| Chapter One |
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| The lovely facade of Carnegie Hall loomed into view as the taxi made its way through the city streets. Inside, two young women - alight with nearly hysterical excitement - smoothed their hands over their dresses as they glanced towards their destination. "I heard that they are bringing in fifty phantoms from across the world," one of them said to the other. She was tall, pale and had long brown hair that cascaded down in soft curls. |
| Her eyes were deep green, and full of laughter, and her lips were curled into a delightful smile. She wore a strapless, long red gown that fit her perfectly, and made her look like a siren of old. She was 22, but looked slightly younger when she smiled. "Really? I'm still in shock. I mean this is all still surreal to me. It was like one day I'm sitting in my 'Fundamentals of Acting Class', the next I'm on assignment with you to the event of a lifetime!" The other answered with equal enthusiasm. She was slightly younger, with light brown hair that's curls touched down to her shoulders. Her hazel green eyes shone with a delight she hadn't felt in years and she was terrified to laugh for the snort that always errupted embarrassed her terribly. She was wearing a long, full-skirted light blue ball gown that accentuated her curvaceous appeal, an appeal she was shy of although none of her friends saw anything wrong with it. She too was smiling, as she continued, "Oh, Amy, thank you so much for bringing me with you tonight!" "Of course, Kiki," Amy replied as they pulled up before the large concert hall, "I mean, you are my friend, and I had a spare ticket, and our greatest shared love is Phantom. I guess it was meant to be." Amy paused to pay the fare, and the two got out of the cab. As it departed, they were left standing on the stairs ascending to a literal temple of music. "I daresay Erik would be rather fond of this place," Amy said, smirking. They made their way to the top of the stairs, and were soon in the lobby. Around them, the elite of society circled in a blur of satins and silks. The deep crimsons and golds of the well-appointed salle and it's well-to-do inhabitants made little notice of the new arrivals, presuming them to be two of their own. |
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| "I feel like a Princess," Kiki whispered, somewhat nervously, "Before I wake up and realize that this was all a dream, let's take our seats." The two walked through the lobby, and handed their tickets to a tuxedoed usher standing before an imposing and ornate set of grand doors. He led them to the third row from the stage, handing them programs as he bustled off to resume his duties. |
| "These seats are incredible!" Amy said quietly, "I can't believe the Daily Times went all out like this for a lowly part-time drama critic like me! I mean, the Anniversary Concert of Phantom of the Opera has been the hottest ticket in town since it was announced. . ." "I know, I remember dreaming that I would come, never did I think dreams come true!" Kiki said grabbing for her friend's hand, then added. "And to think, I'm only here because you decided to TA my class. . ." Amy laughed, and shaking her head, replied, "Well, in any event, you're here. Not to mention, we're about to see some of the greatest performers of our time. And, moreover, I have a surprise." Kiki looked at her in puzzlement for a few moments before echoing, "A surprise?" "Well," Amy said trying vainly to sound casual, "The paper managed to get me an interview with Ted Keegan and Michael Crawford right after the show, and you are coming with me." Kiki sat in wide-eyed shock for a long moment before exclaiming, "Oh my God!" Raising her hand to her mouth in self-reproach as the people around them glanced at her, she lowered her voice and repeated, "Oh my God! Ted Keegan and Michael Crawford?! You are kidding right?" "No Kiki, I'm not, I don't know how, but we are going to meet the greatest phantoms ever!" Amy said letting her facade fall and squeal quietly in glee with her friend. "This is nearly too good to be true!" Kiki said almost crying. "Nearly," Amy repeated as the lights dimmed and the audience slowly fell silent. The curtains rose and the opening set of the musical was revealed, and the current broadway cast of Phantom began to weave it's magic over them all. Kiki and Amy wept throughout most of the performance, so it is little shock that they were out of tears when the bows were taken and the finale began. As promised, the former stars of the show were announced one by one, and they slowly made their way to their places on stage. The last announced were Ted Keegan and Michael Crawford, who took their places alongside Sarah Brightman and Juile Hanson. In an mindnumbing performance, the assembled company began to sing the songs of the musical, with the lines being sung by various former and current stars. The final performance of the night was a bittersweet duet: Ted Keegan and Michael Crawford singing Music of the Night together. Amy and Kiki sat overwhelmed until the crowd burst into thunderous applause at the close of the ballad. Taking that as their cue, and with the ardor of the song causing them to swoon, they too sprung to their feet and applauded the masters. The current fell, and as the crowd trickled out, they stood in hushed awe. "Well," Amy said, wiping away a final tear and pulling a press pass out of her small, beaded purse, "Shall we go meet them?" To overcome to speak, Kiki nodded, and took a puff of her astham medication so that she would continue to breath. They began their walk towards the stage, where another usher brought them to the cast lounge. "They are waiting for you in here Miss," he said, leaving them to stand in front of the gateway to paradise. Taking a deep breath, Amy reached for the doorknob. "Thank God for waterproof makeup," Kiki whispered as she turned the knob, causing Amy to break out in a contageous smile. Thus, in a joyful and youthful reverie, the two made there way inside. The room was plain, but not unattractive. The two men, both still in costume, save the masks and makeup, looked up and smiled at the spectacle before them. "Good evening, Gentlemen, and congratulations on a sensational performance!" Amy managed to say in her most legatto voice, "I'm Amy Inman, from the Daily Times. I believe you are expecting me." **To be continued. . .* |