When Mrs. Longmont finally left Kathy and Julie alone in the guest bedroom, Julie immediately showered Kathy with questions. Kathy sat on the bed, still trying to understand what exactly had happened to her, and barely heard Julie’s babbling. Finally, however she focused on her friend’s puzzled face, and decided to tell her everything.
As Julie sat and listened, she noticed how Kathy’s voice began to change and that she did look quite like her self as she spoke. It was the oddest thing Julie had ever seen. It was almost as if someone else were speaking to her.
When Kathy finished her story, she asked Julie what she thought. “Well, it certainly is strange. Hmmm…you said that your counselor suggested hypnosis?”
“Yes,” Kathy looked down at her hands in her lap. She felt very sorry now, for being so rude to Todd. But he didn't understand. No one did. How could she explain how all of this made her feel? Suddenly, Kathy felt incredibly lost and alone.
“Well, maybe you should try it. Dr. Reynald is not only an excellent physician but he is also a well know and skilled hypnotist. We should ask him this evening if perhaps this might be of some use.”
“Yes,” Kathy smiled. “Yes! That is brilliant Julie! There must be something deep in my subconscious that is causing all this!” Kathy lay down on the bed and thought how close she might be to discovering the truth. She hardly noticed Julie leaving to go ask her mother to call Dr. Reynald.
Dr. Reynald was a man of middle class back round. His parents had also both been doctors and had insisted that at least one of their children should follow their example. Dr. Reynald’s older brother had always been fascinated with the history of France and had earned a degree in history in college. He now worked in the Paris archives, and this is where Dr. Reynald went, after receiving the call from Mrs. Longmont, asking if he would be obliged to perform hypnosis on Kathy. He had been all too willing as he had always been fascinated by the subconscious mind. He always jumped at the chance to delve more into the human psyche. Mrs. Longmont had also mentioned Kathy’s obsession with the infamous “Phantom of the Opera”, thus is the reason for his visit to his brother, who had access to documents that were not ordinarily available to the general public. He only had a few hours, but Dr. Reynald had to know as much as possible about the true events that had inspired Gaston Leroux to write his novel.
Everyone gathered in the living room as Dr. Reynald came into the house and sat in a chair situated next to a day bed that was kept in a small alcove. He sat there looking at Kathy as she told him about her dreams, though this time she did not disclose quite as many details as when she had spoken with Julie earlier that day.
“Well, I must say that I am intrigued, and am more than willing to assist you to get to the bottom of this. Now, lie down, and relax. Close your eyes and take a deep breathe. That’s right. Now exhale. Good. Now another deep breathe, exhale. Now. Kathy? Are you comfortable?”
“Yes”, breathed Kathy. She was completely limp and relaxed. The rhythm of her breathing was the only sound in the room.
“I want you to go back in time, far back to the year 1880. Take your time…and let me know what day it is.” Several moments passed, before Kathy responded.
“It is June 16th.” The Longmont’s looked up at Dr. Reynald with questioning looks on their faces. He looked back at them, and then they all looked at Kathy. Her voice was not her own, it was, somehow, lighter, more musical and her face. She even looked different: young, innocent, and naïve. Dr. Reynald looked down at her and asked her, “What is your name?
“Why monsieur, it is Mademoiselle Daae. Christine Daae.”
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