INT. STAGE. NIGHT.

CARLOTTA looks tearfully up at the MANAGER's box and
shakes her head.

CARLOTTA

Non posso piu ….I cannot……
I cannot go on….

PIANGI
(Rushing on)

Cara, cara - I'm here, is all right.
Come….. I'm here….

ANDRE and FIRMIN hurry onto the stage. PIANGI ushers the now
sobbing CARLOTTA offstage, while the MANAGERS tackle the audience,
the chandelier still swaying wildly.

FIRMIN

Ladies and gentleman, we apologize. The performance will continue
In ten minutes time….

He addresses Box Five which is now empty, keeping one eye on the
chandelier as it returns to normal.

FIRMIN

When the role of the Countess will be
Sung by Miss Christine Daae.

Meanwhile, we see BACKSTAGE, the STAGEHANDS working frantically
lowering the curtain and changing the set.

ANDRE

(Improvising)
In the meantime, ladies and gentleman we shall
Be giving you the ballet from Act Three of tonight's Opera.

(To REYER)
Maestro - bring the ballet forward. The ballet - now!

The MANAGERS leave, the stage is cleared fast and music starts up again.
The BALLET GIRLS enter as a sylvan glade flies in. They begin the
Dance of the Country Nymphs.

INT. STAGE/FLIES. NIGHT.

We INTERCUT the Dance with events up in the flies. The flats from the previous
scene continue to move up. BUQUET is supervising from the main ramp. As one flat
rises out of shot, he sees the PHANTOM on another ramp. The PHANTOM grabs
a rope and leaps across towards BUQUET. We see this from both the stage below
and through POV's of the stage way below us. BUQUET runs down his ramp chased
by the PHANTOM. Every way BUQUET runs he is cut off by the PHANTOM who
has used the ropes to swing across from ramp to ramp.

Continue INTERCUTS with:

INT. STAGE. NIGHT. (CONTINUOUS)

MEG is aware of the events above her head and dances out of step.

INT. STAGE/FLIES. NIGHT. (CONTINUOUS)

Finally, BUQUET turns to run from the PHANTOM but a rope like a flash
catches him by the neck. Then very fast, we see the PHANTOM leap off the ramp
holding a rope, BUQUET is suddenly raised straight off his feet, the noose around
his neck; a pulley whirls madly; the PHANTOM lands on a lower ramp, releases
the rope. BUQUET plummets.

INT. STAGE. NIGHT. (CONTINUOUS)

The garrotted body of JOSEPH BUQUET falls on the stage with a sickening thud
(or stays suspended center stage) causing the sylvan glade to fly out.
Pandemonium.

INT. BACKSTAGE/WINGS. NIGHT. (CONTINUOUS)

CHRISTINE is running through backstage, terrified. RAOUL runs towards her,
she falls into his arms.