-Mind telling me was you've been up too? I mean, you don't talk a lot about your life.

-Charlotte, dear, I truly have nothing specific in mind. But, I am working on a few things, although there nothing new. Talking of new things, I was recently talking with Rose, and she mentioned a new actress, recommended by the new owners. She was performing the lead role, but, correct me if I'm wrong, originally, the person supposed to be on the main role is you.

Charlie waited a few seconds, while thinking how to answer properly.

-Yes. But, even tho I already had the main role, the final decision was to switch me and Mimzy. I could make a guess that she has more experience than me, or she probably has worked with the new owners before, which seems to be more realistic, to me personally.

-True. I would like to leave this topic alone, but I don't want to leave any questions behind. I am kind of interested, so would you mind telling me, have there been any...

Alastor took a long pause, probably trying to put a certain meaning into his words.

-Rumors? Or just some strange events?

-No, I don't think so... no, actually, there is a conspires theory going around. My opinion on it – it sounds abstract, weird, with no logic behind it. I can tell this to you, but it's nothing interesting, really. If saying this short – the new owners want to get rid of the old actors, and replace them with people, that judging on their opinion, are more trustworthy. They don't want to ruin the almost ideal reputation of the theater by firing actors, that gained love from the people, so they want to make life here so bad, that everyone will leave willingly.

-And that might be true.

-What? Al, did you catch a fever of some sort? Really? This? Real? Come on, if you believe this, then could definitely assure you that the person standing behind a of this is the opera demon himself. Cause, in this case, why not?

-Why not, Charlie, why not? This is the thing you should ask? Yes, this sounds nonrealistic, but can you give me, at the very least, some proof, that all of this is a lie? Technically, something like this can be possible, and right now, at this moment, all of this can be already starting, all of this can be slowly brought to reality!

-Al, you sometimes tend to scare me, and I'm not joking. You sound so excited, telling me a theory, based on a rumor, it makes me feel like you have either something to do with this, or you have finally gone insane because of your so called boredom. But, who am I to argue with you?

Charlie took a deep breath, spreading fingers through her blond and fluffy hair.

-Can we change the topic for now? I have a few other things that I've been meaning to ask you. Recently, a lot of people have talked about the phantom demon, the spirit of the opera, call him whatever you prefer. I have no idea, why these old rumors started to be so sensational, all of a sudden, but I don't have a good feeling about where this could lead. You still remember, what happened six years ago, right?

-Yes, indeed, I remember. That isn't something, that is easily forgotten. All the news were trying to explain those murders, but the killer left with no trace. All that was fond was a note, saying that the opera, from now on, is roamed by a phantom. The same note said what this phantom is asking for, and if his will would be complete, his would prevent a few future deaths.

Alastor was looking sad, and maybe worried, but Charlie didn't notice this one face expression, that he showed just for a second.