is coming fills my body, "things have changed, Raoul".

"INSOLENT BOY, THIS SLAVE OF FASHION. BASKING IN YOUR GLORY! IGNORANT FOOL, THIS BRAVE, YOUNG SUITOR. SHARING IN MY TRUIMPH". His voice booms through my dressing room, with a strong amount of anger radiating throughout the room. My body, which was trembling, suddenly goes numb. With more fear in my voice, I answer "Angel I hear you speak, I listen. Stay by my side, guide me. Angel, my soul was weak, forgive me. Enter at last, Master!" The tone of his voice changes and as I stand up he says "Flattering child you shall know me". I walk towards the giant mirror on my wall. His voice continues "see why in shadow I hide. Look at your face in the mirror". I turn to face the mirror as his face appears in it and he says "I am there inside!"

Startled at finally seeing his face for the first time, I hold my hands up toward the face and sing "Angel of Music, guide and guardian. Grant to me your glory! Angel of Music, hide no longer. Come to me strange angel!" He calls to me and I feel myself being drawn toward the mirror, which has mysteriously opened in front of me. "I am your Angel of Music, come to me, Angel of Music. I am your angel of music, come to me, Angel of Music". I enter the mirror and he wraps his cape around me. He closes the mirror behind us, and we vanish.