Lyrics: Beyond The Lake (the Point Of No Return)

(The dummy of CHRlSTlNE sits crumpled on a large throne. The PHANTOM drags CHRISTINE roughly out of the boat. She frees herself and backs away as he stares blackly out front. Braving her terror, she addresses him fiercely).

CHRISTINE

Have you gorged yourself at last, in your lust for blood?

(no reply)

Am I now to be prey to your lust for flesh?

PHANTOM (coldly)

That fate, which condemns me to wallow in blood
has also denied me the joys of the flesh . . .
this face - the infection which poisons our love . . .

(He lakes the bridal veil front the dummy, and moves slowIy towards her)

This face, which earned a mother's fear and loathing . . .
A mask, my first unfeeling scrap of clothing . . .

(He places the veil on her head)

Pity comes too late -
turn around and face your fate:
an eternity of this before your eyes!

(They are almost touching. She looks calmly and coldly into his face)

CHRISTINE

This haunted face holds no horror for me now . . .
It's in your soul that the true distortion lies . . .

(The PHANTOM suddenly senses RAOUL'S presence. Behind the portcullis, RAOUL climbs out of the water)

PHANTOM

Wait! I think, my dear, we have a guest!

(To RAOUL)

Sir, this is indeed an unparalleled delight!
I had rather hoped that you would come.
And now my wish comes true -
you have truly made my night!

RAOUL (pleading, grasping the bars of the gate)

Free her! Do what you like only free her!
Have you no pity?

PHANTOM (to CHRISTINE, dryly)

Your lover makes a passionate plea!

CHRISTINE

Please, Raoul, it's useless . . .

RAOUL

I love her!
Does that mean nothing?
I love her!
Show some compassion . . .

PHANTOM (snarls furiously at RAOUL)

The world showed no compassion to me!

RAOUL

Christine . . .
Christine . . .

(to PHANTOM)

Let me see her . . .

PHANTOM (drily)

Be my guest, sir . .

(He gestures, and the fence rises. RAOUL enters)

Monsieur, I bid you welcome!
Did you think that I would harm her?
Why should I make her pay for the sins which
are yours?

(So saying, he takes the Punjab lasso and, before RAOUL has a chance to move, catches him by the neck. The end of the rope, of which the PHANTOM has let go, remains magically suspended in mid-air)

(taunting)
Order your fine horses now!
Raise up your hand to the level of your eyes!
Nothing can save you now - except perhaps Christine . . .

(He turns to her)

Start a new life with me -
Buy his freedom with your love!
Refuse me, and you send your lover to his death!
This is the choice - This is the point of no return!

CHRISTINE (to the PHANTOM)

The tears I might have shed for your dark fate
grow cold, and turn to tears of hate . . .

RAOUL (despairing)

Christine, forgive me please forgive me . . .
I did it all for you, and all for nothing . . .

CHRISTINE (looking at the PHANTOM but to herself)

Farewell my fallen idol and false friend . . .
One by one I've watched illusions shattered . . .

PHANTOM

Past all hope of cries for help:
no point in fighting -

RAOUL

Either way you choose, he has to win . . .

PHANTOM

For either way you choose, you cannot win!

So, do you end your days with me, or do you send
him to his grave?

RAOUL (to PHANTOM)

Why make her lie to you, to save me?

CHRISTINE

Angel of Music . . .

PHANTOM

Past the point of no return -

RAOUL

For pity's sake, Christine, say no!

CHRISTINE

. . . why this torment?

PHANTOM

. . . the final threshold . . .

RAOUL

Don't throw your life away for my sake . . .

CHRISTINE

When will you see reason . . .?

PHANTOM

His life is now the prize which you must earn!

RAOUL

I fought so hard to free you . . .

CHRISTINE

Angel of Music . . .

PHANTOM

You've passed the point of no return . . .

CHRISTINE

. . . you deceived me -
I gave my mind blindly . . .

PHANTOM (to CHRISTINE)

You try my patience - make your choice!

(She reflects for a moment, then with resolution moves slowly towards the PHANTOM)

CHRISTINE

(quietly at first, then with growing emotion)
Pitiful creature of darkness . . .
What kind of life have you known . . .?

God give me courage to show you you are not
alone . . .

(Now calmly facing him, she kisses him long and full on the lips. The embrace lasts a long time. RAOUL watches in horror and wonder.

The PHANTOM lakes a lighted candle and holds it above RAOUL's head. A tense moment. But the suspended rope suddenly falls harmlessly - the PHANTOM has burned the thread by which the noose was held. Resigned, he addresses RAOUL, as we hear the offstage voices of the approaching MOB)

MOB (SOME)

Track down this murderer -
he must be found!
Hunt out this animal,
who runs to ground!

Too long he's preyed on us -
but now we know:
the Phantom of the Opera
is there deep down below . .

MOB (OTHERS)

Who is this monster, this murdering beast?
Revenge for Piangi! Revenge for Buquet!
This creature must never go free . . .

PHANTOM

Take her - forget me - forget all of this . . .
Leave me alone - forget all you've seen . . .
Go now - don't let them find you!
Take the boat - leave me here - go now, don't wait . . .
Just take her and go - before it's too late . . .
Go . . .
Go now - go now and leave me!

(RAOUL and CHRISTINE move off towards the boat. The PHANTOM looks mockingly at his mask. The musical box starts up magically, and he listens to it)

Masquerade . . .
Paper faces on parade . . .
Masquerade . . .
Hide your face so the world will never find you . . .

(CHRISTINE re-enters and walks slowly towards him. She takes off her ring and gives it to the PHANTOM)

PHANTOM

Christine, I love you...

(She hurries off The PHANTOM puts the ring on his finger. In the distance, to RAOUL, as the boat pulls away in the shadow)

CHRISTINE

Say you'll share with me, one love, one lifetime . . .
say the word and I will follow you . .

RAOUL

Share each day with me . . .

CHRISTINE

. . . each night . . .

BOTH

. . . each morning . . .

PHANTOM (looking after her)

You alone can make my song take flight -
it's over now, the music of the night . . .

(The PHANTOM walks slowly towards the throne. He takes his place on it, sitting on his cloak.

The MOB including MEG, appears above, climbing down the portcullis. As the MOB enters the lair, the PHANTOM wraps his cloak around himself and disappears.

MEG crosses to the throne and picks up his mask in her small hand)