The Phantom of the Opera

Taxi!

I need to get to the Bennet Music Library, at 65th and 3rd.

Meg?

- Meg? - Over here!

Thank God.

This had better be good.

- It's good. - Come on, Meg.

What did you find? I wanna know.

Christine, remember when you said that you wished

we had something really unusual for the addition?

- Something really fresh? - Yeah.

This is very fresh, Meg.

Christine, please. Trust me, this is a major find.

Don Juan Triumphant.

By... Erik... Destler.

- Right. - Why does that name sound familiar?

I don't know. It shouldn't.

I had to go through a dozen books before I could find a footnote.

It's really weird. I know I've heard his name before.

It must be another guy.

Here. Look

Right there.

"Destler, Erik."

"Known primarily for his unfinished Opera

"Don Juan Triumphant.

Destler's musical reputation is overshadowed by his infamy."

Keep on reading.

"He was said to be obsessed with a young Opera singer...

... who disappeared without a trace the night of Destler's death.

"Authorities believe, though were never able to prove

"that the composer was a psychopathic killer

"responsible for the brutal murders

of at least a dozen London residents."

Isn't that weird?

I mean, composer by day, serial killer by night.

But it's so gentle. It's like a lullaby.

I told you. Christine, we'll blow them away with this.

We can have it done by tomorrow.

I wanna hear more.

That's it. That's all I could find. It was squished between two books.

- Where? - Over there.

We gotta get out of here. It's almost midnight.

Well, go grab your things and I'll be right behind you.

Ok.

Don Juan Triumphant. By Erik Destler.

Yes

Ready to go?

Are you ok?

What is it?

It's nothing.

Thank you. Next.

Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Christine Day.

I'm second year at Juilliard,

and I've done a couple of things mostly classical.

- I studied with-- - That's fine.

What are you gonna sing for us today?

I'm gonna do a piece from Don Juan Triumphant.

By Erik Destler.

Hold the noise, please!

Christine...

Christine. Come back to me

Come back.

What happened?

Christine! Christine, wake up.

Wake up.

Wake up.

Did you see what happened?

Thank God.

Meg?

Of course. It's me.

Don't speak. Let's take you to your room.

Sorry Miss. Don't know what happened. It just fell.

I'm sorry.

Come, come, what has happened to discipline in this company?

Can we get on with it, please?

Positions, everyone! Let's start again, without Cybil!

Act 3, scene 1-- Marguerite in the garden.

I don't know what happened but I feel fine.

You better try to get some rest.

I can't sleep I'm not tired...

You had a scare.

So strange... but I feel exhilarated

I'm on fire.

No bloody wonder.

An American singing with the London Opera,

understudy to the Diva

The way Carlotta's screaming her head off out there

she might lose her voice by tonight.

You may have to do her part.

- Small chance of that. - Well, we can dream, can't we?

Sleep-- for me.

- All right? - All right.

Christine.

I tell ya, there's an evil here.

That was no accident of mine.

Ghosts again.

Laugh while you can. I've seen him... moving on the catwalk.

He's got eyes like fire.

A death mask for a face.

Oh, come on.

Want to know what I think?

I think you were getting an eyeful of Christine.

You had your hand down your trousers when you should've been minding the ropes.

Go to hell.

Come on. There's work to do.

Leave him alone. We're better off without him.

Joseph.

Joseph.

Yes... let's have that drink.

So...

Your bumbling was the work of a ghost.

Nah, Nah. It was... it was an accident.

But you blamed me.

It won't happen again.

No... it won't.

You're suspended.

You were in fine voice today, Christine.

It's you, isn't it?

Who else, Christine, but your teacher,

your angel.

There was an accident.

Something happened.

It's of no importance.

What matters is the music.

Finish the song for me.

But you never show yourself to me.

I will... soon. Now sing!

No. the lead. Carlotta's part.

That's the role you want, isn't it?

You're the only one who can sing Marguerite

as it was meant to be sung.

Sing.

No!

With passion, desire.

Your voice and your heart must be one.

Now sing... like an angel.

You are ready, Christine.

Tonight, the world will hear you sing.

Tonight?

Tonight, the world will love you.

Do you mind?

Excuse me, sir.

Oh, Mr. Barton. Miss Carlotta's expecting you.

Thank you.

Carlotta?

Mr. Barton. Please come in.

I don't usually see anyone before a performance.

I'm flattered.

Esther.

Perhaps they'll brighten up this rat's nest you call a dressing room.

- This is the best room in the house. - Then the house is lacking... my back.

I have your contract... I think you'll find everything to your satisfaction.

A larger room would be better. I barely have enough room for my things.

Yes, well, we can discuss the finer points later in good faith.

That is for the good and faithful.

That young lady, Christine --

I want her back in the chorus.

She was lucky enough to play Cybil to you, she's just an understudy.

I want her out!

Don't test me, Carlotta. I could drown you too easily.

Better submerged in bathwater than mediocrity,

don't you agree?

All you have to do is sign!

I'll sing.

You think about what I said.

You bitch.

Tell wardrobe to take this in. It's tailored for a sow.

And hurry. I need it for the third act.

Yes, ma'am.

Help me!

I find it little wonder that the opera was in the red when we purchased it.

How's that?

For a start, there's a monthly debit of 300. No receipt, no invoice, nothing.

That's a stipend to the opera ghost -- the phantom.

The what?

Phantom's theater tradition, old boy. Box five's held for him every night

It's silly, but you know how these artistic people are.

I know how bankers are. Richard, box five is on the grand tier -- four seats.

Who actually sits there?

No one. It's the phantom's box.

I'm told it wards off the evil eye or some such thing.

For 300 a month and a private box, I'll risk a gypsy curse.

On opening night.

No.

No!

- Good evening, Mr. Harrison. - Good evening.

Your reviews today were a revelation.

- As always. - Madam, you're too kind.

It's a fine crowd, my dear. This will be a night to remember.

Richard, the curtain's about to go up.

I'm afraid there's been an accident.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I regret to tell you that due to a sudden illness,

our Diva, La Carlotta, will not be appearing this evening.

In her absence, the part of Marguerite will be played by Miss Christine Day.

Thank you.

Come on, dear.

My god. This is going to close us faster than a house fire.

Have you heard Christine sing?