Looking around the now empty dressing room, I take a few moments to myself to calm the ever growing nerves. Yes, I am Annaleigh Griffith. Yes, I am a dresser at the Majestic Theater. Yes, I am going to be Christine Daae in 45 short minutes-

Of course, I don't get to think too much until a tapping at the door draws my attention.

"It's unlocked!" I call out curiously.

However, my curiosity was short-lived when Jeremy Hays walked through the door.

"We need you on stage in like, two minutes to go over the blocking of Wandering Child once more before the show starts," he explains while fixing the light gold bow tie around his neck.

"That anxious to have me stolen by Jeremy Stolle, are you?" I wink at him before getting up and fixing the lengthy fringe along my skirt. This Hannibal costume is seriously annoying at times; a fact I never would have discovered as a dresser since I would never get the chance to wear these luxurious costumes.

He rolls his eyes humorously then glances at my skirt, "Have fun kneeling in that costume, I saw a tweet from Rebecca Caine complaining about bruises on her knees from the beads on that skirt."

"Um, that is why they added these rather helpful knee-pads years ago," I stick my knee up, showing him the thin sponges covering my knees; they match the pale color of my stockings/skin, "They will also help when the quote un-quote 'Phantom' throws me around during 'Stranger than You Dreamt It'."

Scoffing, he turns his back on me and starts walking towards the door; changing the subject, "Come on Miss Christine Daae, you have a creeper just waiting to kidnap you."

I giggle and follow his footsteps, my feet barely making a sound in the pale peach-colored ballet slippers my feet are dressed in. 

On a side-note, I am able to go en pointe so the choreography for Hannibal is not that difficult. However, it was simplified for a group of dancers (so I wouldn't be awkwardly alone) since the dance involves a lot of memorization that takes weeks and even months to perfect. I only had mere hours. 

"Deep in thought, I presume?" Jeremy asks, glancing back at me as I follow him through the narrow hallway. The same one I walked through three months prior as a dresser. Tomorrow I will regain that title and no longer be a "Broadway star". 

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I laugh and punch him in the shoulder.

Narrowing his eyes he rubs his shoulder tenderly, "Ow."

"Hm," I hum thoughtfully, "Maybe I don't need Raoul or the Phantom. I can protect myself if I can hurt you that easily." Smiling menacingly I prance away from him as he chases me onto the stage. 

I squeal as he reaches his hands towards me. Dodging them artfully I duck behind Jeremy Stolle; who stands next to Holland with his prosthetic deformity, covered by his slightly tinted mask. 

"Help me oh angel of music! For that insolent fop is trying to hurt me!" I plea dramatically, fighting my own lips from turning upwards into a gleeful smile. I sigh and put the back of my hand to my forehead.

"Who dares to hurt my darling Christine?" he booms and steps forward toward Jeremy Hays, who is doubled over in laughter. 

"Did- did you just call me a fop?" he asks between chortles.

"People can we please act professional? That curtain rises in 40 minutes!" Holland slaps her clipboard against her thigh, yet a glowing smile resides on her face. 

Jeremy Stolle walks looks at the stage manager and removes his fedora, "Madame do you know who you are talking to?"

Holland just snatches the hat out of his hand and hits him over the head with it, "Yeah, a fool who wears rubber covering half of his face for his career!" She replaces the hat atop his head then starts to walk away.

The 'Phantom' rests a hand against his chest in an offended manner, "But the people! They love me!"

"Oh yeah and that's why they send an angry mob after you," I reason.

"I thought they were the phangirls coming after me but I can see that you're just jealous, Christine."

I raise my darkened eyebrows, "Do you really want to go there?"

Together we laugh and start to get into the mood of the 'Wandering Child' scene. Personally this trio is one of my favorite songs in the musical, so I feel the need to do it the justice it deserves. I have a connection to this whole musical, actually. Since I was born after it came out it has existed my whole life.

"Okay!" the director squawks as he walks across the stage towards us, clasping his hands together, "From the top of 'Wandering Child'. Since we do not have the correct scenery, or props, or fire, you guys will have to improvise."

"Yes, because it has always been my dream to shoot imaginary fire at the love of my life and her fop boyfriend," Jeremy Stolle muses dreamily. 

In response Jeremy Hays just hits him in the stomach and exits stage left. 

"Annaleigh you remember where your starting position is, right? It is where you will end 'Wishing' as well..." he trails off as he steps off of the stage into the Orchestra pit. 

"Yes, sir," I walk over to slightly right of center stage and hold my arms outwards at the empty audience.

Since this is just a short run-through Jeremy Stolle remains on the ground, but in the background.

"And begin," the director- well- directs.

I drop my hands and look towards the ground. I imagine that there is snow all around me, twirling the ghost of my dead father and the soul of myself in a waltz of father and daughter emotional connection. At this point in the show I would pull the cape tightly around my shoulder, however there is none at this time so I start my sodden footsteps to leave the graveyard. 

"Wandering child, so lost, so helpless. Yearning for my guidance..."

A soft crooning floating through the cold winter air draws my attention. As still as the statues surrounding me, my gaze stays locked towards the exit, "Angel or father, friend or phantom, who is it there standing?"

 When I act, I find myself questioning what is real and what is not.

And so we go through the trio that I have too often sung around my living room when my parents were out, I feel an overwhelming sense of contentedness; like I belong on the stage. However, I devoted myself to fashion and clothing. I am past the point of no return *wink* *wink* if you know what I mean. 

So, as we end the song, I find my thoughts drifting elsewhere.

 For example I find myself wondering if they are going to put those little slips of paper in the Playsbills saying that tonight the role of Christine Daae will be played by Annaleigh Griffith. I'll be sure to snag one if they do. 

"Beautful. everybody great job," the director flips through a packet of notes, "You are all dismissed until showtime."

Both Jeremys flank my sides, shaking their heads simultaneously.

"What?" I question suspiciously.

"How come you never told us you could sing like that?" Jeremy Hays asks, his tone an equal balance of offended and awed. 

Shrugging, I start up the stairs to my dressing room, "It has always been fashion for me. I love singing but it always came second."

The boys follow me very attentively, "You could have a future on Broadway and you are giving it up to dress people?"

Sighing, I stop and rest against the railing, "My ultimate dream is to design my own stage costumes, but dressing Julia, Kaley, and Elizabeth is a blast too, for now at least."

They nod thoughtfully, but I can't help but have my own thoughts provoked by their kind words. Could I have a career on stage instead of behind the scenes?

---

As the overture blast throughout the theater, I take a peak out at the audience. A full house, a full-freaking-house. And here I am used to an empty house; particularly my empty house.

I do lip trills one more time while stretching out my legs and reaching for my toes. Getting into the zone I repeat the line, "I am Christine Daae. I am Christine Daae. I. am. Christine. Daae."

"You are Christine Daae," a voice from behind me muses.

I look behind me and fine warm smile of Jeremy Stolle greeting me. 

"Shut up," I smile and hit his leg, since I am still sitting on the ground of the wings. 

"You'll do fabulous tonight. I could bet money that you'll get a standing ovation at the end."

I shake my head, "Standing ovations just don't happen for anybody, let alone me."

He scoffs and replies, "They would probably give you an ovation after Think of Me if it were respectful to the show.. but it's not, so your admirers will have to restrain themselves." 

I roll my eyes as the stage bursts in celebratory song, "This trophy from our saviors, from our saviors! From the enslaving force of Rome!" Carlotta's high notes screech through the air.

"Well you can sit here schmoozing about my apparent admirers, but some of us have a show to do," I stick my nose in the air and stand up.

"Oh ho ho, well well well," he holds his hands up, "Sorry."

Stretching my hands into the air I giggle, "No need for the sassiness,"

"Ms.Griffith get ready for your entrance," the tech crew director announces to me quietly, then speaks into the headset he wears, "Turn A. Griffith's mic on."

"Break a leg out there," Jeremy Stolle pats me on the shoulder and pecks my cheek. Then he is gone, very much like the Phantom himself.

I close my eyes and stand onto my toes, then back onto my soles, then up onto my toes, then down again. Now is not the time to get nervous. I have to remain calm. 

The effort is pointless I am a wreck. 

I am about to admit that I cannot possibly do this when the tech crew director adverts my attention away from my impending doom.

"Ms. Griffith you are to make your entrance in five-"

I close my eyes. Multiple choice words flow through my head.

"Four."

I thank God for the life I have known.

"Three."

I open my eyes.

"Two."

I take a deep and steady breath.

"And one."

I step in to the bright lights of the stage.

If there is anything today has taught me it is that no amount of rehearsing can prepare you for the stage before an audience of any amount. The thrill is felt by no other experience and the nerves are numbing; but you have to power through that. I embrace the nerves to add to the character of Christine Daae. The feelings she will soon meet are so closely related to mine. In fact, we are the same. For tonight at least.

"With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration! We greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!" the ballet (including me! Eeek!) sing in unison and raise our hands in victory, stepping gracefully towards the audience. 

It is not until the beautiful instrumental part of Hannibal that the ballet splits apart into a major group and a minor group, I being part of the latter. Four ballet dancers, Meg, and I do our own simplified, yet equally entrancing dance, behind the original choreography. I throw myself into the movements, glad that I did ballet since I was young all the way through college. Mid-way through the dancing Meg and I step away and do a duet of dancing. I love every moment of it. 

What new surprises lie in store?

[Author's Note: Ahhh Christine is finally gracing the stage with her presence! Now, I ask you readers, to help me write the rest of this story. Comment what scenes do you want to see Annaleigh perform as Christine?? Any of them from Think of Me to the Final Lair can be included :) ]