Andrew Lloyd Webber — Finale

Scene: "The Railway Cutting" (Sir Percival Glyde is at the station. He has the papers with him. His manner is wild. He is euphoric—but on a short fuse, on the edge, he has drunk too much. He sees the Signal Man) [GLYDE] Hallo! You there! Signal Man! Where in hell is the damn London train? [SIGNAL MAN] I've heard reports there is trouble on the line! [GLYDE] But is it expected? My business here is over. I must make my connection! (The Signal Man looks at him strangely) [GLYDE] Man, why Do you Look at me In that way? I've done nothing wrong! (The wires begin to sound) [GLYDE] What is this infernal noise? [SIGNAL MAN] The wires singing in the wind (Glyde reacts strangely. The noise jangles his nerves) [SIGNAL MAN] They're calling me with news, sir There's danger on the line! [GLYDE] This terrible noise in my head!! (The Signal Man runs off to his signal box) Scene: "Laura Makes Glyde Confess" (The noise of the wires reaches a terrible pitch.) (Laura, dressed as “The Woman in White”, appears. She reaches her hand out to Glyde. He swings round in surprise) [GLYDE] Oh, God... Anne Catherick! (He tries to regain his composure) [GLYDE] This isn't real! This cannot be! You do not exist! Get away from me! [LAURA] You know why I'm here And what you must say Sir, you must confess [GLYDE] Woman, stay away! [LAURA] Tell the truth Percival Glyde! You'll hear my voice Inside your head For all your life And when you're dead You won't be free Till you express What you have done Till you confess (He backs away from her; she persists) You cannot hide You can't go far Everywhere you go I'll be where you are I know what you've done We both know what's true Secrets must be told [GLYDE] I'm not afraid of you! [LAURA] Everything you did Everyone will know [GLYDE] That's all in the past Buried long ago! [LAURA] Tell the truth Percival Glyde Didn't you use me and hurt me? [GLYDE] You were a beautiful girl Like none I'd ever seen You were just fifteen [LAURA] You and I both know the secret [GLYDE] Something that no one could prove And who'd believe it's true From the likes of you? You told me you were pregnant! You told me it was mine! It could have been a lie It deserved to die I had to drown your bastard! I had no other choice Before the child was due I'd had enough of you All that remains of your secret Is buried in Blackwater Lake! I watched while your disgrace Sank without a trace [LAURA] You beat me and you raped me! And then you drowned my child! When I was mad from grief You imprisoned me My precious little baby The heart within my heart The child I never knew All because of you And then you threw away My life! [GLYDE] Your precious secret's meaningless No one alive remembers you And you could save your prayers For no one truly cares It's just like you were never born! And no one ever mourned for you! (Laura reveals herself) [LAURA] You're wrong I mourn for Anne Anne Catherick! And the child of yours That you destroyed! [GLYDE] Laura! [LAURA] Her secret seals your fate forever And the judgement that you can't avoid You have kept us both a prisoner But the truth has set us free It will lock you up And damn your soul For all of eternity! [GLYDE] You little witch! You think you can trick me! Come here! I killed her And I can kill you, too! And the beauty of it is No one will ever know Because you're dead! You're already dead! (He lunges at Laura, grabs her by the throat. She falls to the tracks) [LAURA] No! (Hartright appears on the top of the cutting. He races down to help Laura) [HARTRIGHT] Let go of her! (He gets Laura free of Glyde. Glyde attacks Hartright. Marian enters) [GLYDE] The drawing master, I might have known! [HARTRIGHT] Just give yourself up! (The men fight. Hartright is gaining the upper hand but then he is knocked to the ground.) (The villagers are assembling. Their voices overlap) [VILLAGERS] He's over there! Don't let him get away! We know the truth! We know exactly what you've done! [HARTRIGHT] You see, Glyde?! We all know what you've done! You've signed your own confession! The game is over! [GLYDE] The game is never over! (Glyde runs towards the tunnel) [HARTRIGHT] Don't go in there! He said there's danger on the line!! (Glyde runs into the tunnel. Hartright runs after Glyde. A huge vibration on the tracks. The sound of a train approaching. Marian and Laura scream. Steam everywhere. Wires sounding, the train’s horn blowing. A crash.) (The Signal Man comes forward with his lantern. Other men run into the tunnel. Marian is holding Laura back. They are both crying. There is a pause. Then slowly Hartright appears from the tunnel, followed by men carrying the lifeless form of Sir Percival Glyde) [SIGNAL MAN] And a year to the day... The dead lie on the tracks... The dead lie on the tracks... (Police come forward. The crowd starts to dissipate) Scene: "The Sisters Are Free" (Marian and Laura cling to each other. Laura is crying with relief) [MARIAN] You were so brave And now we're free [LAURA] It seemed like Anne was there with me Her spirit was my guide My sister by my side [LAURA AND MARIAN] With Anne I know we'll never part Her heart beats on within my heart (They embrace and then Laura looks to where Hartright is. Marian sees this. She goes to Hartright) [MARIAN] Go to her Right away That is where you belong! [HARTRIGHT] How can I ask your blessing With all that we've been through? Our world has changed [MARIAN] You must find it in your heart To overlook what we've done And make another start Once again As we were If not for me, for her (Walter goes to Laura) [HARTRIGHT] Every part of every thought Leads me straight to you [HARTRIGHT AND LAURA] And with all my soul I believe my heart The portrait that it paints of you Is a perfect work of art (Laura and Hartright embrace. They go to Marian. Laura takes off her shawl, the shawl she wore as Anne Catherick, and places it around Marian. Laura and Walter leave. Marian is suddenly alone. She is overcome with grief) [MARIAN] I close my eyes And I still see his face! (The sun starts to rise. Marian walks to the graveyard. The stonemason is chipping out the name Anne Catherick and her dates 1839-1860 on Laura’s grave. Marian watches. As the day dawns, she is alone. The stonemason continues to tap. Tap, tap, tap) THE END