FIRMIN: "Mystery after gala night"
It says "Mystery of soprano's flight"
"Mystified," all the papers say
"We are mystified, we suspect foul play"
Bad news on soprano's scene
First, Carlotta; now, Christine!
Still, at least the seats get sold
Gossip's worth its weight in gold...
What a way to run a business
Spare me these unending trials
Half your cast disappears
But the croud still cheers
Opera... To hell with Gluck and Hendel
Have a scandal and you're sure to have a hit!

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: Andre, have you seen the queue?
Ah, it seems you've got one too (indicates the envelope he is holding)

ANDRE: "Dear Andre, what a charming gala!
Christine was, in a word, sublime
We were hardly bereaft when Carlotta left
On that note, the diva is a disaster
Must you cast her when she's seasons past her prime?"

FIRMIN: "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!"

BOTH: Who would have the gall to send this?
Someone with a puerile brain...

FIRMIN: These are both signed "O.G."

ANDRE: Who the hell is he?

BOTH: Opera Ghost!

FIRMIN: It's nothing short of shocking

ANDRE: He is mocking our position

FIRMIN: In addition he wants money

FIRMIN: What a funny aberration

BOTH: To expect a large retainer
Nothing plainer - he is clearly quite insane!

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... written?

ANDRE: "Do not fear for Miss Daae
The Angel of Music has her under his wings
Make no attempt to see her again"

RAOUL: If you didn't write it, then who did?

CARLOTTA: Where is he?

ANDRE: Oh, welcome back!

CARLOTTA: Your precious patron
Where is he?

RAOUL: What is it now?

CARLOTTA: I have your letter
A letter which I rather resent

FIRMIN: 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: You dare to tell me that this is not the letter you sent?

RAOUL: And what is it that I meant to have sent?
"Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered
Christine Daae will be singing on your behalf tonight
Be prepared for a great misfortune should you attempt to take her place"

FIRMIN AND ANDRE: Far too many notes for my taste
And most of them about Christine
All we've heard since we came is Miss Daae's name...

MADAME GIRY: Miss Daae has returned

FIRMIN: I hope no worse for wear as far as we're concerned

ANDRE: Where precisely is she now?

MADAME GIRY: I thought it best she was alone

MEG: She needed rest

RAOUL: May I see her?

MADAME GIRY: No, monsieur, she will see no one

CARLOTTA AND UBALDO: Will she sing? Will she sing?

MADAME GIRY: Here, I have a note.

EVERYBODY: Let me see it!

FIRMIN: Please...
"Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature detailing how my theatre is to be run.
You have not followed my instructions; I shall give you one last chance
Christine Daae 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 pageboy and put Miss Daae in the role of Countess
The role which Miss Daae plays calls for charm and appeal
The role of the pageboy is silent which makes my casting, in a word, 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 remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant...
O.G."

CARLOTTA: Christine!

FIRMIN AND ANDRE: Whatever next...?

CARLOTTA: It's all a plot to help Christine!

FIRMIN: This is insane!

CARLOTTA: I know who sent this!
The Vicomte, her lover!

RAOUL: Indeed? Can you believe this?

FIRMIN: Signora! Signora!

ANDRE: You are our star

FIRMIN: And always will be!

ANDRE: Signora!

FIRMIN: The man is mad!

ANDRE: We don't take orders

FIRMIN: Miss Daae will be playing the pageboy, the silent role

FIRMIN AND ANDRE: Carlotta will be playing the lead!