Twisted Every Way: A Haunting Love Triangle

Chapter 5: A Loving Gesture

(Steven's Point of View, Erik Destler)

It's funny how serene pure silence can be. Julia is still in my arms, her arms wrapped around my waist; I want this moment to last forever. The sound of footsteps on the floor ends that hope as Hal approaches us. "You two ready to start 'Music of the Night'? His voice seems excited; I can tell he thoroughly enjoys the scene. Julia unwraps her arms from around my waist and turns to face Hal. "Absolutely!" she chirps. As she follows Hal towards the stage, I watch her long hair sway back and forth. Gosh, I lucked out this time. I trail behind them and take my place at the organ that has now found its way onto the stage. I always liked the set for this scene, so simple and yet so powerful. Julia takes her place center stage and Hal returns to the audience. "Let's start from the beginning of the song, just so I can see how the staging goes. Plus, you did a great job leading up to this point." Julia turns to me and gives me a thumb's up. I smile at her and I can hear my note being played on the piano. Taking a deep breath, I start my favorite song. "Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently the senses abandon their defenses." Julia is looking at me by this point so I raise my hand and guide her face towards the audience. I walk down the stairs and towards her, surprised to find my heart pounding. "Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor. Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender." I approach her and before she has a chance to look at me, my right hand grasps the left side of her face, pushing it away from me. "Turn your face away from the garish light of day." I lower my hand to her chin and turn her face back towards me. "Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light." She leans towards me as if she was going to kiss me and I turn away. If only we hadn't been rehearsing, I totally would have let her kiss me. "And listen to the Music of the Night!" I raise my hand and her gaze follows it to the top corner of the room.

(Julia's Point of View, Christine Daae)

I don't want this to end. For the first time in a really long time, I actually feel safe in a man's arms. What is it about Steven that reminds me so much of my dad? As we continue to stand there, just enjoying each other's presence, I hear someone walking towards us. "You two ready to start 'Music of the Night'? His voice seems excited; I can tell he thoroughly enjoys the scene. I unwraps my arms from around Steven's waist and turns to face Hal. "Absolutely!" I exclaim, and follow him back onstage. Steven follows me and takes his place at the organ. Hal directs me to stand center stage before hopping off stage and sitting in the audience. "Let's start from the beginning of the song, just so I can see how the staging goes. Plus, you did a great job leading up to this point." I turn towards Steven and give him a thumb's up. He smiles at me and I can hear his note being played faintly on the piano that is beneath my feet in the pit. I hear him take a deep breath as he starts the song. "Night time sharpens, heightens each sensation. Darkness stirs and wakes imagination. Silently the senses abandon their defenses." I turn to look at Steven and he raises his arm and my face is guided to face the audience again. I hear him walk down the organ stairs. My heart and mind start racing. "Slowly, gently, night unfurls its splendor. Grasp it, sense it, tremulous and tender." I feel him approach my left side and as I turn to look at him, his right hand pushes my face in the opposite direction. "Turn your face away from the garish light of day." He lower his hand to my chin and turns my face back towards him. "Turn your thoughts away from cold, unfeeling light." I lean towards him as if I was going to kiss him and he turns away. I wish I could kiss him. I wonder what it would feel like, since I already have a crush on him, sort of. "And listen to the Music of the Night!" He raises his hand and my gaze follows it to the top corner of the room.

(Tim's Point of View, Raoul, Vicomte de Chagney)

"Ok folks, let's take it from Raoul's small monologue prior to Twisted Every Way. Michele, you can do Christine's part for now so we can get a feel for what the scene is like" Andrew announces. We have been rehearsing for almost 2 and a half hours, can we ever take a break? Whatever, I can handle this. I take a quick sip of water and clear my throat. Andrew looks at me and nods. I inhale and start "We have all been blind, and yet the answer is staring us in the face. This could be the chance to ensnare our clever friend." Barry and Laird chime in "We're listening, go on." "We shall play his game, perform his work. But remember we hold the ace! For if Miss Daae sings, he is certain to attend." Laird and Barry continue with "We make certain the doors are barred, we make certain our men are there." I join in 'We make certain they're armed. The curtain falls, his reign will end!" Out of nowhere, I hear someone sing "Madness!" We all stop singing and Andrew stands up from the piano. "Ellen, good of you to join us." He motions towards the door. Ellen Balgord, the woman cast to play Madame Giry floats into the room. I remember her from my London days. "Let's continue the scene from where Ellen comes in." Andrew announces. "One, two and...." "Madness!" Ellen belts. "I'm not so sure" Laird questions. "Not if it works!" Barry exclaims. "This is madness!" Ellen exclaims again. "The tide will turn!" Laird assures her. "Monsieur, believe me. There is no way of turning the tide!" Ellen sounds so mad that it's brilliant. "You stick to ballet." Barry demands. "Then help us!" I plead. "Monsieur, I can't" she urges. The managers come in with me on "Instead of warning us, help us!" we urge her. "I wish I could!" she begs. "Don't make excuses!" the managers warn. "Or could it be that you're on his side?!" I inquire with a bite in my voice. "Monsieur, believe me I intend no ill. But monsieur be careful, we have seen him KILL!" By this point everyone is talking at once, so I just go along with it.