> �What do you mean Mandy can�t go on?� John Rando asked angrily.
> �John, she�s sick,� Michael said, attempting to calm the director down. �You can�t possibly expect her to perform. Just relax, we�ll figure something out.�
> �Relax! I can�t relax! In case you forgot Michael, tonight�s opening night!�
> �How about her understudy?�
> �Michael, Mandy�s understudy is out!� The director said, raking his hand through his brown hair. �We can�t postpone it again!?�
> Michael Crawford picked up his brown leather jacket that was hanging up in his dressing room and put it on.
> �Where do you think you�re going?�
> Michael grinned slightly. �I�m taking a walk. Sometimes that helps me think.�
> �Michael, it�s freezing out! It�s bad enough your leading lady can�t perform, I don�t need my star sick as well.�
> Michael Crawford chuckled. �I�ll be fine John. Who knows, maybe I�ll discover someone.�
> John Rando muttered something as Michael Crawford left the theatre via the stage door.
> �There�s nothing we can do, it�s a total eclipse of the heart,� he sang softly to himself as he walked down Forty Fifth Street. He kept his head down in attempt to stay warm. He was so preoccupied with the problem of finding someone to go on in Mandy�s place that he walked right into a tall girl with long red hair.
> �I�m so sorry,� he said lifting his head and staring into the girl�s green eyes. �I hope I didn�t hurt you.�
> The girl recognized him instantly. �Oh my God! You�re Michael Crawford.�
> Michael Crawford grinned. �So you know who I am. Whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?�
> The girl shook his outstretched hand. �I�m Lisa, Lisa Reynolds.�
> �It�s very nice to meet you,� Michael said with a smile.
> �Y�you have the most amazing voice,� Lisa said quietly. �I wish I could sing like you.�
> Suddenly, Michael�s blue eyes lit up. �Do you like to sing?�
> �Yes, very much.�
> �Can you act?�
> �I�I think so. Why are you asking?� Lisa asked. Her eyes locked with his shinning blue ones.
> Michael smiled broadly. �Would you like to sing on a Broadway stage?�
> Lisa�s eyes grew wide. �Y�yes.�
> �Well Lisa, this is your chance,� Michael said, extending his hand to her. �Come with me.�
> Lisa took Michael�s hand and followed toward the Minskoff Theatre. �What is this all about?�
> Michael was about to reply, when he realized Lisa was shivering. Quickly he took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders.
> �But won�t you be cold?� Lisa asked, as she hugged Michael�s jacket close to her. She could smell a mixture of leather and Calvin Klein cologne on the jacket.
> �I�ll be fine,� Michael said putting his arm around her shoulders. �We�re almost there.�
> A few minutes later, Lisa and Michael were standing in front of John Rando on the stage of the Minskoff Theatre.
> �Michael, this is ridiculous!� Rando said to his star. �She doesn�t know the first thing about playing Sarah.�
> �Look John,� Michael said, his voice suddenly became angry. �You were complaining that you had no one to fill in for Mandy. Well, I found someone who is very capable. Just let her sing for you.�
> Hesitantly, John agreed.
> �Go ahead dear,� Michael said, gently pushing Lisa center stage.
> Michael Crawford and John Rando left the stage and sat in two of the front row seats.
> �Whenever you�re ready Miss��
> �Reynolds, Lisa Reynolds.�
> �Go ahead Miss Reynolds,� Rando said, he was extremely skeptical.
> Lisa decided to sing �Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again.� When she finished, John Rando was speechless.
> Michael Crawford, ever the gentlemen stood and applauded. �That was wonderful! Absolutely amazing!�
> John Rando smiled at Lisa. �I am very sorry for doubting your abilities. �Would you like to sing the female lead tonight? Both Mandy and her understudy are sick and we need someone to play the role of Sarah. You certainly have the voice for the part.�
> Lisa grinned. �But I don�t know the lines.�
> �That�s all right dear,� Rando said with a smile. �We can teach them to you. We�ll give you some simple blocking for the part of Sarah. Michael,� Rando said turning to his star. �Go get into costume. I want to give Miss Reynolds some blocking.�
> Lisa, Michael and Max von Essen spent several hours rehearsing. By the time of curtain call, Lisa felt very comfortable with her part.
> �Michael, I�m really nervous,� she said.
> Michael grinned and gave her a hug. �Don�t be. You have a lot of talent. Besides, I�ll be on stage with you most of the time.�
> Michael�s words of comfort eased her nerves.
> Opening night was a success! Lisa sang every note perfectly. She even got a standing ovation. After the show, when she got out of costume, Michael knocked on her make-shift dressing room door.
> �Come in,� she said.
> Michael entered carrying a brown teddy bear and a dozen long stemmed roses. �These are for you,� he said with a smile. �From the wolf with the red roses.�
> Lisa smiled and hugged Michael. �Thank you so much!�
> �You deserve them,� he said. �You were fantastic!�
> �I�ll never forget this,� Lisa said to Michael.
> �Neither will I,� he said and gave Lisa a kiss on the cheek. �Come on, we have an opening night gala to attend.�
> Lisa left the theatre on Michael�s arm. That was the best night of her life.
>
>The End