PROLOGUE
THE CYBERWORLD OF THE INTERNET, 2001 — CANADA
(elvisdo notices an e-mail addressed to him from Caleo. She has an idea for a write off. He also has an idea for a write off. Surprisingly, it falls along the same line. An idea is born and a collaboration is formed. Canadians-At-Arms. Both have contacted the masses who wish to participate in this fruitful endeavour. A message is sent out.)

The Premise
The line can be from a movie, a song, a book, heck even a commercial that grabbed you by the heartstrings and made you see life in a different perspective or opened a whole new world for you. Write an epinion on that movie, book, song etc. from which that line comes from and it would be a nice touch to tell us why the one line had so much impact on you.

(The letter catches the attention of many and entices them to join in the already swelling ranks of fabulous writers. The results are still unknown but the anticipation is electric)


OVERTURE
The task seems yet impossible once again. I sit here in the dark recesses of my mind trying to discern what it is that I wish to convey to the few that are willing, or unwilling, to read my work. That is, of course, if these words ever manage to find the light of day. I, Sir Visdo, better known as The Grim One, have a daunting task ahead of me. To choose one great line is almost next to impossible for there are many words that have reached the depths of my core, a feat that would almost seem miraculous for the tunnel is long and dark, and the barriers are many. However, none has touched me as greatly than the life of a kindred spirit. This is his story. Beware, The Phantom of the Opera. As I listen to this hauntingly savage cry for adoration and love, to the masterpiece crafted by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, to the voices of Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman as it reverberates into my shattered soul, I am, once again, transported to the balcony of the opera house where it all began.

(The Grim One is thrust back in time as a ghostly apparition. The place: Paris, France. The year: 1861.)



ACT I (Disk One)
I hear voices in a lyrical fashion. I hear song. I hear music. And in the middle of it is a prima donna who struts her stuff in the middle of the stage like an overly-pretentious peacock. She sings with such confidence and arrogance but no one can deny the power of her vocals as she commands attention to herself. Yes, that is what Carlotta Giudicelli does best especially when she sings "Think of Me" as she insists that the spotlight be thrusted upon her. But even prima donnas have bad days especially when accidents start occurring around her. Enough is enough. She can't focus and the peacock exits stage left, ruffling a few feathers as she walks away.

Enter the underdog. Christine Daaé, so sweet, so innocent, a wallflower with an angelic purity in her voice. Her version of "Think of Me" allows you to do exactly that... to think of her and the ever graceful presence she exudes when she sings. And a star is born.

I am listening to the wonderment both her friend Meg Giry and old childhood friend Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny, display to her singing prowess. The words gloss over me but the tone is evident.... respect, amazement, admiration... and this doesn't escape the notice of her mysterious tutor, her "Angel of Music". After all this time he reveals himself to her in such a quiet fashion. It isn't until he says this that something stirs within me:

"Flattering child,
you shall know me,
see why in shadow
I hide!
Look at your face
in the mirror —
I am there
inside!"

(The Grim One pauses for a dramatic effect.)

It is true. I am there inside of you. I have always been if you look deep inside of yourself. And the same goes with me. I can see a bit of myself in you. It is why we understand each other. It is why we have this connection. My power over you grows stronger yet...

... grows stronger yet...

... stronger yet...

(The Grim One awakens from his trance-like state as the organ blares through his auditory senses. He finds himself in an underground labyrinth surrounded by candles and darkness)

Together, both Christine and her masked mentor are spirited away singing their strange duet, "The Phantom of the Opera", as their strange symbiotic relationship is explained, how she is an avatar to his music to the world above him, how he has infused his own extravagant flair upon her. The mysteries of this Phantom are explored but not all is yet revealed.

The Phantom is a man of many complexities, and I wouldn't expect anything less from one who embraces the night like a security blanket, but his tenderness starts to shine through as he sings "The Music of the Night". Here, in this slow, hypnotic setting, he guides me through the caverns of my creativity. And then he says it:

"Open up your mind,
let your fantasies unwind,
in this darkness which
you know you cannot fight —"

It is an impossible task trying to fight you who I really am, what I really can do if I allow my mind the free itself from the chains that suffocate my spirit. Too many times I dismiss any creative thought for the fear of being ridiculed, for the fear of straying too far from the norm. And that is where I destroy myself in the process, a little piece at the time, if I don't stay true to who I am. In order to do that, however, I need to discover, or rediscover, my own passion. A very arduous task but not impossible for one who invites the darkness into his life.

But be wary of the demons. Always beware of the demons. Remember: your hand at the level of your eyes!

(The Grim One surprises even himself and is unaware of the scenery change as he is in the opera house again, still wraith-like in appearance)

From somber tales and quiet reflections to a parody of comedic relief does the mood take a drastic turn. The banter between theatre owners Monsieurs André and Firmin is upbeat, lively and almost quite nauseating if I wasn't paying close attention to their incessant babbling. Almost on cue are they joined by Carlotta, once again strutting her pomposity, Raoul, even Madame and Meg Giry. This cacophony is flooded with their thoughts — André and Firmin appeasing to the vanity of Carlotta, Raoul trying to deduce what is going on, and the Giry's warning everyone that they will feel the Phantom's wrath if his will is not done.

And his point comes across in the form of death... the death of caretaker Joseph Buquet as his hanging corpse is dangling from the unseen Punjab Lasso during a performance of "Il Muto".

(Pandemonium takes place. Firmin is trying to calm the crowds. The ballet girls scream in terror. Christine and Raoul leave the scene. The Grim One follows)

"All I Ask of You" as Raoul sings to Christine sweetly and with such loving conviction during this confusion. He asks for her hand in marriage.

"My words will
warm and calm you."

(The Grim One ponders on this, at his own dichotomous nature wherein lies the irony of a vile being with a soothing voice. Can evil be good?)

As foreseen, the Phantom feels betrayed by this outpouring of misplaced affection. Beware the Phantom of the Opera.

(The chandelier falls at the feet of Christine. The Phantom cackles. Exit stage left. Fade to black)

END OF ACT I



*** INTERMISSION ***

I have much to think about. The words burn into my soul and it is unpleasant to be in this vulnerable state of nature, exposed for all to see. I never knew that even I had such depths to my very persona. Damn this creature for being tortured. Damn this creature for making me look into a mirror and seeing my very demons. Damn this creature for being... me.



ACT II (Disk Two)
(New Year's Eve, six months later)

I find myself surrounded by horrific images. Demons. Ghouls. Devilish Oddities. Have I walked into hell and beyond? No, I am mistaken. It is a celebration of sorts as the opera house is full of life with masquerading party dwellers as they dance and sing to their hearts content. The noise is deafening enough to raise the roofs... or raise the dead.

"Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!"

(The Grim One smirks at this very thought)

I have assumed many masks in my lifetime... a chameleon of sorts, all of them serving me well, each one revealing only one aspect of me. Masks are powerful, so very powerful. Do you truly know me? I doubt it. You only know what I tell you. So which mask do I wear now?

The Phantom has his mask, the most visible is not the one of his visage. No, it is Miss Daaé, the one who still serves him, the one who will carry his message. His reappearance is cause for alarm to everyone as he delivers this warning: perform his new opera; remember, there are worse things than a shattered chandelier.

A frantic ensemble gathers together to plot and take down this Phantom once and for all using Christine as the bait. She wants no part of such madness yet she knows in her heart that it is true. And she runs away to go find her thoughts, to the cemetery where her father lies, as she looks for answers. How do you betray the one who has done so much for you is the dilemma she now faces. In a hauntingly performed soliloquy, "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again", Christine quietly cries out for her father to help her, saddened with the heavy burden and confusion that rests on her shoulders.

Enter the Phantom as he tries to hypnotize Christine to his cause once again only to be interrupted by Raoul as they fight for her soul.

(The Grim One has an uneasy feeling of death in the air. It is inevitable)

The show must go on and the Phantom's opera "Don Juan Triumphant" is the focus. However, not all is as it seems. The main character is dead behind the curtain and the Phantom takes his place on stage, unbeknownst to the audience until it's too late. He sings to Christine that they are both at "The Point of No Return".

"I have brought you,
that our passions
may fuse and merge —
in your mind
you've already succumbed to me,
dropped all defenses,
completely succumbed to me —”

How many have truly delved into my world and discovered the true nature of the beast that is within Sir Visdo, the Grim One? Not many and they have either embraced it all or perished in their discovery. I can lure you into my world and entice you without you even knowing.

The Phantom does the same by enticing Christine with a marriage proposal, singing to her with such vulnerability and tenderness, and this is when she strikes. I can't believe it but she reveals what is behind the mask: a scarred, disfigured man. But that is exactly what he is... not a ghost or a demon or any of the kind, but just a man.

(The Grim One is in a state of confusion. Too many events happening all at once. The labyrinth beckons once more).

Disgusted with what has happened, the Phantom retreats back to his underground sanctuary with Christine. This tortured creature yells out what burns deeply in his soul.

"Down once more
to the dungeon
of my black despair!"

It's cold. It's dark. I, too, am a prisoner of my own thoughts and words and creativity for it is sometimes very difficult to find an outlet to release it all.

The final confrontation takes place in the labyrinth. Raoul pleads for Christine's life. The Phantom is in a maniacal, unforgiving state. However, Christine has a sense of pity and compassion, something that the Phantom has been missing all his life. One act of goodwill, a kiss from Christine, shows him the error of his ways.

And then he disappears... forever.

(The Grim One fades away as well. Exit stage left. Fade to black)

END OF ACT II



EPILOGUE
(Too many thoughts run through my head. The songs are filled with so much raw emotion that it overwhelms my senses. Organs blaring, war drums pounding, violins soothing the nerves... each of these instruments are used effectively to convey the mood, and the use of repetition is effective as it starts out with simple overtures leading to more complicated entanglements. If you close your eyes and just listen to the tone of the music, you will feel what I feel, hear what I hear and realize why I managed to pick out these lines at such poignant moments.

But there is a line, as many as there are, that sticks out in my head, one that I would do will to follow and continue to follow:

"Abandon thought, and let the dream descend..."

I have stifled my creativity for too long. I think too much and never allow myself to really feel. Abandon the conventional and open your eyes... really open your eyes to what your soul wants you to see. I am surprised by what beauty I have missed because I have been locked in my own dark prison. It's never too late to unlock the secrets of yourself. The question remains: are you ready for it?)



DRAMATIS PERSONAE
I am honoured to have been part of The Great One Liner Write-Off especially co-hosting it with my Canadian conspirator, Caleo. Please check out these fascinating writers who have graciously participated in this wonderful exercise.

akaMum, Bijou, bluehawq, Caleo, dandj, Debbie26, dlamarrx , eplovejoy, itztru, jkkelley, KateTPZ, KingJFS, kristinafh, kurt_messick, ladydagney1, Lagavulin , lessaleigh , levda , machkick, mellkinwa, Nicholmere, NFP, nobody_knows, porcelina22, repulsemonkey, Sloucho, smithswoodside, Solid_Snake, telefrog, Zeira

Or for quick access to everyone's reviews, please visit this hallowed halls... and beware of things that go bump in the night.
http://www.geocities.com/bkclark1/index.html


Recommended: Yes