She turns lo RAOUL who embraces her protectively.

The PHANTOM freezes for a moment and then suddenly

seizes a pike upon which is impaled a skull. At a

movement from him a flash of fire streaks from the

gaping mouth of the skull and lands at RAOUL's feet)

PHANTOM

Bravo, monsieur!

Such spirited words!

(Another fireball)

RAOUL

More tricks, monsieur?

PHANTOM

Let's see, monsieur

how far you dare go!

(Another fireball)

RAOUL

More deception? More violence?

CHRISTINE (to RAOUL)

Raoul, no . . .

(RAOUL has begun to walk slowly and resolutely

towards the PHANTOM the fireballs always landing

just ahead of him)

PHANTOM

That's right, that's right,

monsieur

keep walking this way!

(Two more fireballs)

RAOUL

You can't win her love by making her your prisoner.

CHRISTINE

Raoul, don't . . .

RAOUL (to CHRISTINE)

Stay back!

PHANTOM

I'm here, I'm here,

monsieur:

the angel of death!

Come on, come on,

monsieur

Don't stop, don't stop!

(Three more fireballs.

RAOUL. is almost at the PHANTOM's feet. A

confrontation is imminent when CHRISTINE

suddenly rushes across to RAOUL)

CHRISTINE

Raoul! Come back . . .

(She pulls him away)

PHANTOM

Don't go!

(As they are exiting, the PHANTOM declaims

in fury):

So be it! Now let it be war upon you both!

(At a gesture from the PHANTOM, there is a flash of

lighting and the stage erupts into flame)

BEFORE THE PREMIERE

THE OPERA HOUSE ON THE NIGHT OF THE

PREMIERE OF "DON JUAN TRIUMPHANT''

(The orchestra is tuning. A whistle soundsQthe

CHIEF FIRE OFFICER is reviewing two FIRE

MARSHALLS in tin helmets. A worklight on a

stand illuminates them. Also present are RAOUL,

ANDRE and FIRMIN, supervising the proceedings, and a

MARKSMAN, at present hidden in the pit)

CHIEF

You understand your instructions?

FIREMEN (severally)

Sir!

CHIEF

When you hear the whistle, take up your positions.

I shall then instruct you to secure the doors. It is

essential that all doors are properly secured.

FIRMIN'

Are we doing the right thing, Andre?

ANDRE

Have you got a better idea?

CHIEF

Monsieur le Vicomte, am I to give the order?

RAOUL

Give the order.

(The CHIEF blows his whistle. The FIREMEN fan

out, leaving RAOUL, the CHIEF and the

MANAGERS on stage)

RAOUL (to the MARKSMAN)

You in the pit - do you have a clear view of this

box?

MARKSMAN (appearing from the pit)

Yes, sir.

RAOUL

Remember, when the time comes, shoot. Only if

you have to - but shoot. To kill.

MARKSMAN

How will I know, sir?

RAOUL

You'll know.

FIRMIN

Monsieur le Vicomte, are you confident that this

will work? Will Miss Daae sing?

RAOUL

Don't worry, Firmin. Andre?

ANDRE

We're in your hands, sir.

CHIEF

My men are now in position, sir.

RAOUL

Go ahead, then.

(Sounding his whistle again, the CHIEF shouts

into the auditorium):

CHIEF

Are the doors secure?

(Exit doors are slammed all over the building, The

FIREMEN answering one by one: "Secure."'

The orchestra falls silent. Very quietly from

nowhere, we hear the VOICE of the PHANTOM)

PHANTOM'S VOICE

I'm here: The Phantom of the Opera . . .

(ALL look around apprehensively. FIREMEN start to run

in the direction of the VOICE)

PHANTOM'S VOICE (from somewhere else)

I'm here: The Phantom of the Opera . . .

(Again, they follow the VOICE. This happens several

times, the PHANTOM'S VOICE darting more and more

bewilderingly from place to place. Finally it is heard

from Box Five, and in the confusion the

MARKSMAN fires a shot. RAOUL rounds on the

MARKSMAN furiously)

RAOUL

Idiot! You'll kill someone. I said: only when the

times comes!

MARKSMAN

But, Monsieur le Vicomte . . .

(The PHANTOM'S VOICE cuts in, filling the

building. All look up)

PHANTOM'S VOICE

No "buts"! For once, Monsieur le Vicomte is

right . . .

Seal my

fate tonight - I

hate to have to

cut the fun short

but the joke's

wearing thin . . .

Let the audience in . . .

Let my opera begin!

"DON JUAN TRIUMPHANT"

(The set of the final scene of "Don Juan

TRIUMPHANT" A huge hall with an arch. Behind the

arch, which has curtains, is a bed. A fine table, laid for

two. PASSARINO, DON JUAN'S servant, is

directing the STAFF as they make the room ready.

They are a crowd of sixteenth century ruffians and

hoydens, proud of their master's reputation as a

libertine)

CHORUS

Here the sire may serve the dam,

here the master takes his meat!

Here the sacrificial lamb

utters one despairing bleat!

CARLOTTA AND CHORUS

Poor young maiden! For the thrill

on your tongue of stolen sweets

you will have to pay the bill -

tangled in the winding sheets!

Serve the meal and serve the maid!

Serve the master so that, when

tables, plans and maids are laid,

Don Juan triumphs once again!

(SIGNOR PIANGI, as Don Juan, emerges from behind the

arch. MEG, a gypsy dancer pirouettes coquettishly for

him.He throws her a purse. She catches it and leaves)

DON JUAN

Passarino, faithful friend,

once again recite the plan.

PASSARINO

Your young guest believes I'm you -

I, the master, you, the man.

DON JUAN

When you met you wore my cloak,

with my scarf you hid your face.

She believes she dines with me,

in her master's borrowed place!

Furtively, we'll scoff and quaff,

stealing what, in truth, is mine.

When it's late and modesty

starts to mellow, with the wine . . .

PASSARINO

You come home! I use your voice -

slam the door like crack of doom!

DON JUAN

I shall say: "come - hide with me!

Where, oh, where? Of course - my room!"

PASSARINO

Poor thing hasn't got a chance!

DON JUAN

Here's my hat, my cloak and sword.

Conquest is assured,

if I do not forget myself and laugh . . .

(DON JUAN puts on PASSARINO's cloak and goes into

the curtained alcove where the bed awaits.

Although we do not yet know it, the Punjab Lasso has

done its work, and SIGNOR PIANGI is no more. When





next we see DON JUAN, it will be the PHANTOM.

Meanwhile, we hear AMINTA (CHRISTINE) singing

happily in the distance)

AMINTA (CHRISTINE - offstage, entering)

". . . no thoughts

within her head,

but thoughts of joy!

No dreams

within her heart

but dreams of love!"

PASSARINO (onstage)

Master