| Chapter Three |
| "Well," Michael said hastily, "Let us continue this interview in my limo. Come quickly everyone!" The four rapidly made their way out of the hall listening to the mayhem that ensued around them. As they opened the last door of the stair well they were greeted by a black stretch limo behind the building. Ted and Michael helped the women into the limo, immediately followed behind them. "Driver," Michael said calmly upon closing the door, "Please drive around the city for awhile." "Certainly," came the curiously accented reply from behind the tinted glass separating them from the front compartment of the vehicle. "Well, where were we?" Ted asked, regaining his composure, "Ah, yes. You had asked to know about our favourite Phantom moments..." "Yes," Amy said, nodding and smiling brightly. "Well," Michael answered, his gaze more on Kiki than his interviewer, "I remember the first time I heard 'Music of the Night'. It was so stunning and striking, that I felt like I could never do it any justice..." "Well you certainly did!" Kiki interrupted impulsively, "When I first heard your rendition of Music of the Night, I cried for three days!" Michael nearly blushed as he listened to her, and smiled. "Thanks," he said softly, turning to face Kiki, "it means a lot for me to hear that." "Do either of you perform?" Ted asked suddenly, looking at Amy. "Well, I'm in the middle of getting a Master's in fine arts from Columbia. I was in a few musicals back when I was doing my Undergraduate work," Amy answered charmingly. "Really," Ted asked, "What were you in?" "I was the Baker's Wife in 'Into the Woods', Lucy in "Jekyll and Hyde", Cosette in "Les Miserables" and Eliza in "My Fair Lady." Of course, my most famous role was as Singing Flower #5 in my second grade class's performance of 'A Walk in the Park, an Original Musical'," Amy said smiling brightly as the others laughed. "Those are all major parts," Ted observed pointedly, "You must be quite good to have landed four leads. Would you grace us with a little singing?" Amy said, with fear obvious in her eyes. "I'm really a soprano, but this has been stuck in my head for a while so here it goes." Softly at first, she sang,"Embrace me, my sweet embraceable you, embrace me, my irreplaceable you. Just to look you, my heart grows tipsy in me, you and you alone, bring out the gypsy in me." She stopped, ending the song on a gently fading note. Her voice was beautiful, nearly flawless, but she glanced about nervously and folded her hands in her lap. "Wow," Ted said simply, "That was amazing!" "Thanks," Amy said, blushing, and demurely looking down. "And you, Kiki, do you sing?" Michael asked, with interest apparent in his voice. "Oh, just a little, I've been in some musicals, too, but I never have landed lead roles like Amy. I can sing soprano, but I have been told my Alto is stronger. That is my downfall. The largest role I ever landed was Eponine in high school." She said bashfully. "Don't condemn yourself, Eponine is a large part to play Kiki," Ted said. "Yes Kiki, it is." Micheal added never letting his gaze drift away from her eyes. "Please, sing us something." Kiki cleared her throat and looked warily at Amy. Even she was urging her to try, so as bravely as she could she began her song "On my own, pretending he's beside me, all alone, I walk with him till morning. Without him, I feel his arms around me, and when I loose my way I close my eyes and he has found me..." She ended the song and smiled. Her voice was stunning as well, and neither Ted nor Michael could believe the calibre of singers that had so accidentally fallen at their feet. "You're incredible," Michael stammered after a moment's pause. The assembled company sat in mutual awe for a few minutes, before Ted sighed, "You know, if they don't know we made it out of the building, there'll be hell to pay when we return to find they've been searching for us high and low. We should go check in, and then continue this inside if all's clear." "You're right," Michael said, nodding, "Driver, please take us back to the Hall." "Yes, sir," came a bitter response in the same heavy accent. "That guy," Kiki whispers, "Sound's amazingly familiar." "Like a dying ally cat." Micheal whispered to have Ted chuckle. "No, she's right, it sounds just like..." "Zorro..." Kiki and Amy said in unison. Ted and Michael shared a nervous look before a booming voice came from the front compartment. "Yes, it is I, Antonio!" The sound of the door locks being engaged was nearly lost in the maniacal laughter that followed. Amy and Kiki both fainted in shock, Amy into Ted's arms and Kiki into Michael's, as the limo began to speed further from safety and into the unknown. **TBC** |
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