FADE to inside. Two men dressed in suits discuss business with a middle-aged man in the main hall.
MIDDLE-AGED MAN: It's settled then, Mr. Andre?
ANDRE: Yes, Mr. Lindwall. Here's the money.
ANDRE hands over a briefcase. LINDWALL snaps it open, and has a look inside. It is filled with banknotes.
OTHER MAN IN SUIT: Is it satisfactory?
LINDWALL: Yes, Mr. Firmin. Here's the papers, the opera house is now yours.
FIRMIN and LINDWALL exchange thick wads of paper.
FIRMIN: Here's the nessecary documents. Thanks, Mr. Lindwall.
LINDWALL: Before the deal is sealed, I have one last warning...
ANDRE: What's that?
LINDWALL: I have to warn you not to rent out box Six.
FIRMIN: Why?
LINDWALL: It belongs to the phantom of the opera. If he asks you to do something, believe me, you'll want to do what he says, or he beings great misfortune upon the actors.
FIRMIN: (laughs) We've heard about your phantom before. Don't worry, we'll take our chances with it.
LINDWALL: Be careful! I'm serious, he's dangerous! That's why I'm selling the theatre.
ANDRE: And at a very attractive price too, Mr. Lindwall. Don't worry, we'll take care of ourselves.
LINDWALL: Ok, then, gentlemen. I'd better be off. I've got many other business deals to seal tonight, and I'm not getting any younger.
LINDWALL leaves. ANDRE and FIRMIN give each other high-fives. There is a flash of lightning, and the screen slowly FADES to black
SUBTITLES: "A few months later." ANDRE paces around the room looking haggard. FIRMIN sits at the desk sorting through a huge stack of paper. (No Music)
FIRMIN:
Another bill!
They come by the horde
My lord,
The taxman’s moving in for the kill!
ANDRE:
If I had a dollar for every bill...
FIRMIN:
...You'd have $146.
This man...
ANDRE:
Man? You mean ghost.
For surely he is,
Smarter than most,
what man does this?
FIRMIN:
I agree, but to what end?
Our business will go,
Even so,
For help me must send.
Any help, Andre, from you friend?
ANDRE:
My friends, alas, numerous as the are,
And their influences spread afar,
but none could find the Opera Ghost,
FIRMIN:
You're the genius, dear Andre.
Don’t look to me for what to say,
ANDRE:
MUSICAL genius, I said, I think.
I know, I'll call in Mysteries Inc.
FIRMIN: (laughs sardonically)
Dear Andre, surely you jest!
Mysteries Inc., Why, they’re the best!
Those guys have never failed a case!
Without disgrace,
They’re way above the rest.
For sure, they could catch the ghost,
For which we do detest.
ANDRE:
Fear not, for I know of a way,
One of them used to be a student,
studying music under me, Young Miss Blake,>br>
Cheer up, Firmin, For goodness sake!
FRIMIN:
Cheer up, Dear Andre, what you say?
Well, this is certainly not the way.
Look at these bills!
How will we pay?
He is interrupted by a WOMAN entering the office,
FIRMIN: Yes, Christine?
CHRISTINE:
Mr. Firmin,
I must protest,
I was singing the solo tonight,
but I've heard Carlotta is singing instead.
ANDRE:
Dear Christine,
your voice is indeed fine,
but Carlottas voice,
more sublime.
In time,
You’ll be the prima donna,
dear Christine.
CHRISTINE: That’s not fair, Andre! I had the part...
FIRMIN: Sorry, Christine, though it breaks my heart (laughs)
CHRISTINE: You’ll regret this, Mr. Firmin.
CHRISTINE leaves. The owners look at each other and shrug.
CUT to a little later. ANDRE has notably calmed down. FIRMIN is still sorting through his bills.
FIRMIN: So, no kidding? You can get Mysteries Inc. in here?
ANDRE is about to reply when Mr. SULLIVAN, the opera house manager, enters.
SULLIVAN: Mail for you, sirs. I found it on my desk.
He hands him an envelope with the opera house's emblem embossed onto it.
ANDRE: Oh no... I'm afraid to look.
FIRMIN: The opera house never sends mail to itself... so that means.
They look at each other.
BOTH: The Opera Ghost!
ANDRE:
Go on. Open it. It won't explode, anyway.
(And if it does, for the damages I’ll pay)
FIRMIN:
"Dear Alexander and Gerrard.
Congratulations once again,
But to avoid a few deaths most profane,
Let Christine replace Carlotta for the show tonight.
Best wishes,
O.G (Opera Ghost)
ANDRE:
Ludicrous!
“Congratulations once again”
Dear Firmin,
the man is insane!
FIRMIN:
I agree, but “deaths most profane”
You’ve seen what the ghost has done before,
best we not disobey him any more.
ANDRE:
(morbidly) The funerals are costing us a heap of money,
it’s net very nice, and really quite unfunny.
I pray that our friends get here before tonight.
Or it seems we're in a real plight.
CUT to late afternoon. The Mystery Machine is crusing down Dolan St, a richer part of town, where the Opera House is situated.
SHAGGY: Wow, like, this sure is the upbeat classy district.
SCOOBY: Reah. Ruprheat (laughs)
FRED: Almost there, gang. What did your friend want us to do, Daph?
DAPHNE: He said something about an Opera ghost.
SHAGGY: G-g-ghost!? Like, I thought we were going to the opera! I wasn't told about an opera ghost!
SCOOBY: Re reither.
VELMA: (sigh) If we told you, Shaggy, You and Scooby wouldn't have come along.
SHAGGY: Like, now that we know, can we go home now?
FRED: No, Shag. We've got a mystery to solve.
DAPHNE: And if you don't come along, you can't have any of the pizza afterwards.
SCOOBY: Rizza? Rount re rin.
SHAGGY: Scooby! Well, at least I'm not going.
DAPHNE: With anchovies...
SHAGGY: A-a-anchovies?
FRED: And Ice cream (ugh)
SHAGGY: (beginning to look pained) No! Like, stop it!
VELMA: (thinking quickly) And chochlate.
SHAGGY: (breaks down) It was the Chochlate that did it! You know I can't resist the chochlate!
VELMA: Jinkes, Shaggy, sometimes you really gross me out.
SHAGGY sobs into SCOOBY. SCOOBY pats him comfortingly.
FRED: We're here, gang, The Coolsville Opera House.
It begins to rain. There is thunder and lightning a-plenty.
SHAGGY: Like, I feel welcome already.
CUT to the office. Apart from ANDRE and FIRMIN, there is also Mr. SULLIVAN, the manager of the Opera.
SULLIVAN: Your friends have arrived, Mr. Andre.
ANDRE: Thank you, Sullivan. It's nice to see your pretty face again, Daphne.
DAPHNE laughs, and begins to talk to ANDRE. FRED looks a little displeased but keeps quiet.
FIRMIN: You're the real Mysteries Inc?
SHAGGY: Like, that's us.
SCOOBY: Reah. Re're re real ReRoy.
FIRMIN: You must be Shaggy and Scooby. And you must be Fred and Velma. Welcome to the Coolsville Opera House. Me and my friend here, Mr. Andre, have been recently bothered by someone known only as the Opera Ghost.
FRED: No problem, Mr. Firmin.
FIRMIN: Ah... you haven't heard the whole story yet. You see, this ghost has a nasty temper, and... uh... has a habit of killing people when we don't do exactly what he says... uh...
SHAGGY: T-t-hat doesn't sound fun at all.
VELMA: Don't worry about Shaggy, Mr. Firmin. We'll help you.
ANDRE: (unentangling himself from DAPHNE) We're very grateful for your help, kids, but if we don't catch him before tonight, we're really going to cop it.
Suddenly, Mr. SULLIVAN runs in.
SULLIVAN: Sirs! I think there's something you should see!
Everyone begins running towards the stage after Mr. SULLIVAN.
ANDRE: Oh no... I forgot about this.
VELMA: What is it, Mr. Andre?
ANDRE: Our friend, the Phantom, has a habit of killing someone right after he makes his demands, just to show us he isn't kidding. I think we've got the point by now. He's killed almost half of the orchestra.
They have arrived at the quiet stage. Actors and crewmen are gathered in huddles, spreading rumours and half-truths about what has happened. On the stage is a large Cello case. It is closed, and two workmen are standing guard over it.
FIRMIN: Oh no. Not Kruger.
SHAGGY: Zoinks! D-do you think they... ?
ANDRE: I'm afraid that may be so, Shaggy.
ANDRE opens the case, but it's contents are not revealed to the audience. This is a kid's show, after all. The gang gasps. FIRMIN shakes his head and tuts.
FIRMIN: Broken clean off. What a waste of talent. Now we'll need a new conductor. Too bad, I kinda liked Kruger.
SHAGGY: (morbidly) Like, at least you won't have to buy a coffin.
VELMA: Shaggy!
SHAGGY: Hey! Even funny guys need a little cooperation.
VELMA: That was meant to be funny? Oh, brother.
A loud and brash voice from the entrance...
VOICE: I found it highly amusing, actually...
Everyone spins around.
ANDRE: Troy Lane! I thought I told you to stay at your own opera house!
TROY: (laughs) You expected me to listen to you? My, but you're a simple man, Gerrard. And Alexander, can I call you Alex? How's the business going?
FIRMIN: Our business is exactly that, our business, and not yours. And no, you can't call me Alex.
TROY: (laughs again) I hope you're enjoying your phantom! Seeya round, Alex!
TROY leaves
SCOOBY: Ra ra.
SHAGGY: Like, I didn't find it so funny either.
FIRMIN: Don't worry about him. He's not doing so hot in his business.
ANDRE: Neither are we. Come on, back to the office, and we'll tell you the rest of the story.
CUT to the office. The gang is seated on sofas or office chairs.
ANDRE: ...and after we bought the place from Mr. Lindwall, strange things began happening, just like he told us. Business has been slowly declining, just look at this chart! At this rate, we’re going to have to sell the whole place.
FIRMIN points to a chart on the wall, showing the profits from the opera house.
VELMA: Hmmm... very interesting.
Another knock is heard at the door.
FIRMIN: My, aren’t we having a busy day. Come in.
CHRISTINE enters
CHRISTINE: Have you changed your mind yet, Mr. Firmin?
ANDRE: No, despite what the Phantom writes and does, we haven’t.
CHRISTINE: The Phantom wants me to sing the solo?
FIRMIN: Yes, in fact, he made his point... very pointedly.
CHRISTINE: Well, whatever he may do, he’s got taste, unlike some people I could name.
CHRISTINE leaves.
ANDRE: Well, now that’s over, I want you kids especially to be careful around the phantom. Lindwall wasn’t joking when he said he’s dangerous.
FRED: We'll be on watch tonight, don't worry. If the phantom decides to strike, we'll be ready for him.
SHAGGY and SCOOBY look at each other, and exchange puzzled and scared glances.
CUT to the opera house. It is now filled with upper-class people, all well-dressed in expensive clothes.
FIRMIN: I sure hope you know what you're doing, Fred.
ANDRE: Yes, I don't like taking this chance. If the phantom finds out we're disobeying him...
FRED: That's the idea, Mr. Andre. When he finds out, he'll come out and...
SHAGGY: ...Like, kill some more people. Probably us.
SCOOBY: Rhi rope rot. (SCOOBY whimpers)
VELMA: Shaggy, we'll catch him before he kills anyone else.
DAPHNE: The opera's about to start... let's be ready.
The gang rush to outside box 6. FRED tries the door, it swings open freely, but the PHANTOM is not present.
FRED: Good. We'll wait until he comes in, and grab him.
The gang hid behind the corner. High above the stage, the PHANTOM can be seem looking down. He is a disfigured man, wearing an opera mask and dark cloak.
PHANTOM: Those fools Gerrard and Alexander will pay most dearly for this... and those meddling kids too. I'll see to it that this will be one case they WON'T solve... (laughs insanely).
The laugh echos around the hallways. the screen slowly FADEs to the next scene.
The opera begins. In the box opposite to Box 6 waits ANDRE, FIRMIN, and Mr. SULLIVAN.
SULLIVAN: Don't worry, Mr. Andre. I'm sure those kids know what they're doing.
FIRMIN: I just hope they get the phantom. If they don't, we are really going to be in trouble...
ANDRE: Not to mention in need of a whole new orchestra. We don't usually refuse his demands.
The opera begins. High in the walkways above, the PHANTOM also watches. The opera continues until the solo. CARLOTTA is singing instead of CHRISTINE.
PHANTOM: Disobey my demands? They shall pay doubly!
The PHANTOM slinks off into the darkness on the catwalks.
CUT to the gang hiding around the corner.
SHAGGY: It's not working, Fred. I think he knows what's up.
FRED: Hmmm... maybe you're right, Shag.
VELMA: That's a first.
DAPHNE: Let's go have a look in the box.
The gang rushes into Box 6, and lean over to get a better look at the show. At that precise moment, there is a snapping sound. The massive chandelier swings down, and impacts against the stage with a colossal smashing sound, then falls into the orchestra pit. The crowd is in uproar, and armies of workmen rush onto the stage to assist the injured actors and musicians. The gang, Mr. SULLIVAN, ANDRE, and FIRMIN look on in horror. There is a massive explosion of smoke, and the PHANTOM descends slowly from the roof. He hovers just above the stage. He waves his hand, and there is a massive gust of wind inside the opera house, causing his cape to flow. Lightning flashes in the sky above, seeable through the transparent roof. A dramatic roll of thunder rattles across the theatre. Flames burst out from the front of the stage, and their burning heat can be felt at the back of the house.
PHANTOM: Listen, Andre and Firmin, And Heed My Warning! This Is Only The Beginning! What Will Happen Next If My Orders Are Not Obeyed Will Make This Seem Insignificant By Comparison! The Phantom Of The Opera Has Spoken!
The flames flare anew, sending up gigantic blasts of fire. In a blaze of fire, the Phantom vanishes.
VELMA: Impressive, you've got to give the guy credit. He went to a lot of trouble to rig that one.
SHAGGY: What do you mean? Like, why do you never believe the simple explanation? Like, that guy's for real, and everyone knows ghosts can do that stuff.
VELMA: (laughs) Shaggy, those things you just saw are all old theatre tricks. With a wind machine, a few fireworks, some flashy lighting equipment, and some strong wires, anyone could be a phantom.
FRED: Well, at least we know the people who were present didn't do it.
VELMA: Yeah... I guess so...
FRED: Hey! Where's Daphne? Daph? Where are you?
VELMA: Freddy's right! Daphne's gone!
SCOOBY tugs at SHAGGY's shirt.
SHAGGY: Not now, Scoob, Daphne's missing!
SCOOBY: Rook, raggy! Rit's rimrortant!
SHAGGY: Cool it, Scoob! I'm looking for clues!
SCOOBY: Raggy! Ri rot a rue!
VELMA: What is it, Scooby?
SCOOBY shows VELMA the note he found.
SHAGGY: A clue?
FRED: (looks over VELMA's shoulder) No, a ransom note!
FRED is right. The camera CUTS to the note, written with the opera house emblem.. It reads
"Dear Mysteries Inc.
As You cannot have failed to notice, I have temporarily detained your friend, Miss Blake. Of course, I'm a reasonable person, and I'm willing to let her go if abandon this mystery now, and leave. I'd be interested to know your answer
Sincerely
O.G"
FRED: They've got Daphne!
SHAGGY: Like, what do we do now?
FRED: I... I don't know...
Slow FADE