Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Mystery of the gala night. It says mystery of soprano flight. Mystified by maturity. They say we are mystified with spectful play. Bad news on soprano scene. First, cut out and out, Christine. Still, at least the seats get sold. Gossip's worth its weight in gold. Diva tenders resignation. Covered as a moonlight flit. Half your cast disappears, but the crowd still cheers. Opera! Daring you could handle. I'm a scandal and you should have a Damnable! Where they all walk out. This is damnable! Only please don't shout at publicity. And the take is vast, free publicity. But we have no cast. But I'll dab you seen the queue. Oh. It seems you've got one too. Dear Andre, what a charming gala. Christine enjoyed a great success. We were hardly bereft when Colotta left. Otherwise, the chorus was entrancing, but the dancing was a lamentable mess. Dear Philmond, just brief reminders. My salary has not been paid. Send a 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. Who would have the gall to send this? Someone with a purer brain. These are both signed O.G. Who the hell is he? Obregost. Really not amusing. He's abusing our position. In addition, he wants money. He's a funny sort of spectre. To expect a large return and nothing plenty. Where is she? You mean Colotta? I mean Miss Daaé. Where is she? How should we know? I want an answer. I take it that you sent me this note. Not all is not. Of course not. Don't look at us. She's not with you, then? Of course not. We're in the dark. Monsieur, don't argue. Isn't this the letter you wrote? And what is it we're meant to have wrote? Written? Do not fear for Miss Daaé. The angel of music has her under his wing. Make no attempt to see her again. Well, if you didn't write it, who did? Where is he? I welcome back. Your precious patron. Where is he? What is it now? I have your letter. A letter which I rather resent. Did you send it? Of course not. As if he would. You didn't send it? Of course not. What's going on? You dare to tell me that this is not the letter you sent? And what is it that I'm meant to have sent? Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered. Christine and Daaé will be singing on your behalf tonight. Be prepared for a great misfortune, should you attempt to take her place. Far too many notes for my taste, and most of them about Christine. All we've heard since we came is Miss Daaé's name. Miss Daaé has returned. In which case I think our meeting is adjourned. Where precisely is she now? I thought it best that she went home. She needed rest. May I see her? No, monsieur. She will see no one. Will she sing? Will she sing? Here, I have a note. Let me see it. Please! Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is to be run. Hmm. You have not followed my instructions. I shall give you one last chance. Christine Daaé has returned to you, and I am anxious her career should progress. In the new production of Il Muto, you will therefore cast Carlotta as the page boy, and put Miss Daaé in the role of countess. The role which Miss Daaé plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the page boy is silent, which makes my casting in a world ideal. I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in box five, which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. I demand, gentlemen, your obedient servant. O.G. Christine! Christine! Christine! Whatever next? It's all a ploy to help me! Christine! This is insane! I know who sent this, for we call her lover! Indeed, can you believe this? Signora! O.G. Signora! Signora! You are our star! And always will be! Signora! The man is mad! We don't get orders! Miss Daaé will be playing the page boy, the silent role. Carlotta will be playing the lead! You don't deserve her! It's useless trying to oppose me! Please, Miss! Everything is a ploy! Please, Miss! Spare me! No, no, that's not my girlfriend. Let it be! She loves me. Let it be! No, don't touch her! Say everything is a ploy. She is here! I solemnly acquiesce to her love. She is here! But my eyes see no danger. Miss Faderas! Crab! Observe our child's fairness! Miss, don't let our children8 Man or else! Listen to him. He knows in Faderas that we are murderers. And this applies to you as well. Stop! Your public needs you. We need you too. Would you not rather have your precious little ingenue? Signora, no. The world wants you. Primadonna, first lady of the stage, your devotees are on their knees to implore you. Can you bow out when they're shouting your name? Think of how they all adore you. Primadonna, enchant us once again. Think of your muse and of the queues round the theater. Can you deny us the triumphs each soar? Sing, Primadonna, once more. Primadonna, your song shall you again. You took your snuffles, but there is a public dispute. Sing a verse like you do at every show. She's the angel of the air. We get our opera. She gets her lines on time. Angel of the air. We get our opera. We get our opera. Sing, Primadonna, once more. Sing, Primadonna, once more. Sing, Primadonna, once more. We get our opera. Sing a verse like you do at every show. Although he's made a mure, he must still be with her. You never get away with all this infernal labour. If it's lucky, tonight, it's just the sort of story audiences adore. Sing, Primadonna, once more. Get steady now. Light up the stage with a little more. Sing, Primadonna, once more. So, it is to be war between us. If these demands are not met, a disaster beyond imagination will occur. Once more. Gentlemen, if you would care to take your seats, we shall be sitting in box five. Do you really think that's wise, monsieur? My dear Andre, there would appear to be no seats available other than box five. They say that this youth has set my lady's heart aflame. His lordship, sure, would die of shock. His lordship is a laughingstock. But he's a spectre, God's protector. Shame, shame, shame. This faithless lady's bound for Hades. Shame, shame, shame. Serafimo, your disguise is perfect. Why, who can this be? Gentlewife, admit your loving husband. Every seat, sir. Hardly a disaster beyond imagination. My love, I am called to England on affairs of state and must leave you with your new maid. So I'd happily take the maid with me. The old fool is leaving. I suspect my young bride is untrue to me. I shall not leave but shall hide over there to observe her. Adieu. Adieu. Adieu. Serafimo, away with this pretense. You cannot speak but kiss me in my husband's absence.