Backstage
(scene 7)
Buquet mysteriously appears, a length of fabric serving as a cloak, and a piece of rope as the Punjab lasso. He is showing off to the ballets girls.
Colin sang, "Like yellow parchment is his skin…A great black hole served as the nose that never grew…"
Demonstrating his method of self-defense against the Punjab lasso, he inserts a hand in-between the rope and his neck and pulls the rope taut. With a mixture of horror and delight the ballet girls applaud this demonstration.
He explains to them as he sings, "You must be always on your guard, or he will catch you with his magical lasso!"
A trap opens center stage casting a shadow of the Phantom as he emerges. The girls, linking hands, run off terrified. The Phantom, leading Christine, fixes his stare on Buquet. Sweeping his cape around Christine, he exits with her. Before they go, Giry has entered, observing. She turns on Buquet.
Luna sang sharply, "Those who speak of what they know find, too late, that prudent silence is wise. Joseph Buquet,hold your tongue!" She slapped him across the face.
"He will burn you with the heat of his eyes…"