The Phantom of the Opera
Prologue
(In the deep darkness under the Opera Populaire, a young woman walks carefully down the stairs with a candle in one hand and a box in the other. The woman is Madame Giry, who is in her mid-20's and 5 months pregnant. She pasts few catacombs until she hears footsteps. She stops where she's stand and shines her candle.)
Giry:
(Sighs.) There you are. I was wondering where you were.
(Then, out of the dark, a small boy walks into the light. He is wearing a sack with to hole over his head.)
Giry:
What's your name? (No response.) Your name, child.
Young Erik:
It's Erik.
Giry:
Well, Erik. You'll be save here, I promise you. (Hands him the box.) I brought you something.
(He grabs the box and opens it. He pulls out a music box with a monkey on top playing the cymbals. He turns to Giry.)
Young Erik:
For me?
(She nods. He wines it up and the music box begins to play "Masquerade" softly. Even though he had a sack on his head, he seemed happily.)
Young Erik:
It's beautiful. Thank you.
Giry:
There's something else.
(She pulls out a white mask that would cover half the face. Erik sees the mask and takes off his sack. Only Giry can see the face. She didn't make a reaction; she just gently places the mask on his face.)
There. You should see a little better.
(Erik walks to the water and sees his reflection. Only half of his face is covered.)
There's always music playing daily. I hope you don't mind.
Young Erik:
I like music.
Giry:
(Smiles.) Well, there's an old organ down here. Just take this boat and follow the lake. (Point down the lake.) Now, I must go. If you need anything, let me know.
(She starts to walk to the stair.)
Young Erik:
Madame? (She turns to him.) Thank you. (She smiles and goes on her way.)
(Soon, the boy rides the boat down the lake and into an empty lair, where an organ sits in the middle. He gets off the boat and walks over to the instrument. He sits on the beach and sets his music box by his side. As he plays the first notes, the Overture begins as well as the story.)
