One of Those Days|(Christine/open) INACTIVE

[hamlet]

"Coffee," Harry said, putting a hand--slightly authoritatively--on the counter. "Grande. Cream. Sugar."

Once he made sure the cashier understood, he reached for his wallet, glancing around the Starbucks cafe. It wasn't very crowded this time around, though there was a fair amount of people there. The not-so-busy atmosphere made the place seem chill and relaxing, a few people were sitting at the small tables reading newspapers or on laptops. It was late morning and essentially, it was the calm before the storm, right before lunch hour.

"Rough day at the office, Mr. Chandler?" the blonde cashier asked, her back turned as she fixed his order. The girl didn't know him, but he came here somewhat frequently. She had seen him enough times to initiate small talk.

Chandler shook his head and adjusted his tie. "When is it not?"

While receiving payment for the steaming caffeinated drink she said, "Oh well, hopefully that coffee and a break will do you some good."

Chandler took the coffee and smiled cordially. "Hopefully. Thanks." He took a seat by the window and watched the streets outside, his thoughts continuously spiraling, always going back to the dream of his father he had. He just couldn't get it out of his mind. It was as if the dream itself was haunting him.

He looked down at the coffee in his hands, the cardboard ring around the cup protecting his skin from the heat. When he looked up, he noticed a woman sitting, facing him. She looked preoccupied with something. He accidentally made eye contact with her when his light tented eyes wandered into a short day dream.

He smiled at her apologetically for staring and glanced back out the window.

[christine]

After waking up at the sound of morning traffic, Christine grabbed her laptop, and stuffed it in her case. Holding the laptop, she brought her purse, in case she decided to go and get something to eat. Christine walked down the steps from her apartment, and called a cab to take her somewhere. After telling the driver directions on where to go Christine looked out the window as he began.

"Thank You" she said to the driver, paying him about ten dollars. After he left, Christine, walked into a coffee shop, and sat down at an empty table. Christine looked about her surroundings. She took off her black coat, and leaned back in the chair. Turning on her laptop, she pulled out her wallet and stood in line. "Good Morning Miss, what can i get you?" the cashier asked. Looking up at the menu, Christine said "Just a large Ice Coffee please?" she asked in her kind voice. Once she got her drink she said "Thank you" and payed her the money she owed. Christine then walked back over to her seat and started to go through some research.

As she sat down, Christine took a sip of her iced coffee, and began researching. Christine didn't know there was anyone in front of her. Typing like mad, Christine leaned back holding her necklace that Raoul had given her the other day.Then she continued working again on some researching for any colleges that dealt with Theatre or dancing. But then her computer froze. "No! Why did it do this to me!" she said trying everything she could to get it back up and running again.

[hamlet]

Harry settled into his mind again as he gazed absentmindedly out the window, taking a few sips of the warm coffee, enjoying it as it went down his throat. His brow locked in a bemused expression, he began to forget about his surroundings while in his dark daydreams. Suddenly, he was startled out of his thoughts when the woman in front of him started yelling. He glanced around,secretly hoping someone else came to her aid...or even cared that she was distressed. He sighed quietly to himself, feeling grudgingly obligated to at least see what was wrong, since he could work his way around computers. It would be the 'noble' thing to do, right? Of course.

Though his uncle sometimes made him wonder if chivalry was dead. No, he confirmed that it was, in fact, dead. Dead as his brother's grave.

But Harry stood anyway, leaving his coffee. Walking over to her, and looking over at her screen he said, "I hate when that happens. I think I can fix it. Do you mind?"

[christine]

Christine let out a soft growl of frustration at her computer. A few people had stared at her who were next to her. Looking at them, she gave a soft laugh and said "Sorry, My computer froze, and I don't know how to unfreeze it" she explained. Christine looked around and continued to figure out how in the world, she make it unfreeze. Placing two hands upon her head, she brushed passed a few curls in her hair and sighed.

Suddenly, after a few minutes of Silence, Christine looked up and said nothing for a moment. "Oh, erm, alright" she said a moment later. Facing her laptop, towards the young man. Christine didn't know what else to say at that point. All she did was hope that he could fix her computer. "Im, not sure how that happened." she said staring at her screen blankly, then back up at the young man who came to help her

[hamlet]

Once he got the slightest hint of an 'ok' to his question, Harry hastily grabbed a chair from a near by table and pulled it up. His steps and urgency really didn't help to hide the fact that he wished someone else was doing this. Any other time he would be glad to help, but his current mental state rendered him reluctant. So why was he helping her? He could have easily sat back and let her struggle with the computer and not move a muscle.

But his father wouldn't have done that.

He really didn't listen to whatever else this woman had to say, his reluctance preventing him from caring much. Instead, he sat in the chair he pulled up and moved the laptop towards him. Examining the situation, it seemed as if the Windows system was unresponsive. This stuff happened to him a numerous times and usually there was a way around it.

"Usually there's a way around this..." He spoke his thoughts aloud, testing the curser. "Hopefully you don't have some kind virus. What were you doing before this happened?" Perhaps having a virus would exempt him from actually putting effort in trying to fix it.

[christine]

Once the young man had come to her aide. Christine, picked up her drink for a moment to take a sip. Then placed it down upon the table she was at. Slowly taking off her black coat, Christine gave a soft sigh, as he tried to work on her computer. Even though, she was still learning how to use the laptop, Christine didn't know what else to do. For now she just kept silent as he worked on it.

Then the young man had asked her a question. Trying to think of an answer she stammered a little bit and said "I...I was looking up things for college. My husband, wants me to get some education here somewhere in New York." she said to him looking at the young man. Christine watched him with wide eyes for a moment. Christine then gave out a little laugh and said "I never knew there were so many college here in this large city, for theatre and dance!" she said leaning back for a moment. Then she looked at her wedding ring on her finger then back at him.

[hamlet]

The computer still wasn't responding. It wasn't even Harry's computer and he still was getting slightly annoyed, but the annoyance was coming from another source. He listened to the woman's answer. The part of him that wasn't annoyed and moody commended her. At least her computer crashed for a good cause. He heard her talk about theater and dance. It was almost funny, as some higher power up there had set up this meeting for Harry...telling him to get out of the depths of his own thoughts and try to help someone out.

He paused, sighed heavily and sat back in his chair, annoyed that his efforts for the computer weren't working. He looked at the girl, she seemed as if she would be a good performer but she also seemed very reserved...not the trait of someone who loves the stage normally. Harry was interested, though, in new talents. The arts were a powerful force, the arts could reveal truth. Maybe this chance meeting wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Theater? What kind of theater and dance are you interested in exactly?" He gave a hint of a smile. "Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Harry Chandler. I didn't catch your name, what was it?" He then looked back at the computer and decided to keep working at it, slowly sitting up again and focusing his gaze on the screen.

[christine]

Christine watched the man try to fix her laptop. Her eyes were soft and narrowed like and she said "Im sorry for taking up your time sir. Im still not good with thing, I only know how to search for stuff, and things like that. But never been able to fix things" she explained a moment later looking up at him and leaning her back upon the chair. Placing her two hands upon her head sighing softly. Soft eyes stared up at the man who tried to fix her computer.

Her hopes were set on something upon dance. Considering, Christine had danced in the Opera all her life back in Paris. Grabbing her cup lightly she took another sip and looked around. Some people were coming in now, in large groups, and some in school groups. Waving lightly to some who waved to her, she turned her attention back to the man.

Then she perked her head up once more, as the man asked her some questions. "Well, Im not sure really. Probably something in Musical theatre. If that doesn't go well, then perhaps Ballet of some sort" she said to him. "Harry" she said a moment later. "That's a nice name." she said to him. Christine then studied him for a moment. He did look like a Harry and such. Then she said her name when he asked for it. "My name is Christine. Christine Daae-de- Chagny" she said a moment later. "But you can just call me Christine." she said softly looking at him. With a soft smile upon her face.

[hamlet]

Harry nodded. "Nice," He said to her, pretending that his mood was improving just as if he pretended to be out of his mind at home. "I might be able to help you out with that. I help finance a lot of the theater production companies in the city. Under Hamlet Enterprises if you've ever heard of it." He almost hoped that she didn't.

He sighed again, having no luck with the computer still. "So you have a lot of experience then?" He asked her. He just couldn't imagine this shy girl on a stage with any sized audience. He was nearly in disbelief. "Do you both dance and sing?" He asked as an after thought.

Harry sized her up and came to the conclusion that she could probably never express any emotion on a stage except bashfulness. Good theater was supposed to move an audience member. Christina couldn't move a fly probably. Harry wonder if it was really worth getting her hopes up.

"Here's your computer back," he imagined saying. "It's frozen for good. Its probably for the best."

He did not say any of that. Instead he continued working on it and listened for her answer.

[christine]

Christine listened to what he had to say "Really? Thank you very much. " she said in her soft voice and said while tilting her head to one side and placing a hand to her head and said "No i don't believe I've heard of your company sir. Sorry" she said in a gentle tone. A light sigh escaped from her and she hoped that he would be able to fix her laptop.

After a while, she cleared her throat and said "Yes, I have a lot of experience. I was brought to the Paris Opera house, when i was just seven years of age after my father passed on. From then on, I learned how to do ballet, and I was also coached secretly." she said to him. "So, to answer your question, if I have experience, yes i do. I have plenty of it". Christine didn't want to tell the young man that she was taught secretly in her dressing room, nor did she want to tell him that it was the Angel of Music, her father sent her from heaven to teach her how to sing.

Hoping to get a job somewhere in the city, would make her husband happy. Christine looked around then back at him. Drinking more of her ice coffee she had. It was almost empty, but she didn't mind it. Christine looked back at him and didn't know what else to say after her little tale.
A light sigh escaped from her again and she didn't say much after that.

[hamlet]

Good. She haven't heard of how his uncle attacked other companies relentlessly without shame or remorse, for his own profit and completely against the wishes of Harry's senior. It was a good thing, because then should wouldn't assume that stuff ran in the family. Then Christine started talking about "experience" and Harry stopped working on the computer, just to look at her as she talked. He tried not to let the incredulous look on his face show but he feared it did anyway.

This woman...this shy reserved woman...could move a crowd of people with her voice and her movements? Unlikely. No, no, no...good performers are bold and can capture the essence of a piece. And the more Harry looked at Christine, the more he couldn't believe that she could carry on such a task. Yes, she was coached secretly, but who's to say that helped her? In fact, that weakened her case considerably.

"I see." He said, pressing his lips together and leaning back against his chair, completely unimpressed. He sighed and shook his head, not hiding his disappointment. After a moment's pause, he nodded to the computer. "I can't get it to work. Sorry for wasting your time." He looked at her and then, knowing that her dreams might be crushed with his next words, his expression softened empathetically. But he had to say what he had to say.

"Look, I'm sorry. But...I don't think this business is right for you."

[christine]

Christine looked into her cup for a moment. Realizing its all of her ice coffee was gone. "Excuse me" she said softly after she explained her experience. Then she went over and threw her cup away into the trash. Coming back to her seat, she sat down on her chair once more. Looking at Harry, she somewhat frowned softly. Unsure of what to say next.

"Oh, you didn't waste my time. Its quiet alright Monsieur Chandler" she said softly. Christine looked back at him as she took the computer back from him and tried turning it off again. But then she realized she could just put the laptop lid down and closed it for the night. Sitting back she looked up at him. Listening to what he had to say.

Looking up at him, as he spoke to her. Raising an eyebrow, softly she said "What do you mean it wouldn't be right for me?" Having been in the Opera all her life, Christine knew it would possibly be good for her. Then she said nothing for a while. Folding her arms, lightly across her chest, Christine looked up at him. Hoping not to get into a fight with Mr Chandler, she said nothing for a while. Just waiting for his answer. Christine didn't want make a huge scene. She placed her computer back into her handbag and looked back up at him. Somewhat frustrated at what he had said.

[erin]

(sorry I am so late!!)

Ophelia had been bored out of her mind today. College was just becoming so bothersome at the moment. Not to mention she had a huge exam tomorrow. Ophelia groaned as she got into her car and started off away from the huge campus and into the town. She felt her stomach grumble at the next stop light and figured it would be best to stop and get a bite to eat. In a city like New York, there had to be at least one decent place with decent food and a decent pricing. She turned down the road and noticed the small Starbucks set apart from the rest.

Caffeine for energy and maybe a nice pastry. The thought of it made Ophelia's mouth water as she tried to find a spot to park in nearby. The only place that was open and close enough to the Starbucks was the parking garage around the corner. Curse New York and its perfect way of attracting tourists and then making them pay a fortune on parking alone. Even when you lived there!

She paid her way in and then grumbled to herself as she locked her car door. "Only gonna be parked there for half an hour at most..." She then looked both ways before crossing the corner and then speed walking into the sweet smelling cafe. Ophelia walked to the counter and smiled at the cashier. "Can I have a light mocha frappuccino? Tall?" She asked in her usual small voice. The cashier nodded before going to prepare the drink. Ophelia's eyes drifted towards the assortment of baked goods.

Curse me for having a sweet tooth... She thought as the cashier came back. "Can I also have a chocolate croissant?" The cashier nodded and placed it in a small bag before totaling it up. Ophelia handed over the money and told her to keep the change before going to look for a seat. As her eyes wandered, she found Harry Chandler in the mix. Her eyes went wide as she now wondered what she was supposed to do. Should she go and talk to him casually? Should she leave and possibly leave him a cute message on his phone like 'hey I saw you today'? Then she noticed he was with someone.

Now going near him seemed like a major improbability. She turned back around and thanked the cashier before grabbing her beverage and snack and then going to find an open seat, and walking until she passed his table.

[hamlet]

Harry prepared to get up and leave as Christine closed her computer but something caught his eye. A news paper was left on the table they were sitting. Glaring right at him was his name in an article. He stared at it, trying to read it, inconspicuously. Then, he realized it was about his fit at the museum, when he met Irene. Well, at least he could say that the press catching on would convince his uncle of his "madness." Thankfully, now it just seemed to read as frivolous rumors.

Christine demanded an answer to his statement and Harry looked at her, sighing heavily. "Look, it's nothing personal. I'm just tired of seeing people get up on stage and preform, when a ton of money is invested so that they are able to put on a performance, just to see it go down the drain. The performance arts' business is cut throat. You have to have the heart and the passion for it otherwise you'll fall through the cracks." He sighed as he looked at Christine. "I'm sorry. I really didn't mean...anything by that. It's just..."

Once he let all of that pent up frustration out he sat back in his chair. He heard a voice near by that could only be one person, and once again he was alert. Ophelia?

Instinctively he reached over for the newspaper and folded it, concealing the article. It was a senseless move because Ophelia would read it eventually. Harry just preferred that when the time comes, he wouldn't around to see her reaction. Ophelia passed the table and Harry called to her, a little stung that she walked passed. She must have seen him, right?

"Ophelia, hey," Harry called. "I know there are plenty of empty seats to choose from....but sitting at this table is highly recommended," he joked with a smirk. He looked at Christine, a bit apologetically, knowing that he unnecessarily unleashed his world of cares on to her. "Do you mind?" he asked gently.

[christine]

Christine watched him close her computer. Apparently it was useless for him to fix it. She sighed softly and then placed in her computer bag. Looking up at him she noticed he was looking at the paper that was on the stand not to far away from them. Throwing her iced coffee away she came back and sat down again folding her arms lightly across her chest.

Narrowing her eyes softly she said "Its alright really. I'll just go find somewhere or someone who could fix it. It doesn't matter really..." she said relaxing her face. Christine then looked around and then looked at the girl who was ordering a drink. Fixing a curl out of her face she watched Harry for a second.

"You know this girl?" she asked suddenly after Harry had called out to her. Then she laughed lightly and and then cleared her throat and said "No I don't mind at all" she said smiling at him a moment later. Christine knew the sarcasticness in his voice. Christine looked around then back at him.