FIRMIN: Mystery after gala night," if says, "Mystery of soprano's flight!" "Mystified baffled Surete say, we are mystified - we suspect foul play!"
Bad news on soprano scene - first Carlotta, now Christine! Still, at least the seats get sold gossip's worth its weight in gold . . .
Diva tenders resignation! Cover does a moonlight flit! Half your cast disappears, but the crowd still cheers! Opera! To hell with Gluck and Handel - Have a scandal and you're sure to have a hit! (ANDRE bursts in, in a temper)
ANDRE Damnable! Will they all walk out? This is damnable!
FIRMIN Andre, please don't shout . . .
It's publicity! And the take is vast! Free publicity!
ANDRE But we have no cast . . .
FIRMIN (calmly) But Andre, have you seen the queue?
(He has been sorting mail on his desk. Finding the two letters from the PHANTOM):
Oh, it seems you've got one too . . .
(He hands the letter to ANDRE, who opens it and reads):
ANDRE "Dear Andre what a charming gala! Christine enjoyed a great success! We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left - otherwise the chorus was entrancing, but the dancing was a lamentable mess!"
FIRMIN (reading his)
Dear Firmin, just a brief reminder: my salary has not been paid. Send it care of the ghost, by return of post P.T.O.: No-one likes a debtor, so it's better if my orders are obeyed!"
FIRMIN/ANDRE Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a puerile brain!
FIRMIN (examining both letters) These are both signed "O.G." . . .
ANDRE Who the hell is he?
BOTH (immediately realizing) Opera ghost!
FIRMIN (unamused) It's really not amusing!
ANDRE He's abusing our position!
FIRMIN In addition he wants money!
ANDRE He's a funny sort of spectre . . .
BOTH . . . to expect a large retainer! Nothing plainer - he is clearly quite insane!
(They are interrupted by the arrival of RAOUL, who brandishes another of the PHANTOM'S notes)
RAOUL Where is she?
ANDRE You mean Carlotta?
RAOUL I mean Miss Daae - where is she?
FIRMIN Well, how should we know?
RAOUL I want an answer - I take it that you sent me this note?
FIRMIN What's all this nonsense?
ANDRE Of course not!
FIRMIN Don't look at us!
RAOUL She's not with you, then?
FIRMIN Of course not!
ANDRE We're in the dark . . .
RAOUL Monsieur, don't argue - Isn't this the letter you wrote?
FIRMIN And what is it, that we're meant to have wrote?
(Realizing his mistake) Written !
(RAOUL hands the note to ANDRE, who reads it)
ANDRE "Do not fear for Miss Daae. The Angel of Music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again."
(The managers look mystified)
RAOUL If you didn't write it, who did?
(CARLOTTA bursts in. She too has a letter, which has cheered her no more than the others)
CARLOTTA Where is he?
ANDRE Ah, welcome back!
CARLOTTA Your precious patron - where is he?
RAOUL What is it now?
CARLOTTA (to RAOUL) I have your letter - a letter which I rather resent!
FIRMIN (to RAOUL) And did you send it?
RAOUL Of course not!
ANDRE As if he would!
CARLOTTA You didn't send it?
RAOUL Of course not!
FIRMIN What's going on . . .?
CARLOTTA (to RAOUL) You dare to tell me, that this is not th