AFTER THE GALA

(The curtain closes upstage. BALLET GIRLS, from the

wings gush around CHRISTINE who hands each a flower

from her bouquet. REYER stiffly gives his approval)

GIRY (to CHRISTINE)

Yes, you did well. He will be pleased.

(to the DANCERS)

And you! You were a disgrace tonight! Such ronds de

jambe! Such temps de cuisse!

Here we rehearse. Now!

(She emphasizes this with her cane.

The BALLET GIRLS settle into rehearsal upstage, GlRY

keeping time with her stick. Variations on this continue

throughout the scene)

(CHRISTINE moves slowly, downstage, away from the

DANCERS as her dressing room becomes visible.

Unseen by her, MEG also moves away and follows her.

As CHRISTINE is about to open the dressing room door,

she hears the PHANTOM's voice out of nowhere)

PHANTOM'S VOICE

Bravi, bravi, bravissimi . . .

(CHRISTINE is bewildered by the voice. MEG,

following, has not heard it. CHRISTINE turns in

surprise, and is relieved to see her)

MEG

Where in the world

have you been hiding?

Really, you were

perfect!

I only wish

I knew your secret!

Who is this new

tutor?

CHRISTINE (abstracted, entering the dressing room)

Father once spoke

of an angel . . .

I used to dream he'd

appear . . .

Now as I sing,

I can sense him . . .

And I know

he's here . . .

(trance-like)

Here in this room

he calls me softly . . .

somewhere inside . . .

hiding . . .

Somehow I know

he's always with me . . .

he - the unseen

genius . . .

MEG (uneasily)

Christine, you must have

been dreaming . . .

stories like this can't

come true . . .

Christine, you're talking

in riddles . . .

and it's not

like you . . .

CHRISTINE (not hearing her, ecstatic)

Angel of Music!

Guide

and guardian!

Grant to me your

glory!

MEG (to herself)

Who is this angel?

This . . .

BOTH

Angel of Music!

Hide no longer!

Secret and strange

angel . . .

CHRISTINE (darkly)

He's with me, even now . . .

MEG (bewildered)

Your hands are cold . . .

CHRISTINE;

All around me . . .

MEG

Your face, Christine,

it's white . . .

CHRISTINE

It frightens me . . .

MEG

Don't be frightened . . .

(THEY look at each other The moment is broken

by the arrival of GIRY)

GIRY

Meg Giry. Are you a dancer? Then come and

practice.

(MEG leaves and joins the DANCERS)

My dear, I was asked to give you this.

(She hands CHRlSTlNE a note, and exits.

CHRISTINE opens it and reads)

CHRISTINE

A red scarf . . . the attic . . . Little Lotte .