I was too awake to attempt to sleep. That and the amount of dust in the room was giving me a near constant state of wanting to sneeze which was ridiculously unpleasant. However, it made it feel all that more real! But the time alone did give me space to think - which was strange to be able to do in a dream. I've never been or even heard of someone dreaming this lucidly. Everything moved as if it were in real time and the events that had occurred were too natural and realistic to truly be something that comes from dreams. Right?

Another strange thing was that I felt hunger. Not that my stomach could be bothered to make any noise over it but it was enough to get me whining to myself. As if I hadn't had enough food before falling asleep! I slightly laughed to myself and left the prop storage room. Fortunately for me and my lack of sense of direction, the room had been placed at the very end of the hallway and the only way for me to go was down the hall.

I was able to follow it out into the foyer where, once again, the extravagant gold and lively colors were made prominent. The grand area brought a fangirling smile to my face and took a moment to feel the wall - half expecting to fall through it like it were some sort of vision. Instead, I was met with the cool texture of polished stone. I was able to take just one more moment for myself in the space before I heard a door swing open at the top of the grand stair case and the voice of a man.

"I'm sorry. That's just-a how it is." Oh, that voice obviously belonged to the 'new' opera manager. I realized that I should hide so as not to interrupt the scene and ruin the plot or something. I didn't know how my being here exactly worked yet.

"Apparently, you've done a wonderful job!" the man encouraged lousily.

There was then another unmistakable voice. The only slightly hushed voice of Carlotta, currently celebrating the news her husband had just given Gerard. I stuck my tongue out at the couple, childishly, and happily got away with it. However, I quickly sobered up to the situation as I saw the face of a defeated older man walk down the worn white steps.

"Monsieur Carriere, whats happened?" a middle aged woman asked, who was perhaps one of the costumers; who had just walked in to start her work day.

"I've just been dismissed," Gerard admitted gloomily. A small crowd of the opera's employees who were also coming in heard the news and began to console the ex-manager. I did not join them, frowning and looking on sympathetically. If I could, I'd march right up to those two bucket-heads and demand that the release their hold on the opera company immediately, however, I knew that I was as powerless in the situation as Gerard was. I waited until the crowd split and left Gerard alone, who was now looking about the room as if it may be the last time he sees it. I came out of hiding and eventually the ex-manager saw me. He tried to give me a reassuring smile but it fell short and he sighed.

"I am sorry, mademoiselle. I can no longer guarantee your stay here. In fact, the moment they find out your in one of their rooms, they'll probably throw you out." I nodded, understanding what he had said.

"The most I can do for you now is to continue looking for a place for you to stay and ask one of our... one of the seamstresses to make you something to wear. I'm sorry I could not do more for you," he apologized again.

"That is enough. Thank you, monsieur," I smiled a little. He nodded back and turned back around to go up the stairs - probably to return backstage to speak to one of the seamstresses and to start gathering everyone around for a meeting.

I soon made my way in, my hand trailing over the red seats as I walked down the columns towards the stage. There was so much to look at! The large set of row after row of seats, the fancy opera boxes that were stacked up and down the walls, and of course - the ceiling where the wondrous chandelier hung. The trip down was almost too quick, as I arrived at the front of house - taking my place in a seat with as few stares as I could get. And after a lingering half an hour, the meeting had finally begun.

"The truth is, my friends, that it was time for me to leave," he paused, "I'd been around far too long. All'f Paris, by now, must know that the opera is under new management. And, of course, that means a new managing director. And I would like to present him to you now-"

I silently groaned to myself and put my hands over my face. Maybe I should have made a complete fool out of myself to stop him. Maybe I could spread rumors about there being a ghost and then pretend to be a phantom - oh wait, that's taken. The new managing couple took their grudgingly given applause with much enthusiasm.

"This is a moment we will never forget," the Itallian man announced proudly, hand over his chest. I smiled - right on time.

"It's the phantom!" a man within the audience shouted as a single plain envelop floated down from the catwalks. I leaned forward in my seat, knowing well who exactly that was from. And by the murmuring in the audience, they seemed to be just as interested in what was going on.

"Phantom?" Cholet, the now current manager, marched up to Gerard. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded from the older man.

"I'll explain to you in my office-" Gerard started.

"You-a mean in my-a office," Cholet corrected him.

"Of course, forgive me," Gerard politely smiled and apologized.

The two men made their way off stage, Carlotta sitting there and looking bewildered and dumbfounded as ever. I quickly stood from my seat and climbed over a few people to make my way over to follow the ex-manager and the oaf who had taken his place. I tried my best to discreetly follow them and seemed to be successful until we arrived at a very familiar room where a certain watching statue was placed.