I am dreadfully sorry it took so long to update. It just seemed that I couldn't get anything done. Oi! Anyway, thanks to all my readers and I hope you enjoy the second act. Also, I write with little detail to give you the freedom of using your own imagination. I best be quiet now. The second overture has begun!

Polaris25

The Staircase of the Opera

(Act 2, scene 1)

A gauze half conceals the tableau of guests at the opera ball. The guest (whom we cannot yet see clearly) are in fancy dress: a peacock, a lion, a dragon, Mephistopheles, a highwayman, a clown, knights, ladies, an executioner. M. Andre enters. He is dressed as a skeleton in a opera cape. Almost immediately, M. Firmin arrives. He is also dressed as a skeleton in an opera cape. The two skeletons see each other and approach each other nervously.

Blaise asked in a whisper, "M'sieur Firmin?"

Neville asked back in the same fashion, "M'sieur Andre?"

Each raises his mask and they recognize each other.

Neville sang, "Dear Andre what a splendid party!"

Blaise sang back triumphantly, "The prologue to a bright new year!"

Neville sang approvingly, "Quite a night! I'm impressed!"

Blaise replied graciously, "Well, one does one's best…"

Blaise and Neville sang as they raised their champagne glasses, "Here's to us!"

Neville sang, "I must say, all the same, that it's that 'Phantom' fellow isn't here!"

The gauze fully lifts to reveal the staircase of the opera house. The opera ball begins. Among the guests are four carrying strange percussion instruments: a monkey with cymbals, a toy soldier wih a drum, a triangle, and bells. Together they play oddly throughout.

The entire cast sang, "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade. Masquerade! Look around- there's another mask behind you! Flash a mauve…Splash of puce…Fool and king…Ghoul and goose…Green and black…Queen and priest…Trace of rouge…Face of beast…Faces…Take your turn, take a ride on the merry-go-round…in an inhuman race! Eye of gold…Thigh of blue…True and false…Who is who…? Curl of lip…Swirl of gown…Ace of hearts…Face of clown…Faces…Drink it in, drink it up, till you've drowned in the light…in the sound…"

Harry and Hermione sang, "But who can name the face…?"

The cast joined in again, "Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds. Masquerade! Take your fill-let the spectacle astound you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads. Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! Masquerade! Seething shadows, breathing lies. Masquerade! You can fool any friend who ever knew you! Masquerade! Leering satyrs, peering eyes. Masquerade! Run and hide- but a face will still pursue you!"

The ensemble activity becomes background. Andre, Firmin, Meg, Giry, Piangi, and Carlotta come into the fore, glasses in hand.

Luna sang, "What a night!"

Ginny sang, "What a crowd!"

Blaise sang, "Makes you glad!"

Neville sang, "Makes you proud! All the crème de la crème!"

Pansy sang, "Watching us and watching them!"

Ginny and Luna sang, "And all our fears are in the past!"

Blaise sang, "Six moths…"

Ron sang, "Of relief!"

Pansy sang, "Of delight!"

Neville and Blaise sang, "Of Elysian peace!"

Ginny and Luna sang, "And we can breathe at last!"

Pansy sang, "No more notes!"

Ron sang, "No more ghost!"

Luna sang, "Here's a health!"

Blaise sang, "Here's a toast: to a prosperous year!"

Neville sang, "To the new chandelier!"

Ron and Pansy sang, "And may its splendor never fade!"

Neville sang, "Six months!"

Luna sang, "What a joy!"

Ginny sang, "What a change!"

Neville and Blaise sang, "What a blessed relief!"

Blaise sang, "And what a masquerade!"

They clink glasses and move off. Raoul and Christine emerge. She is admiring a new acquisition: an engagement ring from Raoul, which she has attached to a gold chain around her neck.

Hermione sang, "Think of it! A secret engagement! Look- your future bride! Just think of it!"

Harry sang, "But why is it secret? What have we to hide?"

Hermione sang to him pleadingly, "Please, let's not fight…"

Harry sang, "Christine, you're free!"

Hermione sang back desperately, "Wait till the time is right…"

Harry sang back, "When will that be? It's an engagement, not a crime! Christine, what are you afraid of?"

Hermione sang, "Let's not argue…"

Harry answered, "Let's not argue…"

Hermione sang, "Please pretend…"

Harry sang, "I only hope I'll…"

Hermione sang, "You will…"

Both sang, "…understand in time…"

A dance section begins. Christine, almost coquettish almost jittery, goes from man to man. But too many of her partners seem to be replicas of the Phantom, and each spins her with increasing force. Eventually, Raoul rescues her and holds her tightly. He whirls her back into the dance as the music heads towards its climax. As it does, (the part where it sounds like 'Christine, I love you…') Raoul and Christine kiss.

Everyone sang, "Masquerade! Paper faces on parade. Masquerade! Hide your face, so the world will never find you! Masquerade! Every face a different shade. Masquerade! Look around- there's another mask behind you! Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads. Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you! "Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds. Masquerade! Take your fill-let the spectacle astound you!"

At the height of the activity a grotesque figure suddenly appears at the top of the staircase. Dressed in all crimson, with a death's head visible inside the hood of his robe, the Phantom has come to the party. With dreadful wooden steps he descends the stairs and takes the centre of the stage.

Draco sang mockingly, "Why so silent, good messieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good messieurs? I have written you an opera!" He took from under his robe an enormous bound manuscript. "Here I bring the finished score- "Don Juan Triumphant"!" He threw it to Blasie. "I advise you to comply- my instructions should be clear. Remember there are worse things than a shattered chandelier…"

Christine, mesmerized, approaches the Phantom who beckons her. He reaches out, graspes the chain that holds her secret engagement ring, and rips it from her throat.

Draco sang, "Your chains are still mine- you sing for me!"

All cower in fear as the music crescendos, until suddenly, his figure evaporates.