The Phantom of the Opera
Chapter 8
(While the chaos goes on, Christine opens a door, which leads her to the roof. It's gently snowing outside and it is rather cold out. She stops to catch her breath and Erik is in the background watching her. She is still holding the Phantom's rose.)
Raoul:
Christine!
(Raoul enters.)
Raoul:
What are you doing here? We shouldn't be up here.
Christine:
I can't go back.
Raoul:
What do you mean?
Christine:
Raoul, please. Don't me go back there. I can't.
Raoul:
Christine, you must. They'll be-
Christine:
He'll kill me. The Phantom of the Opera will kill you, too.
Raoul:
(Sighs) Christine, there is no phantom. It's only a fable.
Christine:
I've been there.
Raoul:
What are you talking about?
Christine:
His lair. His world of non-ending night. It was so dark it- (Remembering her promise to Erik) It doesn't matter. My god, who is this man?
Raoul:
Christine, listen to me. Whatever you think is real, it isn't. It's only a dream.
Christine:
No. It isn't. He's real.
And in his eyes all the sadness of the world
Those pleading eyes, that both threaten and adore
Raoul:
Christine. Christine.
Erik:
Christine.
(Christine hears the voice and is terrified. She turns to Raoul for comfort and protection.)
Christine:
I don't know what to do.
Raoul:
It's all right. I'll be here for you.
(Christine looks up at him in his brown eyes.)
Raoul:
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Christine:
Say you'll love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summer time
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you
Raoul:
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
Christine:
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me
Raoul:
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Christine, that's all I ask of you
Christine:
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Both:
Share each day with me, each night, each morning
Christine:
Say you love me
Raoul:
You know I do
Both:
Love me, that's all I ask of you.
(They kiss. Christine drops the rose she was holding and Erik- Well, should I even tell you? Ok! He was shocked. They break apart.)
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Love me, that's all I ask of you
(They both smile at each other, then Christine remembers the gala.)
Christine:
I must go. (Giggles) They're wondering where I am. Come.
Raoul:
(Smiles) Christine, I love you.
(She smiles)
Christine:
Order your fine horses.
Be with them at the door.
Raoul:
And soon you'll be beside me.
Christine:
You'll guard me and you'll guide me . . .
(The couple leave the roof. As soon as they're gone, the phantom comes out behind a statue with a sad look on his face.)
Erik:
I gave you my music, made your song take wing.
And now, how you've repaid me, denied me and betrayed me.
(He notices the rose on the ground and picks it up.)
He was bound to love you, when he heard you sing.
(sobs)Christine, Christine.
(He continues to cry as we move back inside where the show had just ending and it was time for curtain call. Christine, of course, was on stage wearing Carlotta's costumes and Raoul was in Box 5 once more. As the audience applauses loudly, they look at one another with only hearing their thoughts.)
Raoul and Christine:
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Share each day with me, each night, each morning...
(Erik goes back up to his secret spot and is angry. He screams out to the people below.)
Erik:
You will curse the day you did not do
All that the Phantom asked of you . . .
(He then pulls out a sword and cuts a rope, which holds the giant chandelier. The chandelier starts to shake and everyone is horrified. Soon, it comes down on and crashes on stage. Then, the rose, crumpled up, falls at Christine's feet. She looks up and Erik vanishes.)
(Later that night, Madame Giry comes on stage and picks up the rose. She sees how much hatred was put into it.)
Erik:
You shouldn't be here.
(She turns and looks up at Box 5. Erik is sitting on the edge of the box.)
Erik:
You know that "terrifying" things happen at night.
Giry:
I know you better and we both know that isn't true. (Erik scoffs) I can explain that is was just an accident: Buquet, the chandelier, everything.
Erik:
No! There's no point of that now.
(She nods and looks at the rose.)
Giry:
You love her, don't you?
(Upset, Erik leaves.)
Giry:
(Sighs) Erik.
(She takes a finale look at the disaster before exiting the stage.)
