Paris Opera House, 1881

~

On a normal busy day at the Paris Opera House, the opera company is rehearsing for Hannibal.

Amy Lee, who plays as Elissa, the Queen of Carthage, enters the stage with the severed head of Scipio; singing a great aria.

This trophy!
From our saviours!
From our saviours!
From the enslaving force of Rome!

As Amy raises the severed head, the opera enters the stage, followed by the ballet of both men and women.

(Chorus girls)
With feasting and dancing and song, tonight in celebration!
We greet the victorious throng, returned to bring salvation!

(Chorus boys)
The trumpets of Carthage resound!
Hear Romans now, and tremble!
Hark to our step on the ground!

(Opera)
Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!

Ben Moody, who plays as Hannibal, enters the stage.

(Moody)
Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Roma's far reaching grasp!

"No! No! No!"

Monsieur Killian, the chief repetiteur, rushes on the stage; stopping the run through of the opera.

"Signor, if you please, "Rome"! We say "Rome", not Roma!"

"Si, si, Rome, not Roma. Is very hard for me."

As Moody practices his line, the retiring manger enters the stage with two men. Mark Eshleman and Frank Iero.

"This way, gentlemen, this way. As you can see, rehearsals are under way for the new production of Chalumeau's Hannibal."

Seeing that everyone is taking a hiatus rehearsal, the manager attempts to retract attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, some of you may already have met Monsieur Eshleman, and Monsieur Iero."

As the managers politely bow, Killian interrupts.

"I'm sorry, Monsieur, we are rehearsing. If you wouldn't mind waiting a moment?"

"My apologies, Monsieur Killian. Proceed."

"Thank you, Monsieur."

He turns back to Moody.

"Once again, "sad to return", signor."

The opera get back into their positions and the rehearsal resumes.

(Moody)
Sad to return to find the land we love threatened once more by Rome's far reaching grasp!
Tomorrow we shall break the chains of Rome!
Tonight, rejoice, your army has come home!

The ballets take center stage and begin their dance. Eshleman, Iero, and the manager stand in the way; observing.

"That was signor Ben Moody, our principal tenor. He does play so opposite La Amy Lee."

Jenna, the woman dressed in black, notices their presence in front of the ballets.

Exasperated, she bangs her cane.

"Gentlemen, please! If you would kindly move to one side?"

"My apologies, Madame Jenna."

The manager turns to Eshleman and Iero.

"That's Madame Jenna Black, our ballet mistress."

He turns to Eshleman and Iero.

"I don't mind confessing, Monsieur Iero, I shan't be sorry to be rid of the whole business."

"I keep asking you, Monsieur, why exactly are you retiring?"

The manager ignores his question and draws his focus back to the ballets.

"We take particular pride here in the excellence of our ballets."

Hayley, one of the lead ballets, becomes prominent among the other dancers.

"Who's that girl, Monsieur?" Eshleman asked.

"Her? That's Hayley Williams, Madame Jenna's niece. She's a very promising dancer."

Tyler, the other lead ballet dancer, becomes prominent, but absent-mindedly falls out of step.

When Madame Jenna spots him, she bangs her cane.

"You! Tyler Joseph! Concentrate, boy!"

"Tyler, what's the matter?" Hayley asked.

"Joseph?" Iero said. "Curious name."

"Hebrew." The manager replied.

"Any relation to the violinist?" Eshleman asked.

"His son, I believe. Always has his head in the clouds, I'm afraid."

The ballet continues to the climax and ends, then the opera resumes center stage.

(Opera)
Bid to welcome to Hannibal's guests!
The elephants of Carthage!
As guides on our conquering quests!
Dido sends, Hannibal's friends!

As the elephant enters the stage, Amy and Moody joins hands together and stand at the center of the opera.

(Amy)
Once more to my welcoming arms, my love returns in splendour!

(Moody)
Once more to those sweetest of charms, my heart and soul surrender!

Everyone joins the opera for the finale.

(Opera)
The trumpeting elephants sound!
Hear Romans now, and tremble!
Hark to their step on the ground!

Hear the drums!
Hannibal comes!

~

At the end of the chorus, the three men clap for them, then the manager steps in.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Can I have everyone's attention, please?!"

The opera and ballets talk among themselves, not listening to the manager's voice.

He looks over to Madame Jenna.

"Madame Jenna?"

She bangs her cane; sending everyone into silence.

"Thank you."

The manager stands in the middle of the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please? As you know, for some weeks there have been rumors of my imminent retirement. I can now tell you that these were all true, and is it my great pleasure to introduce to you the two gentlemen who now own the Opera Populaire, Monsieur Frank Iero, and Monsieur Mark Eshleman."

As the opera and ballets politely applaude, Amy steps in, making her presence felt.

"Gentlemen, Signora Amy Lee Hartzler, our leading soprano for five seasons now."

"Of course, of course!" Mark cried. "I have experienced all your greatest roles, signora."

"And Signor Benjamin Moody."

"An honour, signor." Frank replied.

"If I remember rightly, Elissa has a rather fine aria in Act Three of Hannibal. I wonder, signora, if as a personal favor, if would oblige us with a private rendition? Unless, of course, Monsieur Killian rejects?"

"My manager commands!"

She looked to Killian for his approval.

"Monsieur Killian?"

"My diva commands!" Killian said. "Will two bars be a sufficient introduction?"

"Two bars will be quite sufficient!" The manager replied.

After Amy warmed up, Killian stood back; ensuring that she was ready.

"Signora?"

Amy held up her red cloth and looked to the composer.

"Maestro."

The introduction is played on the piano.

(Amy)
Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
Remember me every so often
Promise me you'll try

On that day
That no so distant day
When you are far away and free
If you'd ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me

As she is singing, a backdrop crashes to the floor, cutting her off from half of the cast.

When the opera and ballets see this, they begin to panic.

"He's here! The Phantom of the Opera!" Hayley cried.

"He's here! The Phantom of the Opera!"

Moody rushes to Amy's side.

"Amy, my love! Are you hurt?!"

The manager comes over as well.

"Signora, are you all right? Buquet! Where is Buquet!"

"Is no one concerned for our prima donna?"

"Get that man down here!"

He looks at Eshleman and Iero.

"Buquet is the chief of the flies. He's responsible for this!"

Joseph Buquet appears from under the backdrop; holding a length of rope, which looks like a noose.

"Buquet! For God's sake, man, what's going on up there!"

(Buquet)
Please Monsieur, don't look at me
As God's my witness, I was not at my post
Please Monsieur, there's no one there
And if there is, well then it must be a ghost!

Hayley panics.

"He's here! The Phantom of the Opera!"

"Good heavens!" Eshleman cried. "Will you show a little courtesy!"

"Mademoiselle, please!" Iero added.

Eshleman looks to Amy.

"These things do happen."

Amy looks at Eshleman; heavily disturbed by his words.

"These things do happen?"

She stands up to him.

"You have been here five minutes! What do you know! Si, these things do happen all the time! For the past 3 years, these things have happened!"

She looks at the manager.

"And you! Did you stop these things from happening? No!"

She turns back to Eshleman and Iero.

"And you! You're just as bad as him! These things do happen!"

Amy had enough.

"Well, until you stop these things happening, this thing does not happen!"

She gathers her things and leaves.

"Moody, andiamo!"

As he follows her, he turns back to the three men.

"Amateurs!"

Once they left, the manager looks at Eshleman and Iero.

"I don't think there's much more to assist you, gentlemen. Good luck. If you need me, I shall be in Frankfurt."

~

After he leaves, the opera company looks at the new managers; anxious for answers.

"La Amy will be back." Eshleman said.

"You think so, Monsieur?" Madame Jenna asked.

She holds up a letter.

"I have a message, sir, from the opera ghost."

The ballets twirl in fear.

"God in Heaven, you're all obsessed!" Iero cried.

"He merely welcomes you to his opera house, and commands that you continue to leave Box Five empty for his use, and reminds you that his salary is due."

"His salary?" Iero asked.

"The last manager paid him twenty thousand francs a month. Perhaps you can afford more, with Gerard Arthur Way as your patron."

The ballets are excited, but Tyler takes a hold of Hayley; nervously.

"Madame, I had hoped to make that announcement myself."

"Will Arthur Way be at the performance tonight?" Madame Jenna asked.

"In our box." Iero replied.

"Madame, who is the understudy for the role?" Eshleman asked.

"There is no understudy, Monsieur." Killian said. "The production is new."

Hayley stood up.

"Tyler Joseph could sing it, sir."

"The chorus boy?" Iero asked.

"He's been taking lessons for a great teacher!"

"From whom?" Eshleman asked.

Tyler stood up; uneasy.

"I-I don't know, sir."

Iero flips out.

"Oh, not you as well!"

He turns to Eshleman.

"Can you believe it? A full house, and now we have to cancel!"

"Let him sing it for you, Monsieur." Madame Jenna said. "He has been well taught."

After a moment of doubt, the new managers agree.

"Very well."

Hayley kindly moves Tyler to the center of the stage towards Killian. She hands him the red cloth; assuring him that he'll do good.

"From the beginning of the aria, my dear."

After nodding to the composer, Tyler stands before the opera and begins to sing.

(Start song)

Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye

Tyler tries to tap out, but Madame Jenna bangs her cane; urging him to keep going.

Remember me every so often
Promise me you'll try

"Eshleman, this is doing nothing for my nerves." Iero said.

"Don't fret, Iero." Eshleman replied.

On that day
That not so distant day
When you are far away and free
If you ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me

With a successful impression, Tyler transforms into the gala and performs before the audience that night; embracing his singing for the first time.

And though it's clear
Though it was always clear
That this was never meant to be
But if you can still remember
Stop and think of me

Think of August
When the world was green
Don't think about the way
Things might have been

Think of me, think of me waking
Silent and resigned
Imagine me, trying to hard
To put you from my mind

Think of me
Please say you'll think of me
Whatever is you choose to do
Where will never be a day
When I won't think of you

During Tyler's moment, Gerard watches from above, and quickly recognizes him.

(Gerard)
Can it be?
Can it be Tyler?

He stands up and claps.

"Bravo!"

Long ago
It seems so long ago
How young and innocent we were
He may not remember me
But I remember him

Tyler sings once more.

(Tyler)
Flowers fade
The fruits of summer fade
They have their seasons, so do we
But please promise me that sometimes
You will think

Aah!
Aah!
Aah!

Of me!

Tyler bows to the audience, and they load with applause. It was the most accomplished performance they had ever seen.

He never thought his voice would be loved by so many people, and he may have inspired others.

Including one he's always known.