This little thing was based off of a rather interesting conversation in a forum I was participating in...we were bantering about the pros and cons of Gerard Butler's voice versus the amazing Michael Crawford, and one astute observer made the comment that no one person's voice could ever quite be just like Erik's, since it wouldn't do to have people leaving the theater (movie or otherwise) in a complete stupor...and, well, this is my take on a scenario, should that be the case. Again, thank you to the lovely Eversio for putting me up to this, it was rather entertaining.

disclaimer: ...I don't think I need to put one of these every time, do I?

"A Routine Experience"

Patrol Officer Phillips had seen it all: fatalities, fender-benders, DUIs, rowdy teenagers, speeders, Sunday drivers…the works. But never before had he ever experienced anything quite like this.

He saw the car swerving—albeit slowly, but swerving nonetheless. He sighed wearily, thinking it nothing but a routine DUI case—who cared that it was a Thursday night? Booze didn't decide to be more effective over the weekend than on regular weeknights—and he flipped on his lights, radioing in.

"Phillips here. I've got a suspected DUI…requesting backup."

"We're sending over Taylor and Brown…they're in the area. Approach with caution, officer," replied dispatch.

"Roger that," said Officer Phillips, who finally turned on his sirens, stepping on the gas.

-----

The blue '96 Jetta pulled over almost immediately, which pleased Officer Phillips immensely. Grabbing his ticket book and breathalyzer, making sure his gun was in its holster, he opened his door and walked over to the driver's side of the other car, looking around; backup hadn't arrived quite yet.

He tapped on the window, trying to peer into the car, but it was too dark to see clearly. The window soon rolled down, however, and revealed a rather pretty twenty-something, with blue eyes and brown hair swept up in a bun, complementing her black evening dress. She smiled lightly at him, looking rather dazed and distracted.

He leaned a little closer, trying to catch the alcohol on her breath. "Excuse me, miss, have you been drinking tonight?" he asked.

"Hmm?" she said, then her eyes widened, as if she were truly seeing him for the first time. "Oh, no, Officer…"

His brow wrinkled in confusion, and he hefted his breathalyzer closer to her. "Then would you care to explain your erratic driving, miss?"

"Oh, oh, yes, of course." She smiled, but the look in her eyes grew distant. "You see, I've just seen The Phantom of the Opera…"