FYOP/Scenario Chamber/A Night at the Opera/0247
The prompt lights up and you find yourself singing the lines, “My Pamina! What happiness!”
“My Prince! Oh what happiness!”
You join hands as you sing together, her voice harmonizing with your own as you proclaim “two hearts that burn with love that human frailty can never part,” a look of tenderness and affection in her eyes that almost makes you blush. The duet ends with her smiling blissfully, then her eyes closing as her pink lips part slightly, her raising herself on her toes. You lean in for the kiss, only to have Sarastra’s voice break through – “One Test Remains!”
The stage dims, save for an anemic spotlight that falls upon a platform raised from the floor, a ‘bridge’ extending the length of the stage. Taking Pamina’s hand, you step on to it, crossing its length together.
When the two of you are no more than halfway across, the music of the orchestra reaches a crescendo, almost masking a loud grinding followed by the roar of flames. The darkness is dispelled all around as fire leaps from stone plinths surrounding you, rising from the depths below – it seems that save for bridge you and Pamina occupy, the stage has given way to a chasm, whose bottom is filled with churning black water.
Pamina clings to your arm in response to the sudden tumult, her voice singing, “May our love protect us in floods and protect us in flame!”
The remaining attendant appears on the far side of the bridge, her soft lips colored in black. “Turn back!” she sings, “This is not the way!” There is an erratic edge to her movements as she spreads her arms, barring your path.