ACT ONE SCENE SEVEN
BACKSTAGE (BUQUET mysteriously appears, alength of fabric seving as a cloak, and a piece of rope as the Punjab lasso. He is showing off to the BALLET GIRLS)
BUQUET Like yellow parchment is his skin ... a great black hole served as the nose that never grew ...
(Demonstrating his method of self-defence against the Punjab lasso, he inserts his hand between his neck and the noose, and then pulls the rope taut. With a mixture of horror and delight, the BALLET GIRLS applaud this demonstration)
(explaining to them) You must be always on your guard, or he will catch you with his magical lasso!
(A trap opens up centre stage, casting a shadow of the PHANTOM as he emerges. The GIRLS, linking hands, run off terrified. The PHANTOM, leading CHHRISTINE, fixes his stare on BUQUET. Seeping his cape around CHRISTINE, he exist with her. But before they go, GIRY has entered, observing. She turns on BUQUET)
GIRY Those who speak of what they know find, too late, that prudent silence is wise.
Joseph Buquet, hold your tongue - he will burn you with the heat of his eyes ...