Click here for *Point of No Return* MIDI

POINT OF NO RETURN

Don Juan (Phantom):
You have come here in pursuit of your deepest urge,
in pursuit of that wish, which till now has been silent, silent…
I have brought you, that our passions may fuse and merge—
in your mind you’ve already succumbed to me,
dropped all defences, completely succumbed to me—
now you are here with me: no second thoughts,
you’ve decided… decided…

Past the point of no return—no backward glances:
Our games of make-believe are at an end…
Past all thought of ‘if’ or ‘when’—no use resisting:
abandon thought, and let the dream descend…

What raging fire shall flood the soul?
What rich desire unlocks its door?
What sweet seduction lies before us…?

Past the point of no return, the final threshold—
What warm, unspoken secrets will we learn?
Beyond the point of no return…

Aminta (Christine):
You have brought me to that moment where words run dry,
to that moment where speech disappears into silence, silence…
I have come here hardly knowing the reason why…

In my mind, I’ve already imagined our bodies entwining, defenceless and silent—
and now I am here with you: no second thoughts,
I’ve decided… decided…

Past the point of no return—no going back now:
our passion-play has now, at last, begun…
Past all thought of right or wrong—one final question:
how long should we two wait, before we’re one…?

When will the blood begin to race,
the sleeping bud burst into bloom?
When will the flames at last consume us…?

At this point, Christine recognizes that it is the Phantom who is behind the cowl, and not Signor Piangi. She panicks and tries to run away, but he grabs hold of her hands and they sing the ending with full passion.

Both:
Past the point of no return, the final threshold—
The bridge is crossed, so stand and watch it burn…
We’ve passed the point of no return…

By now the audience and the police have realized that Signor Piangi is dead behind the curtain, and it is the Phantom who sings in his place.
Christine realizes too and takes the cowl of his cloak off. He turns away, uncertain of what do to next. As final confirmation, the Phantom slowly progresses toward her and sings:

Phantom:
Say you’ll share with me one love, one lifetime…
Lead me, save me from my solitude…

He takes from his finger a ring and holds it out to her. Slowly she takes it and puts in on her finger.

Say you want me with you, here beside you…
Anywhere you go let me go too—
Christine, that’s all I ask of…

Just as it looks as if Christine is about to kiss him, she tears off his mask instead, and the audience can see his grotesque face clearly.

As the forces of law close in on the horrifying skull, the Phantom sweeps his cloak around Christine and vanishes.

Meg pulls the curtain upstage, revealing Piangi’s body garroted, propped against the bed, his head gruesomely tilted to one side. She gives a bloodcurdling scream.

Transformation To:

Reverse View of the Stage

Police, stagehands, etc. rush onto the stage in confusion. Also: André, Firmin, Raoul, Giry, Carlotta, and Meg.

Carlotta:
What is it? What has happened? (seeing Piangi’s dead body) Ubaldo!

André:
Oh, my God…my God…

Firmin:
We’re ruined, André—ruined!

Giry: (to Raoul)
Monsieur le Vicomte, I know where they are.

Raoul:
But can I trust you?

Giry:
You must. But remember, your hands at the level of your eyes!

Raoul:
But why…?

Giry:
Why? The Punjab lasso, monsieur. First Buquet, now Piangi!

Meg: (holding up her hand)
Like this, monsieur! I’ll come with you!

Giry:
No, Meg! No, you stay here!
(to Raoul)
Come with me, monsieur. Hurry, or we shall be too late…

* Onto Next Scene *