SCENE 6
INSIDE THE "PHANTOM'S OPERA"
"I don't like this." Christine said to herself as soon as she followed Gustave into the building.
The inside was a spacious multi-story playground designed to mimic a theater. A menacing chandelier was swinging high above. Several pompous speakers were installed on the side wall and playing "Devil takes the hindmost".
Gustave was playing with a few other kids. They were running, climbing, and laughing all around. The happy noise eased up the atmosphere, making Christine feel a little better.
As Christine looked around, she found the facility very well designed. There were many gadgets, like moving mirrors, tricky seats and boxes. There were also many vivid wax figures here and there. Some scary figures were making sinister laughter from time to time. Frightened ballet girls scattered on the stage. These figures were powered and making repeated moves.
Gustave climbed to the highest level of the maze. He pushed around and opened a mirror door. Phantom was there (peeking on Christine). They looked at each other.
"Wow! You are real." Gustave said.
"I am a robot." Phantom replied.
"No. You are a clown." Gustave responded.
Phantom smiled and nodded. He asked, "You are very bright, young boy. You found the secret of this mirror."
"My parent said I am good at engineering," Gustave replied in pride, "and music."
"Wow! How wonderful!" Phantom looked at Gustave with fascination.
At this moment, a bunch of kids ran to them.
"Look! This mirror can be opened!" One kid shouted.
"Do you like this place?" Phantom asked them. He was not excited at their arrival.
"Yes!" "It's awesome!" The kids answered.
"There will be another Phantom maze open soon." Phantom announced. "Be sure to visit then."
"Of course!" the kids replied in joy.
"Now I need to close this mirror for service." The phantom announced. The kids scattered with joy.
On the ground level, Christine frowned. She felt uncomfortable at what she saw. She waited impatiently for a while. Gustave was not in sight.
"Be careful, Gustave." She wanted to remind him. There was no response. Christine became nervous.
It was noisy around. Christine raised her voice, "Gustave! Where are you?"
"I am here!" Gustave's voice came from the giant speakers.
Christine felt relieved, but it only lasted for one second.
"I am here!" "I am here!" "I am here!" The giant speakers echoed Gustave's voice in the building.
That sounded just like Phantom's echo in the Paris opera house. Christine remembered that all too well. Chill ran right down into her spine.
"It's him!" Christine began shaking. "It must be him! That's his design!"
"Could this be a trap for my son?" Her mind was spinning.
"Come here, Gustave!" Christine's shouted in panic.
To her relief, Gustave soon ran back into her arms.
"You look upset, Mom." Gustave could see Christine's expression.
"Mom just wants you to be safe." Christine held Gustave tight.
"It's safe here, Mom. Don't worry." Gustave replied, "Can I go back up there?"
"Mom just want to tell you, Gustave, Mom always love you." Christine looked at Gustave seriously, "If one day, Mom dies, Mom's love will never die."
"Why do you say that, Mom? You won't die." Gustave responded.
"Gustave," Christine spoke thoughtfully, "Mom should sing on stage for you."
"That's wonderful, Mom." Gustave replied happily, but as soon as Christine loosened her grip, Gustave rushed back to the maze to join other kids, "I will be careful!"
Christine stood idle for a moment, and then murmured, "In the end, there is no escape for me, as it seems."
She continued,
"AM I TO RISK MY LIFE, TO WIN THE CHANCE FOR MY SON?
DO I HAVE OTHER CHOICE, IN THIS, THE PHANTOM'S OPERA?"
"I should face Phantom myself." Christine made up her mind. "I must do this for Gustave's safety, no matter what will happen to myself."
Christine fell into a trance and started singing,
"WHO KNOWS WHEN LOVE BEGINS,"
"WHO KNOWS WHAT MAKES IT START…"