But I don't think he uses it for... that.

The only reason it was even suggested is that there's a rumour that he totally does in LND. Makes me kinda sick just thinking about it....

I don't doubt that.

Seriously, though: I don't even consider that phantom. It's more like 'The Phantom of the Opera: On Crack Edition'.

Still, it's happening, so as long as I cannot stop it I will use it to spark conversation and critical thinking on subjects, as well as try to stay ahead of the curve by trying to keep this spot enlightened on the history of the setting in terms of both the time and place. Maybe if I'm very lucky I can inform before hardcore apathy and ignorance sets in. *clings happily to her delusions for as long as she can, knowing full well that the week after the damned thing opens complete disregard of the time period and cultural setting will run rampant through the fandom and she will be left, huddled on the floor with a ragged copy of Leroux, a monkey music box, and her own disillusions and shattered aspirations.*

"The only reason it was even suggested is that there's a rumour that he totally does in LND."

I've been wondering... Where and how did this rumor start?

May I say.... Early 19th century people, they didn't have mannequin/doll things for.... that.

Yeah, well...apparently Lord Froggy thinks they did. How I pray that is just an unfounded rumour. I honestly don't remember where I heard it from. Probably one of the boards or something...

I don't care if he actually does or not, MY phantom doesn't, and he doesn't in the book, and those are the ones that count in my world. And its a pretty sick rumour, bet it was thought up by perveted and obsessed phans or people who don't like it and are tryin to freak us true phans out so we don't like it no more. Well its gonna take a lot more than that. A HELLUA lot more. (Lovingly strokes cover of POTO book, in dark room covered in POTO posters, dressed as Christine, with wild flyaway hair that hasn't been brushed for weeks) Nothing could make me stop loving you, Erik....

When LND opens, I will be praying extrmely hard thst it flops.

Here's where I heard it from (the sex bot "rumor"):

link

Hard pick because I do think that Erik spoke to it and such, but he got it more out of obsession than companionship in my opinion.

My thought is, maybe having a mannequin there in a wedding dress made the whole concept of them being together more concrete. He could visualize her walking down the aisle.

I think it could say multiple things. It shows he is totally obsessed with her, but also it's very possible he believes that's the only Christine that will ever accept him and he needs company. Also it's a way of having her always with him and it probably helped him perfect the dress, wanting it to be the best it could be for Christine. On the thoughts of... censored dolls, whether such things existed at the time doesn't really matter IMO. I think him having 'relations' with the doll is ridiculous, for someone who no one touches and is taught they are disgusting and shameful it would be very difficult to touch an idol (basically) of the woman you revere. It would probably make him feel dirty and nervous. Like he was taking advantage of her. That's just what I think.