Marcus and Meg stood by the main curtain sharing a very passionate kiss. His suspicion of being watched was true. But it was not by the rumored "Opera Ghost." It was the drunk pervert, Joseph Buquet. Joseph then thought about his dislike for Marcus for doing their job better than himself. And for Marcus's habit of rappelling onto the stage from the catwalk. Joseph watched Meg and Marcus kiss a moment longer before he ran off to go get Madame Giry. Laughing as he did so.

After their kiss ended, Marcus held Meg in his arms again. So close this time, that she could feel his heartbeat. After a moment longer, she looked to him and they both knew, that as much as neither of them wanted to, they had to go to their respective living quarters. For they knew her mother would be looking for her and would also make certain they never saw each other again if she caught them together. Especially in the after hours. He reluctantly let her go and they parted ways. Meg managed to avoid her mother and went to check on Christine. Marcus headed up to the catwalk so that he could reflect on what had transpired.

As he got up to the catwalk, Marcus saw Madame Giry slap Joseph Buquet in the backstage area. He wondered what it was she was slapping him for. He then carefully moved closer so that he could hear.

"I already told Marcus not to dare go near her. I have paid close attention. He's obeyed my wishes you damn fool! Leave my site Joseph Buquet!" she demanded.

Marcus chuckled a bit. They were caught but the informant was not considered reliable. It was funny to him. He took a deep breath and sat down with his arms folded on the rail of the catwalk. He rested his head on his arms and let his legs dangle off the side. He smiled and reflected once again on the moment.

He started thinking aloud, "The beautiful ballerina, Meg Giry, has feelings for me! How are we going to be together though without losing everything we have? Shall we keep it discreet? No! I must gain Madame Giry's approval! It's the only way! We are meant to be! I may not be rich nor a performer, but I am a worthy suitor!"

After being yanked out of a secret tunnel behind Christine's mirror and scolded by her mother, Meg took the opportunity to talk with her about Marcus. But at the mention of his name, Madame Giry, quickly lost interest in hearing about him.

"He is no one of importance or talent. Unless he can prove that he is deserving of you without being someone of status, you will not see him. Rumors are now spreading about the two of you which makes things delicate for you and I now," Madame Giry vented.

When Meg tried to reassure her mother that Marcus was a good man, her attention was once again with Joseph Buquet. He was frightening the Ballerinas with stories of the Opera Ghost and his Punjab Lasso. He was also making vulgar gestures towards the girls. Which angered Madame Giry more. She decided to remind him and the girls about what happens when people know too much about the Opera Ghost.

Marcus heard Madame Giry curse Joseph from the catwalk. He dismissed it while he devised a a way to prove himself worthy to her. Before he could get another thought in, he realized someone was standing behind him. Before he could turn around, he felt something tighten against his neck. He frantically clawed at it when a sudden voice whispered in his ear, "Relax! If I wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already! Now be silent and just, listen."

Marcus then realized that the lasso was not choking him. So he did as he was told and listened to what the man holding it had to say.

"I've been watching you! The way you are pursuing Meg Giry. A touching spectacle indeed. I know Madame Giry has told you to stay away and I commend you for it. I do. You are doing as you're told and Meg came to you. A clever way to go about things. However, you very much care for her. I can see it. If I did not know any better, I would say... You are in love with her. Though I'd prefer tell you to listen to Madame Giry and stay away from her daughter and to let this moment be your warning. I cannot bring myself to do so. I can not let that happen to Meg. I will instead make you this offer," the voice said and took a deep breath.

"You work form me. Help me, do as I command, get these fools to follow my orders and stay out of my way. In return, I will make it possible for you for you to be with her. I am the only person who can convince her mother otherwise. You see, just like Madame Giry, I can see that our daughter is has fallen in love monsieur. Unlike Madame Giry, I cannot try and make her ignore it. I can not take that away from Meg. Nor shall I. I owe her at least that much. Among the many things I owe her. She has what I'll never have again! A chance of living a life with love that everyone can see! Accept my offer and I will make it possible for you to be with our daughter. Do we have a deal?" The man behind the Punjab Lasso offered.

Marcus's eyes widened when the man speaking to him revealed he was Megs father. He then thought about the stories he had been hearing. "Can it be?" he wondered. Then it hit him. The Punjab Lasso, someone sneaking up as quiet as the dust gathered without him knowing they were there. It couldn't be but it could only be... him.

As the lasso was loosened, Marcus turned around and was face to face with the man holding it. It was the man he prayed it would not be... The Opera Ghost!