(Start song)

In the manager's office, Eshleman is impatiently flickering through it.

(Eshleman)
Ludicrous!
Have you seen the score?

Iero enters.

Simply ludicrous!

(Eshleman)
It's the final straw!

(Iero)
This is lunacy!
Well, you know my views!

(Eshleman)
Utter lunacy!

(Iero)
But we daren't refuse

(Eshleman)
Not another chandelier...

(Iero)
Look, my friend, what we have here...

Iero has two notes from the Phantom, one of which he hands to Eshleman, who opens it and begins to read it.

(Eshleman)
Dear Eshleman, re my orchestrations:
We need another first bassoon
Get a player with tone and that first trombone has to go!

The man could not be deafer, so please preferably one plays in tune!

(Iero)
Dear Iero, vis a vis my opera:
Some chorus members must be sacked
If you could, find out which has a sense of pitch, wisely though

I've managed to assign a rather minor role to those who cannot act!

The managers are interrupted by the arrival of Amy Lee and Moody, who are both furiously brandishing similar notes.

(Amy)
Outrage!

(Iero)
What is it now?

(Amy)
This whole affair is an outrage!

(Iero)
Signora, please

(Eshleman)
Now what's the matter?

(Amy)
Have you seen the size of my part?

(Eshleman)
Signora, listen...

(Moody)
It's an insult!

(Iero)
Now you as well!

(Moody)
Just look at this!
It's an insult!

(Iero)
Please, understand

(Eshleman)
Signor! Signora!

(Amy)
The things I have to do for my art!

Moody stabs a finger at the open score.

"If you this, "gibberish art!"

In the middle of the conversation, Gerard and Tyler enter. When Amy sees them, she bristles in jealousy.

"Ah! Here's our little flower!"

"Ah, Mr. Joseph, quite the boy of the hour!" Iero said.

"You have secured the largest role in this "Don Juan". Eshleman said.

"Tyler Joseph? He doesn't have the voice!" Amy cried.

"Signora, please!" Iero told her.

"Then, I take it you're agreeing?" Gerard asked to the managers.

"He's behind this..." Amy said to herself.

"It appears we have no choice." Eshleman said.

Amy is unable to contain herself any longer. She points accusingly at Tyler.

"He's the one behind this! Tyler Joseph!"

Tyler, who had been silent this whole time, becomes incensed by Amy's accusations. He shouts at her.

(Tyler)
How dare you!

(Amy)
I'm not a fool!

(Tyler)
You evil woman!
How dare you!

(Amy)
You think I'm blind?

(Tyler)
This isn't my fault!
I don't want any part of this plot!

(Iero)
Mr. Joseph, surely...

(Eshleman)
But why not?

(Moody)
What does he say?

(Iero)
It's your decision, but why not?

(Amy)
He's backing out!

(Eshleman)
You have a duty!

"I cannot sing it!" Tyler cried. "Duty or not."

Gerard comes over to comfort his fiancé.

(Gerard)
Tyler...
Tyler...
You don't have to
They can't make you

Hayley and Madame Jenna arrive, the latter bearing another note from the Phantom.

"Please, monsieur: another note."

The managers gesture Madame Jenna to read it. As she begins to read the note, everyone in the room reacts variously, as they are all being singled out.

(Madame Jenna)
Fondest greetings to you all!
A few instructions just before rehearsal starts:
Amy Lee must be taught to act...

The Phantom's voice takes over.

(The Phantom)
Not her normal trick of strutting round the stage
Our Don Juan must lose some weight, it's not healthy in a man of Moody's age
And my managers must learn that their place is in an office, not the arts

As for Mr. Tyler Joseph
No doubt he'll do his best, it's true
His voice is good
He knows though, should he wish to excel
He still has much still to learn, if pride will let him return to me
His teacher

His teacher...

"Your obedient friend..."

The Phantom's voice fades out, and Madame Jenna finishes reading the note.

"And Angel..."

Despite the warnings, Tyler still refuses to sing.

"I can't do it. I won't do it."

~

Attention now focuses on Gerard, whose eyes are suddenly bright with a new thought.

(Gerard)
We have all been blind
And yet the answer is staring us in the face
This could be the chance to ensnare our clever friend

"We're listening." Eshleman said.

"Go on." Iero added.

(Gerard)
We shall play his game
Perform his work
But remember, we hold the ace
For, if Mr. Joseph sings, he is certain to attend

(Eshleman)
We make certain the doors are barred

(Iero)
We make certain our men are there

(Gerard)
We make certain they're armed

(Gerard, Eshleman, and Iero)
The curtain falls
His reign will end!

Everyone has been listening intently. Madame Jenna is the first to express a reaction. Tyler remains silent and withdrawn.

(Madame Jenna)
Madness!

(Eshleman)
I'm not so sure

(Iero)
Not if it works

(Madame Jenna)
This is madness!

(Eshleman)
The tide will turn!

(Madame Jenna)
Monsieur, believe me!
There is no way of turning the tide!

"You stick to ballet!" Iero shouted.

Gerard turns to Madame Jenna.

(Gerard)
Then help us!

(Madame Jenna)
Monsieur, I can't!

(Gerard)
Instead of warning us...

(Gerard, Eshleman, and Iero)
Help us!

(Madame Jenna)
I wish I could

(Gerard, Eshleman, and Iero)
Don't make excuses!

(Gerard)
Or could it be that you're on his side?

Madame Jenna looks to Gerard.

(Madame Jenna)
Monsieur, believe me, I intend no ill!
But messieurs, be careful!
We have seen him kill!

(Eshleman and Iero)
We say he'll fall
And fall he will!

(Amy)
He's the one behind this!
Tyler!
This is all his doing!

(Moody)
This is the truth!
Tyler Joseph!

(Gerard)
This is his undoing!

(Eshleman and Iero)
If you succeed, you free us all!
This so called "angel" has to fall!

(Gerard)
Angel of music, fear my fury!
Here is where you fall!

(Madame Jenna)
Hear my warning!
Fear his fury!

(Amy)
What glory can he hope to gain?
It's clear to all the boy's insane!

(Eshleman)
Tyler sings
We'll get our man!

(Moody)
He is crazy!
He is raving!

(Iero)
If Tyler helps us in this plan...

(Gerard)
Say your prayers, black angel of death!

Tyler begins to vainly plead amidst the tumult.

"Please, don't..."

(Eshleman)
If Tyler won't, then no one can!

(Madame Jenna)
Monsieur, I beg you!
Do not do this!

(Amy and Moody)
Gran Dio!
Che imbroglio!

(Eshleman and Iero)
This will seal his fate!

With so much power weighted upon him, Tyler snaps and bursts through the hubbub with a great cry.

"IF YOU DON'T STOP, I'LL GO MAD!"

Tyler turns to Gerard and embraces him, with tears in his eyes.

"Gerard, I'm frightened! Don't make me do this! Gerard, it scares me! Don't put me through this ordeal by fire! He'll take me, I know! We'll be parted forever! He won't let me go!"

(Tyler)
What I once used to dream, I know dread
If he finds me, it won't ever end
And he'll always be there singing songs in my head
He'll always be there singing songs in my head

Everyone stares at Tyler.

"He's mad." Amy said.

(Gerard)
You said yourself, he was nothing but a man
Yet while he lives, he will haunt us till we're dead

Tyler turns away; unhappily.

(Tyler)
Twisted every day, what answer can I give?
Am I to risk my life, to win the chance to live?
Can I betray the man who once inspired my voice?
Do I become his prey?

Do I have any choice?

He kills without a thought, he murders all that's good
I know I can't refuse, and yet, I wish I could
Oh God, if I agree, what horrors wait for me?
In this, the Phantom's opera?

Gerard looks to Tyler; tendering taking his hand.

(Gerard)
Tyler, Tyler, don't think that I don't care
But every hope and prayer rests on you now!

Tyler, overcome by his conflicting emotions, still refuses.

"I can't!"

He runs out of the room.

Gerard, filled with determination, strides forward and addresses the Phantom.

"So, it is to be war between us! But this time, clever friend, the disaster will be yours!"