Twisted Every Way: A Haunting Love Triangle

Chapter 3: Something New

(Steven's point of view, Erik Destler)

I am still overcome with joy as Andrew continues talking "Congratulations to everyone on your significant accomplishment. We'll now break off into smaller groups and run lines. I want you all to get to know each other since you all will be working together over the next ten months. I'll let Hal handle this part." Everyone applauds and Andrew takes his seat and Hal rises to his feet. "Here's how this is going to work. I'm going to announce the groups first, then you all can get up and split off. Please don't move now. All dancers with the exception of Christine Daae will rehearse the dance scenes with Gillian in the dance studio." Wow, lucky them. She's the original choreographer of both the West End and Broadway shows. Hal continues "All ensemble members will be working with Cameron on who gets which role in certain scenes in rehearsal room A." He continues assigning people to certain rooms until he gets to the last of the roles, which include the principle ones. "The Phantom and Christine will be working with me here on the stage while Raoul, Carlotta, Piangi, the managers, Meg and Madame Giry will be working with Andrew in the music room. Now please go to your desired locations and start getting to know each other. Please use every moment you have to rehearse so when we do all come together. Please be back here at 3PM so that we can start a run-through." Everyone gets up quickly and starts shuffling around. I stand up and sticking my script in my bag look over at Julia. She is still in her chair looking over her script. Tim is deep in conversation with Andrew so now's my moment. I walk over to Julia and sit in the chair next to her.

(Julia's point of view, Christine Daae)

Wow, I can't believe I have accomplished my life goal. My father would be so proud of me. I reach into my sweatshirt and run my fingers along his wedding ring that hangs on as chain around my neck. It certainly has brought me good luck recently, and I hope it continues. Looking up, I listen intently as Hal announces the distribution of groups. The dancers are so lucky that they get to work with Gillian, but since I am technically a dancer for the first few minutes of the show, I'll get the opportunity of a lifetime to work with her. As Hal continues announcing the groups, I hear someone walking across the floor towards me. I open my script and start looking over my lines, when I feel someone sit next to me, on my left hand side. I look up and to my surprise, Steven is sitting next to me. Caught a bit off guard I jump. He puts his right hand on my shoulder and, his voice very deep says "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I figured since you and I will be working together I should properly introduce myself. I'm Steve Mackintosh." He extends his hand and I grasp it firmly. "Nice to meet you, Steve. I'm Julia." Why do I feel my cheeks getting warm? Maybe it's his high bone structure or his piercing eyes. He smiles at me and just as he's about to say something else, I feel someone tap me on the shoulder.

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

As soon as Hal finishes announcing the breakoff of the groups, I make my move. Anger has taken over my entire being. I march up to Andrew who turns to face me. "Timothy, how are...." I don't give him a chance to finish before I go off on him. "How dare you? How dare you cast me as Raoul when you know I am the perfect choice for the Phantom? And who does this Mackintosh guy think he is? He does nearly have...." Andrew cuts me off. "Tim, stop. I know you're upset. But you don't seem to realize the substantial background in theatre that Steven has. He has been in shows in the West End and the US and National tours. Plus his voice is deep, which captures the essence of the age gap between Christine and her Phantom. You'll see, once the show all comes together, it will be fantastic." "Fine, but mark my words. I give it a week before you change your mind." I turn on my heels and walk towards the music room, script in hand. I'm going to have to make the best of it, I guess.

(Steven's point of view, Erik Destler)

My conversation with Julia is cut short when Hal approaches us and puts his hand on Julia's shoulder. "Ready you two? We've got a lot of work cut out for us." "As ready as I'll ever be" Julia says standing up. I rise to my feet and grab my script off my chair. "First we're going to need to clear the stage, since we'll be rehearsing the labyrinth scene." Hal motions to the racks against the back wall and in a matter of minutes the stage is empty, almost eerie. Stagehands bring out a makeshift dressing room and mirror so we can get a feel for what it will be like. "Ok, let's begin with the dressing room scene where Erik enters the scene to take Christine to his lair" Hal says. "I'll go sit in the audience and watch, giving you pointers as we go." This is by far one of my favorite scenes. I hold my arm out to Julia and ask "shall we?" To my surprise, she places her hand in my arm and I lead her onto the makeshift set. I take my place behind the makeshift mirror while Julia sits in a chair. Hal gives me my cue and I start the scene. "Insolent boy, this slave of fashion. Basking in your glory!" I watch Julia's expression when she hears my voice. She is better at this than I thought. I continue "Ignorant fool, this brave, young suitor. Sharing in my triumph!" I take a deep breath and Julia starts to sing. Her voice gives me chills, it's so powerful. "Angel I hear you speak, I listen. Stay by my side, guide me. Angel my soul was weak, forgive me. Enter at last master!" I straighten up and announce to her "Flattering child, you shall know me. See why in shadow I hide." Julia stands up and walks to the corner of the makeshift dressing room. "Look at your face in the mirror. I am there inside!" She turns to face me and I can finally see her full beauty. She is even more gorgeous than I thought. Raising her hands towards me she exclaims "Angel of Music, guide and guardian. Grant to me your glory! Angel of Music, hide no longer. Come to me, strange Angel!" I reach towards her saying "I am your Angel of Music. Come to me, Angel of Music." I hear Hal say Tim's line from the audience "Whose is that voice? Who is that in there?" Without missing a beat, I go on. "I am your Angel of Music" Taking Julia's hand in mine, I lead her through the mirror and tell her "I am your Angel of Music, come to me Angel of Music!" I pretend to sweep my cape over her and hear Hal say Tim's next line. "Christine, Angel" before yelling "CUT!" Julia and I emerge from the mirror and I'm surprised to find that we are still holding hands.....

(Julia's point of view, Christine Daae)

I look up to see Hal standing over me. I always though he looked like Santa. He asks if we're ready to start since we have a lot of work to do. We both nod and he motions to the racks along the back wall. "First we're going to need to clear the stage, since we'll be rehearsing the labyrinth scene". Working quickly, we clear the stage and stagehands bring out a makeshift dressing room scene and mirror. Wow, this is actually happening. Hal continues "Ok, let's begin with the dressing room scene where Erik enters the scene to take Christine to his lair. I'll go sit in the audience and watch, giving you pointers as we go." Steven approaches me and holds his arm out towards me. "Shall we?" he asks. Wow, what a gentleman! I place my hand in his arm and he leads me onto the makeshift set. I sit in my place while he walks behind the mirror. Breathe, Julia, just breathe. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Without warning, Steven starts the sequence. His voice is booming through the theatre, deep and exquisite. "Insolent boy, this slave of fashion. Basking in your glory! Ignorant fool, this brave young suitor. Sharing in my triumph!" I somehow gain my composure and, adding fear into my voice sing my lines. "Angel, I hear you speak, I listen. Stay by my side, guide me. Angel my soul was weak, forgive me. Enter at last, master!" James continues, his voice becoming mellower. Clearly, he has learned from experience. "Flattering child, you shall know me. See why in shadow I hide." I stand slowly and walk towards the door of the dressing room, my heart and mind racing. His voice rising in tone, he finishes "Look at your face in the mirror, I am there inside!" I turn to face the mirror and raising my hands towards him exclaim "Angel of Music, guide and guardian. Grant to me your glory!" Spinning away from him, I face the audience. "Angel of Music, hide no longer. Come to me strange angel!" I am suddenly breathing heavily as Steven calls me towards him, his voice drawing me to the mirror. "I am your Angel of Music. Come to me, Angel of Music." As I'm walking towards the mirror, which is now open, exposing Steven's full physique, I can hear Hal say "Whose is that voice? Who is that in there?" Steven, not missing a beat reaches his hand towards mine and I place mine in his. "I am your Angel of Music. Come to me, Angel of Music!" He wraps his arm around me as if wearing his cape and we step off the set. I hear Hal say "Christine, Angel!" before yelling "CUT!" We walk back onto the set and through the mirror. I can still feel Steven's grip on my hand, and for some reason, find myself not wanting to let go.....

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

I walk down the hall towards the music room, the sounds of Notes/Prima Donna leading the way. Ugh, I hate this song. Walking into the room, I open my script and find the page. Luckily, I haven't missed my cue. The two managers are finishing up the lines right before mine. "Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a puerile brain. These are both signed O.G. Who the hell is he? Opera Ghost! It's really not amusing, He's abusing our position. In addition, he wants money. It's a funny sort of spectre to expect a large retainer! Nothing plainer, he is clearly quite insane!" Taking a deep breath, I sing my lines. "Where is she?" Andrew suddenly stops playing the piano and looks up at me, clearly annoyed. What the heck? "Nice of you to join us, Timothy. However, if you had been here on time, you would know that the managers are the only ones singing right now. So if you would please have a seat, I'll be with you in a moment. I walk over to a chair next to Michele Driver, the actress playing Carlotta and open my script. Well, this day just keeps getting better and better now, doesn't it? From the open door, I can hear what's happening onstage. I can hear Julia singing. I think it's the dressing room scene. Why am I not up there too? I am in that scene after all. But of course, I'm stuck with the mediocre roles right now.