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

Chapter 16: Instructions

*AUTHOR'S NOTE* The first few paragraphs are made up out of my head since we don't know what happens prior to Christine and Raoul entering the manager's office.

I am sitting in my dressing room, dressed in a blue and black dress with lace accents. It was one of my father's favorites. Maybe wearing it will give me the strength to face whatever this meeting has in store for me. I pray that they decide not to perform the opera at all. Would they really put my life at risk in order to make the Phantom happy? For their own personal gain? But what are they gaining from this? Peace of mind? My mind is going a million miles an hour. How can I do this, knowing that it may part Raoul and me forever?

My thoughts are cut off by a knock on the door. "Come in" I say, taken aback by the sudden tremble in my voice. Raoul comes in and I feel a small sense of relief, but I can't help but think that the worst is yet to come. "Are you ready to go?" Raoul asks, kissing me on the forehead. "If I said yes, I'd be lying to you" I say "Something about this whole thing doesn't sit right with me". Raoul bends down in front of me and says "Christine, remember, this is only a meeting about the possibility of performing this opera. Nothing has been decided yet." That's only somewhat reassuring.

"I still don't feel right about even considering this" I reply. "You have nothing to be afraid of" Raoul says, "I'll be there the entire time. Now let's go, we're already late". "I guess it's time to face the music" I say. I pick up the score from my dresser, blow a kiss to my father's photo and taking Raoul's hand and a deep breath say "Let's go". We walk out of my dressing room and I lock the door behind us. We walk hand in hand to the managers' office and Raoul opens the door. I take a deep breath and think to myself 'here we go'. We walk in and Carlotta's immediate reaction to our arrival only heightens my fears.

"AH, here's our little flower" she says with a smirk on her face. "Ah, Miss Daae, quite the lady of the hour" Firmin greets me. "You have secured the largest role in this Don Juan" Andre announces. "Christine Daae, she doesn't have the voice" Carlotta scoffs. "Signora, please" Firmin says. "Then I take it you're agreed" Raoul says to the managers. "She's behind this", Carlotta inquires. Is she seriously blaming me for this? "It appears we have no choice" Andre says. There is always a choice, especially in a case like this. Carlotta come up to me, looks me square in the eye and accuses me once again "SHE'S THE ONE BEHIND THIS, CHRISTINE DAAE!!!!!" I can't take it anymore.

"How dare you!" I scream at her. "I'm not a fool" Carlotta scoffs. Oh how I would love to smack her across the face. If she hadn't walked out in the first place, six months ago, none of this would be happening. "You evil woman, how dare you!" I scream again "You think I'm blind?" she asks sarcastically. "This isn't my fault, I don't want any part in this plot". "Miss Daae, surely" Firmin says "But why not?" Andre asks. Is it rocket science? My life and well-being are at risk and you want me to do this opera just to please the Phantom. "What does she say?" I hear Piangi ask. "It's your decision, but why not?" Andre asks me again. "She's backing out" Carlotta says, sounding hopeful. Is she being serious? She's the reason behind all of this, not me.

"You have a duty" Andre says to me. "I cannot sing it, duty or not." I reply, my voice trembling. Raoul approaches me, put his hands on my arms and says soothingly, "Christine, Christine, you don't have to. They can't MAKE you". He shoots the managers a nasty look. I knew I could count on him to take my side. "Please Monsieur, another note?" When did Madame Giry get here? I hear a groan from everyone in the room and remember the last time they had gotten a note from the Phantom. The chandelier incident. If they don't want that to happen again, they really shouldn't do this opera.

Madame Giry opens the envelope and starts reading the note aloud. "Fondest greetings to you all. A few instructions just before rehearsal starts." The Phantom's voice takes over and I suddenly feel myself shaking like a leaf, chill encasing my entire body. "Carlotta must be taught to act, not her normal trick of strutting 'round the stage. Our Don Juan must lose some weight. It's not healthy in a man of Piangi's age. And my managers must learn that their place is in an office, not the arts. As for Miss Christine Daae, no doubt she'll do her best. It's true her voice good. She knows though, should she wish to excel she has much still to learn. If pride will let her return to me, her teacher, her teacher. Your obedient friend." Madame Giry's voice takes back over "And angel."

*AUTHOR'S THEORY* When the Phantom says "If pride will let her return to me" I think he is referring to Raoul.

"I can't, I won't do it" I say, trembling. Raoul suddenly speaks "We have all been blind, and yet the answer is staring us in the face" I can see the gears turning in his head, what is he thinking? "This could be the chance, to ensnare our clever friend." "We're listening, go on", the manager say. "We shall play his game, perform his work. But remember, we hold the ace" Raoul continues "For if, Miss Daae sings he is certain to attend". "We make certain, the doors are barred, we make certain our men are there" the manager assure him. "We make certain they're armed" Raoul adds. They all say in unison "The curtain falls, his reign will end!"