Acknowledgements to
Robert Hardy Photography & Dorothy Hardy, Graphic Designer, Paris Opera Plate Courtesy of Christopher C. Mead, Author
Robert Hardy Photography & Dorothy Hardy, Graphic Designer, Paris Opera Plate Courtesy of Christopher C. Mead, Author
The curtain over the mirror parted and Dr. Marchand stepped into the room. Erik roared with anger. He snatched a knife from the table and grabbed the doctor from behind, holding the knife at his throat. It all happened so fast that Giry had no chance to interfere.
Erik shouted at Giry, "Traitor! Are the police to barge in next? You dare to betray me again?"
Very upset that Marchand had followed her, Giry begged, "Erik, no...!"
Marchand said, "Madame Giry, I'm sorry, I followed you down here! Erik, it is not her fault! There are no police. They know nothing of this place!"
* * * * *
Christine sat silently for a few moments with her back to Raoul, then turned to face him. He winced when he saw her for the first time without makeup. Her eyes were deep pools of misery, the dark circles under them like bruises. She was extremely thin. His heart twisted and he felt nauseous, realizing what his actions had done to her.
"Well, Raoul, are you satisfied? You forced him to leave and now my life is over." she said, her voice completely devoid of emotion.
He couldn't look her in the face, but finally managed to say, "Christine, I did what I felt I had to do! I know you hate me...what can I do now?"
"I don't have the strength to hate you. It's too late, there's nothing you can do. Poor Raoul, always wanting to turn back the clock..."
* * * * *
I chose to keep the story for the most part in Paris, at the Opera House. This following quote explains my decision best:
"For why, after all, does The Phantom of the Opera still resonate? The reason we still read and watch Phantom is its setting: the Opera itself. Above all, Phantom is a story of place. From Apollo's rooftop lyre to the mysterious lake 17 stories below, the building is as much a player as any of the humans who live and love in its dark embrace."
~Michael Walsh, The Smithsonian Magazine, March 2008.
Erik shouted at Giry, "Traitor! Are the police to barge in next? You dare to betray me again?"
Very upset that Marchand had followed her, Giry begged, "Erik, no...!"
Marchand said, "Madame Giry, I'm sorry, I followed you down here! Erik, it is not her fault! There are no police. They know nothing of this place!"
* * * * *
Christine sat silently for a few moments with her back to Raoul, then turned to face him. He winced when he saw her for the first time without makeup. Her eyes were deep pools of misery, the dark circles under them like bruises. She was extremely thin. His heart twisted and he felt nauseous, realizing what his actions had done to her.
"Well, Raoul, are you satisfied? You forced him to leave and now my life is over." she said, her voice completely devoid of emotion.
He couldn't look her in the face, but finally managed to say, "Christine, I did what I felt I had to do! I know you hate me...what can I do now?"
"I don't have the strength to hate you. It's too late, there's nothing you can do. Poor Raoul, always wanting to turn back the clock..."
* * * * *
I chose to keep the story for the most part in Paris, at the Opera House. This following quote explains my decision best:
"For why, after all, does The Phantom of the Opera still resonate? The reason we still read and watch Phantom is its setting: the Opera itself. Above all, Phantom is a story of place. From Apollo's rooftop lyre to the mysterious lake 17 stories below, the building is as much a player as any of the humans who live and love in its dark embrace."
~Michael Walsh, The Smithsonian Magazine, March 2008.