The final threshold...
Well, here we are, the final confrontation. Thanks to everyone who's kept reading--your support and comments were much appreciated. Look for the second half of scenes to be collected in the memories section and final notes in the near future...
INT-HARBOR-NIGHT
Unlike before, the harbor is mostly unlit, creating an unwelcoming, foreboding scene. The Phantom furiously propels the gondola to the dock. Christine is huddled in the prow, numb with shock and grief.
PHANTOM
Down once more
To the dungeon of my black despair,
Down we plunge
To the prison of my mind…
He docks the boat and pulls Christine roughly out towards the front gate.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Down that path
Into darkness deep as hell!
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-HALL-CONTINUOUS
The Phantom drags Christine through the hall towards her room.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Why, you ask,
Was I bound and chained
In this cold and dismal place?
Not for any mortal sin,
But the wickedness of my abhorrent face!
He pushes Christine through the door of her room-
CHRISTINE’S ROOM
Christine gasps. Laid out on the bed is the wedding dress from the mirror, ready for her to wear. She turns to the Phantom, but he silences her with a warning glare before slamming the door shut. Christine runs to the door, only to hear it locked against her.
HALL
The Phantom withdraws the key from the lock, panting heavily as he leans against the door. Now alone, he fights to keep from falling apart as he staggers to the throne. Beside the throne, the music box now sits on a small table.
PHANTOM
Hounded out by everyone,
Met with hatred everywhere,
No kind word from anyone,
No compassion anywhere…
(sinking onto the throne)
Christine, Christine…
Why?…Why?…
He slumps in the throne, burying his face in his hands.
INT-CELLARS-NIGHT
A glow emerges from the darkness-it is a lantern, held aloft by Mme. Giry as she makes her way through the cellars. Behind her is Raoul, his gun drawn. A noise makes them start-but the lantern reveals only a horde of rats, skittering away as the light shines on them. Mme. Giry sighs with relief.
RAOUL
How much farther?
MME. GIRY
Not much…be silent!
WALKWAY
Mme. Giry and Raoul step out onto a wide bridge crossing the lake. Mme. Giry pauses.
MME. GIRY
(pointing)
He lives across the lake, monsieur. This is as far as I dare go-follow this path, but be careful; it is well guarded.
She begins to retrace their path, but Raoul stops her.
RAOUL
Mme. Giry…thank you.
Mme. Giry gives him an enigmatic glance before vanishing back up the path. His gun held at eye level, Raoul crosses the bridge quickly and takes a few steps into the corridor beyond-
Suddenly, the floor gives way beneath Raoul’s feet. He manages to catch himself on the edge of the pit, but loses his grip on his weapon, which tumbles down into the darkness beneath him.
Dismayed, Raoul hauls himself to safety, then retreats carefully to the walkway. He pauses for a moment, taking stock of his situation. A glance down at the water beneath him gives him an idea. If the path is guarded…
Quickly, he removes his coat, vest, and collar, and climbs around the walkway railing. A brief moment as he summons his courage…then Raoul lets go, plunging into the dark water of the lake.
INT-AUDITORIUM-NIGHT
Everything is in shambles here: doors forced from their hinges, scenery torn, furniture smashed. The audience and Opera company have joined together in one huge, violent mob preparing to lay siege to the Phantom’s hideaway. Several members brandish firearms taken from the police, others create makeshift weapons from the broken scenery, still others hand out lanterns and torches.
MOB
Track down this murderer,
He must be found!
Hunt out this animal,
Who runs to ground-
Meg, disguised in boy's clothes, tucks her hair under a cap. She emerges from her dressing room and joins the growing mob, a man thrusting a lantern into her hands.
MOB (Con’t)
Too long he’s preyed on us,
But now we know
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Deep down below…
The mob makes its way towards the cellars.
MOB (Con’t)
He’s here: The Phantom of the Opera…
He’s here: The Phantom of the Opera…
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CHRISTINE’S ROOM-NIGHT
Christine stands before the mirror, wearing the wedding dress, the veil clutched in her hands. She looks exquisite, but for the immense torment in her face.
The Phantom enters. The cold, cruel set in his eyes and jaw almost hide his unfathomable agony. Almost. Christine doesn’t turn, but addresses him coldly.
CHRISTINE
Have you gorged yourself at last
In your lust for blood?
(an uncomfortable glance at the bed)
Am I now to be prey
To your lust for flesh?
PHANTOM
(angry and hurt)
That fate which condemns me
To wallow in blood
Has also denied me
The joys of the flesh:
This face, the infection
Which poisons our love…
(crossing to Christine)
This face, which earned
A mother’s fear and loathing…
A mask, my first
Unfeeling scrap of clothing…
Christine stifles a sob-despite her predicament, she can’t help but feel for him. But the Phantom refuses to be pitied. Roughly, he takes the veil from Christine’s hands and places it on her head.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Pity comes to late;
Turn around and face your fate:
(forcing her to look at him)
An eternity of this
Before your eyes…
CHRISTINE
(shakes her head sadly, touching his ruined cheek)
This haunted face
Holds no horror for me now…
(bitter)
It’s in your soul
That the true distortion lies…
The Phantom looks away from her, trying to conceal his disappointment. A noise is heard in the hall outside-the Phantom glances through the door, his eyes glittering shrewdly.
PHANTOM
Wait-I think, my dear,
We have a guest!
He pulls Christine to the doorway-she looks through and screams:
CHRISTINE
Raoul!
HALL
Raoul it is indeed, soaked to the bone, leaning against the portcullis in exhaustion. Christine runs to him and embraces him through the bars, as the Phantom addresses him scornfully.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Sir, this is indeed
An unparalleled delight!
I had rather hoped
That you would come…
And now, my wish comes true,
You have truly made my night!
He pulls Christine from Raoul. Raoul clutches at the portcullis frantically.
RAOUL
Free her!
Do what you like,
Only free her!
Have you no pity?
PHANTOM
(to Christine, sarcastic)
Your lover makes a passionate plea!
CHRISTINE
Please, Raoul,
(glowering at the Phantom)
It’s useless!
RAOUL
I love her!
The Phantom sneers at this protestation.
RAOUL (Con’t)
Does that mean nothing?
I love her!
Show some compassion…
PHANTOM
(ferociously)
The world showed no compassion to me!
RAOUL
(trying to soothe Christine’s sobs)
Christine, Christine…
(to the Phantom, insistent)
Let me see her!
PHANTOM
(abruptly, contemptuous)
Be my guest, sir…
He pulls a lever by the organ; the portcullis ascends to admit Raoul. Christine tries to run to him, but the Phantom restrains her. Raoul hesitates, suspecting something. The Phantom stands across the room-one hand resting on the console, the other holding Christine-silently daring him to come closer. Slowly, Raoul begins to cross to them.
PHANTOM
Monsieur, I bid you welcome-
Did you think that I would harm her?
He is carefully watching Raoul’s progress across the room, as Raoul draws closer to an ornamented section of the floor, about two to three feet in diameter.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Why should I make her pay
For the sins which are yours?
As soon as Raoul steps on the ornamented section, the Phantom slams down a lever-a narrow iron cage springs up, trapping Raoul. Spikes protrude into the cage like the inside of an iron maiden; Raoul has barely enough room to stand. Christine screams in dismay.
PHANTOM
(cruelly mocking)
Order your fine horses now!
He casts Christine aside and lunges at Raoul, reaching through the cage to seize his rival by the throat. Raoul freezes, a heartbeat away from being impaled or throttled.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Seal the gates and bar the doors!
Nothing can save you now-
Just when it seems like the Phantom will strangle Raoul, Christine intersperses herself between the two men. The Phantom turns his gaze to her, a mad gleam in his eye.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Except perhaps Christine…
(grabbing Christine’s arm, pulling her from Raoul)
Start a new life with me-
Buy his freedom with your love!
(forcing her to look at Raoul)
Refuse me, and you send
Your lover to his death!
He releases Christine, who is nearly doubled over with weeping.
PHANTOM
This is the choice-
This is the point of no return!
CHRISTINE
(quietly, through tears, then growing stronger)
The tears I might have shed
For your dark fate
Grow cold, and turn
To tears of hate!
She rips the veil from her head and flings it at the Phantom’s feet. The Phantom tries to hide the sting her words cause, as he tries to hide his discomfort as Christine approaches him, wounded misery in her face.
RAOUL
(hopeless)
Christine, forgive me,
Please forgive me…
I did it all for you,
And all for nothing!
CHRISTINE
(to the Phantom, sorrowful)
Farewell, my fallen idol
And false friend!
She reaches out to touch the Phantom, but he turns from her, burying his pain in anger and hate.
CHRISTINE (Con’t)
One by one
I’ve watched illusions shattered…
PHANTOM
(half to Christine, half to himself)
Too late for turning back,
Too late for prayers and useless pity…
The Phantom crosses towards Raoul, but Christine again blocks him. Raoul can only watch helplessly as she tries to defend him.
RAOUL
Say you love him,
And my life is over…
PHANTOM
Past all hope of cries for help,
No point in fighting…
Christine places her hand on the Phantom’s arm, but he pulls away roughly, as if her touch is painful.
RAOUL
Either way you choose,
He has to win…
PHANTOM
For either way you choose,
You cannot win…
(crosses to throne and sits, a veritable King of Hell)
So do you end your days with me,
Or do you send him to his grave?
RAOUL
(with contempt)
Why make her lie to you,
To save me?
The camera circles each character, dissolving through so that we see first Christine, then Raoul, then the Phantom.
CHRISTINE
Angel of Music,
Why this torment?
When will you see reason?
RAOUL
For pity’s sake, Christine, say no-
Don’t throw your life away for my sake!
I fought so hard to free you…
PHANTOM
Past the point of no return,
The final threshold…
His life is now the prize
Which you must earn…
Christine crosses to the Phantom, kneeling down so that he’s forced to look at her.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
You’ve past the point of no return…
CHRISTINE
(bitter and betrayed)
Angel of Music-
You deceived me!
I gave my mind blindly…
The Phantom rises abruptly, as if to attack her. Christine recoils, bracing for the blow.
It doesn’t come. The Phantom stops, looking at his upraised arm in disbelief-for a moment, he appears truly horrified by the depths he has sunk to. He lowers his arm slowly, straining to keep his body under control, as he speaks to Christine coldly and quietly:
PHANTOM
You try my patience…make your choice!
He turns his back on Christine. A tense silence reigns while Christine looks between her two suitors. Raoul shakes his head at her, a silent plea; the Phantom simply stands with his arms clutched about himself as if he would hold himself together, jaw clenched against anguished sobs. Christine closes her eyes-a moment of revelation, then of resolution. She stands and crosses to the Phantom.
CHRISTINE
Pitiful creature of darkness,
What kind of life have you known?
The Phantom turns around carefully, not daring to believe her empathetic words.
CHRISTINE
God give me courage to show you
You are not alone!
Tender but firm, she takes the Phantom’s ravaged face in her hands and pulls his lips to hers. The kiss is gentle, almost innocent, but the Phantom reacts as if he’s been hit by an electrical current. They pull apart and look at each other for a beat, tears streaming down their faces, mutually stunned.
And they kiss again-deeper and longer this time; the Phantom finally reaching around with shaking arms to embrace Christine. Raoul hangs his head, unable to watch.
The kiss ends. The Phantom touches his lips in wonder, then Christine’s. Her eyes, though still filled with tears, are warm and steady as she gazes at him. The Phantom tries to speak, but cannot.
Suddenly the Phantom tenses, straining to hear something. Christine and Raoul listen too, and they hear…
INT-CELLARS-CONTINUOUS
The mob is approaching the shore of the underground lake. The noise they make is still formless; a wordless, violent cacophony.
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CONTINUOUS
The Phantom steps away from Christine, a sad resolution coming into his expression. He knows what he has to do. Purposefully, he crosses to the console.
CHRISITNE
No…
The Phantom glances at her reproachfully; Christine pauses, slightly ashamed, then steps back. She trusts him.
Raoul doesn’t. He steels himself, preparing for death. The Phantom grasps the lever operating the cage…and pulls it up.
The cage falls open and Raoul stumbles out, shaken and relieved. Christine rushes to his side, helping him to his feet, genuinely concerned but refraining from embracing him. The sound of the mob is closer now, their words distinguishable:
MOB (O.S.)
Track down this murderer,
He must be found!
PHANTOM
(to Raoul, quickly)
Take her, forget me-forget all of this…
MOB (O.S.)
Who is this monster,
This murdering beast?
Hound out this animal,
Who runs to ground!
PHANTOM
Leave me alone; forget all you’ve seen…
Christine and Raoul can’t believe what they’re hearing. Christine crosses to the Phantom, but before she can say anything he takes her hand, his manner urgent.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Go now-don’t let them find you!
MOB (O.S.)
Revenge for Piangi!
Revenge for Buquet!
PHANTOM
(leading Christine back to Raoul)
Take the boat, leave me here…go now, don’t wait!
MOB (O.S.)
Too long he’s preyed on us,
But now we know-
This creature must never run free!
PHANTOM
(this is the hardest thing he’s ever had to do)
Just take her and go, before it’s too late…Go!
Raoul is ready to comply, but Christine hangs back, still not quite understanding…
INT-UNDERGROUND LAKE-CONTINUOUS
The mob has reached the shore of the lake, and is skirting the edge. The sound from them has grown to a terrible roar.
MOB
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Deep down below!
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CONTINUOUS
Christine approaches the Phantom, but he practically chases her away from him.
PHANTOM
(a hopeless, despairing wail)
Go now-go now and leave me!
Christine, frightened, runs back to Raoul, who drags her out the entryway. Ultimately alone, the Phantom collapses onto the throne, weeping, shattered. Beside him, the music box begins to play. He watches it, wistful.
PHANTOM
Masquerade,
Paper faces on parade,
Masquerade…
Hide your face,
So the world will never find you…
A hand is laid on his. Startled, the Phantom looks up-Christine is standing there. For a moment all they can do is look at each other, the might-have-beens and never-meant-to-bes heavy in the air between them. Then, Christine removes the Phantom’s ring from her hand, placing it in his own. She begins to go, but takes her hand, stopping her.
PHANTOM
Christine, I love you…
Christine doesn’t reply, but she doesn’t have to-everything she needs to say is there in her eyes. The Phantom releases her hand, and she leaves. The Phantom watches her go, bittersweet tears in his eyes.
PHANTOM
I love you…
The words are a revelation, a release, a prayer. He staggers to Christine’s discarded wedding veil and clutches it in his hands, caressing the fabric against his cheek.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
I love you, Christine…I love you…
DISSOLVE TO:
INT-UNDERGROUND LAKE-CONTINUOUS
Raoul poles the boat through the water steadily. Christine looks down at the water, thoughtful. When she sings, perhaps it is to Raoul…but perhaps not.
CHRISTINE
Say you’ll share with me
One love, one lifetime…
Say the word, and
I will follow you…
Raoul pauses, bending down beside Christine.
RAOUL
Share each day with me…
Christine looks at him, and smiles-the smile of a woman sadder, older, and wiser, but a smile for all that.
CHRISTINE
Each night…
CHRISTINE/RAOUL
(embracing)
Each morning…
DISSOLVE TO:
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CONTINUOUS
The Phantom makes his way to the organ, summoning up the remains of his dignity, his power, his mystery.
PHANTOM
You alone
Can make my song take flight…
It’s over now,
The music of the night!
He throws himself on the keyboard and begins to play, the music sad, glorious, heartrending, and triumphant. A swan song.
INT-HARBOR-NIGHT
The mob has reached the harbor, pushing the statues and candelabra aside, forcing the portcullis open. Meg is among the first to enter.
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CONTINUOUS
Meg and several men enter, looking about themselves with astonishment. Meg sees the wedding veil and touches it, but something else soon catches her eye-a cloaked figure at the organ. The shape does not move as she and the men approach it, weapons upraised. Meg touches the figure, which falls back-
The Phantom falls to the ground, his cloak spread about him like the wings of an angel, his face peaceful but lifeless. He is dead. The mob gathers around, regarding the remains of the Opera Ghost with revulsion.
Except Meg. Her face fills with sympathy; she seems to understand. She takes something from her coat-the Phantom’s mask. Kneeling down, she places it on his face gently, almost ceremoniously. And on this Pieta-like image, we
FADE OUT
INT-HARBOR-NIGHT
Unlike before, the harbor is mostly unlit, creating an unwelcoming, foreboding scene. The Phantom furiously propels the gondola to the dock. Christine is huddled in the prow, numb with shock and grief.
PHANTOM
Down once more
To the dungeon of my black despair,
Down we plunge
To the prison of my mind…
He docks the boat and pulls Christine roughly out towards the front gate.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Down that path
Into darkness deep as hell!
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-HALL-CONTINUOUS
The Phantom drags Christine through the hall towards her room.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Why, you ask,
Was I bound and chained
In this cold and dismal place?
Not for any mortal sin,
But the wickedness of my abhorrent face!
He pushes Christine through the door of her room-
CHRISTINE’S ROOM
Christine gasps. Laid out on the bed is the wedding dress from the mirror, ready for her to wear. She turns to the Phantom, but he silences her with a warning glare before slamming the door shut. Christine runs to the door, only to hear it locked against her.
HALL
The Phantom withdraws the key from the lock, panting heavily as he leans against the door. Now alone, he fights to keep from falling apart as he staggers to the throne. Beside the throne, the music box now sits on a small table.
PHANTOM
Hounded out by everyone,
Met with hatred everywhere,
No kind word from anyone,
No compassion anywhere…
(sinking onto the throne)
Christine, Christine…
Why?…Why?…
He slumps in the throne, burying his face in his hands.
INT-CELLARS-NIGHT
A glow emerges from the darkness-it is a lantern, held aloft by Mme. Giry as she makes her way through the cellars. Behind her is Raoul, his gun drawn. A noise makes them start-but the lantern reveals only a horde of rats, skittering away as the light shines on them. Mme. Giry sighs with relief.
RAOUL
How much farther?
MME. GIRY
Not much…be silent!
WALKWAY
Mme. Giry and Raoul step out onto a wide bridge crossing the lake. Mme. Giry pauses.
MME. GIRY
(pointing)
He lives across the lake, monsieur. This is as far as I dare go-follow this path, but be careful; it is well guarded.
She begins to retrace their path, but Raoul stops her.
RAOUL
Mme. Giry…thank you.
Mme. Giry gives him an enigmatic glance before vanishing back up the path. His gun held at eye level, Raoul crosses the bridge quickly and takes a few steps into the corridor beyond-
Suddenly, the floor gives way beneath Raoul’s feet. He manages to catch himself on the edge of the pit, but loses his grip on his weapon, which tumbles down into the darkness beneath him.
Dismayed, Raoul hauls himself to safety, then retreats carefully to the walkway. He pauses for a moment, taking stock of his situation. A glance down at the water beneath him gives him an idea. If the path is guarded…
Quickly, he removes his coat, vest, and collar, and climbs around the walkway railing. A brief moment as he summons his courage…then Raoul lets go, plunging into the dark water of the lake.
INT-AUDITORIUM-NIGHT
Everything is in shambles here: doors forced from their hinges, scenery torn, furniture smashed. The audience and Opera company have joined together in one huge, violent mob preparing to lay siege to the Phantom’s hideaway. Several members brandish firearms taken from the police, others create makeshift weapons from the broken scenery, still others hand out lanterns and torches.
MOB
Track down this murderer,
He must be found!
Hunt out this animal,
Who runs to ground-
Meg, disguised in boy's clothes, tucks her hair under a cap. She emerges from her dressing room and joins the growing mob, a man thrusting a lantern into her hands.
MOB (Con’t)
Too long he’s preyed on us,
But now we know
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Deep down below…
The mob makes its way towards the cellars.
MOB (Con’t)
He’s here: The Phantom of the Opera…
He’s here: The Phantom of the Opera…
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CHRISTINE’S ROOM-NIGHT
Christine stands before the mirror, wearing the wedding dress, the veil clutched in her hands. She looks exquisite, but for the immense torment in her face.
The Phantom enters. The cold, cruel set in his eyes and jaw almost hide his unfathomable agony. Almost. Christine doesn’t turn, but addresses him coldly.
CHRISTINE
Have you gorged yourself at last
In your lust for blood?
(an uncomfortable glance at the bed)
Am I now to be prey
To your lust for flesh?
PHANTOM
(angry and hurt)
That fate which condemns me
To wallow in blood
Has also denied me
The joys of the flesh:
This face, the infection
Which poisons our love…
(crossing to Christine)
This face, which earned
A mother’s fear and loathing…
A mask, my first
Unfeeling scrap of clothing…
Christine stifles a sob-despite her predicament, she can’t help but feel for him. But the Phantom refuses to be pitied. Roughly, he takes the veil from Christine’s hands and places it on her head.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Pity comes to late;
Turn around and face your fate:
(forcing her to look at him)
An eternity of this
Before your eyes…
CHRISTINE
(shakes her head sadly, touching his ruined cheek)
This haunted face
Holds no horror for me now…
(bitter)
It’s in your soul
That the true distortion lies…
The Phantom looks away from her, trying to conceal his disappointment. A noise is heard in the hall outside-the Phantom glances through the door, his eyes glittering shrewdly.
PHANTOM
Wait-I think, my dear,
We have a guest!
He pulls Christine to the doorway-she looks through and screams:
CHRISTINE
Raoul!
HALL
Raoul it is indeed, soaked to the bone, leaning against the portcullis in exhaustion. Christine runs to him and embraces him through the bars, as the Phantom addresses him scornfully.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Sir, this is indeed
An unparalleled delight!
I had rather hoped
That you would come…
And now, my wish comes true,
You have truly made my night!
He pulls Christine from Raoul. Raoul clutches at the portcullis frantically.
RAOUL
Free her!
Do what you like,
Only free her!
Have you no pity?
PHANTOM
(to Christine, sarcastic)
Your lover makes a passionate plea!
CHRISTINE
Please, Raoul,
(glowering at the Phantom)
It’s useless!
RAOUL
I love her!
The Phantom sneers at this protestation.
RAOUL (Con’t)
Does that mean nothing?
I love her!
Show some compassion…
PHANTOM
(ferociously)
The world showed no compassion to me!
RAOUL
(trying to soothe Christine’s sobs)
Christine, Christine…
(to the Phantom, insistent)
Let me see her!
PHANTOM
(abruptly, contemptuous)
Be my guest, sir…
He pulls a lever by the organ; the portcullis ascends to admit Raoul. Christine tries to run to him, but the Phantom restrains her. Raoul hesitates, suspecting something. The Phantom stands across the room-one hand resting on the console, the other holding Christine-silently daring him to come closer. Slowly, Raoul begins to cross to them.
PHANTOM
Monsieur, I bid you welcome-
Did you think that I would harm her?
He is carefully watching Raoul’s progress across the room, as Raoul draws closer to an ornamented section of the floor, about two to three feet in diameter.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Why should I make her pay
For the sins which are yours?
As soon as Raoul steps on the ornamented section, the Phantom slams down a lever-a narrow iron cage springs up, trapping Raoul. Spikes protrude into the cage like the inside of an iron maiden; Raoul has barely enough room to stand. Christine screams in dismay.
PHANTOM
(cruelly mocking)
Order your fine horses now!
He casts Christine aside and lunges at Raoul, reaching through the cage to seize his rival by the throat. Raoul freezes, a heartbeat away from being impaled or throttled.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Seal the gates and bar the doors!
Nothing can save you now-
Just when it seems like the Phantom will strangle Raoul, Christine intersperses herself between the two men. The Phantom turns his gaze to her, a mad gleam in his eye.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Except perhaps Christine…
(grabbing Christine’s arm, pulling her from Raoul)
Start a new life with me-
Buy his freedom with your love!
(forcing her to look at Raoul)
Refuse me, and you send
Your lover to his death!
He releases Christine, who is nearly doubled over with weeping.
PHANTOM
This is the choice-
This is the point of no return!
CHRISTINE
(quietly, through tears, then growing stronger)
The tears I might have shed
For your dark fate
Grow cold, and turn
To tears of hate!
She rips the veil from her head and flings it at the Phantom’s feet. The Phantom tries to hide the sting her words cause, as he tries to hide his discomfort as Christine approaches him, wounded misery in her face.
RAOUL
(hopeless)
Christine, forgive me,
Please forgive me…
I did it all for you,
And all for nothing!
CHRISTINE
(to the Phantom, sorrowful)
Farewell, my fallen idol
And false friend!
She reaches out to touch the Phantom, but he turns from her, burying his pain in anger and hate.
CHRISTINE (Con’t)
One by one
I’ve watched illusions shattered…
PHANTOM
(half to Christine, half to himself)
Too late for turning back,
Too late for prayers and useless pity…
The Phantom crosses towards Raoul, but Christine again blocks him. Raoul can only watch helplessly as she tries to defend him.
RAOUL
Say you love him,
And my life is over…
PHANTOM
Past all hope of cries for help,
No point in fighting…
Christine places her hand on the Phantom’s arm, but he pulls away roughly, as if her touch is painful.
RAOUL
Either way you choose,
He has to win…
PHANTOM
For either way you choose,
You cannot win…
(crosses to throne and sits, a veritable King of Hell)
So do you end your days with me,
Or do you send him to his grave?
RAOUL
(with contempt)
Why make her lie to you,
To save me?
The camera circles each character, dissolving through so that we see first Christine, then Raoul, then the Phantom.
CHRISTINE
Angel of Music,
Why this torment?
When will you see reason?
RAOUL
For pity’s sake, Christine, say no-
Don’t throw your life away for my sake!
I fought so hard to free you…
PHANTOM
Past the point of no return,
The final threshold…
His life is now the prize
Which you must earn…
Christine crosses to the Phantom, kneeling down so that he’s forced to look at her.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
You’ve past the point of no return…
CHRISTINE
(bitter and betrayed)
Angel of Music-
You deceived me!
I gave my mind blindly…
The Phantom rises abruptly, as if to attack her. Christine recoils, bracing for the blow.
It doesn’t come. The Phantom stops, looking at his upraised arm in disbelief-for a moment, he appears truly horrified by the depths he has sunk to. He lowers his arm slowly, straining to keep his body under control, as he speaks to Christine coldly and quietly:
PHANTOM
You try my patience…make your choice!
He turns his back on Christine. A tense silence reigns while Christine looks between her two suitors. Raoul shakes his head at her, a silent plea; the Phantom simply stands with his arms clutched about himself as if he would hold himself together, jaw clenched against anguished sobs. Christine closes her eyes-a moment of revelation, then of resolution. She stands and crosses to the Phantom.
CHRISTINE
Pitiful creature of darkness,
What kind of life have you known?
The Phantom turns around carefully, not daring to believe her empathetic words.
CHRISTINE
God give me courage to show you
You are not alone!
Tender but firm, she takes the Phantom’s ravaged face in her hands and pulls his lips to hers. The kiss is gentle, almost innocent, but the Phantom reacts as if he’s been hit by an electrical current. They pull apart and look at each other for a beat, tears streaming down their faces, mutually stunned.
And they kiss again-deeper and longer this time; the Phantom finally reaching around with shaking arms to embrace Christine. Raoul hangs his head, unable to watch.
The kiss ends. The Phantom touches his lips in wonder, then Christine’s. Her eyes, though still filled with tears, are warm and steady as she gazes at him. The Phantom tries to speak, but cannot.
Suddenly the Phantom tenses, straining to hear something. Christine and Raoul listen too, and they hear…
INT-CELLARS-CONTINUOUS
The mob is approaching the shore of the underground lake. The noise they make is still formless; a wordless, violent cacophony.
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CONTINUOUS
The Phantom steps away from Christine, a sad resolution coming into his expression. He knows what he has to do. Purposefully, he crosses to the console.
CHRISITNE
No…
The Phantom glances at her reproachfully; Christine pauses, slightly ashamed, then steps back. She trusts him.
Raoul doesn’t. He steels himself, preparing for death. The Phantom grasps the lever operating the cage…and pulls it up.
The cage falls open and Raoul stumbles out, shaken and relieved. Christine rushes to his side, helping him to his feet, genuinely concerned but refraining from embracing him. The sound of the mob is closer now, their words distinguishable:
MOB (O.S.)
Track down this murderer,
He must be found!
PHANTOM
(to Raoul, quickly)
Take her, forget me-forget all of this…
MOB (O.S.)
Who is this monster,
This murdering beast?
Hound out this animal,
Who runs to ground!
PHANTOM
Leave me alone; forget all you’ve seen…
Christine and Raoul can’t believe what they’re hearing. Christine crosses to the Phantom, but before she can say anything he takes her hand, his manner urgent.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
Go now-don’t let them find you!
MOB (O.S.)
Revenge for Piangi!
Revenge for Buquet!
PHANTOM
(leading Christine back to Raoul)
Take the boat, leave me here…go now, don’t wait!
MOB (O.S.)
Too long he’s preyed on us,
But now we know-
This creature must never run free!
PHANTOM
(this is the hardest thing he’s ever had to do)
Just take her and go, before it’s too late…Go!
Raoul is ready to comply, but Christine hangs back, still not quite understanding…
INT-UNDERGROUND LAKE-CONTINUOUS
The mob has reached the shore of the lake, and is skirting the edge. The sound from them has grown to a terrible roar.
MOB
The Phantom of the Opera is there,
Deep down below!
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CONTINUOUS
Christine approaches the Phantom, but he practically chases her away from him.
PHANTOM
(a hopeless, despairing wail)
Go now-go now and leave me!
Christine, frightened, runs back to Raoul, who drags her out the entryway. Ultimately alone, the Phantom collapses onto the throne, weeping, shattered. Beside him, the music box begins to play. He watches it, wistful.
PHANTOM
Masquerade,
Paper faces on parade,
Masquerade…
Hide your face,
So the world will never find you…
A hand is laid on his. Startled, the Phantom looks up-Christine is standing there. For a moment all they can do is look at each other, the might-have-beens and never-meant-to-bes heavy in the air between them. Then, Christine removes the Phantom’s ring from her hand, placing it in his own. She begins to go, but takes her hand, stopping her.
PHANTOM
Christine, I love you…
Christine doesn’t reply, but she doesn’t have to-everything she needs to say is there in her eyes. The Phantom releases her hand, and she leaves. The Phantom watches her go, bittersweet tears in his eyes.
PHANTOM
I love you…
The words are a revelation, a release, a prayer. He staggers to Christine’s discarded wedding veil and clutches it in his hands, caressing the fabric against his cheek.
PHANTOM (Con’t)
I love you, Christine…I love you…
DISSOLVE TO:
INT-UNDERGROUND LAKE-CONTINUOUS
Raoul poles the boat through the water steadily. Christine looks down at the water, thoughtful. When she sings, perhaps it is to Raoul…but perhaps not.
CHRISTINE
Say you’ll share with me
One love, one lifetime…
Say the word, and
I will follow you…
Raoul pauses, bending down beside Christine.
RAOUL
Share each day with me…
Christine looks at him, and smiles-the smile of a woman sadder, older, and wiser, but a smile for all that.
CHRISTINE
Each night…
CHRISTINE/RAOUL
(embracing)
Each morning…
DISSOLVE TO:
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CONTINUOUS
The Phantom makes his way to the organ, summoning up the remains of his dignity, his power, his mystery.
PHANTOM
You alone
Can make my song take flight…
It’s over now,
The music of the night!
He throws himself on the keyboard and begins to play, the music sad, glorious, heartrending, and triumphant. A swan song.
INT-HARBOR-NIGHT
The mob has reached the harbor, pushing the statues and candelabra aside, forcing the portcullis open. Meg is among the first to enter.
INT-PHANTOM’S LAIR-CONTINUOUS
Meg and several men enter, looking about themselves with astonishment. Meg sees the wedding veil and touches it, but something else soon catches her eye-a cloaked figure at the organ. The shape does not move as she and the men approach it, weapons upraised. Meg touches the figure, which falls back-
The Phantom falls to the ground, his cloak spread about him like the wings of an angel, his face peaceful but lifeless. He is dead. The mob gathers around, regarding the remains of the Opera Ghost with revulsion.
Except Meg. Her face fills with sympathy; she seems to understand. She takes something from her coat-the Phantom’s mask. Kneeling down, she places it on his face gently, almost ceremoniously. And on this Pieta-like image, we
FADE OUT