Twisted Every Way: A Haunting Love Triangle

Chapter 2: Moment of Truth

(Steven's point of view, Erik Destler)

I stand up and taking a deep breath introduce myself to the group. I get the feeling that they are all staring at my scars but that doesn't shake my confidence. "Hello everyone, my name is Steven Carpenter. I am humbled to be cast in this incredible show and I am looking forward to working with all of you for the next ten months." The group applauds which makes me a bit nervous so I sit back down quickly. I glance up briefly and notice the beautiful woman smiling at me. She mouths the words 'good job' and I smile. "Thank you, Steven" Andrew chimes in. The woman seated next to me stands. "Hi everyone, I'm Ellen Balgord! I'm extremely grateful to have been cast in this incredible show and hope to know each of you better at the end of ten months!" She sits back down and some cast members applaud her. The introductions continue and I recognize some of them from my West End and tour days. Finally, it's the beautiful woman's turn, a moment I have been waiting for.

(Julia's point of view, Christine Daae)

It's my turn to introduce myself and I suddenly get extremely flushed. Unable to move, I feel an elbow in my left side and the actor whispers, "Go, it's your turn." Knees shaking, I slowly stand, my eyes locked on Steven. He has this aura about him that for some reason is hypnotizing. He look up at me and realizing that I'm nervous, smiles. That helps, so taking a deep breath I say "Um, hi. My name is Julia Luker. I am beyond excited to be in this incredible production, as it has been my dream since I can remember. Hope I get to know each one of you!" I quickly sit back down and Steven is smiling at me. He mouths 'good job' which immediately puts me at ease. What is it about him that puts me at such ease? I am looking forward to working with him for the next ten months. I take a deep breath and I feel the man to my right stand up. I recognize his voice from somewhere, but I can't place it right now.

(Tim's point of view, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagney)

I stand up tall and with all of the stamina I have in me say "What's up everyone? For those of you who do not know me, I'm Timothy Landon Stolle and I have been in numerous shows in the West End of London. My various roles include Nicky Arnstein in Funny Girl, Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys and Skye in Mamma Mia. I am incredibly honored to have been selected for this show and will hopefully know all of you very soon. Thank you." I sit down, so proud of myself but am caught off guard by the lack of applause. The introductions finish up and as they do, I whisper to the pretty girl next to me "So, after rehearsal do you want to get food and catch up?" Now that I've heard her name I remember where I know her from. Little Jule from my days at the beach on Coney Island. If I remember correctly, I saved her favorite hat from the rushing waves. She looks at me puzzled and doesn't respond. Hal Prince then rises to his feet and says "Ok, now the moment you all have been waiting for, the announcement of roles!" Everyone suddenly shifts to the edge of their seats. Hah, please. I've got the role of the Phantom in the bag! Hal continues, "After that we'll split up into groups so that you call can work on scenes you have together. He reaches into his bag and pull out a leather portfolio. This is it, the moment of truth.

(Steven's point of view, Erik Destler)

I must be sweating buckets. This is the moment I have been waiting all my life for, breathe, Steven, breathe. Sitting up a little bit taller, trying to hide my nerves, I look intently at Hal as he goes through the roles. "And now for the big reveal, your new Raoul, Christine and Phantom." I hold my breath. "In the role of Christine's suitor, Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagney, Tim Stolle." The man in the blue pullover sweater sitting across from me is clearly not pleased as he just barely rises off his chair and waves. Well based on they persona he gave off when he introduced himself earlier, I'm not surprised in the slightest. Hal continues "Playing the role originated by Sarah Brightman, Miss Christine Daae, the one and only Julia Luker." The beautiful woman sitting next to Tim timidly stands up and waves. She deserves it, and based on how she positions herself, she'll do an amazing job. She looks at me and I give her a subtle thumb's up, which gets me a dirty look from Tim. What is his problem? I brush it off as Hal hands the portfolio to Andrew. "And in the title role, playing The Phantom of the Opera is Mr. Steven Carpenter." The whole theatre erupts in applause except for Tim. I stand up briefly and wave. Ellen whispers 'Congratulations' as I sit back down. I look across at Julia who smiles at me. I can't believe it, I am playing my dream role opposite the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!

(Julia's point of view, Christine Daae)

After introductions finish, Hal stands up and announces that now is the time for the big reveal of all parts. Oh I hope I've been cast as Christine! He starts off with the minor roles before getting to the most important ones, Raoul, Christine and Erik. I think he's trying to torture me when he says "In the role of Christine's suitor, Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagney, Tim Stolle." The guy sitting next to me stands up quickly and waves. I can hear him huff and puff as he sits back down. Clearly, he wanted the role of Erik. Hal continues and knowing which role is going to be announced next, I hold my breath. Playing the role originated by Sarah Brightman, Miss Christine Daae, the one and only Julia Luker." Wow, I did it! I stand up and wave briefly, trying to hide my excitement. I was cast in my dream role! But why did they have to cast the most stuck up person to be my suitor? I am not looking forward to working with him. And did he seriously ask me out on a date? I don't even know this person and yet he claims to know me. Hopefully he'll forget about it once rehearsal is over. Plus I want to talk to Steven more. I watch as Hal hands the portfolio to Andrew. The big moment, the announcement of who will play my Erik. "And in the title role, playing The Phantom of the Opera is Mr. Steven Carpenter." The whole theatre erupts in applause except for Tim. I lucked out this time. As Steven rises to his feet I look up and realize 'wow, he's tall!' Standing at 6' 3'' maybe 6' 4'', Steven towers above Andrew who is a few inches taller than me. This is going to be interesting. But I am up for the challenge. Steven sits back down and as he looks up at me, I smile at him. This time, he blushes.

(Tim's point of view, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagney)

Oh my god, seriously Hal. Skip the bottom of the totem pole and get to the good roles! This has been going on for what seems like forever. Who cares about the people who play the dancers or the firemen or the cops, they're mediocre in comparison to the role I will be playing. Hal continues "And now onto the three main parts. In the role of Christine's suitor, Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagney, Tim Stolle." Is he for real right now? That is by far the worst role in the entire show. Trying to hide my frustration, I stand up quickly, wave and sit back down. Who do Cameron, Hal and Andrew think they are, casting someone like me in a role like Raoul? I huff and cross my arms. Hal then announces "playing the role originated by Sarah Brightman, Miss Christine Daae, the one and only Julia Luker." The pretty girl next to me stands up slowly and waves. I can see her shaking. But good for her, she'll portray Christine so well. Maybe being the guy she chooses in the end isn't so bad. The well- built man across from me shoots her a smile and I give him the death stare. What is up with him, seriously? Julia is mine and he needs to be put in his place. Hal hands the portfolio to Andrew, who is probably going to announce who gets my ideal role. I still can't believe that they didn't cast me as the Phantom. Andrew stands up "And in the title role, playing The Phantom of the Opera is Mr. Steven Carpenter." The tall, well- built man across from me stands up and waves. He's much taller than I expected. I hope he lives up to the expectations that are expected of him now that he is playing the title role in a worldwide phenomenon. We'll see what happens, but I give it a week before the director, producer and composer change their minds.