Phantom: (furiously
propelling the boat)Down once more to the dungeon of my black despair!
Down we plunge to the prison of my mind!
Down that path into darkness deep as hell!
Meanwhile, down below, we see the Phantom and Christine in the boat, crossing the underground lake.
Phantom: (furiously
propelling the boat)
Down once more to the
dungeon of my black despair!
Down we plunge to the prison of my mind!
Down that path into darkness deep as hell!
He stops the boat and rounds on her, bitterly.
Why,
you ask, was I bound and chained
to this cold and dismal place?
Not for any mortal sin
but the wickedness of my abhorrent face!
He hears the offstage voices of the pursuing mob.
Mob:
(offstage)
Track down this murderer! He must be found!
Phantom:
(moving off again)
Hounded out by everyone!
Met with hatred everywhere!
No kind word from anyone!
No compassion anywhere!
Christine, Christine… Why, why…?
The boat disappear as Raoul and Giry appear above. They make their way down, meeting a pack of rats. Giry screams and lowers her guard. The rats and the ratcatcher pass them. Giry raises her hand again.
Giry:
Your hand at the level of your eyes!
Raoul:
…at the level of your eyes…
Mob:
(offstage)
Your hand at the level of your eyes!
Giry:
He lives across the lake, monsieur. This is as far as I dare go.
Raoul:
Madame Giry, thank you.
She turns to go back up the slope. Raoul looks at the water. He removes his coat and plunges in. The mob appears at the top of the slope. They come down to the lake edge, their torches flickering.
Mob:
Track down this murderer—he must be found!
Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground!
Too long he’s preyed on us—but now we know:
the Phantom of the Opera is there, deep down below…
He’s here: the Phantom of the Opera…
They turn back up the slope. Perhaps there is another way in. The gate to the lair descends, as the rest of the lair appears...
* Onto Next Scene *