Before the premiere

The opera house on the night of the premiere of 'Don Juan Triumphant'

The orchestra is tuning. A whistle sounds - the chief fire officer is reviewing two fire marshals in tin helmets. A worklight on a stand illuminates them. Also present are Raoul, André and Firmin, supervising the proceedings, and a marksman, at present hidden in the pit.

They are setting the trap for The Phantom.

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. Firmen 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 time 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!

* Next Scene *