The Phantom of the Opera: A Beauty and a Beast (Guile and Melody)

[Guile]

Erik stayed outside for hours until the chill became too much for him. With his face still tear-stained and his heart aching, he stumbled to his room. God, life felt meaningless. He wanted nothing more than to see Christine, to hold her again. Now, all Erik had was a job. He intended to work hard, but for the sake of Madame Giry, Meg, and these freaks. There was no sense in working for himself. No, he was doing it for them. For Erik, his life was over. What was a job to keep you alive if you didn't wish to live? Yes, now he was living only for the people that needed him. And, once they could live without him, Erik didn't think he would stay alive much longer.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Soon, the morning came. Christine would be in America and Raoul would be able to continue with Mr. Hammerstein. They would be in America by tonight, and, not just America, but Coney Island itself! Sitting up, she spotted Raoul at the end of the bed, just thinking. "Hammerstein." He muttered. "I don't have the money to pay him, Christine." He looked visibly upset. Christine did her best to console him as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "We'll manage." She was very nice and pleasant as she said this. He bent down and kissed her hand. "I know."

 

[Guile]

Erik woke from a sleepless night, his eyes bloodshot and his head pounding from tossing and turning restlessly due to his thoughts. He groaned as he sat up in his bed and put his head in his hands. He was so drained of power, but even if he were to lay back down he would not be able to sleep. There was no way he could sleep with Christine on his mind. Reluctantly, Erik got out of bed and made himself look presentable. He smoothed his hair back, but as he looked in the mirror he knew there would be no hiding the fact that he hadn't slept at all that night. His eyes showed it. I just pray Madame Giry doesn't mention it... He opened the door of his room and went back out onto the deck of the ship, taking in the fresh air. They would be arriving that night and there would be no more of this dreadful ship.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg knocked on Erik's door, a tray of breakfast foods in her arms. "Good morning, my friend." She opened the door with a smile and set up the food on his bed. "Isn't it great? No more worries. We have a life set up in America. Just you, me, Mother and the show!" She sat at the foot of his bed. "It's exciting, really. I'm planning on continuing in dance when we get there." She was definitely excited about showing him what she had been working on. "I just love you-r decision to accept their offer." She caught herself before revealing too much.

 

[Guile]

Erik was startled by the sudden appearance of Meg in his room. The last thing he had expected was to see her there with food for him. And she looks so...happy. He had to contain a sigh. I wish some of her optimism would rub off on me. "Good morning, Meg." He smiled down at her, standing a few feet away from the foot of his bed where she sat, not quite knowing what to do. It...well, he had never had a woman in his room before. Well, none but Christine. But this was Meg now, surely it was harmless. "I'm glad you're excited about the show Meg." And idea came to his mind. "You know, I believe I could do something for you, if you want to continue dancing, that is." Then he stopped. "Well, no. No, you probably wouldn't want to do it." Erik searched her eyes as if looking for an answer to a question he hadn't asked yet. "Meg, you're a wonderful dancer - I've seen what you're capable of. I understand that working in a show with freaks may not be the first thing on your list, but...if you would like a job with the show, I would be more than happy to give you one." He stated hesitantly, not sure how she would respond. He was doing this as a kindness for her - and her mother as well. They had done much for him, and the least he could do was let them in on this offer that he had taken up the previous night.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg stopped putting the food out for him as he spoke. Her full attention was on him now. Had he just asked what she thought he was asking? Oh, yes! She knew at once that she would accept any offer that this man would give her. "Erik, I don't know what to say other than thank you." Meg wanted so badly to kiss Erik, but there was no way that he would ever see her as anything but a friend. "Thank you!" She threw her arms around his shoulders and kissed the man with such passion that she couldn't stop herself.

 

[Guile]

Erik smiled, glad that she was happy about being asked this. Wonderful! Then, Meg will have a job, the show will have a phenomenal dancer, and - Before Erik knew it, Meg's arms were around his shoulders and her lips were upon him. His entire body went rigid, completely unprepared for such contact. She was kissing him? It was so confusing...it dazed him so badly. She was so passionate about it too. In fact, so passionate that Erik...he got lost in it for a moment. He hadn't felt someone's lips upon his in...No, wait...Meg was kissing him! "Meg..." Erik placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back, ever so gently. He didn't want to upset her, but he couldn't...he couldn't do this. His eyes shut tightly together as soon as he realized that tears threatened to come. "Forgive me. I can't do this. I...it isn't because of you. Meg, my heart...it aches so badly." Erik could hardly form his sentences, he was so confused and torn and upset.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg knew as soon as her lips touched Erik's that he would react in such a way. It was hard, watching the man that she had grown up with not love her in return. No, he loved precious little Christine! Everyone had eyes only for that backstabbing, lying, two timing floozy! "I don't understand." Meg felt awful. "I'm such an idiot! A fool!" She ran to the window and started returning the fish that she had last night to the ocean. "Yes, I know. Everyone loves Christine. Never Meg." She held her chest for a long time.

 

[Guile]

Christine...Yes, it was Christine that Erik loved and could not get over. He cared about Meg...he truly did. But, oh, his heart felt so wrong without Christine. Everything felt wrong without her. Erik's heart ached for her. Yet, the sight of Meg so heartbroken, so upset, brought a new pain to Erik's heart. No...Oh, no...what have I done? I didn't know...I didn't know she cared for me in such a way. "Meg, I am so sorry." He went over to her and tried desperately to comfort her. He placed his hand on her back, praying that she would be alright. "I care about you, Meg, I do. But...I can't get over her." Now the tears were coming, but Erik was powerless to stop them. "You are not a fool. I am. I am the selfish one." He didn't know what his heart felt right now. All it knew was pain. Pain at the loss of Christine - pain at what he had done to Meg. Erik couldn't even tell what he felt for Meg, but he knew he cared about her. He also knew that he woke up thinking of Christine and went to bed sobbing her name. How could he ever love another woman?

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg was having a hard time taking all of this in at once. She felt truly awful for believing that she could cause Erik's pain to leave him. No...she wasn't about to let him just throw everything that she had done for him away like that. She would have him whether he liked it or not, but, the reader must remember that the actions in this next scene were performed by a madwoman, a heartbroken woman at that. With a new found strength, Meg threw Erik onto the floor and things grew more intense from there. The woman was lost and alone, about to face a new world with no idea what she was doing. She prayed that one day, Erik.could forgive her actions.

 

[Guile]

Erik waited. He waited for any word, any sign from Meg about what she was thinking. What he was really waiting for, was hope that she could forgive him. As the moments ticked by, Erik grew more and more afraid that she hated him - that he had ruined their friendship. That was, until Meg threw him to the ground in a maddened state. He was so shocked, so frightened by what she was doing, that he could not react. All he could do was lie there and let the tears fall from his eyes and roll down his cheeks. When it was all over, Erik remembered thinking that he couldn't blame Meg for what she had done. He had broken her heart. If anything, Erik hoped that Meg would be able to forgive him for not stopping her. The only other thing he remembered was that he had been praying. He had been praying that Christine would forgive him, but...she was long gone now, wasn't she?

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Ashamed of what she had done, Meg dressed quickly and silently, then, as soon she was dressed, Meg escaped the room to sulk in her own. She refused to come back out. She couldn't face Erik again. Knowing that Erik didn't love her was hard enough, but, oh, the look on his face the entire time! That was what hurt the worst! "God, forgive me! Erik, I love you so much! Don't I deserve happiness?!" She started convulsing on the floor of her room, frightened and lost and hurt and so desperately in love all at once.

 

[Guile]

Erik lay there, silently crying until Meg had left. When she was gone, he crawled to retrieve his clothing and slowly put them back on. He felt awful. He had hurt Meg so horribly. Why? Why couldn't he let Christine go? Meg...she was a nice young woman. And...and she loved him. Oh, but he couldn't! The whole time this was happening Erik was crying - and he had been crying because he felt that he was betraying Christine. Then again...surely she had made love to her husband by now. Surely he was not the only man that had been with Christine. She had probably slept with Raoul last night! "Why, Christine? Why do you still tug at my heart when you do not want me?" It was now that Erik wept audibly. "What will I tell Madame Giry? Oh, God. I have broken Meg's heart...the poor girl." He wanted to go to her. He wanted to apologize, but what could he say to her? Erik truly felt that he wanted to be able to love her. Yes, it was strange but it's what he felt. He wanted to be able to forget Christine - she would never love him. She had betrayed him, lied to him, took his son away from him and went back to her precious Vicomte! Meanwhile, Meg had followed her mother and him out on a ship to America to save him. She had given up her life at the Opera to follow him and she was here, now. She loved him. Erik wanted Meg to be happy. Oh, but he couldn't love her when his heart was still Christine's!

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg still convulsed for the longest time. It seemed like an eternity! She had kissed Erik so passionately just now, so very lovingly, but he wouldn't return her love. With no other alternative, and with Madame Giry with the captain concerning the trip, Meg knew of a way out. There were many ways, but she would just use one. Opening the door a crack, Meg finally left the room, a goodbye note on her bed, begging Erik for forgiveness. That way she.could rest in peace. The railing was just feet away. With her hands on it, she pulled herself up on the ledge, ready to jump.

 

[Guile]

Erik sat on his bed with his head in his hands, trying to make sense of what had just happened. It all went by so quickly and his heart and mind were now in two different places. His mind told him to drop his defenses, to forget Christine and move on. She was never coming back - why shouldn't he be entitled to happiness? Why shouldn't he be able to love Meg? It was a shame that his heart was unable to let him. Oh, how his still loved Christine! He ached for her! Just the thought of her and their son brought tears to Erik's eyes. Still, as confused and upset as Erik was, he knew he had hurt Meg far worse. He knew what pain it was to love and not be shown love back. He knew that he could not just sit here and do nothing - he had to see her, he had to speak with her. Erik left his room and headed for hers. Standing outside the door he waited and listened - there was no sound, but he knocked anyway. No reply. "Meg?" He called out to her, but there was still no reply, so he opened to door and was a bit surprised to see it unlocked. Erik went through the room, calling out to her, but no one was there. That's when he looked to her bed and found the note. Erik read it and, when he finished, the paper fell out of his trembling hands. That was no ordinary note...no...those were the last words of a person who is about to die. He ran from the room and onto deck, calling out her name. He couldn't let her do this! "Meg? Meg!" There were many people on the deck, but he could see Meg clearly, very clearly. She was the only one standing on the ledge, looking as if she were preparing to jump. "NO!" Erik shoved through people and over to her, slowing as he came up behind her and spoke, now that she could hear him. "Meg, don't do this!" His voice was pleading with her and, if she had been facing him, she would have seen that his eyes were too. "Meg, please, don't jump. It is not worth it, Meg. You have so much to live for..." He slowly crept towards her, just enough to place his hand over hers. "Forgive me...I have done nothing but hurt you. But, please, ending your life will solve nothing. Meg, you have much that you want to say, I do believe. Come with me...talk to me..." It was hard to even look at her without his face reddening, due to what had happened between them earlier, but Erik wouldn't look away. This was no time to worry about embarrassment, Meg wanted to kill herself!

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg, feeling as though Erik could see her face, made it to where he couldn't, turning her face away from him, but still standing on the ledge as her hands were wrapped in his. "Don't touch me!" She slapped his hand away from her. "I have nothing to say to you any more. I'm done." Madame Giry sprinted toward them. "MEG!" She had the note clutched in her left fist. Erik's three new employees were holding the woman back, afraid of what would happen What Meg was capable of. Tears streamed down Madame Giry's face. "M-Meg..." she sank to her knees. "Not a step closer!" Meg warned, pushing Erik away. "Always Christine! I work hard! I came here! I left my home! I gave up everything for him!" She glared at Erik. "For you!" Meanwhile, Christine's boat ported on the docks of America.

 

[Guile]

Christine's harsh words stung far worse than the way she had slapped his hand away. Still, when she pushed him back, he did not attempt to move closer. "Meg, please...I am so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I-I didn't even know of your feelings until just today!" Erik wanted to reach out to her, but he didn't dare. He didn't want to set her off even more. "Meg, you have done so much for me - you and your mother. Do not think, for one second, that I do not appreciate what you've done. But I beg you...understand the position I am in." Oh, Christine, why couldn't you just stay with me? Why couldn't you love me? We wouldn't even be here right now if you had stayed. Meg wouldn't be trying to kill herself! "I care about you, Meg. I don't want to see you hurt. Please, if you cannot step away from that railing for me than do it for yourself. For your mother. Don't end your life because of me, I beg you. Reconsider this..." It was now that Erik attempted to take a slow step toward her and reach out his hand for her. "Please," he whispered, "I don't want to loose you, too."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"Meg, please, my love." Madame Giry begged her, still on the ground. "When your father left, it was my fault. U should have at least tried to stop him. It's.my fault that you don't have a man in your life to help you, but, I can assure you of one thing. I would never dream of leaving you." She watched her daughter, who was still so close to jumping. "I overheard the captain's radio today." Meg spoke softly. "A boat landed in America today. Th-They announced that the Vicomte was there, in America, with your lover, Erik." She hesitantly stepped down from her precarious perch. "I just thought you'd like to know that little fact, seeing as you cry every night for love." She pushed Erik, her mother, and every one else away from her and locked herself in her room until they landed. "No one talk to me. Just leave me alone!"

 

[Guile]

Erik was dead silent, especially when he hear this news. Christine?...In America? How...how could this be? The next thing he knew, Meg was shoving him out of the way and running to her room. He was still in a daze, but a part of him wanted to go after her. No. That will do no good. She hates me...with everything she has, she hates me. My presence would only upset her more. Erik turned to Madame Giry after Meg had disappeared. "My friend," he begged, "please forgive me. I never meant to hurt Meg. I swear to you I knew nothing of her affections until today. Until..." No. No he could not tell Madame Giry what had happened - what her daughter had done to him. What Erik had let her do.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg sat on her bed, shivering, though she did not cover up. Instead, she searched her room for anything that she could take her anger out on. "Always...Chr-Christine." She sobbed, removing her clothing and tossing her dress into the fire. Surely her mother had seen the aftermath of what she had done to Erik on her dress and she wanted to destroy the evidence. Standing before the fire, completely bare, she leaned forward, thinking of something. What if I matched him? Would he accept me then? She was going to do it, but something stopped her. She watched her dress burning and decided to change now, for they would be landing in less than an hour. "Until what?" Madame Giry sniffled.

 

[Guile]

Erik froze - his words stuck in his throat and his whole body went numb. Oh no. No, I have said too much. She can't know! But...I can't lie to her! God, what can I do? His mind whirled, frantically searching for a way out of this mess, but there was none. Madame Giry would find out soon enough and, when she did, she would not appreciate Erik having lied to her. No, he had to tell her the truth. "Meg came to me this morning...came to my room. She had a tray of food. It was harmless...at first. Then, well, I offered her a job dancing for the show and she got so excited. I don't know why but...she kissed me. She kissed me and I pushed her away. Please, understand that I couldn't kiss her. Not when my heart is still set on Christine." He was beating around the bush. It was better to just say it. "Meg got upset with me. Who wouldn't? Oh, Madame, I don't blame her for what she did. I was just so startled...I couldn't stop her!" He rested his head in his hands, fighting back tears. When he spoke again, he was no longer shouting...he was whispering as if he still couldn't believe what had actually happened. "Meg...she threw me onto the ground. I was so confused..." At last, he said it. "She forced herself upon me and I was powerless to stop it." Erik couldn't look into his friend's eyes, not after what he had done to her daughter.

 

[Saiyan Princess]

Meg heard this whole thing. Her heart stopped. Erik had confessed what had happened! "You could have stopped me, my dear friend." She whispered to herself. "You would be defending yourself and there's no way that I could blame you for that." She cried again, hating herself. "Mother will be so upset with me. I can't dance for you knowing that you prefer singing and I'm not the one that you prefer when it comes to that." With that thought in her head, the sullen Meg Giry came out of her room and spoke to Erik. "I can't do it. I won't dance for you knowing that you can't love me, knowing what I did to you once." Her head was still down. She was too ashamed of herself.

 

[Guile]

Erik opened his eyes and looked up to see Meg standing there. He was shocked by her appearance but he had the strangest impulse to embrace her - to hold her and apologize for the hurt he had caused her. But, he couldn't. This time not because of Christine - for it would simply be a hug - but because surely Meg hated him. She would recoil at his touch, no doubt. Or, at least, that's what Erik feared she would do. "Meg...don't give up on a dream of yours because of me. Listen," he whispered, taking just a step closer to her and reaching out his hand as if to touch her, before freezing in place and not moving any further. "You asked me in your note to forgive you, Meg, and I promise you that I already have. Look..." Erik reached a shaky hand out and placed two fingers under Meg's chin, gently forcing her to look up at him and into his eyes. There, she would be able to see the forgiveness, and his own apology - his own shame that he had because he had hurt her. "Please, I have forgiven you, though there is hardly anything to forgive. You fell in love and I broke your heart. Believe me when I tell you that it was unintentional, I never wanted to hurt you, but it happened. I know what it is like to love and feel unloved in return. I want you to know that I care about you, Meg. If you can at all, and I am begging you to, please forgive me - or at least begin trying to. I understand if you still don't want to dance in the show. However, if you ever change your mind...the position is always open to you."

 

[Saiyan Princess]

"I-I'll think about it." Meg mumbled, concerning Erik's offer. "I just wish you every happiness should I choose not to accept the offer. There are many places to dance in America." Having her sanity back, Meg reached up and removed his mask. "I care for you too. You're practically family, Erik." She kissed his deformed side, directly under his eye. Soon, the captain announced that they were nearing the docks. "Next stop, Coney Island!" He announced. "We'll be landing soon!" Meg backed off of him and packed what remained of her clothes.

 

[Guile]

Erik was a bit startled when Meg removed his mask and then...then she kissed him on the deformed side of his face. He tried not to look so surprised, but he probably did. It wasn't that he minded, but only one person had ever touched his face other than himself - that person being Christine. It was strange to know another person who was not bothered by his face. Perhaps she really does care about me...as much as she says. He was pulled from his thoughts by the captain's announcement and smiled. Finally, they would be off this boat and back on land. They would be in America and he would have a job and...Christine. I wonder what she will be doing...all the way over here...