Author’s Note: So this should be the second to last part of act one massively straying from the song organization of the musical. In fact, I think there’s only three scenes left in act one and then (that’s right) act two can begin! Also be warned… I think this scene is the revenge of the italics, and also, quite possibly, the ellipses. I am incorporating a short scene from the book into this part, though, so that’s kind of exciting, except it leads us to the following…….
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Phantom of the Opera, either the book or the musical, or any of the characters. And for good measure… nor do I own DC or West Side Story or Grease or Chicago. There is no profit from this! No profit, I say! Huh. That was a poorly constructed disclaimer, grammatically speaking. Alas.
On with the show…
Phantom from the Creek
Act One Scene Nine
None of the chorus girls noticed Pacey pacing through the corridor outside the costume room. Suddenly, a small figure gracefully ran down the staircase so quickly, Pacey almost thought she was flying down to him. “She is coming,” Jen reported breathlessly.
”And this is the first time she has left her dressing room since you got here?” Pacey asked sternly.
”It’s the first time she’s even opened the door!” Jen exclaimed. “I knocked when I got here three hours ago, and she told me she was reviewing her part and to go away.”
”Shh,” Pacey quickly turned, hearing footsteps at the top of the stairwell. “Thank you,” he whispered and nodded to the door of the costume room. “Good luck tonight.” Jen smiled briefly before soundlessly making her way into the room to put the finishing touches on her makeup. Pacey looked back to the staircase, and his jaw almost dropped to the floor at the emergence of Joey’s shape from the darkness. Her hair was swept up, and she was wearing a strapless gold gown. Pacey had never seen Joey look so statuesque, commanding… confident. She slowly made her way down towards him, her perfect posture accentuating the authority of every step she took.
”Not a bit the gawkish girl that once you were,” Pacey mumbled to himself.
”What was that?” Joey asked. She stopped when she reached him.
”You look like a queen,” Pacey answered. “This director has some silly ideas in terms of interpreting this play, but introducing your character at a costume party and putting you in that dress was not one of them.” He put his hand to her cheek. “You’re radiant.” Joey’s face remained expressionless.
”I have to go make my curtain call,” she said dryly. Pacey nodded dumbly.
I do believe she’s looking over my shoulder, he thought. He turned to steal a glance that way, too, but saw nothing except the shadow the curtain cast over the wing. He felt her swallow, and he quickly removed her hand. What is bothering her so much?
“I just want to wish you luck,” Pacey said, gazing into her eyes and forcing her to look at him. “I know how wonderful you’re going to be.”
”Thank you. I do plan to sing better than you’ve ever heard me tonight. Better than anyone has ever heard me.”
”I look forward to it.” Joey offered no reply. Pacey frowned slightly. “Okay, then. I won’t keep you any longer.” He gave her hand a squeeze before she sauntered to the stage. After she was gone, Pacey quickly went to the costume room door and give it three swift knocks.
”Well?” Jen asked anxiously, poking her head out of the door.
”She’s acting strangely,” Pacey said, “and it’s not nerves about the show. She’s being distant, but she seems more sure of herself than I’ve ever seen her. It’s actually really sexy.” Jen rolled her eyes.
”Are you going to take your seat in Box Five now?” she asked impatiently.
”I suppose I should…”
”I do think that is a bad idea, Mr. Witter,” said a voice from behind them.
“With all due respect, Mrs. Giry,” Pacey began to reply before he turned to face her, “why should I listen to you?”
”You have no idea what he’s capable of.”
”Why don’t you tell me then?”
”You have been warned!” Mrs. Giry held Pacey’s stare until she motioned for him to allow her to enter the dressing room. Pacey stalked off towards his seat, leaving Jen to bite her nails as she watched him go.
”Is someone there,” he asked loudly, sitting straight up in his seat but not turning around, “Dawson?” Pacey made a sudden swooping movement to the floor and quickly turned to face the box entrance, but no one was there. “I heard something, I know I did,” he whispered. “A—hiss—“
Dawson stood motionless, blending into the shadow near the entrance of Box Five. He waited until Pacey was again facing the stage before he slipped away.
How dare he, Dawson fumed silently, making his way to the box directly opposite Box Five on the other side of the stage. Of all the—how dare he! He whipped out a ring of keys and unlocked the door to the empty box. “A video camera!” Dawson said quietly once he’d locked the door again, still draped in shadow. “The cruelty… the… it will not go unmatched!”
No, no, he thought. It’s your friend, one of your best friends, one of your only friends, your old friend Pacey… He just wants to know, he wants to… see… you again. Dawson clenched his fists. “I am not a circus freak to be cast as the role of the monster in his film!” His hands began to tremble, his knuckles turning white. Darkness fully engulfed the theater for a moment before the curtain drew up. The play had begun.
The Phantom looked bitterly toward the ensemble dance number taking place on the stage. His eyes glared from behind his mask, their gaze resting on the petite blond girl.
”She’s helping him,” he said, his mouth twisting. His body suddenly went limp. “No, it’s Jen. Look at Jen, you’ve missed her. I’ve missed her,” he whispered, reaching his hand out. “Good little Jenny. She’s a good girl.” He sighed and leaned against the wall. When Jen danced off the stage, Dawson’s eyes followed her, then traced their way back to Box Five.
”You’re in my box, Pacey, why are you trying to take what little I have left?” He wanted to shout, but no one could know he was there. You have everything, he thought angrily, you have… movies… a life… my… box!
Then, he heard it. One beautiful note, a resonance as pure as any sound he had ever heard before. “My beautiful Joey,” he breathed, sinking to his knees. He now was leaning against the wall for support as his eyes locked on her form on the stage. The spotlight shimmered off her dress in a thousand different directions, but they all seemed to miss where Dawson tried to remain hidden. Sill, her eyes were searching… she opened her mouth to sing again, and her eyes rested on that dark, not-so-vacant box. Did she find me? Dawson thought. Does she sing for me?
Pacey sat on the edge of his seat, looking down fro his box on the right side of the stage. He had never heard so wonderful a sound in his life as the first note to escape Joey’s lips. He wondered at that moment if she was an angel, and any doubts he had about his feelings melted away. His head spun and he wanted to reach out to her to regain his balance. I love her. And I can’t ever let go of her again.
When Joey walked off stage right, Dawson closed his eyes and collapsed to the floor. He sat there with his head against the wall, remembering her touch from just a few hours before. She had stepped back, but no… he looked down at his hand. She took my hand. He stood up, regaining his composure, and calmly looked at Pacey.
”I will not repay your foul cruelty this time,” he whispered. “She would not want me to. But be warned, Witter. She’s found me, and I won’t ever let go of her again.”
”Joey, Joey, Joey,” Pacey let the words escape his lips as a quiet prayer for her to return to the stage. How he envied the actor playing Tony as never before!
”Maria, Maria, Maria!” Tony sang.
Joey, Joey, Joey, Pacey could have sworn her heard the echo from the left side of the stage. He shuddered for a second time. “I’ll find you, Phantom—Dawson, whoever! I won’t stop until she’s safe.”
”Oh, Joey!” he exclaimed, catching her arm and giving her the flowers. “You never sang like that before. You were right, it was better than I’ve ever heard…” Joey smiled at him shyly. “It was as if I had died and you sent me to heaven.”
”Oh, how original,” Joey rolled her eyes, though she continued to smile.
”Damn it, Joey, just say thank you!” Pacey smiled back. “That is how one accepts a compliment.” Suddenly, Jen came bounding over, catching Joey in her arms and crushing the flowers against her.
”How did you do that?” Jen gushed. “That was unbelievable. Pacey was right: we are seeing history being made! A star in the making. You were so good.”
”Thank you, Jen,” Joey blushed.
”See? See? See how simple that was?”
“Ugh, bite me, Pacey,” Joey laughed, gently brushing the back of her hand against his. “Did anyone see Dawson?” she asked brightly.
”No,” Jen answered. “Is he here?” she asked, a bit more enthusiastically than Pacey liked.
”I…” Joey looked down at her feet. “No, I guess not. Well, then,” she looked back up at Pacey with a smile that seemed tighter. “That show really exhausted me. I should put these in water and change so I can go home.”
”So soon?” Pacey asked, trying to give her puppy dog eyes. Joey closed her eyes and grinned, making that little exhaling sound Pacey found so endearing.
”I’ve been sick anyway, remember? I need rest.”
”At least let me escort you home, Jo,” Pacey pleaded.
”No, thank you, Pacey. We both know that wouldn’t lead to… well, rest,” Joey laughed. “But I’m sure Jen doesn’t need to hear anymore.”
”I’ve gotten to the point where I need to live vicariously through someone,” Jen scoffed. “I guess it’s okay.”
”Pace, why don’t you take Jen out to meet some nice, rich, handsome movie producer friends of yours instead?” Joey joked.
”We’re a little far from Hollywood right now. Jen, we can do that, but I’m going to have to take a rain check tonight.
”Score!” Jen said with a touch of sarcasm. “I’ll seduce some nice, rich producer, and then I can dance in movie musicals like Grease or Chicago instead. I’m moving on up!”
”And you’ll have the integrity of Abby Morgan,” Joey pointed out. “Is that what you really want?”
”Shh,” Jen waved her arms quickly. “She’s right there, and she’s already pissed off you sang tonight. Don’t let her hear you.”
“Whatever,” Joey said. “Monday we begin rehearsals for ‘Il Muto’, and she’ll be the star again.” Pacey frowned.
Not if the Phantom can help it, he thought.
”Okay, I have to go…” Joey said, starting to walk away.
”Wait!” Pacey grabbed a rose from her and gave it to Jen. “You were wonderful, too, my dear.” Joey made a noise of fake exasperation.
”You insult me, you cad! Hmph.”
”Such the actress, Joey. Who says hmph anymore, anyway,” Jen snickered. Joey tossed her hair in an exaggerated gesture and started to turn towards her dressing room once again, but Pacey grabbed her by the waist.
”Good night, Joey. Please be careful. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Pacey kissed her softly on the lips. Jen rolled her eyes and looked away. The lights flickered, and Joey quickly pulled back.
”Good night,” she said curtly and was gone.
”Did you see him?” Jen asked, grabbing his arm once Joey was out of earshot.
”I don’t know,” Pacey said calmly. “Go change out of your costume. I have to make sure the tape is still in the box. Then we’ll see what I saw.” Jen nodded and walked toward the dressing room area, being quickly surrounded by eager dancers who wanted the latest scandalous news of the patron and the leading lady.
Pacey, meanwhile, was relieved to find the camcorder and tape still in the box. “He must be pretty sure I couldn’t see him, to have left this here,” Pacey said aloud. He shrugged and went back toward the dressing area. When he saw the managers coming his way, he decided to run up the stairs and duck into the corridor. Not now, he thought. He looked down the hall and suddenly realized he was only inches away from Joey’s room. I’m not stupid. I wonder… He crept forward as quietly as he could and put his ear to the door.
"Maria, you must love me!” came a muffled male voice.
”How can you talk like that?” Joey’s voice followed as if she were distraught. “When I sing only for you!”
Pacey felt the adrenaline surge through his body as he stood, poised and alert. Is he hurting her? But no… Pacey’s thumping heart suddenly dropped, for the next sound to come from behind the door was… a fit of giggles.
The man’s voice spoke again: “Are you very tired?”
”Oh, tonight I gave you my soul and I am dead!” Joey exclaimed dramatically. Pacey heard a thump—had she thrown herself onto her chair?
”Your soul is a beautiful thing,” the man replied gravely. Pacey noticed Joey stopped laughing. “I thank you. No emperor ever received so fair a gift. The angels wept tonight.” There was silence for a moment. Pacey now felt like his whole body was throbbing in time with the fierce pounding of his heart. His head certainly was. He wondered if it was beating too loud, if they would hear him and know he was there. He put his hand to his chest as if to still it.
”Dawson, why don’t you tell them?” Joey’s voice finally came again. “It would be such a… relief… for them to know.”
”For whom?” the man asked coldly. Pacey suddenly wondered if the throbbing in his head was making him hallucinate. The childish intonations that accusation held—
“For all of us!” Joey replied eagerly.
”It’s not time yet,” the Phantom said simply. “Come, my dear, you must be so very tired.”
Pacey heard a sliding noise and then nothing more. He stood quietly, waiting for his body to numb out the pain, waiting for his lip (when had it started to do that?) to stop trembling. After they had been gone for what seemed like forever but was probably only a minute or two, he emitted a haggard breath and then inhaled slowly.
Of course he had known Joey was running back to the Phantom every night, whether actually into his arms or just in her own head. If it was Dawson… it’s what she’s been waiting for since he left her. He just hadn’t really wanted proof. He wanted to keep being able to pretend that, when he was with her, it wasn’t so. “Joey, I love you,” he whispered into the air. He closed his eyes. She does care for me, too, I know she does. She wants to know, just like I do, she wants to be sure that it’s Dawson. And what if it’s not? What if that is the reason he refuses to show himself to me and Jen? Straightening up, Pacey said firmly, “I’m not losing her again.”
“I don’t know, Jen,” he told her, back in his hotel suite. “If it’s not Dawson, someone’s using her vulnerability to dupe her, and they have her pretty fooled.”
”And you?” Jen asked quietly.
”For the first time… the voice… it—it sounded more like I remember his. But the things he said didn’t sound like him at all. If it is Dawson, he’s--” Pacey paused. “Different. And Joey’s so trusting in him, I’m afraid of what that means for her.”
”Let’s play the tape. Maybe we can find some answers,” Jen suggested. Pacey put the tape in the VCR and pressed play. There was only about two minutes of footage. “Turn up the brightness on the TV,” Jen said, squinting. “All I see is darkness, maybe that will help.”
”No… no, I still don’t see anything! Damn it!” Pacey yelled and kicked over a nearby chair. He sat down on the bed and put his head in his hands. “He was there, someone was there, I know it! I heard him, right in her dressing room!”
”Wait!” Jen said sharply, eyes still focused on the television. “Rewind it.” Pacey did as she said. “What’s that white thing on the floor?”
”What?”
”That, that, look, right at the beginning of the tape, when you were picking up the camera.” Pacey punched his fist into the mattress before looking up again. He did not notice anything different from before. “Pacey, did anyone leave money in the box for tonight?”
”What?”
”His salary… oh, Pacey, rewind it again and look!” He did, and this time he saw a white envelope in the corner of the screen with just the slightest bit of light differentiating it from the shadows… and then it—
”Disappeared!” He looked at Jen and pressed rewind on the remote control three more times. “I know it wasn’t the house lighting changing, the show hadn’t started yet. There’s no other explanation. I don’t know how he did that, but that proves he had to have been there!” Pacey’s eyes lit up. “Your aunt must have been instructed to leave him the money, that’s why she warned me! I’ll have to do it again.”
”You mean try to catch him on film? Oh, Pacey, do you think that’s wise?”
”I sat in Box Five tonight and nothing bad happened. We must know who he is. I’ll try again when ‘Il Muto’ opens.”
”Pacey,” Jen looked worried, “if it is Dawson, well… my optimism is fading. He’d have told us by now.” She felt tears springing to her eyes. “What do we do if he is different and Joey’s blinded herself to it? What if he sees us as obstacles in his attempt to win Joey back? What if--” She stopped speaking for a moment and then began to cry. “How c-c-ould… how could he come back after all these years and not want to tell us he’s alive and make the pain stop?”
Pacey pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her as she sobbed. “I think it’s time for our mourning to really come to an end,” he said softly. “I think it’s time we face up to reality. Our best friend, Dawson Leery, who lived on so long in our hearts, is dead.” Pacey rubbed the back of his hand against his cheek to dry his own face before putting it back to comfort Jen.
Please, I’d love feedback. I’ve only heard two people express any interest in where this series is going. I hope more of you like it than that. I’d love it if you’d let me know!