Scene 3

The Managers' Office

The Phantom's score lies open on the desk. Andre is impatiently flicking through it           They are interrupted by the arrival of CARLOTTA and  PIANGI both furiously brandishing similar notes             Raoul and Christine enter: Carlotta bristles           unable to contain herself any longer,  points accusingly     who has been silent till now, incensed at this                                                 Meg and Giry arrive, the latter bearing another note from the Phantom  Reading it out.                 The Phantom's voice gradually takes over  from her

Firmin    Andre  Firmin  Andre    Carlotta  Firmin  Carlotta    Piangi  Firmin    Andre  (to Christine)  Carlotta      Christine      Carlotta  Christine      Firmin  Andre  Christine    Raoul          Giry                    Phantom's  voice                                                Giry

This is lunacy!  Well, you know my views . . .  Utter lunacy!  But we daren't refuse . . .  Not another  chandelier . . .  Outrage!  What is it now?  Have you seen  the size of my part?  It's an insult    Please, understand . . .    You have  secured the largest role  in this "Don Juan".  She's the one  behind this!  Christine Daae!  How dare you!  You evil woman!  How dare you!  You think I'm blind?  This isn't my fault!  I don't want any  part in this plot!  Miss Daae, surely . . .  You have a duty!  I cannot sing it,  duty or not!  Christine . . .  Christine . . .  You don't have to . . .  they can't make you . . .    Please, monsieur:  another note:  "Fondest greetings  to you all !  A few instructions  just before  rehearsal starts:  Carlotta must be  taught to act . . . ,"  . . . not her normal trick  of strutting round the stage.  Our Don Juan must  lose some weight -  it's not healthy in  a man of Piangi's age.  And my managers  must learn  that their place is in  an office, not the arts.  As for Miss Christine Daae . . .  No doubt she'll  do her best - it's  true her voice is  good. She knows, though,  should she wish to excel  she has much still  to learn, if pride will  let her  return to me, her  teacher,  her teacher . . .  Your obedient friend . . .  ". . . and Angel . . ."

 

Attention now focuses on Raoul whose eyes are  suddenly bright with a new thought                                    carried along by the idea                   Savouring their victory    To Raoul          vainly pleading amidst the tumult             Bursting through the hubbub with a  great cry  To Raoul, pleading                                  To Christine, very tenderly. Christine, overcome by her conflicting emotions turns away and hurries out. Raoul strides forward and  addresses an imaginary Phantom

Raoul              Andre  Raoul              Andre    Firmin    Raoul    Raoul/  Andre/  Firmin  Raoul      Giry    Raoul    Christine  Giry    Andre/  Firmin  Christine                                            Raoul

We have all been  blind - and yet the  answer is staring us  in the face . . .  This could be the  chance to ensnare our  clever friend . . .  We're listening . . .  We shall play his  game - perform his  work - but remember we  hold the ace . . .  For, if Miss Daae  sings, he is certain  to attend . . .  We make certain  the doors are barred . . .  We make certain  our men are there . . .  We make certain  they're armed . . .  The curtain falls -  his reign will end!    Angel of music,  fear my fury -  Here is where you fall!  Hear my warning!  Fear his fury!  Say your prayers,  black angel of death!  Please don't . . .  Monsieur, I beg you,  do not do this . . .  This will seal his fate!    If you don't stop,  I'll go mad! ! !  Raoul, I'm frightened -  don't make me do this . . .  Twisted every way,  what answer can I give?  Am I to risk my life,  to win the chance to live?  Can I betray the man  who once inspired my voice?  Do I become his prey?  Do I have any choice?  He kills without a thought,  he murders all that's good . . .  I know I can't refuse  and yet, I wish I could . . .  Oh God - if I agree,  what horrors wait for me  in this, the Phantom's opera . . .?  Christine, Christine,  don't think that I don't care -  but every hope  and every prayer  rests on you now . . .    So, it is to be war between us! But this time, clever  friend, the disaster will be yours!

 

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