Polymestor's office. With the threat of invasion in the air, and a terrible vision of his death on her mind, Hecuba has brought Polydorus here. Her son may want to go to war, but the city needs him alive. Polymestor will keep him safe.
Hecuba stands behind the desk, her face etched with anxiety. Her son is seated the other side. He suddenly looks... young. Far too young for any of this. His new protector stands behind him, bathed in a reddish light.
In the background, music: "Strangers' arms reach out to me...."
Hecuba raises a toast, features softening in relief. Polymestor raises his glass in turn, with a smile for his queen. All, for a moment, is well.
But look...what is the toast that he mutters under his breath?
"To Moloch.."
Before the music twists with a sickening lurch into something distorted and ugly. Before the wall cracks open to reveal a golden bull headed idol, wreathed in smoke: The first moment when we realise something is very, very wrong with this picture.