(Attention now focuses on RAOUL whose eyes are
suddenly bright with a new thought)
 
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 . . .
 
ANDRE
We're listening . . .
 
FIRMIN
Go on.
 
RAOUL
We shall play his
game - perform his
work - but remember we
hold the ace . . .
For, if Miss Daae
sings, he is certain
to attend . . .
 
ANDRE (carried along by the idea)
We make certain
the doors are barred . . .
 
FIRMIN (likewise)
We make certain
our men are there . . .
 
RAOUL
We make certain
they're armed . . .
 
RAOUL/ANDRE/FIRMIN (savouring their victory)
The curtain falls -
his reign will end!
 
(ALL have been listening intently. GIRY is the first to 
express a reaction. CHRISTINE remains silent and 
withdrawn)
 
GIRY
Madness!
 
ANDRE
I'm not so sure . . .
 
FIRMIN
Not if it works . . .
 
GIRY
This is madness!
 
ANDRE
The tide will turn!
 
GIRY
Monsieur, believe me -
there is no way of
turning the tide!
 
FIRMIN (to GIRY)
You stick to ballet!
 
RAOUL (rounding on GIRY)
Then help us!
 
GIRY
Monsieur, I can't . . .
 
RAOUL
Instead of warning us . . .
 
RAOUL/ANDRE/FIRMIN
Help us!
 
GIRY
I wish I could . . .
 
RAOUL/ANDRE/FIRMIN
Don't make excuses!
 
RAOUL
Or could it be that
you're on his side?
 
GIRY (to RAOUL)
Monsieur, believe me,
I intend no ill . . .
 
(to ANDRE and FIRMIN)
 
But messieurs, be careful -
we have seen him kill . . .
 
ANDRE/FIRMIN (to GIRY)
We say he'll fall
and fall he will!
 
CARLOTTA
She's the one behind this!
Christine!
This is all her doing!
 
PIANGI
This is the truth!
Christine Daae!
 
RAOUL
This is his undoing!
 
ANDRE/FIRMIN (to RAOUL)
If you succeed
you free us all -
this so called "angel"
has to fall!
 
 RAOUL
Angel of music,
fear my fury -
Here is where you fall!
 
 GIRY (to RAOUL)
Hear my warning!
Fear his fury!
 
 CARLOTTA
What glory can
she hope to gain?
It's clear to all
the girl's insane!
 
.ANDRE (to FIRMIN)
 Christine sings
We'll get our man . . .
 
PIANGI
She is crazy!
She is raving!
 
FIRMIN (to ANDRE)
If Christine helps
us in this plan . . .
 
RAOUL
Say your prayers,
black angel of death!
 
CHRISTINE (vainly pleading amidst the tumult)
Please don't . . .
 
ANDRE (to FIRMIN)
If Christine won't,
then no-one can . . .
 
GIRY (to RAOUL)
Monsieur, I beg you,
do not do this . . .
 
PIANGI/CARLOTTA
Gran Dio!
Che imbroglio!
 
ANDRE/FIRMIN
This will seal his fate!
 
CHRISTINE (bursting through the hubbub with a
great cry)
If you don't stop,
I'll go mad! ! !
 
(to RAOUL, pleading)
 
Raoul, I'm frightened -
don't make me do this . . .
Raoul, it scares me -
don't put me through this
ordeal by fire . . .
he'll take me, I know . . .
we'll be parted for ever . . .
he won't let me go . . .
 
What I once used to dream
I now dread . . .
if he finds me, it won't
ever end . . .
and he'll always be there,
singing songs in my head . . .
he'll always be there,
singing songs in my head . . .
 
(ALL stare at her)
 
CARLOTTA
She's mad . . .
 
RAOUL (to CHRISTINE)
You said yourself
he was nothing
but a man . . .
 
Yet while he lives,
he will haunt us
till we're dead . . .
 
(CHRISTINE turns away unhappily)
 
CHRISTINE
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 . . .?
 
RAOUL (to CHRISTINE, very tenderly)
Christine, Christine,
don't think that I don't care -
but every hope
and every prayer
rests on you now . . .
 
(CHRISTINE, overcome by her conflicting emotions 
turns away and hurries out. RAOUL strides forward and 
addresses an imaginary PHANTOM)
 
RAOUL
So, it is to be war between us!  But this time, clever
friend, the disaster will be yours!
 
(As lights fade, ATTENDANTS stretch a red, velvet rope 
across the downstage area. OTHERS bring on gilt chairs. 
CARLOTTA PIANGI and GIRY move downstage to take 
their places for the next scene)