The Phantom of Manhattan
Chapter 3
(The next day, there is a big crowd of people, including reporters and the press, at the docks waiting as a big ship docks.)
Reporter 1:
I see the boat!
Reporter 2:
They should be docking anytime now.
Reporter 1:
I can't believe that she's performing for the last time here in American.
Reporter 3:
But on Coney Island? Why would she perform there?
Reporter 2:
Well, I think it's because-
Reporter 1:
Look! There she is! Miss. Daae!
(Press calling her name as Christine Daae and her husband, Raoul, come off the boat. She takes a look at the sight.)
Christine:
(Gasps) It's beautiful.
Raoul:
It certainly is.
Press:
Miss. Daae! Miss. Daae! Over here, Christine!
(Then, Meg Giry comes in front of her and tries to calm down the press.)
Meg:
All right, people! Stand a side, please! Stand a side! Let Miss. Daae through, thank you. No pictures, folks!
Christine:
Meg, it's all right. It's just the press.
Raoul:
She has a point. Besides, we must be going?
Christine:
What's the hurry, darling?
Raoul:
Well, it's just I-
Christine:
Raoul. You promised me.
Raoul:
I understand, dear, but it's just a few business meetings I have to attend to.
Christine:
But you're in America. We're supposed to be on trip together.
Raoul:
I know, but I promise you I'll be done before you're concert and before this trip is over.
Christine:
(Sighs) All right.
Meg:
Hey! I said no pictures, pal! (To Christine) I'm telling you, I cannot wait until you retire.
Christine:
So you can stop being my manager?
Meg:
Oh, Christine! Don't think of me as your manager. Think of me as a really good friend who rearranges all your shows, talks to the directors, and-
Christine:
Meg? Have you seen Gustave?
Meg:
(Looks around) And making sure that your son doesn't run off in a new country as usual.
Raoul:
He must have gotten off the boat before us.
Christine:
Oh, I should have known he would run off.
Raoul:
Then, we might as well find . . . again.
Meg:
Oh! Not to worry, I'll find him. I'm sure he didn't go far. Come on. (She guide Christine through the crowd.) All right! Make way, people! Christine Daae coming through! What did I just say about the pictures?
(Meanwhile, Gustave, a 10 year-old boy with brown hair and blue eyes, is wandering through the pier. He looks at the Coney Island gates.)
Gustave:
Wow! It's just how I dreamed of it! (See Phantasma in the distance) Phantasma. I wonder what's behind its gates. Hmm. (He goes up to the gates and starts to climb them.)
(During this time, Erik, dressed in hat and cape, is walking along until he sees Gustave. Gustave is half way up the gate when all of a sudden; he loses his grip and falls. Luckily, Erik was there just in time to catch him.)
Erik:
(Groans in pain.)
Gustave:
Thank you, sir. I though I was going to-
Erik:
(Still in pain.) No, no at all. (Sets Gustave up and adjusts himself.) You should always think twice before doing a stunt like that.
Gustave:
Gee. I'm sorry I- (Erik's gone.) Sir? Hmm. Strange, he's gone.
Meg:
Gustave! There you are! (She runs to him.) Your mother and father (and me as well) were so worried about you.
Gustave:
But Aunt Meg, I was just- And then there was a-
Meg:
No! No! Not another word. Come, we have to find your parents.
(Gustave sighs.)
(That night, the three are at their hotel suite. Christine, Raoul, and Gustave are in the living room.)
Christine:
I don't want you to run away like that again, Gustave! You know how worried I get when you vanish like that!
Raoul:
Your mother is right, you shouldn't have wandered off like that.
Gustave:
I'm sorry, father. It's just that I really want to see Coney Island so much. I've heard so much about it, especially their new attraction: Phantasma.
Christine:
I understand, darling, but run away and giving Meg and I a heart attack just isn't the way to do. I promise, after my performance, we will all see the sites.
Gustave:
But the concert is days away-
Raoul:
Well, you will just have to learn to be patient, then.
Christine:
Now, off to bed with you. I'll be in shortly.
Gustave:
Yes, mother. (Heads for his room.)
(She watches her son close the door.)
Christine:
(Sighs) I just don't get it. How could a boy like him always be running away and have his mother worried to death.
(Gustave cracks his door open to listen on the conversation.)
Raoul:
Well, boys are boys. There's nothing we can do about it. Besides, he's rather a quite boy, don't you think?
Christine:
Well I-
(Raoul looks at his watch.)
Raoul:
Oh! I must be going.
Christine:
Now? At this time of night?
Raoul:
I'll be home late. Tell Gustave "good-night" for me. (Kiss her cheek and heads for the door.) Sleep well, Little Lotte.
Christine:
Raoul! Please, don't-
(Door closes)
Christine:
(Sighs)
(Meg enters the room.)
Meg:
Busy, isn't he?
Christine:
I just wish he would stay for once and doesn't have to go anywhere.
Meg:
Well, you're busy, too.
Christine:
I know. I have my show to get ready for. Maybe, I'll be able to meet the man who hired me to sing.
Meg:
Oh, I think that may not be easy.
Christine:
What do you mean?
Meg:
I heard rumors that no one has ever seen the man. Its makes me feel a little bit uncomfortable about this.
Christine:
Meg, don't worry. I'm sure I'll see him before the performance. Hopefully, we can leave as soon as possible after the concert.
Meg:
I can't believe that you're finally retiring and after ten years. What are you planning on doing after the show?
Christine:
Well, for starters, I would like to spend some time with my son. I'm sure he will like that very much. (Gustave nods behind his door.)
Meg:
What about Raoul?
Christine:
(Sighs) I don't know. I don't even know if he'll ever retire. (Door slams)
Meg:
Well, that didn't sound good.
(Christine heads for Gustave's room. Meanwhile, Gustave is digging through his trunk and pulls out the Phantom's music box. He gives it a grin, but it fades away when his mother comes in.)
Christine:
Darling, we need to talk.
Gustave:
Father's gone again, isn't he?
(Pause. Christine sits by his side on the bed.)
Christine:
Gustave, I'm so sorry-
Gustave:
He doesn't even play with me. Doesn't he even care about me?
Christine:
Your father loves you and cares about you very much. He would do anything for you.
Gustave:
(Scoffs) I doubt that.
Christine:
Gustave, don't speak that way! Look, I understand your pain, but I sure while we're here, you two will spend quality time together.
(The boy turns away.)
Christine:
Oh, Gustave. (Brings him closer to her)
Love's a curious thing
It often comes disguised.
Look at love the wrong way
It goes unrecognized.
So look with your heart
and not with your eyes
The heart understands
the heart never lies
Believe what it feels
And trust what it shows
Look with your heart
the heart always knows
Love is not always beautiful
not at the start
So open your arms
and close your eyes tight.
Look with your heart
and when it finds love
your heart will be right
Learn from someone who knows
make sure you don't forget
Love you misunderstand
is love that you'll regret.
Gustave:
Mother?
Look with your heart
and not with your eyes
the heart can't be fooled
Christine:
The heart is too wise.
Gustave:
Forget what you think
Christine:
Ignore what you hear.
Both:
Look with your heart
It always sees clear.
Gustave:
Love is not always (Yawns) beautiful
Christine:
Not at the start.
But open your arms
And close your eyes tight
Look with your heart and when it finds love
Your heart will be right. (Sees that Gustave asleep)
(She helps him to bed. Meg watches with a smile from the door. Christine then sees the music box on the nightstand. She turns the key and it starts to play softly. She reaches over and kisses her son on the forehead.)
Christine:
Sleep dreams, Gustave.
(She turns off the light and leaves closing the door behind her.)
(During this time, Erik is looking out the window watching as the lights of the city turn off one by one. He then leaves the room with his hat and cape. On the floor below, Gangle, Fleck, and Squelch are playing poker.)
Fleck:
All right, boys! Read em' and Weep!
Squelch and Gangle:
What?
Squelch:
How that possible?
Gangle:
How could you have won?
Fleck:
Beginner's luck.
Gangle:
(Sighs) I can't believe we lost to a bird.
(Erik enters the room and heads for the door.)
Squelch:
Hey, at least it's better than losing to woman.
Gangle:
Eh. True.
Fleck:
Uh, Master? Where are you going?
Erik:
Out. That's all.
Gangle:
Now? That this time of- (Door slams) Night?
Squelch:
You think he got trouble?
Fleck:
Who knows . . . So, who wants to play again?
(The two men groan as she shuffles the cards.)
