The point of no return
An old opera house sat in the city. Enormous and grey, the building stood in luminous silence. A few people were inside as the contents of the opera were being auctioned off. The action starts off with the sound of the auctioneer's gavel.
"Sold. Your number, sir? Thank you. Lot 663, then, ladies and gentlemen: a poster for this house's production of "Hannibal." by Chalumeau." Ernie said powerfully.
Dennis as the porter replied, "Sowing here."
"Do I have ten francs? Five then. Five I am bid. Six, seven. Against you, sir, seven. Eight. Eight once. Selling twice. Sold, to Raoul, Vicomte de Changy. Lot 664: a wooden pistol and three human skulls from the 1831 production of "Robert le Diable" by Meyerbeer. Ten francs for this. Ten, thank you. Ten francs still. Fifteen, thank you, sir. Fifteen I am bid. Going at fifteen. Your number, sir? Lot 665, ladies and gentlemen: a papier-mâché musical box, in the shape of a barrel organ. Attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian robe playing the symbols. This item, discovered in the vaults of the theatre, still in working order," Ernie continued with the action.
Dennis holding up the lot said dully, "Showing here." He then set in motion showing it to the bidders.
"May I start at twenty francs? Fifteen then? Fifteen I am bid."
A battle between a 70 year old Joey and Hermione takes place. Joey eventually buys the item..
"Sold for thirty francs to the Vicompte de Changy. Thank you, sir."
Joey is given the box. He studies it and the spotlight comes upon him. He sings quietly, half to himself and half to the music box. " A collector's piece indeed. Every detail exactly as she said . She often spoke of you my friend. You velvet lining and your figurine of lead. Will you still play, when all the rest of us are dead?"
After Joey's side song, the attention turns back to Ernie the auctioneer.
"Lot 666 then: a chandelier in pieces. Some of you may recall the strange affair of the Phantom of the Opera: a mystery never fully explained. We are told, ladies and gentlemen, that this is the very chandelier which figures in the famous disaster. Our workshops have restored it and fitted up parts of it with wiring for the new electric light, so that we may get a hint of what it may look like when re-assembled. Perhaps we can frighten away the ghost of so many years ago with a little illumination, gentlemen?"
Ernie switches on the chandelier. There is an enormous flash and the overture of the play begins. The opera house is slowly restored to it's old splendour. The chandelier now immense and glittering, rises from the stage and hovers to the centre of the Great Hall where it stops.