The Failed Assassination Attempt

Elphaba is assigned to assassinate Madame Morrible during a holiday performance. She stalks her target through the snowy streets, but at the last moment, a group of schoolgirls and a pantomime player disrupt the scene. Elphaba hesitates, unable to act in front of the children. Madame Morrible escapes into the theatre. Elphaba is consumed with self-loathing and failure. She returns to her apartment, where she is ambushed by the Gale Force. Fiyero, who had followed her, arrives to find her gone and is himself attacked. The failed assassination marks a catastrophic turning point, leading to Fiyero's presumed death and Elphaba's descent into despair.