Erik was composing on one of his new compositions when his beautiful wife, Christine entered the room. She was dressed in a blue gown, her hair was all done in the style of te latest fashion, and she seemed to be a little bit upset.
- Erik! – she said. The Phantom looked at her, but after a quick glance he turned back to his work again.
- Not now, my dear Christine, can't you see Erik is composing?
- Composing… again… - she said with displeasure. She bit her lips, and put a hand on her hip.
Erik sighed. He checked his pocket watch with a tired look in his eyes.
- It starts in: five, four, three, two, one…
- You are always composing! Would that paper rot if you left it alone just for a day, I pray?
- Now, what did I say, it starts. – Erik sighed again.
- You are composing your masterpiece! I must laugh! Who would perform it? You are just composing for the desk drawer. And your music is more important than your wife!
- Erik does not care for you, he neglects you… - Erik sighed silently as Christine continued her speech. She didn't even hear Erik's soft comments.
- You don't care for me, you neglect me, you did not say a single word to me today, did you? Oh, sorry, in the morning, you said "Good morning, Christine".
- Well, Erik said something else as well, just you did not pay attention, maybe, you have a habit that you only hear what you want to.
- What do you think, I can live like this, Erik?
- Fresh air and sunshine comes in two seconds.
- I need fresh air and sunshine, I can't go on like this, in the cellars, you promised you will search a normal house. Listen, it might be you can live in the cellars in your entire life, but I can't. Walk in the park on Sundays… You did not take me for any, did you? You promised me.
- Well, my dear Christine, you might forget that I actually did.
- Once. In six months!
- Yes, because, you have to understand, Christine, you are beautiful and there are men, and…
- Yes, that's what makes me mad as well, your jealousy! If I dared to simply greet a man, whom I've known, you did not say a word to me the entire day after. What do you think, who are you?
- Erik can't break you apart from…
- You can't break me apart from the people I knew, I cared for, I loved! I can't live my entire life just like this, you are the only person I see day after day, week after week… and you even leave me here alone in this house, and you don't even tell me where have you been. I am lonely!
- Did not Erik get you a pet cat, isn't he beautiful, Erik even let you name him. How can you say you are lonely?
- An animal is not a companion like a man, Erik.
- You are right, Christine, actually an animal is more precious a companion than a man. Erik knows it well, in his childhood his only friend was a dog.
- I can't even talk to him.
- Why could you not?
- I can, but he does not reply. It is like talking to myself.
- Why did not you tell it to Erik earlier? He can help this.
- You really can? - Christine got a bit of surprised that their conversation went in different way this time. She even changed to a softer voice.
- Yes, talk to Othello, he will reply.
- Oh, Erik, don't you tell me you will solve this with your ventriloquism!- Christine turned furious and yet frustrated by the idea.
- Why not? Erik can make pets talk.
- Erik, you are hopeless. . Christine sat down on the little sofa next to the wall, buried her face in her hands, and it was like she starts crying in seconds.
- Erik will never change, why did not go with Raoul, he would have loved you… - Erik murmured under his breath.
- You will never change, why did I not go with Raoul, he would have loved me… hey, you actually imitate me? - She lifted her head and was listening.
- No, Erik just knows the entire aria by heart. I think, I will compose music for it once, and you can perform it, it may be more amusing like that. You don't even need practicing.
- You are always being sarcastic!
- Now it comes I am an unbearable creature.
- You are an unbearable creature! - Christine jumped up from the sofa and ran close to the desk.
- See? - Erik slowly stood up. They were facing each other silently for some minutes. It was Christine that started talking again.
- Fine, then you know what, compose your masterpiece, if…
- If Erik needs you, you are in your room.
- Yes!- Christine screamed and slammed the door behind her. Erik sighed again than he said:
- Ah, women…- and he continued to compose.